Tag Archives: The Seven Sisters Series

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Booked for Pride Month: Five Books I Would Recommend for Pride Month

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To kick off Pride Month, I thought it would be nice to recommend a few books on or about LGBTQ+ individuals. For those of you looking for a book to pick up. I’ve read a few, myself, I have a few on my To Read list, and I have one sitting in my Currently Reading list.

These five books are ones that I’ve read and enjoyed. Some from last year, one from this year, and one from a few years ago. Even if they aren’t what you are looking for personally, I hope I have one that might peak your interest.

Miss Memory Lane: A Memoir by Colton Haynes

This was a read that I really wanted to get in 2022. Though my views on CW’s Arrow have changed over the years, Colton Haynes, who played Roy Harper, was always one of my favorite aspects of the show. Even though he wasn’t utilized as well or as often ad I would have hoped.

That said, this was my favorite biography/memoir to come out of 2022. It is a decent sized read at 256 pages and discusses an array of experiences the actor has gone through. And he doesn’t hold his punches either. Reading this, I could see that he went through quite a bit in life.

If you are looking for an insightful memoir, I would recommend Miss Memory Lane.

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

I read this book earlier this year. I had read this around the same time as Back in a Spell, the third book of Lana Harper’s The Witches of Thistle Grove series. I was kind of debating if I wanted to one or both of them. With The Witches of Thistle Grove series, I liked the first book and was mixed on the second, while I wasn’t that impressed with aspects of Delilah Green Doesn’t Care the first book from Ashley Herring Blake’s Bright Fall series. In the case of the former, I am uncertain that I will read the fourth book, In Charm’s Way. I wasn’t all that interested in Back in a Spell and so far, the first book is the only one that I really like.

However, in the case of Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, I ended up enjoying it more than Delilah Green Doesn’t Care. I will most likely pick up the third book Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date, when that comes out later this year.

It does have a rather romcom and/or formulaic concept, but it was still a fun read. I feel like the relationship between Astrid and Jordan felt better explored to me and it wasn’t tied to a bet like it initially was with Delilah and Claire (though they did genuinely fall in love in the end). I also enjoyed how it approached the conflict between them having to do with the show they are on, Jordan’s past relationship and marriage, and Astrid trying to figure out what she truly wants in her life instead of what her mother wants her to do with her life. Which I feel was handled better than the conflicts in Delilah Green Doesn’t Care.

So while it may have a simpler story, I would certainly recommend giving this book a read.

Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley

Granted, this book isn’t explicitly about the relationship between the two leading ladies of this story, CeCe and Chrissie. However, it does involve CeCe figuring out who she is, without Star, and what she wants. And while the main plot of the story is CeCe investigating her birth family, readers do get to see her realizing that she may have feelings for Chrissie, who she meets during her travels and offers to help her.

CeCe’s story is one of self-discovery and realization. While Kitty’s, the person from the past who’s connected to CeCe’s family, is to make it on her own and ends up finding love.

This is my second favorite book in the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley, so I would recommend this book, along with Moon Sister and Seven Sisters, regardless. However, I would also recommend it if you are looking for a read about an LGBTQ+ book about someone realizing and embracing that they are. Just now that while CeCe and Chrissie do not officially get together at the end, their relationship is confirmed in a following book (I believe in Moon Sister, but it could have been Sun Sister or Missing Sister. I can’t remember which, but it is confirmed).

Sandman by Neil Gaiman

I wanted to recommend a graphic novel series, which brings me here. I had considered the 2009 Red Robin series since Tim Drake has come out as bi in 2021 and that being one of his more beloved series. However, with the Netflix adaptation of Sandman debuting last year with a planned second season in the works, and the fact that I am am reading and enjoying it, I thought I would recommend Sandman instead.

Now, it is worth noting that this series does tackle a few sensitive topics. It is a series that can be dark when it needs to and can be. However, it does have moments where it can be lighter and inspiring moments. It’s also worth noting that the series did come out in the 80’s. So some of the language used may be dated.

The series itself follows entities of Destiny, Death, Dream, Destruction, Desire, Despair, and Delirium. Mainly Dream, also known as Morpheus. It’s also a horror fantasy series. I’m currently a few volumes in and have read the Death spinoff/side story.

When it comes to LGBTQ+ representation, it comes in the form of the non-Endless characters as well as the Endless, Desire. Desire is nonbinary and is referred to as They/Them, and has been even before the Netflix adaptation. And speaking of the Netflix adaptation, Desire is played by Mason Alexander Park, who is nonbinary.

Sandman has representation. Both in the comics and the Netflix adaptation. So if you are looking for a graphic novel series, I would recommend it. Again, just be aware that it covers some sensitive/mature topics.

The Avatar Kyoshi Duology by F.C. Yee

The Rise of Kyoshi and The Shadow of Kyoshi is a duology based on the Avatar the Last Airbender, Kyoshi. This Earthbending Avatar (two Avatars prior to Aang) has become a popular Avatar among fans. Her to the point nature and understanding that, sometimes, tough choices must be made, is recognizable. She has become a meme for her assertiveness and willingness to choose a violent route more times than not (which may be a bit of an overexaggeration, but a fun one at that).

These books explore the life of Kyoshi through the years. When Kuruk, Kyoshi’s predecessor and Waterbending born Avatar, dies young and suddenly, finding the next Avatar is a must. After Kyoshi’s childhood friend is mistaken for the Avatar, Kyoshi is thrown into an unexpected journey where it is revealed that Kyoshi is actually the Avatar. Along the way she deals with a looming conflict and teams up with a troupe that her late airbending mother was apart of. Traveling with her is Rangi, a firebending ally and friend, who Kyoshi realizes she has feelings for as her journey goes on.

This Duology is written by F.C. Yee and one of the co-creators of Avatar the Last Airbender, Michael Dante DiMartino has an acknowledgement/preface in it. If you were a fan of the series and a fan of Kyoshi (or not), I would recommend this duology. And for further reading, F.C. Yee has an Avatar Yangchen duology with The Dawn of Yangchen which was released in 2022 and The Legacy of Yangchen which is set to be released on July 18th of this year.

Conclusion

Though not the only LGBTQ+ books I’ve read, these are five, technically six on account of the Kyoshi duology, that I would currently recommend. I may have more at the end of June or in a later post, but for now, I hope you fins something to enjoy.

Books, Discussion

My Top Three Seven Sisters Books

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With Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt just dropping, I thought I would take a moment to go over my top three books from the series. I have yet to pick up and read Atlas, but I will be soon and will do a review for it. In the meantime, though, and to get me writing something Seven Sisters related, I thought I would discuss my favorite books from the series.

General Disclaimer

As always, I do have my general disclaimer on the whole finding their birth family bit. I know the concept of the sisters searching out their birth family may have a mixed reception depending on who you talk to because adopted family is just as familial as birth families. Which is a valid observation/critique.

Now, do I think Lucinda Riley was being malicious with this concept? No. Reading the series, I never really interpreted it belittling adopted family. All the sisters still saw each other as sisters. Even after finding their birth family. Some of the sisters were closer than others, which I think is relatively normal. For instance, Star and CeCe were always close and still were when they realized that they needed time apart to explore who they are. Maia and Ally were also close and were there throughout the series to help each other out. That said, they always saw each other as family.

Reading the series, I interpreted the sisters choosing to look into their birth family as them wanting to look into their roots. To learn more about their heritage and where their family came from. They weren’t forced to do so, nor were they looking to forget their adopted family by doing so. The sisters relationship with each other stayed strong, even when they found their birth family.

With that in mind, here are my top three books from the Seven Sister series.

Seven Sisters

The first book in the series is my third favorite. If you asked me last year, I might have said it was my second. As the introductory book for the series, I thought it did a great job with introducing the premise. Maia was also a good character to start off with. While readers get to see how everyone initially responds to Pa Salt’s passing and their ensuing journeys, readers get to see how Maia viewed Pa Salt as the eldest.

Her story was probably the simplest in terms of following the set of of the series. Which isn’t a bad thing. Being the first book, I don’t think it needs to be super extravagant. So long as it sets up what it needs to, that’s okay. I also just enjoyed how it tackled her finding love again after breaking up with her ex (who periodically shows up throughout the series) and how she connected with her birth family. As well as the setting and scenery of Brazil.

With this being the introductory book, it does take time to set up. Which, while not inherently a bad thing, does take up a bit of time in the book. I just wish a little more time could have been given to Maia. The other sisters feel like they got a little more time since the only thing the reference back to from the first book is their thoughts and maybe a scene or two around the time they got the letters from Pa Salt.

Pearl Sister

I was initially going to put this as my third favorite since I couldn’t decide if I liked this book, Shadow Sister, or to a lesser extent Missing Sister as my favorite. I connected with Shadow Sister based on it being about writing and books, which are things I love. I also related to one of the secondary characters who helps Star because he had seizures, which I used to have growing up. Meanwhile, Missing Sister I loved for being centered on Ireland. However, I had mixed feelings about Merry.

However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I enjoyed this book and CeCe’s story. Which cascaded Pearl Sister up to second place. I really liked how CeCe got time to become her own person and realize what she wanted. In some ways I can relate to that. I am a bit of an introvert and am learning more about myself as the years go by.

I also like how CeCe and Chrissie’s relationship starts to develop. They do end up getting together. Pearl Sister takes the time to have CeCe wonder how she feels about Chrissie throughout the book and how she wants to pursue it. Them being together would officially be official in I think it was Moon Sister or Missing Sister. However, with CeCe being the more introverted sister who was looking to find out who she was, I thought it was realistic that she didn’t have all the answers right away.

The only reason that I don’t place this book at number one is because that book left more of an impression on me. And without it, I might not have picked up the series.

Moon Sister

In my previous posts I’ve mentioned that this book was the reason that I read the whole series. The premise caught my eye while I was working. However, since it was the fifth book, I decided to read the series in order. Yes, technically, each book can be read on their own. Each book focuses on a specific sister and, outside of the basic points, readers don’t need to read the previous book to understand what’s going on in the book they’re on. I, personally, thought it was just better to read the whole series. Which I don’t personally regret in the long run.

If there’s one thing that caught my interest, it was the fact that this book focused on Romani characters. Namely Tiggy and her birth family. I’m someone who enjoys learning about other cultures because I want better understand them and be as respectful as possible. And learning about other cultures is something I enjoy learning about in general.

So I thought it was pretty interesting that Moon Sister chose to approach a Romani experience. It has been a while since I’ve read the book, but from what I recall, I thought it did a fine job when approaching the Romani characters. I won’t say it’s perfect, but I thought Lucinda Riley handled it as respectfully as possible.

That said, I won’t say it’s perfect. In some of the stuff online, namely the synopses and the Q&A use a term that has been deemed offensive for Romani people. Now the blurb on the back of the book does not use it, and since it’s been a while since I’ve read the book, I don’t remember if it did there. I don’t think it did, but I’m going to be rereading it anyways. I only mention this since, while I do give her the benefit of the doubt when it comes to intent (based on what I know right now, I don’t think she had ill intent. If I’m wrong, I will mention it), it is something I do note as a heads up.

When it comes to the book itself, I was drawn to Tiggy’s story the most when I was first getting into the series. Being the empathy of the family and an animal lover were traits that interested me. I also really liked how it approached her journey. Readers get to see what she does in Scotland and how she helps out Charlie around his home. As she looks for answers, she ends up having to be rushed to the hospital for a heart condition that ends up connecting to her birth family. She learns more about herself as well as she recovering and traveling to Granada Spain, where her family, notably Lucía, who was the relative from the past segments, lived.

If I had to critique the book for anything in general, it would be how it handled aspects of Tiggy’s relationship with Charlie. I don’t mind that they got together, but I wasn’t all that into the whole cheating miscommunication plot point. I thought it was good that Tiggy at least recognized that she couldn’t act on her feelings towards Charlie due to his relationship with the mother of his daughter. If I recall correctly, Charlie was either in the process of divorcing his ex wife or. Either way, they aren’t married by the end, which is when Tiggy and Charlie get together. And there not being an affair was a good thing (I think that’s one issue I had with some of the past segments after Maia). It’s the misconception that they were having an affair was not needed in my opinion. Rather, I think it would have been better if the relationship aspect of her story was about her realizing she doesn’t need love, accepts that she can’t be with Charlie and moves on, or if Charlie was already a divorcee and Tiggy helps him see that he’s worthy of love. That and including Maia’s ex. I don’t think he was necessary for the story.

Overall though, Tiggy’s journey, Lucía’s story, and exploring a Romani perspective was pretty interesting. It may not be perfect, but it was engaging. At least for me. I also appreciate that Moon Sister at least tried to approach a Romani perspective with Lucía and her family. It’s the book that got me into the series and I knew this was going to be one that I liked. And I did.

Conclusion

These are the three books I would consider my favorite when it comes to Lucinda Riley’s Seven Sisters series. Most of the books I would say are pretty nice, though I know the concept may not be for everyone, which I respect.

I have one book left to finish in the series, Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt. I do plan on reading and reviewing it. Once I do, I’m plannig to do a general overiew on the series. So look forward to that in the near future.

Books, Discussion

Atlas the Story of Pa Salt, the Final Book of The Seven Sisters Series: My Hopes and Expectations.

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When The Missing Sister came out back in 2021, I initially thought this would be the last book in the series. Since each book focused on a sister and the seventh being based on the one that went missing, it would make sense. However, checking Goodreads, like I do, I found out that there will be an eighth book. From my understanding this was in the works prior to her passing and announced not long after The Missing Sister’s release.

According to an interview for The Missing Sister (https://lucindariley.co.uk/seven-sisters-series/the-story-of-the-missing-sister/q-and-a/), Lucinda Riley initially planned for this book to be seven books long. However, she didn’t feel like The Missing Sister could tie up all of the loose ends, feeling that she wouldn’t be able to do it justice. So she started on Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt to finish the series.

And while she did pass away a few months after the release of The Missing Sister, that doesn’t mean it will go unfinished. Since she already had passages and key notes on the story in the works, her eldest son Harry Whittaker, will continue, and finish, the story. According to Goodreads, the book has an expected release of January 2023, however, her website states that it has an expected release in Spring of 2023 (https://lucindariley.co.uk/seven-sisters-series/atlas-the-story-of-pa-salt/).

With that said, I thought I would take a moment to discuss some hopes I have for this book. As well as some things I am expecting. I suppose both are interchangeable, but I do feel some topics might fit more as expectations while others fit more so as thing I hope they include.

Honoring Lucinda Riley’s Memory

With this being not only the last book in the series, but the last book by Lucinda Riley, I feel like this book could be a ceremonial way to say farewell to the author. Whether that be in the form of an “in memory of” section” or some form of tribute to the author in the acknowledgements or notes at the end, I think there should be some form of way that the author is remembered. I’m sure there will be, and that’s not to say that Harry Whittaker shouldn’t get credit for his part, just that this book could be a way to honor Lucinda Riley’s memory.

Exploring Pa Salt’s Character

This is titles Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt, so it’s pretty much a given that it will be about Pa Salt. He had a presence throughout the series, but readers never really got to know the character on a personal level. Only how each sister remembers him.

My hope is that this book will give some closure with Pa Salt as a character. Since his character has been dead since the very beginning, I would hope that this goes over who he was as a person, exploring why he adopted each sister, and the lead up to his passing. Let his story be told in a way that works with the story and wraps it up with the sisters learning more about their father.

The Past and Present Storytelling

This might sound odd, but I would hope that it keeps up the tradition of it being told in the present as well as the past. Not only because the series is known for it, but because I feel that it has to. Again, with Pa Salt being deceased, readers won’t exactly be able to get a first hand account of the character. Rather, the sisters learning more about the man who brought them all together. That would be the present bit.

As for the past portion, it would focus on Pa Salt’s life. Here, readers would get to learn about who he was as a person, where he came from, how he became the man he was, and how he found each sister. And much like the other stories, it should go through a big part of his life. It can start with him as a child or young adult (preferably the latter) and go all the way up to his death.

As far as perspective, I could see this taking a slightly different approach. Normally, each book would be told in the first person for each sister and third for the person from the past. I believe The Missing Sister was the only book that told it from the third person perspective for both. Here, I can see it using solely the third person for both perspectives since it would be his story and D’Aplièse getting answers and learning more about Pa Salt. Alternatively, it could be written from third person for the present part and the first person for Pa Salt’s. That would be a nice change of pace while also utilizing something that the series was known for. There is also the chance that the present could shift a first person perspective for each sister, but I feel like that would be unnecessary and could get confusing.

Ending the Series on a High Note

Since this will be the conclusion to the series, I feel like it should end on something of a high note. That would include wrapping up the loose ends it didn’t get to in The Missing Sister, ending with each sister having learned something, show where each sister ends up, and ending the series on a good conclusive note. While I’m not expecting perfection, I do think that it should resolve what it needs to and feels gratifying. Not rushed. Nor do I think it should end on a happily ever after. It would be nice to see it ending on a happier note, but I’m not looking for a happily ever after necessarily. If one or more of the sisters feel like they have to reevaluate their life or how they viewed Pa Salt, that’s okay. But at the same time, they did get a sort of happily ever after at the end of each of their story, and I don’t think that has to be tossed.

Conclusion

These are just a few things I hope for when Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt is released. If you’ve read the series, what are your expectations for it? Is there anything you hope gets addressed? Are you excited for it?

Books, Review

The Missing Sister: A Review

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This is the most recent book in the series as of this review. The seventh book of the Seven Sisters series answers the overarching question that has remained unanswered since the beginning: Who was the seventh sister that Pa Salt never found?

This book answers that question all the while reuniting the six sisters from the previous book. Also know: Minor Spoilers Ahead.

General Disclaimer

My general disclaimer for this book, and the last time you’ll probably see it since I don’t think Atlas, the eighth and final book, will address Pa Salt’s heritage so much as why Pa Salt adopted all of the sisters and his found family through them.

While this series does involve each character finding their birth family, I do not believe that it was the author’s intent to diminish adopted families. Having read the series, I interpreted it as each daughter being given the choice to find their birth families if they so choose. With each daughter choosing to investigate their history.

Synopsis

When Maia, Ally, Star, CeCe, Tiggy, and Electra receive news about the seventh sister that Pa Salt never found, they decide to look into it. They hope to spark a connection, find out what happened, and why this seventh sister wasn’t found. Their investigation brings them to New Zealand, Canada, England, France and Ireland. Along they way they meet Merry and her daughter Mary-Kate, who may hold the secret to the missing sister.

Jumping back into the 1920’s we get to hear the story of Nuala. Nuala is an Irish woman living through Ireland’s war for independence. Her journey details with where she and her family stand, what actions she takes, and what it was like during this turbulent time.

Positives

I’m a sap for Ireland centered stories, being of Irish decent myself and having a curiosity to learn more about Irish history. So one thing I enjoyed was how this book explored Ireland and it’s history. And with this taking place during a time of conflict, getting a sort of look into it from one perspective was neat.

I also liked how we finally got the sisters all back together for this. With this “missing sister” being something that was referenced multiple times throughout the series, it was nice to see that they didn’t leave this plot point on the cutting room floor.

Another thing I thought was a neat reflection of the story was with Merry and her daughter Mary-Kate. Mary Kate finds herself learning more about herself and her family and finds out the truth about her relationship with Merry.

Critiques

The critiques I have are with Merry and how they approached the search for her. Merry was a character that I had mixed feeling on. On the one hand, I understand why she wouldn’t want to meet with the D’Aplièse sisters to a degree. However, her constantly running was something that I found a bit repetitive and annoying at times. Merry does eventually agree to meet up with them, and readers are able to get a conclusion, but O was a little tired of the constant “the D’Aplièse sisters get to the location Merry’s at, but oh no, she fleed the country” cycle.

On the other hand, I can also see how the approach could have been done better. Realistically, it would feel odd if a group of people kept following you wishing to met, even if it wasn’t just the D’Aplièse sisters Merry was trying to evade. So that part makes sense.

On the other, It felt like it just prolonged the inevitable. I’m not opposed to her trying to avoid the D’Aplièse, just that it shouldn’t have lasted as long as it did. I think it would have been nice or at the very least manageable, if after a while of avoiding them, it’s Mary-Kate who decides to act as a mediator and/or talks her mother into speaking to them much sooner. And from there, resolve any issues and explore Merry and Nuala’s stories. But, that’s just my thoughts on it.

Conclusion

I would give this book a seventy eight percent. This rating I believe will log it as my third favorite in the series. I found the premise of finding the “missing sister” to be a good one, and a great way to tie up that loss end. I also thought it was interesting as far as Nuala’s story taking place during Ireland’s war for independence. The only think I wish they had done better was how they approached the D’Aplièse sisters went looking for their missing sister and aspects of Merry’s story.

Books, Review

Sun Sister: A Review

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The Sun Sister, released after I had finally caught up on the rest of the series. I was certainly curious to see what they would do with Electra’s character, as she was the one who seemed to have the least screen presence… or book appearances, when compared to the others. She does show up several times throughout the first five books, but it did feel like she was more so referred to than actually having scenes.

Unfortunately, this would be my least favorite in the series. Due to seeing and agreeing with some of the criticisms in reviews, I do feel like it could have been better. There were a lot of good concepts there, and I was all for them, but I did see how the execution seems rushed. It’s not terrible by any means, however, out of all seven books so far, one had to be the least enjoyed. And for me, it was this one.

Series Disclaimer

While this series does involve each character finding their birth family, I do not believe that it was the author’s intent to diminish adopted families. Having read the series, I interpreted it as each daughter being given the choice to find their birth families if they so choose. With each daughter choosing to investigate their history.

Book Specific Disclaimer

Know that Sun Sister does address drug addiction and recovery throughout Electra’s story. How well the story handles it will depend on the reader, but know that it is addressed.

Synopsis

Electra’s story is one of fame, struggles, and living in the moment. Electra, despite being the youngest sister, has had a rather successful career in modeling. However, her personal life is far from perfect. After putting off the information Pa Salt had left her in regards to her family tree, and getting help for her addiction, she decides to look into it. When she is given a letter from a woman claiming to be her grandmother, she finds herself meeting this woman and discovering her family history while coping and working on bettering herself.

Meanwhile, starting in 1939 Cecily Huntley-Morgan finds herself moving from New York to Kenya on a journey of rediscovery and recovery. With war and disaster on the horizon, she finds herself marrying a man named Bill Forsythe and joining him as he works alongside the Maasai Tribe, who he has close connections with. As loneliness starts to set in, Cecily finds a baby that had been abandoned and raises them as her own.

Positives

I will say that I did appreciate the story it was telling. For Electra’s story, I appreciate how she does get help for her struggles. What she was going through is relatable and worth discussing. I also thought Electra had some good, albeit not perfect, development.

I also thought it was neat how this story did decide to address some of the Civil Rights era. It was a step forward time period wise, where as most of the previous books past story segments took place between the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Because while it does start off in the late 1930’s, having a slightly more modern and notable time period was a nice change of pace.

Critiques

Unfortunately, the execution is where it feels lacking. It probably doesn’t help that I did read a few reviews before hand, something I typically try to refrain from unless I am that curious about if a book is worth reading. And while I wouldn’t say that checking out reviews, or getting a second opinion/feedback before going into a book is bad, it did give me something to think about.

Because, while I do think that there were good intentions behind the book, I also think that it wasn’t as well executed as it could have been. Which was something some reviews noted on more or less. So while I can credit it for trying, I can also critique it for it’s execution.

One critique that stuck out to me was how quick the story seemed to skim over Electra’s recovery. And I can kind of see why. It does address it and has some moments dedicated to it, but it does feel like it could have or should have gone more in depth with it. Of course, it goes without saying that I am not an expert when it comes to addiction recovery and how long it should take, despite what knowledge I do have on it. That said, I can see why it might have felt rushed and/or not as developed as it should have been.

Another complaint I’ve seen was with Electra herself. Mostly with characterization. I will admit, Electra was the one sister I was curious about, but also the one I wasn’t sure hot to feel about. I would definitely say the character is a bit rough around the edges and there were areas that might have needed some improvement. However, I don’t think I was as critical to Electra as some people might have been, though I do agree there could have been different ways to handle the character in some instances.

Conclusion

Overall, I would give this book a six out of ten. I do believe that there were areas that could have been improved upon with the character and how certain story elements could have been done differently. That said, I do kind of appreciate what the book was trying to do with it’s handling of Electra’s mental health and addiction, even if the execution wasn’t stellar.

Books, Review

Pearl Sister: A Review

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Book four of the Seven Sisters series, Pearl Sister, is the next book for me to review. Similar to the third book, Shadow Sister, this is the second of two books that I feel neutral about. However, I think I enjoyed this one a smidge more.

This is also the first book that explores a main character who falls into the LGBTQ+ community. In this book, it starts off as CeCe questioning her sexuality and is later confirmed that she and a secondary character are romantically involved.

Disclaimer

As per usual, I enter this disclaimer in the event you may not have read my previous reviews for the series.

While this series does involve each character finding their birth family, I do not believe that it was the author’s intent to diminish adopted families. Having read the series, I interpreted it as each daughter being given the choice to find their birth families if they so choose. With each daughter choosing to investigate their history

Update from Original Review and Secondary Disclaimer

When I posted my original review for this book, I did not realize that a term to describe the native groups in Australia was considered a bit problematic. I will apologize for not knowing at the time and have fixed the mistake here. This is the same review as it was written, but with proper changes when referring to Australia’s native individuals.

I apologize for the error I made and will be more mindful in the future.

Synopsis

Pearl Sister focuses on the fourth daughter of the D’Aplièse family, Celaeno, or CeCe as she goes by in the book. Starting off during Shadow Sisters to explain why she left Star in England, CeCe decides to look into her family. While she has felt like she doesn’t quite fit in in the family, with Star being the sister she was closest to, readers get to see her come out of her shell. As she travels to Sydney, Australia to follow the clues Pa Salt left her, she finds herself in Thailand where see meets some backpackers, including a young man named Ace, and with some help from him and others along the way, she is able to find out more about her family and herself.

A hundred years earlier, we get to see the story of Kitty McBride, the woman that CeCe is given the task of looking into. Kitty is the daughter of a clergyman, who finds her fate intertwined with the twin sons of a wealthy family that works with pearls. While there, she also finds herself intertwined with some of the Australian native individuals.

As CeCe discovers more about her family history, she rediscovers her creative passions and begins to discover more about herself and who she loves.

Positives

What I really enjoyed about this book was the setting and CeCe’s journey. Because I didn’t particularly like where her story ended in Shadow Sister, it was nice to see some of what was going on with CeCe during that time at the beginning of this story. And seeing her come into her own person, it was nice to see how that unfolded.

It was also nice to see how this book broke the formula a little bit. Star did a little bit too with how it approached Mouse and Orlando and who Star ended up getting with, but I liked what they did with CeCe’s a bit more. Since CeCe’s story is one of self-discovery, seeing her questioning her sexuality and her feelings for Chrissie come to light. The two get along really well, both as friends and as partners, and it was nice how Chrissie to help explain the native culture and history to CeCe.

I also enjoyed the parts in Australia alongside some of it’s history. Elements of Kitty’s story was interesting too. How her story intertwines with CeCe is different, but in a good way.

CeCe is also one of two or three sisters I kind of relate to. Tiggy being another, which I’ll get into in my review for Moon Sister, and Star possibly being the third (the only reason I’m hesitant to say I relate to Star is because I more so enjoyed the book/writing aesthetic of Shadow Sister’s setting and side characters as someone who is an avid book lover and writer). I relate to CeCe’s desire for self-discovery and creativity as a writer and occasional artist myself.

Critiques

I suppose my biggest critique with Pearl Sister is Kitty’s story. While the formula for the historical parts isn’t bad, I just didn’t find Kitty’s part as interesting. While I did enjoy aspects of it, like the mother that Kitty ends up helping and the approach to conflicts at the time, the romance subplot in it, wasn’t that compelling. I do think the use of the twins was a neat touch, I just didn’t like the execution.

The part in Thailand, though having a point, wasn’t all that memorable after reading. While certain details there were necessary, some readers do feel like it stayed around a bit too long. I can kind of agree, as I would have liked to get to Australia. However, I can see what areas of it were necessary. Mainly some character developing and investigating for CeCe’s journey.

I will also include the term used to describe Australia’s native individuals. I cannot confirm or deny any malice on Lucinda Riley’s part (much like with terms used in the next book), so I will not pass judgement until I know for sure. I won’t condone it either. I merely cannot speak for Lucinda Riley with her passing last year and the fact I found out out how problematic it was until recently.

Conclusion

I enjoyed how this story broke the mold in some areas and enjoyed CeCe’s growth. However, some duller elements and terminology did effect my enjoyment of the book. I would give this book a six and a half out of ten depending on the day since despite my neutral feelings towards it, I do enjoy it more than Shadow Sister.

Books, Review

Shadow Sister: A Review

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Back to reviewing this series by Lucinda Riley. Took a little break from reviewing the series since I had a few other projects in the works and I didn’t have the motivation to pick it back up. But now that I do, I’m here to discuss Shadow Sister, one of two books I would consider somewhere in the middle in terms of enjoyment, but one that I did enjoy aspects of.

General Disclaimer

While this series does involve each character finding their birth family, I do not believe that it was the author’s intent to diminish adopted families. Having read the series, I interpreted it as each daughter being given the choice to find their birth families if they so choose. With each daughter choosing to investigate their history.

Synopsis

The Shadow Sister is book three of the series and focuses on Asterope “Star” D’Aplièse, the third sister of Pa Salts (adopted) children. After the death of Pa Salt, Star and CeCe end up in England. As she investigates Flora and meets new people who will have a connection to her and her birth family, she opens herself to love and distances herself from CeCe.

Meanwhile, Flora MacNichol’s story of independence, schemes, and finding out what it means to love. Things take an unusual turn when Flora starts working as a hostess for Alice Keppel and she finds herself pulled into more than she bargained for in regards to love and her family. Including meeting a man she finds herself intrigued by.

Positives

What I enjoyed about it was it’s focus on more book and writer themes/backdrops. I am a bit of a reader and writer myself, so that was a nice touch of personality. The setting was nice too since it felt quaint and comfortable. I also liked Orlando and how he owned a book shop. Though I might not have liked certain reactions later on in the book, I did like Orlando’s character. And on a personal note, as someone who has a history of seizures, I related to him in that regard. Mouse was also an interesting character once readers got to know his story.

Flora’s story was pretty nice to. While maybe a little formulaic, I did like her character and story. I also enjoyed how she looked up to Beatrice Potter (well known children’s author and illustrator) and I believe the two did end up meeting.

Critiques

I think my biggest critique with this book was with how Star and CeCe’s personal connection becomes distant. While I was fine with them growing apart, with both characters needing to grow into their own people, I felt like there wasn’t as much communication before that point.

For me, it felt like Star wasn’t as attentive to CeCe’s feelings at times. She left CeCe to do her own thing, which was understandable in some ways, but I did feel like there wasn’t much communication between the two once Star got going with her investigating. And while CeCe was looking into some art related schooling, from what I recall, we dodn’t get to see much of her perspective on the situation. At least not until she leaves the letter for Star explaining why she left.

While I would want their relationship not to evolve and grow, it just felt like there wasn’t much communication between the two to the point where I felt bad when CeCe left Star the way she did.

Conclusion

Overall, I would give this story a six and a half out of ten. I enjoyed the setting, Flora’s story, and the side characters introduced. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of how Star and CeCe had a falling out, and that hindered that for me a little bit.

Books, Review

Storm Sister: A Review

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Since I have reviewed the first book in Lucinda Riley’s Seven Sisters series, I thought it was time I jumped into reviewing the second book, Storm Sister. This one is one that was in the middle for me. I enjoyed it, but there were elements I was critical of.

The Notion of Finding (Blood) Relatives being Problematic

I know I have already brought up this point in my review for Seven Sisters, but in the event you have not read it (in which I will have this in each review going forward), I will reiterate this here. That being a criticism that some readers may find. Essentially, it has to do with the fact that it has these adopted sisters, who spent their entire lives together, going out and looking into their blood family. It may come off as unnecessary as well as it may seem disingenuous for adopted siblings, and by extent adopted families, in general to do so. While I do see where that critique comes from, and wouldn’t dismiss it, I doubt that was the author’s intent. Having read all but the last book (which as of this post is unreleased), I personally never got that feeling. I could be wrong, which I am willing to accept, but I just didn’t read into it that way.

The Review

In this story, we get to learn more about Ally (Alcyone), the second eldest sister. After losing her fiancé, Theo, in a storm while sailing and the death of Pa Salt, to say she was in a bad place emotionally sounds accurate. She was also the only sister to see Pa Salt’s ship when he was buried at sea.

Ally’s story brings her to Norway in an attempt to learn more about Anna Landvik, a renowned singer. As she does, Ally learns more about her self and her family, and wonders about the missing seventh sister. She also discovers that, despite being dead, Theo left her with one last gift. Along the way she will encounter Tom and Felix, who she may or may not have a connection with (I’m not spoiling).

Positives

I would say that Ally’s story was a nice one to read. Getting to know Ally and how she’s different from Maia is great, as well as helping to make each sister feel different. I thought it was also neat to learn that Ally was nearby when Pa Salt was being buried at sea. Since it was something she and Pa Salt bonded over, it does give her some background into the relationship they had. And though maybe not as developed as it could have been, the connection she and her captain turned fiancé was built well enough despite her fiancé’s short time in the story

Anna’s story was pretty good as well. Having a character who had an affinity for music was a neat step away from the art studies that Izabelle went for.

Negatives

My main grip is with an element in Anna’s story. To me, Anna’s story felt kind of similar to Izabelle’s. Not in the sense of the set up (1st person for the present day character and 3rd for the person in the past), but because of Anna’s love life. While I do love the musical approach with Anna’s story, how she approached her love and marriage felt oddly similar to Izabelle’s in execution, where she had an affair with another man. It might not be that big of a deal for some readers, but it was what I had issue with.

Conclusion

I would give this story a seven point five out of ten. I thought it was a well written story with main characters that were well explored, and the Norwegian setting was a nice touch. However, the slight familiarity in Izabelle and Anna’s love life is what I feel made it suffer a little a bit. Regardless, I would certainly recommend this book whether you’ve read any of the others or not.

Books, Review

Seven Sisters: A Review

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As the old saying goes, Never Judge a Book by It’s Cover. Covers have a way of drawing people in, and while that may not always mean the book is good, it was what got me into Lucinda Riley’s Seven Sisters series.

Working at a library, I get to see what comes through on a pretty regular basis. A few years ago, someone had returned the large type copy of Moon Sister, the fifth book in the series. I picked it up, not knowing it was the fifth book at the time and was curious. So when I found out that Moon Sister was the fifth book in the series, I decided to give the whole series a try. While some people may argue that you can read them separately (in theory) since each story is about a different sister, I do feel it’s best enjoyed reading it in order. Plus, one book may reference back to a previous one, so reading the entire series certainly doesn’t hurt.

And that’s what I did. I mostly stuck with the large type versions when I could. Because while my sight doesn’t need larger print, I had a preference for reading it in Large Type. The only acceptations were with Shadow Sister (Book 3) since my library did not have a large type copy, Sun Sister (Book 6) since I checked it out when it first came out, and The Missing Sister (Book 7), which I purchased around it’s release date.

Series Synopsis

After the sudden death of Pa Salt, six sisters are reunited. All of them were adopted and each sister is named after a part of the Seven Sisters constellation, with the seventh remaining unfound. Each sister is given some information into their past, including a name and a location.

The Notion of Finding (Blood) Relatives being Problematic

Before I hop into the review, I would like to address. That criticism is one that I have seen with this series as a whole. Essentially, it has to do with the fact that it has these adopted sisters, who spent their entire lives together, going out and looking into their blood family. It may come off as unnecessary as well as it may seem disingenuous for adopted siblings, and by extent adopted families, in general to do so. While I do see where that critique comes from, and wouldn’t dismiss it, I doubt that was the author’s intent. Having read all but the last book (which as of this post is unreleased), I personally never got that feeling. I could be wrong, which I am willing to accept, but I just didn’t read into it that way.

Personally, I saw it as each character looking into where they came from while still being very close to the adopted family they grew up and bonded with. They already knew they were all adopted, with each sister comes from a different race and ethnicity, and loved their family through and through. I read it as each character looking into their family, based on the individual (who for the most part is deceased with living relatives) that Pa Salt wrote down for each sister.

The Review

In The Seven Sisters, our focus is on Maia, the eldest. She is a known translator and is the closest with Aly (Alycone). Her search brings her to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which leads her to finding an elderly lady living in the home Pa Salt gave Maia coordinates to. Along the way, Maia meets up Floriano, a man she has been translating a book for, and they both try to find out more about Izabela. During this time, Maia finds out more about her heritage, family, and love.

Positives

Overall, I feel like this book was a great way to set up what we would expect from the series going forward. It introduces the revelation of Pa Salt’s death, introduces the siblings, and sets up the journey each will be going on when they decide to look into their family history. It also introduces the set up of getting a look into the lives of the person each sister is looking into.

With how it’s split, I do feel like the change in point of view (first for the sister and third for the person they’re researching) is a good set up. While it might always not have to do that when dealing with this kind of set up, it doesn’t hurt the book. I think it is a creative way to separate the two characters.

Out of all the sisters, Maia is certainly one of my favorites. She didn’t seem overly spoiled and was curious. She also seemed to have a close bond with Pa Salt, which given that she is the eldest, it would make sense that she felt particularly closer to him than some of the others.

Izabela’s story was also a pretty interesting read. I enjoyed how she wanted to find love and learn. However, due to her family’s social status, she found it hard to find love that didn’t feel arranged. I also like how her story tied to the house and the elderly lady that lived in it.

Negatives

One critique I do see with these stories is how the dialogue doesn’t always feel good or how the sisters interact with each other. While I personally see where they are coming from, I would say that it was less of an issue for me when reading it. That’s not to say it couldn’t use work, just that other things bothered me more.

While I do get why the elderly lady doesn’t want to be bothered with Maia’s inquiry, I do feel like she was a little harsh/stubborn. It does work itself out eventually, but this was a character who wasn’t that likeable initially when I first read it.

And I can kind of agree with the critique with how Izabela treats the man she married. Because while I know she loved the gentleman who was working on Christ the Redeemer, but I do feel like they could have handled the husband and the constructor situation a little differently. Because, again, while I get the reason for it, it does feel a bit unfair for Izabela’s husband, who genuinely loved her.

Conclusion

Overall, I would give The Seven Sisters an eight out of ten. I enjoyed the concept and some of the characters, but there were areas that I feel it could have done better. This book is one of my favorites, with the Moon Sister being the other. So if you’re looking to check out something a little different, I would recommend giving it a try.