Genre: Historical Fiction
Four stars: * * * *
This is the wonderful second book in the seven-book series, 'The Seven Sisters', based on the legends of the Seven Sisters star constellation. I think this series needs to be read in order, so if you haven't read the first one yet, have a look at my review of it here and get reading! As with book 1, this book takes you on a journey through time, blending lives, loves, tragedies together with historical events. This book takes you to Norway and into the throes of a musical family with an intricate history.
Synopsis
Ally D’Aplièse is about to compete in one of the world’s most perilous yacht races, when she hears the news of her adoptive father’s sudden, mysterious death. Rushing back to meet her five sisters at their family home, she discovers that her father – an elusive billionaire affectionately known to his daughters as Pa Salt – has left each of them a tantalising clue to their true heritage.
Ally has also recently embarked on a deeply passionate love affair that will change her destiny forever. But with her life now turned upside down, Ally decides to leave the open seas and follow the trail that her father left her, which leads her to the icy beauty of Norway...
There, Ally begins to discover her roots – and how her story is inextricably bound to that of a young unknown singer, Anna Landvik, who lived there over a hundred years before, and sang in the first performance of Grieg’s iconic music set to Ibsen’s play ‘Peer Gynt’. As Ally learns more about Anna, she also begins to question who her father, Pa Salt, really was. And why is the seventh sister missing?
My thoughts
The way the author just seamlessly blends history with the modern day, draws synergies, builds unseen bridges and gently shows the connections and relationships between people, across time, is just incredible. In this story we are taken from stormy seas and yacht races to cold Norway and into the concert halls of the past and present. Never at any time was I confused about the story or the characters, despite spanning many countries, generations and situations! It's a ridiculously addictive story and I'm also drawn in by the clues spanning the larger story of the series about the connection between each of these sisters and the mysterious Pa Salt. I'm already reading the next book in the series!
Going on a journey of discovery of Ally's heritage and her biological roots, I felt I was walking in her every footstep. In the middle of the book, the story was a little slow, or perhaps I was just too eager to know all the connections, but it soon picked up again. While not all the revelations come as a surprise, the way the author builds the relationships and back-story of the characters is almost effortless. I feel with the series of seven books she's going to touch upon all the continents of the world and all manner of family dynamics and situations. It's an absolute pleasure to be a fly on the wall during all these generations of people and their journeys through life. The musical backdrop of Ally's roots is marred with tragedy and deception as well as absolute unconditional kindness. I definitely recommend the book and the series.
Books in the Seven Sisters Series:
The Storm Sister - this review
The Pearl Sister
The Moon Sister
The Sun Sister
The Missing Sister (will be released in 2021)
About the author
The author has written beautifully about herself and her life on her website here. A summary here wouldn't do it justice. The website also includes fascinating backgrounds to things mentioned in the book such as armillary spheres and the myths and legends of the Pleiades. Take a read!
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