The Seven Sisters: Escape with this epic tale of love and loss from the internationally beloved author

Written by Lucinda Riley

Narrated by Tuppence Middleton

The Seven Sisters is the story that began it all. An epic tale of love and loss, it tells the stories of the D’Aplièse sisters, all adopted as babies by the enigmatic billionaire they affectionately call Pa Salt.

Read by Tuppence Middleton (Thirty Days in Paris, The Doll Factory).

This is Maia’s story. When Pa Salt dies suddenly, the bereaved sisters gather together at their childhood home, a spectacular secluded castle on the shores of Lake Geneva. Each of them is handed a tantalising clue to their heritage and Maia finds herself on a journey across the world to a crumbling mansion in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Eighty years earlier, Izabela Bonifacio’s father has aspirations for her to marry into the aristocracy. But Izabela longs for adventure, and convinces him to allow her to first travel to Paris. In the heady, vibrant streets of the city, Izabela meets an ambitious young sculptor, and knows at once that her life will never be the same again.

What links these two young women? In the beautiful city of Rio, will Maia find the answers she needs to understand who she truly is?

The Seven Sisters is the first book in the spellbinding Seven Sisters series, inspired by the mythology of the famous star constellation. It is followed by The Storm Sister.

'A brilliant page-turner just soaked in glamour and romance' – Daily Mail

Praise for the Seven Sisters:

'A masterclass in beautiful writing' – The Sun

'Heart-wrenching, uplifting and utterly enthralling' – Lucy Foley, author of The Hunting Party

'A breathtaking adventure' – Lancashire Evening Post

Five-Star Fan Reviews:

'Absolutely incredible'
'Totally addictive'
'Ideal for when you need to escape'

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Release date: Mar 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781529066661

Lucinda Riley

Lucinda Riley was born in Ireland in 1965 and, after an early career as an actress in film, theatre and television, wrote her first novel aged twenty-four. Her books have been translated into thirty-seven languages and continue to strike an emotional chord all around the world. The Seven Sisters series specifically has become a global phenomenon, inspiring its own genre. Her books have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Italian Bancarella Prize, the Lovely Books Award in Germany and the Romantic Novel of the Year Award. She has received the Dutch Platinum Award for sales over 300,000 copies for a single novel in one year multiple times – a prize last won by J. K. Rowling for Harry Potter. In collaboration with her son Harry Whittaker, she also devised and wrote the Guardian Angels series of books for children. Though she brought up her four children mostly in Norfolk, England, in 2015 she fulfilled her dream of buying a remote farmhouse in West Cork, Ireland, which she always felt was her spiritual home, and this was where her last five books were written. Lucinda was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and died on 11 June 2021, surrounded by her family.

Reviews for The Seven Sisters

[claire · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely brilliant. Loved every second of it. Just couldn't stop listening. Only just discovered Lucinda Riley and will definitely listen to ask her books.
The narrator was very good also.
Now on to the next sister, Allie.

[Meg Blanchet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lucinda Riley weaves quite the tale, weaving in clues for the future books and creating suspense.

[Heather Cook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Looking f
Toward to all the books in this series after listening to this one.

[Jeanetta du Preez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the story so much! Listened to it pre covid and although I know the global story, it is quite nice to listen to it again focussing on the inside detail.
I really recommend this series.

[NatasjavEsveld · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

From beginning to end a very easy read. A woman's quest to find out where she comes from and in turn rediscovers who she is.

[Trudie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing, read the book a few months ago, but really enjoyed the audio

[Mich Durnez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the amazing story telling and discovering maya's spidery along side her!

[wendy dixon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved it!! Can’t wait to carry on!!! Keeps u on ur seat

[Victoria Edelsbrunner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A good story. Bit long winded at times but engaging and draws you in. I like this narrator far better than the other one.

[sheeeyyla · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is magic. Izabela's story captivates and absorbs you, just like Maia's, which after all is part of the same... I have no words to describe how the ending is... you can't put it down until you finish it... and you just end up wanting to start the next one. (Translated from Spanish)

[VanneDiazRosas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This novel has been to my liking. Good plot, character development, and storyline. Personally, I liked the secondary story much more than the main one. (Translated from Spanish)

[Warcela · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"No fear of success," I told myself when I started reading this book, knowing it was a huge risk for me, as I love multi-book sagas. And yes, it has its ups and downs, but I liked it a lot. It doesn't need to be a masterpiece of literature to touch on some of my favorite themes: a good story, mysteries, romance, historical facts.
The story of Maia unfolds between Paris and Rio de Janeiro, in two different times, and explains the origin of the eldest of the 7 sisters, adopted daughters of an eccentric millionaire who, upon his death, leaves clues about their origins to each of them. I'm on the second one already! and it seems I've enrolled in a new saga for the rest of the year. (Translated from Spanish)

[jarabetica · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

November 2022 Book 91

I had been waiting a long time for this saga, but I was deterred by the number of pages in each book and especially the fact that there are six or seven volumes. However, the point of one of the challenges published in 2022 brought this reading to my plate and... Who am I to run away from the designs of what some call destiny and others coincidence ??

The book begins with the death of a millionaire owner of an island, which can only be accessed by boat, where there is a large mansion, the Atlantis castle-home. There, his six daughters, who are scattered around the world and each one more different from the others, all adopted and raised by the only father they have known, Pa Salt, and a nanny, Marina, whom they consider a mother and affectionately call Ma, are summoned.

They are all called by Pa Salt's lawyer, who hands them a personal letter for each of them and a series of common instructions regarding the family estate. Each of the sisters receives previously unknown information about their origins and the place in the world where they were adopted, with Maia, the eldest of them all, being the protagonist of this book.

I really enjoyed the story of Maia's great-grandmother and her connection to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, as I was completely unaware of its construction process, which the author kindly shares as support for her story.

I would recommend this book to fans, especially of the romantic-historical genre. Despite having a volume of about 500 pages, I found it very engaging and short, and of course, I will continue discovering the origins of each of the sisters.

The song that comes to my mind is by Alejandro Sanz. The Force of the Heart.
"?...It’s the force that drives you, that pushes you, and fills you, that pulls you and brings you closer to God; it’s a feeling, almost an obsession, if the force is from the heart... ? (Translated from Spanish)

[Lilibyth · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I acquired this novel on intuition and based on a few reviews I had seen about it. It hasn't completely captured me like other stories, but there was something that made me want to keep going.

We find ourselves in the story of Maia, who searches for her origins in Rio de Janeiro after the death of her adoptive father. This serves as the perfect excuse for the author to introduce us to the story of Izabela, Maia's great-grandmother, which spans a large part of the novel, marked by the appearances of social classes of the time and those marriages of convenience, filled with reciprocated and unreciprocated love and secrets.

Throughout the book, the story of Maia, narrated in the first person, alternates with that of Izabela, narrated in the third person.

We witness Maia's rebirth and the secret she has kept for years that has shaped her distrust of others and her solitude. For this rebirth, the author relies on the character of Floriano, a historian and writer who contrasts greatly with the protagonist as he is pure optimism and joy, accompanying Maia on her adventure and with whom she achieves a great complicity.

For much of the reading, I tried to figure out what the story of Izabela really had to do with Maia's, since she is primarily searching for her mother, and what we are shown is the story of her great-grandmother, which left me a bit out of the loop, even though Izabela's story is beautiful yet quite harsh. For that reason, the conclusion of the discovery about her mother's story left me a bit lukewarm, as if it had been somewhat rushed.

The end of the book is left for Allie, the second of the seven sisters, who leaves us with the story on the verge of sweetness, making us want to read the next book in the saga.

I must say that I have a few lingering doubts about this story, but I have a slight impression that I will have to read the rest of the saga to satisfy my curiosity. (Translated from Spanish)

[Jose Mariano H · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

April 15, 2022
The Seven Sisters. The Story of Maia
Author: Lucinda Riley.

First part of the saga "The Seven Sisters." Six sisters receive the news that their adoptive father has died, so they return to their home known as Atlantis. There, each of them receives an envelope that contains clues about their true origins. In this book, we learn the story of the eldest sister, Maia.
Maia's clues lead her to Rio de Janeiro, where she will have to piece together the puzzle of her origin. In this novel, two narratives converge: the present and another that dates back to the early 20th century in Brazil. I liked the description and setting of both ancient and modern Brazil; you don’t lose track of the plot. Very entertaining with a lot of love, drama, and plenty of history. (Translated from Spanish)

[Sandreta · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't usually read this type of literature, but I enjoyed it a lot. We will continue with the saga. (Translated from Spanish)

[unrinconconalma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At first, I had some doubts about whether to dive into such an extensive saga. However, due to various recommendations, I decided that perhaps it was time to do so. Since I started this reading, I immersed myself completely in an endearing story, full of mysteries and beautiful personal relationships. A genuine meeting of six sisters upon the death of their adoptive father will give rise to a search for the origins of each of them. In this first part, Maia will decide to turn her life upside down to find her story and discover herself. A story of personal growth, fears, reflections, and reunions. A story of love and appearances. At the same time, to understand more, we will discover alongside Maia the story of her ancestors, and little by little, we will delve deeper into a relationship that did not understand class, social status, or conventions. Two timelines separated by 80 years and narrated so fluidly and precisely that it is easy for us to walk through the scenarios marked by the author. A story that, even when finished, leaves many loose ends that I am sure I will discover in the following books; perhaps that is where the attraction lies—to know more about each of the protagonists. An enjoyable, fast-paced read, full of family dramas, a bit of history, and above all, a lot of love. (Translated from Spanish)

[mjpanniermiuandescom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredible! From the first chapter to the last, the story keeps absorbing and intriguing you to learn more and more details. The mystery of the 7 sisters, the stars, with their origins spread across different continents, the adventures lived by Maia, PA salt, and the romantic story of Isabella and Laurent. An intoxicating narration based on decisions and the growth of the characters. I loved it ❤ (Translated from Spanish)

[Miscelanea.lectora · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Summary:
Pa Salt, an eccentric millionaire, decides to adopt seven girls whom he will name after the constellation of the Pleiades, although he never adopted the seventh. After a significant event in their lives, now as adults, they will have to return to the family home to confront their origins.

Opinion:
With the synopsis of this book, which I find very interesting, I expected something more, to be honest. It has been interesting in parts, but in others, it bored me quite a bit. In this first part of the saga, we are told the story of Maya, the oldest sister, and her origins. I didn't feel any particular way about Maya, neither good nor bad. A good part of the novel speaks of other characters completely different from her, and that makes you forget about the protagonist, so it's very difficult to empathize with her. On the other hand, I think the ending is a bit rushed when the whole book has been quite slow. I believe that more than the story itself, it's the way it is told that hasn't reached me. (Translated from Spanish)

[Javimartinez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Seriously, you've made me cry with how much I love a love story. This time, I had the opportunity to learn a bit about the ancestors of our protagonist "Maia." A saga currently made up of 7 volumes, and this is the first one. I was captivated; in this instance, we delve into a country I would love to discover, to fly and enjoy every corner. Now that I have the knowledge of how the great statue of our Savior was created, I feel compelled to visit every corner depicted in the book, and even more so to go to "Rio de Janeiro," a unique place with a rich history.

This book can be read in one breath; at first, I was surprised and found it a bit boring until I reached chapter 11, and then there was no turning back. There are 6 sisters, and each of them receives a letter from their recently deceased father. Each young woman must learn about her ancestors, her origins, and more.

I really liked the story, and I know I will follow this saga enthusiastically. I don't want to make it lengthy; I can only say I recommend it. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I'm just sharing my point of view. In short, the story transports you to another era, and you learn about customs and behaviors. (Translated from Spanish)

[oga · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An easy, entertaining read with some interesting historical facts. I enjoyed reading this story a lot and it left me motivated to continue with the series. (Translated from Spanish)

[LectoraDGIGlectoradg · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A story that has impressed me from beginning to end. I enjoyed both plots, and it was one of those novels that kept me awake until the late hours of the night.

In this book, from The Seven Sisters, we will learn about Maia's story, while also being narrated details about the construction of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio, which is impressive.

The ending leaves a bit of intrigue for the next story of the following sister, and I can't wait to start it.

A family novel that blends romance and history. Highly recommended if you enjoy this type of reading. (Translated from Spanish)

[Sarelix · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a delightful story, I have loved this journey full of experiences and sweetness. I'm off to the next one... (Translated from Spanish)

[cherrita · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What can be said about this novel that hasn't already been said? The first novel of this saga plunges us into the world of Atlantis, a mansion in the middle of a lake in Geneva where six sisters have been raised by an eccentric millionaire. The first chapters immerse you in this peculiar family, and the story begins with the death of the patriarch, leaving each of them clues about their lineage in case they want to know where they come from. From here, we follow the eldest sister, Maia, to Brazil in search of her roots, and the author tells us how Maia is connected to the construction of the Christ the Redeemer statue through two timelines. It is a gripping novel, intricately woven and well-documented, and despite its length, you can read it quickly, leaving you eager to pick up the second volume. (Translated from Spanish)

[Maria410 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"I wish you many things for the future, but above all, I hope you find love. It is the only thing that makes the pain of being alive bearable, never forget it."

The first novel in the seven sisters saga of the Pleiades by Lucinda Riley tells the story of Maia and how, after the death of her adoptive father, he leaves her clues to investigate her true origin. Maia is the oldest of the sisters, and her father's clues lead her to Rio de Janeiro, where, in addition to discovering her past, doors open to an exciting future.

It's a very beautiful novel that tells the story of Rio de Janeiro through the lives of the protagonist's ancestors. I was quite hooked, and I am eager to know the story of the rest of the sisters.

Highly recommended. (Translated from Spanish)

[delizzabetta · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The book is divided into 2 parts, the story of Maia and that of her great-grandmother Izabella. It is a very long book, very descriptive in both landscapes and feelings and situations. This made it very difficult for me to finish it; I did not understand the author's idea of including so many things, as this prevents you from connecting with the story and with the protagonist. I consider it a book that I would not read again, nor would I continue the series. This is the first of 7 books. (Translated from Spanish)

[DianaAmarilis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is the beginning of a saga that promises a lot, the origin of the seven sisters is spectacular, knowing that they were inspired by a constellation (which, much to my chagrin, I didn't know existed) makes it even better for me; the reading flowed quite well, although in the end I got a little tired, feeling there was a lot of litany, but for the most part it kept me quite captivated. For me, knowing that there are parts of the story that are true is incredible. Overall, it is a reading that I enjoyed very much. (Translated from Spanish)

[TicTac · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

2/6/21. Entertaining drama at best...

The book entertains and hooks you but doesn’t make you feel. The characters are somewhat flat and bland, despite their convoluted lives like an afternoon movie on Antena3.

The book jumps between two stories of two women in different times, creating the expectation that in the end they will have a deeper connection or relationship than simply being family and equally beautiful... In the end, the connection between the two stories turns out to be weak.

Critique with spoilers:
The plot and the two love stories are beautiful, but I can't see the connection with the ending of the main story. I think it tries to link the misfortune of the first woman with a supposed "liberation as a woman" of the second, which in my opinion is absurd; I can only express it with quotes from the book itself:
"I had become someone else, someone who believed there was a man who loved her, a woman who wanted to look beautiful and for him to feel satisfied."
"It was over with hiding, I told myself decisively while buying a pair of high-heeled shoes. Then I approached to buy a perfume..... and a new lipstick."
Well, once she has returned to life, having gotten a man to love her, be able to satisfy him, and has bought all the necessary items for that, everything was all set.
But no!! Because it turns out that without any relation to what came before, we find out that her mother supposedly had Asperger's Syndrome (one that the author invents, because it has nothing to do with the real one). And it mixes what is an adolescent with little empathy, a weak addict, who socializes and even lives in a favela and gets pregnant with Asperger's Syndrome. Huh??
Highlighting positively the relationship with Greek mythology and the author's research on the subject. The truth is that I am not very knowledgeable about the related myths, but I will inform myself ahead of reading the next novel.
In summary, a lot of story, a lot of drama, several unwanted pregnancies, two romances, infidelities, clumsy husbands, artist lovers, a Brazilian widower with a lot of rhythm, an almost extraterrestrial adoptive father, some mythology (to be confirmed), Rapel astrology, some "dated machismo" touches, and an Asperger living in a favela, and the worst part is that you still feel like seeing what the next novel is about. (Translated from Spanish)

[LiddiaM · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I, who thought I was against sagas for not having the patience for them, here I am with this beginning.

Starting this series was a bit of a coincidence and a lot of greed and addiction. I admit it: I am a compulsive book buyer.

I bought it practically blind, and I won't lie to you, I thought it was going to be an unpalatable mush.

And... Yes, I have had to eat my words. It lasted me 5 days.

It is a very, very easy book to read; I would even recommend it to people who are just starting with reading because it hooks you very quickly, and the narrative is very easy to follow.

I'm not going to say it changed my life, because I think everything has already been invented in romance, but the way it is narrated is original. Getting to know each story individually and piecing them together is very appealing.

I am clear that I will continue with the saga, and I hope the rest of the books maintain that ability to hook the plot.

This is the first of seven, so we will keep you updated. (Translated from Spanish)

[CrisSerrano · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Maia d'Aplièse and her sisters return to the impressive family mansion where they grew up upon discovering that their beloved father, who adopted them from different places when they were just babies, has passed away. Each of them receives an envelope containing a promising clue about their origins. Maia, the oldest of the sisters and our protagonist, is led to a crumbling house in Rio de Janeiro. There, she will begin to piece together the parts of her story.

My opinion: the truth is that I was pleasantly surprised. I hadn't read anything by this author because I usually don't enjoy this type of literary genre, but I was encouraged by the good reviews I've read about this saga. Not only do I not regret it, but I also plan to continue reading this saga. (Translated from Spanish)