1974

The Seven #4

by Sarah M. Cradit

Seven Siblings. Seven Years. Seven Spellbinding Novels.

1974. New Orleans. The seven Deschanel siblings live with their long-suffering mother in an historic Garden District mansion. Each of them unique. Each of them born with a gift. In some cases, a gift they wish they could give back.

Charles- The Playboy
Augustus- The Fixer
Colleen- The Adherent
Madeline- The Altruist
Evangeline- The Genius
Maureen- The Haunted
Elizabeth- The Anguished

Full blurb coming soon.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

ebook

First published February 19, 2019

About the author

Sarah is the USA Today and International Bestselling Author of over forty contemporary and epic fantasy stories, and the creator of the Kingdom of the White Sea and Saga of Crimson & Clover universes.

Born a geek, Sarah spends her time crafting rich and multilayered worlds, obsessing over history, playing her retribution paladin (and sometimes destruction warlock), and settling provocative Tolkien debates, such as why the Great Eagles are not Gandalf's personal taxi service. Passionate about travel, she's been to over twenty countries collecting sparks of inspiration, and is always planning her next adventure.

Sarah and her husband live in a beautiful corner of SE Pennsylvania with their three tiny benevolent pug dictators.


Connect with Sarah:

sarahmcradit.com
Instagram: @sarahmcradit
Facebook: @sarahmcradit

Reviews

[Jules The Book Junkie Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

1974: The Seven is book four of Sarah M. Cradit’s continuing exploration of how her beloved characters grew up during the turbulent 1970s. Each book gets better and better as the tie-ins to future events (in the House of Crimson and Clover saga) are woven into the story. As each comes up, ardent fans of the HOCC series will delight in remembering the link to “future” events.

As expected, Ms. Cradit has carefully researched the era as well as the setting of her novel. Like the prior three books, 1974 is a trip through a time machine. If you didn’t live through the 1970s, you’ll definitely have a good feeling for the era defined by muscle cars, drugs and protests.

Maureen’s story is featured in this installment, and some of her story felt very much like the 2002 movie, Secretary; however, the movie is a dark comedy, while Maureen’s story is just creepy and dark. The concept of the complete authority of the family patriarch is very much evident. Meanwhile, her siblings are branching out on their own, and it would seem that each has some hard lessons to learn in their future. Each choice leads to a little happiness along with some loss.

This well-written, engaging character exploration is an emotional rollercoaster. The featured political and social changes that define the era are interesting (hopefully inspiring younger readers to do a little research), and getting a well-crafted backstory to the characters and their offspring is fun. I truly enjoyed how well Ms. Cradit tied in a multitude of details to her prior books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/17/2020)! 🎁

[Elizabeth Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's painful to read about all of the horrible things that keep happening to this fictional family. In fact, I need to remind myself every so often that this is not real. What a testament to the skill of an author when the reader needs to psyche herself up to remember this is all make-believe! But that is the gift of Sarah Cradit. She has conjured from the ethers a cast of characters that is riveting and sympathetic. She has created a family which could easily be viewed from the outside and dismissed as fortunate, particularly for their wealth and standing in New Orleans, but has peeled back the veneer of happiness and exposed the sickness that eats away at their souls, that destroys them bit by bit and tears away all hope. Who's to say whether this family deserves the horror? Who's to say how anyone could deserve this? To whom much has been given much will be required. If this is indeed the price of success, I’ll take a pass.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

By 19774 the Deschanel siblings are exploring themselves and their own feelings more while doing their best to suppress their talents. They all struggled with growing up and the themes of being an adult and taking responsibility. They are doing many of the typical things as per the times so those involve the cars, events and even protests of that time (something readers will either remember or discover) and all accurately done which highlights the careful research done by the author. This book was certainly about all of the siblings but especially Maureen which gave some interesting insights into both her but also the make up of the family and some of the dynamics. There are some good links to the House of Crimson and Clover series which means that some of what happened there has a next context and makes better sense to me. Well written this was clear and easy to both read and understand. Works best if you have read the earlier books in this series.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another year passes, and this family find themselves in the midst of more secrets and bleak relationships.  The unhappy characters far outweigh the happy ones - sometimes as a result of their own choices, but occasionally the result of choices being made for them.

I especially enjoyed the scenes with Charles and Augustus together.  They're polar opposites in nearly every way, but play off each other well.  Snarky banter always grabs my attention.

A couple of characters surprised me with their actions - not that they were out of character, but logical considering the circumstances.  It's not always easy to predict how characters will react when pushed to certain limits, and this author certainly pushes them.

Another enjoyable, and sometimes painful, addition to this series.

I received an ARC of this book from the author.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I walked away from this with such mixed feelings and so emotional I had to keep remind myself it was just a book. While reading is to escape Ms Cradit does such an amazing job putting you smack dab in the middle of it, making you feel each decision, each miss-step, each betrayal, and yeah of course there really is some joy in there. If you have read the Crimson series connecting this past just makes it all the more. If you haven't read it you must see what happens next to understand the light bulb that that has turned on in this book of the series. I all just makes so much sense and that just makes it all the more real. This step into the past reminds you of the stereo types and labels and the victims. All I can say is wonderfully done Ms Cradit with master results.

[Marinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in love with Charles but I feel sorry for him at the same time. The way he's stepping up and marrying the ice queen due to a deal between their fathers years ago, I'm proud how he's doing what he has to do to protect the family's reputation.
Colleen is actually thinking about herself for once, how long that lasts we shall see. With the rest of the children doing their own thing and Irish Colleen fighting to keep her family together the family is facing heartbreak, and I just know the curse will resurface soon.
I love these books and can't wait for the next in this amazing series.

[Jennifer Billings · Rating 5 out of 5]

These keep getting better and more details of each of the 7. Life continues as they each near or accept adult responsibility. But thry find its not always a happy experience to be the responsible adult. This one did not focus so much on their acceptance of their abilities bit more the avoidance of them. That's good to see as well because if this series would be not as good if it was all happy all the time.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having to continue on in this series to see where this author takes us was a must. I could really relate too since I was in high school in this year. This one has Maureen alot with us following her. This series is becoming more fuller with each one. This one is also deep and at times delves into the dark a bit with us having our emotions played. You just can not give this up though having to continue on with this family.

[Andra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 in The Seven series

Witches and Warlocks make up an entire family that's in a constant state of crisis/survival mode. This dark fantasy is filled with conflict, growing pains, loss, sorrow, abuse, alcoholism, strong language, and spice. Be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading. The book is built in a detailed world with strong characters who grow/change throughout.

Change is inevitable. Searching for happiness. Acceptance. Loyalty. Money can only buy so much.

[April Vivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment to this series. Inch by inch, year by year we are learning about the seven gifted Deschanel children and their family secrets. Truly each book is a modern literary masterpiece. Full of mystery, intrigue and complex story lines. 1974 takes the reader deeper into the abyss and is a must read.

[Destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, very well developed characters and amazing storyline. This is the fourth book in this particular series, I missed reading book two , I have enjoyed everything I’ve read from this particular author. Looking forward to reading what’s next.

[Sue Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

The middle book of this series: The make-up of the family will never allow for a peaceful exsistence. So many challenges and disappointments, take there toll on each of the family members as they try to navigate day-to-day. No one is spared their own brand of unhappiness.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very mesmerizing series! The author is an excellent story teller and she creates very interesting characters.

There are so many books about the Deschanel family that it is hard to know just where to start reading.