The Seven Sisters – Maia’s story

Author/Guide: Lucinda Riley

Why a Booktrail?

1920s, 2007: Trace the story and the mystery behind the story of the Seven Sisters constellation with a fictional account of the seven sisters and their stories

ISBN: 978-1447274933
Genre: Fiction, Historical, Romance

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What you need to know before your trail

This is the first book of seven and each one will trace the story of one sister and how she came to be part of the D’Apliése family since they were all adopted at various stages by their father, an elusive billionaire who was affectionally known as Pa Salt.

Maia is the first sister to look into her past. Discovering that their beloved father has already been buried at sea, they are each given a letter and a clue for them to be able to find out about their true background and heritage.

Every one needs to know their past and who they really are. Only Maia could never have imagined her journey would take her halfway across the world.

Locations

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Switzerland
F: Geneva - the lake

Travel Guide

Geneva

Lake Geneva where on the banks of the lake stands the majestic home of the D’Apliése family called Atlantis – fitting for its mythical position in the seven sisters story. Lake Geneva is home, the peace of the mountains and the glassy waters, flute music and the start of a seven story adventure..
As Maia herself describes it as she returns home at the start of the novel

“I’d often felt when I made this journey that it was the entrance to an ethereal world disconnected from reality”

Rio de Janeiro

If you have ever wondered what the story is behind the Christ the Redeemer and who was responsible for building it and its significance in the city, the story of this unfolds describing how it was first built on the Corcovado mountain.
The dedication and passion behind the construction of the statue for example, the dreams as well as the sweat and tears behind such a project. The secret of the mosaic pieces, the way the hands are formed…..
“I looked up and saw the heels of Christ the Redeemer, mounted on a high plinth. The sculpture soared so far above me I could barely take in the rest of it.”
The scenes in Rio will enchant – the colour, texture of the city as well as the insides of the favelas in contrast to the rich stone mansions are all explored. However, it is the pain behind the glittering facade of one house in particular that is the most heartbreaking.

Paris

The scenes in Paris – in the area of Montmartre are an artists dream. Ateliers, outdoor restaurants, and the cobbled streets take the story and mystery in a new direction.

Paris is the home of where Christ the Redeemer is made, and where Maia’s story really starts to take shape. Like the Izabela of the story, you are transported, immersed and captivated by the busy bohemian vibe of the city, the excitement of young love and a the unravelling of a secret..

Streetview Maps

RIO : Christ the Redeemer

PARIS : Montmartre

Booktrailer Review

Susan @thebooktrailer :

A very exciting start to a seven part story which aims to tell the story behind the seven stories constellation. Lucinda’s dual timeline story telling really comes into its own here and I can’t think of a more perfect author to tell this story. I was lucky enough to attend a private showing of this book and Lucinda brought along a celestial zodiac globe all silvery and shiny which spins with the inscriptions of the star signs on them. No spoilers here though!

The story is long and detailed but this is a book you want to take your time with and relax as it is so cinematic both in scope and location that it takes you on quite the journey which is both one of excitement and of finding out secrets.

Lucinda tells the story from the beginning with Maia finding out that beloved Pa Salt has died and the journey that she goes on to find out her past.

The journey is told in flashbacks as Maia’s past is revealed and there are so many layers and hidden secrets to both parts of the story and the way history and the present intertwine.

There is so many beautiful descriptions of all places in the novel but it is Rio and the creation of Christ the Redeemer that is the star of the show. I would love to know more about the star constellation the Seven sisters as it has the perfect mix of intrigue, mystery, love, loss and the human spirit.

This the first in the series and I for one cannot wait to find out what lies behind the other sisters’ tales and how it all comes together. Epic in scope and storytelling at its best.