The Seven Sisters

📘 About This Book

"Maia D'Apliaese and her five sisters gather together at their childhood home, 'Atlantis'--a fabulous, secluded castle situated on the shores of Lake Geneva--having been told that their beloved father, who adopted them all as babies, has died. Each of them is handed a tantalizing clue to her true heritage--a clue which takes Maia across the world to a crumbling mansion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Once there, she begins to put together the pieces of her story and its beginnings"--

📖 Summary

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley, published in 2015, is a sweeping and emotionally resonant work of fiction spanning 480 pages that launches an ambitious multi-part saga. The story begins at Atlantis, a fabulous and secluded castle situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva. Here, six sisters—all of them adopted as babies from different corners of the world by an enigmatic billionaire father they affectionately call Pa Salt—gather together following his sudden and mysterious death. The shock of his passing leaves the tight-knit family grieving, but Pa Salt has meticulously prepared for this exact moment. Before his death, he left behind specific, tantalizing clues for each of his adopted daughters, designed to help them uncover their true heritage and trace their ancestral roots back to where their individual stories began. The narrative primarily follows the eldest sister, Maia D'Apliaese. Unlike her siblings, Maia has lived a more solitary life, remaining comfortably close to her childhood home rather than venturing out into the wider world. However, the legacy left behind by her father demands action. Armed with her unique clue—a mysterious armillary sphere engraving and a set of coordinates—Maia is propelled out of her comfort zone and across the world to a crumbling, atmospheric mansion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This journey marks the beginning of a profound personal transformation, forcing her to confront her fears, step into the unknown, and unravel a past she never knew belonged to her. As Maia arrives in Rio de Janeiro, the novel seamlessly weaves between the present-day quest and a rich, historical flashback that brings early twentieth-century Brazil to life. In this historical narrative, readers are introduced to the figures connected to the construction of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue, a monumental backdrop that anchors the emotional stakes of the past. Through diaries, letters, and local guides who help her navigate the sprawling city, Maia begins to piece together the tragic and passionate romance of her ancestor, Izabela Bonifacio. She learns about the strict societal expectations of high society in Rio and Paris, the artistic fervor of the era, and the heartbreaking choices that ultimately led to her own existence. Back at Atlantis, the remaining sisters also grapple with the realization that their lives are about to change forever as they contemplate the clues left for them by Pa Salt. While Maia's story forms the core of this first installment, the setup promises a grand, interconnected series exploring the unique backgrounds of all the sisters, each named after the stars of the Pleiades constellation. The Seven Sisters is fundamentally a meditation on identity, belonging, family ties, and the idea that we cannot truly know ourselves until we understand where we come from. Lucinda Riley blends rich historical detail with contemporary mystery, creating an immersive reading experience that transports the audience from the tranquil waters of Switzerland to the vibrant, sun-drenched streets of Brazil. Through Maia's eyes, readers discover that loss can be the catalyst for profound self-discovery and that family is defined not merely by blood, but by the enduring bonds of love and shared history.

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