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The Seven Sisters #3
La Sœur de l'ombre
Star D'Aplièse is at a crossroads in her life after the sudden death of her beloved father - the elusive billionaire, named Pa Salt by his six daughters, all adopted by him from the four corners of the world. He has left each of them a clue to their true heritage, but Star - the most enigmatic of the sisters - is hesitant to step out of the safety of the close relationship she shares with her sister CeCe. In desperation, she decides to follow the first clue she has been left, which leads her to an antiquarian bookshop in London, and the start of a whole new world . . .
A hundred years earlier, headstrong and independent Flora MacNichol vows she will never marry. She is happy and secure in her home in the Lake District, living close to her idol, Beatrix Potter, when machinations outside her control lead her to London, and the home of one of Edwardian society's most notorious players, Alice Keppel. Flora is pulled between passionate love and duty to her family, but finds herself a pawn in a game - the rules of which are only known to others - until a meeting with a mysterious gentleman unveils the answers that Flora has been searching for her whole life . . .
As Star learns more of Flora's incredible journey, she too goes on a voyage of discovery, finally stepping out of the shadow of her sister and opening herself up to the possibility of love.
Transporting readers from the majestic mountains and lakes of Cumbria, to the glorious 'Garden of England' in Kent, The Shadow Sister is the third spellbinding story in the Seven zsisters series.
A hundred years earlier, headstrong and independent Flora MacNichol vows she will never marry. She is happy and secure in her home in the Lake District, living close to her idol, Beatrix Potter, when machinations outside her control lead her to London, and the home of one of Edwardian society's most notorious players, Alice Keppel. Flora is pulled between passionate love and duty to her family, but finds herself a pawn in a game - the rules of which are only known to others - until a meeting with a mysterious gentleman unveils the answers that Flora has been searching for her whole life . . .
As Star learns more of Flora's incredible journey, she too goes on a voyage of discovery, finally stepping out of the shadow of her sister and opening herself up to the possibility of love.
Transporting readers from the majestic mountains and lakes of Cumbria, to the glorious 'Garden of England' in Kent, The Shadow Sister is the third spellbinding story in the Seven zsisters series.
755 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2016
11199 people are currently reading
29249 people want to read
About the author
Lucinda Riley
167 books12.1k followersAKA: Lucinda Edmonds
Lucinda Riley was born in Northern Ireland, and after an early career as an actress in film, theatre and television, wrote her first book aged twenty-four. Her books have been translated into thirty-seven languages and sold thirty million copies worldwide. She is a No.1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller.
Lucinda’s The Seven Sisters series, which tells the story of adopted sisters and is inspired by the mythology of the famous star cluster, has become a global phenomenon. The series is a No.1 bestseller across the world with total sales of over fifteen million copies.
Lucinda and her family divided their time between the U.K. and a farmhouse in West Cork, Ireland, where she wrote her books.
Lucinda Riley was born in Northern Ireland, and after an early career as an actress in film, theatre and television, wrote her first book aged twenty-four. Her books have been translated into thirty-seven languages and sold thirty million copies worldwide. She is a No.1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller.
Lucinda’s The Seven Sisters series, which tells the story of adopted sisters and is inspired by the mythology of the famous star cluster, has become a global phenomenon. The series is a No.1 bestseller across the world with total sales of over fifteen million copies.
Lucinda and her family divided their time between the U.K. and a farmhouse in West Cork, Ireland, where she wrote her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,493 reviews
February 10, 2023
4.5
Star is the sister is identify with the most, so I've been looking forward to her story. This book is very focused on books, and I loved that. Star gets a job working in a bookshop, and spends her time there surrounded by piles of books, many of them rare collectors items. Her boss Orlando is one of my favourite characters in this story -- part of me wants to reach into the pages and bring him into real life, even though he's not at all built for it!
I found Star's relationship with her sister CeCe understandable but also slightly infuriating -- they are extremely codependent, and I felt so relieved throughout the book as Star started to break away from CeCe and live her own life. I will just note that in this book (and the previous two) CeCe really made me grit my teeth and I didn't like her very much, but I'm almost 200 pages into her story 'The Pearl Sister' and as I hoped, getting her perspective has made me like her more.
This was the first of the Seven Sisters books where I liked the present day storyline just as much as the historical one. In 'The Shadow Sister' our historical heroine is Flora MacNichol, who I instantly adored for her fierce independence and love of animals. Flora's story went in quite a few unexpected directions, and I loved the appearances of figures such as Beatrix Potter.
I ended up Googling Alice Keppel and her family, and it's certainly a fascinating saga!
The mystery of Pa Salt continues, and I feel I gained no information on that front, but I was still really pleased with this one, so much so that I went straight into the fourth (as I mentioned above).
This series manages to find the perfect balance of romance and historical fiction (for me anyway) and I've found myself so caught up, in both the individual sisters, and also the family as a whole.
Star is the sister is identify with the most, so I've been looking forward to her story. This book is very focused on books, and I loved that. Star gets a job working in a bookshop, and spends her time there surrounded by piles of books, many of them rare collectors items. Her boss Orlando is one of my favourite characters in this story -- part of me wants to reach into the pages and bring him into real life, even though he's not at all built for it!
I found Star's relationship with her sister CeCe understandable but also slightly infuriating -- they are extremely codependent, and I felt so relieved throughout the book as Star started to break away from CeCe and live her own life. I will just note that in this book (and the previous two) CeCe really made me grit my teeth and I didn't like her very much, but I'm almost 200 pages into her story 'The Pearl Sister' and as I hoped, getting her perspective has made me like her more.
This was the first of the Seven Sisters books where I liked the present day storyline just as much as the historical one. In 'The Shadow Sister' our historical heroine is Flora MacNichol, who I instantly adored for her fierce independence and love of animals. Flora's story went in quite a few unexpected directions, and I loved the appearances of figures such as Beatrix Potter.
I ended up Googling Alice Keppel and her family, and it's certainly a fascinating saga!
The mystery of Pa Salt continues, and I feel I gained no information on that front, but I was still really pleased with this one, so much so that I went straight into the fourth (as I mentioned above).
This series manages to find the perfect balance of romance and historical fiction (for me anyway) and I've found myself so caught up, in both the individual sisters, and also the family as a whole.
March 19, 2022
I na tej książce kończę moją przygodę z siostrami, choć nie wykluczam, że kiedyś wrócę tylko do ostatniej części.
Trzeci raz czytałam ten sam schemat, czasami nawet te same elementy szukania swojego pochodzenia. Star była jedną siostrą, która mnie naprawdę bardzo zainteresowała już na początku, bo w końcu łączyła ją niezdrowa relacja z siostrą CeeCee.
Niestety wszystko o czym byliśmy zapewniani od 1 tomu i dodatkowo na początku historii Star, zostało zmazane za jednym zamachem. Kobieta, która ma problem z kontaktami z innymi ludźmi nagle bez problemu dołącza do obcej rodziny. O tak silnej więzi z siostrą świadczy tylko fakt, że nie poszła na Cambridge, bo CeeCee się tam nie dostała. Ich relacja w ogóle nie istnieje w książce.
Coś co mnie niesamowicie drażni od tych trzech tomów to dziwne dialogi. Naprawdę nikomu nie jest potrzebne "-dobranoc. -dobranoc, śpij dobrze.".
Ostatnia sprawa, audiobook ma dużo błędów, powtórzeń i zdublowań tych samych zdań.
Trzeci raz czytałam ten sam schemat, czasami nawet te same elementy szukania swojego pochodzenia. Star była jedną siostrą, która mnie naprawdę bardzo zainteresowała już na początku, bo w końcu łączyła ją niezdrowa relacja z siostrą CeeCee.
Niestety wszystko o czym byliśmy zapewniani od 1 tomu i dodatkowo na początku historii Star, zostało zmazane za jednym zamachem. Kobieta, która ma problem z kontaktami z innymi ludźmi nagle bez problemu dołącza do obcej rodziny. O tak silnej więzi z siostrą świadczy tylko fakt, że nie poszła na Cambridge, bo CeeCee się tam nie dostała. Ich relacja w ogóle nie istnieje w książce.
Coś co mnie niesamowicie drażni od tych trzech tomów to dziwne dialogi. Naprawdę nikomu nie jest potrzebne "-dobranoc. -dobranoc, śpij dobrze.".
Ostatnia sprawa, audiobook ma dużo błędów, powtórzeń i zdublowań tych samych zdań.
December 12, 2019
Three stars, and all of them for Flora. Seriously, for Flora's part, it's so worth it. She's easily the most fleshed out character from all the three books so far, and I enjoyed her chapters immensely. If this was just Flora's story, the book would get a five star rating. The historical circumstances were interesting, I actually liked the character development even in her darker moments, and I loved her spirit, independence, loyalty and zest for life. She's a tomboyish character not too fond of all things traditionally feminine, nevertheless she is caring, good-hearted and selfless. Too many books think those two things are mutually exclusive. Ten out of ten.
Star, however? Oh, boy. Almost no character development, and the little she did have didn't make her grow as a person at all. Beyond liking books and being quiet, she had little personality in the first place, and that didn't change much over the course of the book. I didn't interpret her behaviour as longing to break free. It seemed more like she was deliberately mean to CeCe to somehow punish her for stunting her growth. For someone so close to her sister and allegedly so good with words, it's astonishing that she couldn't be bothered to sit down and have one conversation with CeCe. I spent hundreds of pages inside her head and feel like I still don't know a thing about her, except that I find her selfish and boring. No progress in the department that actually mattered (education! personality development! independence), instead she got a cheap love story at the end.
Also, Star's story throughout the book just wasn't as eventful as I'd hoped. Most of it was cooking, babysitting and speaking to family members about logistics of who's at which house and who's driving whom to the station and who got whom pregnant in which year. Oh, and countless "I know I'm an asshole" soliloquies.
There were some positive aspects in the modern chapters, too, though:
- Deaf characters, and mentions of sign language as a skill and valid communication form within a family.
- Although for my taste, there could always be more, but I understand that side characters are side characters - I was happy with the various instances of LGBT representation, both fictional and non-fictional )
- Loved Shanti, wish we could have seen more of her.
Summary: Everything from Flora's chapters was incredibly interesting to me. The modern part didn't make me quite as happy. Let's hope that book 4 will finally gift me with a story where I connect to both time periods equally. Still not ready to give up on this series. That must mean something, right?
So far, my overall series ranking is:
My ratings of the Seven Sisters series:
Book 4 (✩✩✩✩ Loved the present, liked the past)
Book 1 (✩✩✩ Past boring, Present well-written)
Book 3 (✩✩✩ Present boring, Past well-written)
Book 5 (✩✩ Past interesting, present boring)
Book 2 (✩✩ both really boring with bright spots in between)
Star, however? Oh, boy. Almost no character development, and the little she did have didn't make her grow as a person at all. Beyond liking books and being quiet, she had little personality in the first place, and that didn't change much over the course of the book. I didn't interpret her behaviour as longing to break free. It seemed more like she was deliberately mean to CeCe to somehow punish her for stunting her growth. For someone so close to her sister and allegedly so good with words, it's astonishing that she couldn't be bothered to sit down and have one conversation with CeCe. I spent hundreds of pages inside her head and feel like I still don't know a thing about her, except that I find her selfish and boring. No progress in the department that actually mattered (education! personality development! independence), instead she got a cheap love story at the end.
Also, Star's story throughout the book just wasn't as eventful as I'd hoped. Most of it was cooking, babysitting and speaking to family members about logistics of who's at which house and who's driving whom to the station and who got whom pregnant in which year. Oh, and countless "I know I'm an asshole" soliloquies.
There were some positive aspects in the modern chapters, too, though:
- Deaf characters, and mentions of sign language as a skill and valid communication form within a family.
- Although for my taste, there could always be more, but I understand that side characters are side characters - I was happy with the various instances of LGBT representation, both fictional and non-fictional )
- Loved Shanti, wish we could have seen more of her.
Summary: Everything from Flora's chapters was incredibly interesting to me. The modern part didn't make me quite as happy. Let's hope that book 4 will finally gift me with a story where I connect to both time periods equally. Still not ready to give up on this series. That must mean something, right?
So far, my overall series ranking is:
My ratings of the Seven Sisters series:
Book 4 (✩✩✩✩ Loved the present, liked the past)
Book 1 (✩✩✩ Past boring, Present well-written)
Book 3 (✩✩✩ Present boring, Past well-written)
Book 5 (✩✩ Past interesting, present boring)
Book 2 (✩✩ both really boring with bright spots in between)
April 18, 2017
5 - "It was written in the stars..." Stars!
The third book in Lucinda Riley's Seven Sisters series brings the reader Star D’Aplièse’s story. The title sums her up pretty well actually, as so far in the previous books she has really been The Shadow Sister.
This is a series that as a reader I would class as one that requires commitment, none of the books so far have been what I would call quick read, and all require a certain level of investment in time and concentration. I love that the author takes any given story and draws the reader back in time, and then mixes historical fact with pure escapist fiction.
"At some point you must do what’s right for you."
Star’s journey to understanding more about herself and her past takes the reader back to London of the early twentieth century, where her ancestor Flora MacNichol, has a series of adventures that include the likes of the then Kings Mistress Alice Keppel, to Beatrix Potter. Her story is long and involved and Star discovers it in a series of journals that she discovers in the possession of brothers Orlando and Mouse Forbes.
"Change comes whether we wish for it or not."
As I said there is a certain amount of investment as a reader when dipping into a book from this series, the author weaves such elegant and complex story-lines that you need to be paying attention to what is happening whether it be with the characters from the past, or the story playing out in the current. I was interested to see what Star would get up to as she had up to this point very much let her sister CeCe, steer the ship that they were on. It was good to see her step out of the Shadow that CeCe cast over her, and see her come into her own, through the telling of Flora’s story and the discoveries about her own paternal family that came with it.
I literally got lost in this book, it took my imagination away to London through the ages, to the farm and fields of Beatrix Potters domain, and an old but loved house in the countryside of the now as well as the secrets from the past that it is keeping. The characters were endearing and unique, as was the story told around them. The author has such skill to be able to weave everything together so seamlessly that you almost feel that everything you have been witness to be the truth. I loved seeing Star gain some confidence and step away from the loving but ultimately stifling relationship that she and CeCe had fallen into.
"Whatever has been and whatever may come, I am glad that I at least spent some time with him…"
Fortunately we are given a little taste of CeCe’s state of mind and where her travels may take her (and the reader) in the next book The Pearl Sister, (due for release November 2017) at the end of Star’s story. I cannot wait to visit Thailand and Australia with her in the now, and then Australia of a hundred years ago to see where her origins derive and who the author manages to pull into the story from the history-books to keep things interesting.
This is a series well worth your time and attention if you are looking for something totally different from the norm, with a wealth of characters to get to know, and a plethora of places to discover as their stories are told, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review in exchange.
The third book in Lucinda Riley's Seven Sisters series brings the reader Star D’Aplièse’s story. The title sums her up pretty well actually, as so far in the previous books she has really been The Shadow Sister.
This is a series that as a reader I would class as one that requires commitment, none of the books so far have been what I would call quick read, and all require a certain level of investment in time and concentration. I love that the author takes any given story and draws the reader back in time, and then mixes historical fact with pure escapist fiction.
"At some point you must do what’s right for you."
Star’s journey to understanding more about herself and her past takes the reader back to London of the early twentieth century, where her ancestor Flora MacNichol, has a series of adventures that include the likes of the then Kings Mistress Alice Keppel, to Beatrix Potter. Her story is long and involved and Star discovers it in a series of journals that she discovers in the possession of brothers Orlando and Mouse Forbes.
"Change comes whether we wish for it or not."
As I said there is a certain amount of investment as a reader when dipping into a book from this series, the author weaves such elegant and complex story-lines that you need to be paying attention to what is happening whether it be with the characters from the past, or the story playing out in the current. I was interested to see what Star would get up to as she had up to this point very much let her sister CeCe, steer the ship that they were on. It was good to see her step out of the Shadow that CeCe cast over her, and see her come into her own, through the telling of Flora’s story and the discoveries about her own paternal family that came with it.
I literally got lost in this book, it took my imagination away to London through the ages, to the farm and fields of Beatrix Potters domain, and an old but loved house in the countryside of the now as well as the secrets from the past that it is keeping. The characters were endearing and unique, as was the story told around them. The author has such skill to be able to weave everything together so seamlessly that you almost feel that everything you have been witness to be the truth. I loved seeing Star gain some confidence and step away from the loving but ultimately stifling relationship that she and CeCe had fallen into.
"Whatever has been and whatever may come, I am glad that I at least spent some time with him…"
Fortunately we are given a little taste of CeCe’s state of mind and where her travels may take her (and the reader) in the next book The Pearl Sister, (due for release November 2017) at the end of Star’s story. I cannot wait to visit Thailand and Australia with her in the now, and then Australia of a hundred years ago to see where her origins derive and who the author manages to pull into the story from the history-books to keep things interesting.
This is a series well worth your time and attention if you are looking for something totally different from the norm, with a wealth of characters to get to know, and a plethora of places to discover as their stories are told, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review in exchange.
December 20, 2018
Nach einem etwas schwächeren zweiten Band fand ich den dritten wieder genauso gelungen wie die Geschichte rund um Maia. Ich mochte Star als Protagonistin wirklich gerne, obwohl ich nicht einmal behaupten würde mich gut mit ihr identifizieren zu können. Dennoch hat Lucinda Riley sie so gut beschrieben, dass ich mich ihr immer sehr nahe gefühlt habe und mit ihr mitgefühlt habe. Auch den Part des Buches der bei Flora in der Vergangenheit spielt war mochte ich total gerne. Die Atmosphäre war absolut zum wohlfühlen und auch CeCe wurde mir im Laufe des Buches sympathischer, sodass ich mich nun auch auf den nächsten Band freuen kann. Der Schreibstil war gewohnt angenehm, sodass sich die rund 600 Seiten flott weglesen ließen.
Lucinda Riley schafft es einfach immer wieder mit ihren romantischen bis kitschigen Geschichten zu begeistern und grade jetzt zur Vorweihnachtszeit war dieses Buch einfach perfekt für mich.
Lucinda Riley schafft es einfach immer wieder mit ihren romantischen bis kitschigen Geschichten zu begeistern und grade jetzt zur Vorweihnachtszeit war dieses Buch einfach perfekt für mich.
May 6, 2017
To be fair in reviewing this novel, I must admit that I've had very little reading time the past couple of weeks. I enjoyed it, however, if I'd been able to read it more continuously I think I'd have enjoyed it more. The beginning & ending dragged a bit for me; however, I loved, loved, loved Flora and couldn't wait to get back to her story. Past story was 5 stars... present story 3. A great series that I highly recommend. 4 stars.
September 19, 2017
The Shadow Sister is book three The Seven Sisters series. I had wanted to read this series from the beginning and I was a bit unsure how it would go starting with book three. But, despite some mentionings from the previous book did I find this book to work as a stand-alone. Although now I really want to read the previous two books!
I found the title of this book to be very fitting, both the main characters in the present time Star D'Aplièse and Flora MacNichol that lived in the beginning of the 20th-century are both shadow sisters. They both have to find their own way in life. Star by daring to finally break free from living her life in symbiosis with her sister CeCe and Flora who has always lived in the shadow of her beautiful younger sisters will one day have to choose between her own happiness or her sisters.
I got very engaged in both Star's and Flora's lives. Sure there were times I wanted to scream at them to not be stupid and think of themselves, but they are both very undemanding and their love for their sisters makes them make decisions that go against what they really want. I did have moments when I just wanted them both to be a bit more selfish, and tell them to reach for the stars!
The Shadow Sister is a thick book, but absolutely not a dull book. A lot of things are going on, I do admit that I did want the story to get going at a faster pace sometimes, but at the same time, I enjoyed reading about the people in the book. From the bookish Orlando to little Rory, and Mouse who had lost so much in life. And, of course, Star and Flora, both storylines were interesting to follow.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book which seems to be starring CeCe!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
I found the title of this book to be very fitting, both the main characters in the present time Star D'Aplièse and Flora MacNichol that lived in the beginning of the 20th-century are both shadow sisters. They both have to find their own way in life. Star by daring to finally break free from living her life in symbiosis with her sister CeCe and Flora who has always lived in the shadow of her beautiful younger sisters will one day have to choose between her own happiness or her sisters.
I got very engaged in both Star's and Flora's lives. Sure there were times I wanted to scream at them to not be stupid and think of themselves, but they are both very undemanding and their love for their sisters makes them make decisions that go against what they really want. I did have moments when I just wanted them both to be a bit more selfish, and tell them to reach for the stars!
The Shadow Sister is a thick book, but absolutely not a dull book. A lot of things are going on, I do admit that I did want the story to get going at a faster pace sometimes, but at the same time, I enjoyed reading about the people in the book. From the bookish Orlando to little Rory, and Mouse who had lost so much in life. And, of course, Star and Flora, both storylines were interesting to follow.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book which seems to be starring CeCe!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
October 18, 2018
The Shadow Sister by Lucinda Riley was an excellent historical novel, the third in a series of books about six young women who had all been adopted as babies and brought up as sisters.
The girls are devastated when their father dies and they all come home for the funeral. They are all given letters written by their father with clues to their natural parents.
This third book in the series is about Star, all her life she has been devoted to her sister CeCe kwho is a few months younger. Now at the age of 27 Star decides to take some time to find herself and her birth family.
The girls are devastated when their father dies and they all come home for the funeral. They are all given letters written by their father with clues to their natural parents.
This third book in the series is about Star, all her life she has been devoted to her sister CeCe kwho is a few months younger. Now at the age of 27 Star decides to take some time to find herself and her birth family.
June 3, 2023
این مجموعه تا به اینجای کار یکی از بهترین مجموعه کتابهایی محسوب میشه که خوندم. فوقالعاده و محشرن. جوری که متوجه نمیشم بیست و چهار ساعت کتاب صوتی چطور گذشته!
و به تمام کسایی که از ژانر تاریخی خوششون میاد، پیشنهادش میدم!
و به تمام کسایی که از ژانر تاریخی خوششون میاد، پیشنهادش میدم!
January 26, 2017
There really wasn't a single character in this installment that was really likable, except maybe the little boy. Every one of them were whiny, self indulgent, childish, and just plain annoying. That included the characters from the past AND the present. And I don't hold out much hope for the next book either since Cee Cee is REALLY obnoxious.
September 4, 2019
In 2007, after the death of her beloved adoptive father, Pa Salt, Star moves into an apartment her sister has chosen. Star is used to sharing her life with Cee Cee. For so long Cee Cee has been a voice for Star. But now Star needs to step out of the shadows and discover who she really is. She needs to find out from the clues Pap Salt left her about her birth parents. Her first clue leads her to an old bookshop. From the moment she sets foot inside that bookshop her life begins to change in ways she never imagined. She becomes immersed in the lives of Orlando, the bookshop owner and his brother Mouse, who Orlando tells Star is ’always suspicious of anyone he can’t find fault with.’ Star also comes to care deeply for the deaf young boy Rory. The more she draws slower to this family and finding out about her ancestors, the further Star seems to drift away from Cee Cee. That in itself causes guilt and other problems. The second story takes the reader back to 1909 and Flora’s story. The reader knows that sooner or later these two stories are going to connect.
As often happens in dual time line stories one story captures the attention more than the other, In this case I found the more modern story far more interesting than the more historical story. Perhaps this was largely to do with liking the modern day characters more, especially Star but also Orlando, Mouse and Rory who is a sweetie. I wasn’t as enamoured learning about Flora, Mrs Keppel, Edward - the king of the time, Beatrix Potter and others. However, they are all a necessary part of the narrative. The ending is rather abrupt but that is no doubt because it leads into the next book about Cee Cee. Since I found her the most annoying character I will probably not read the next one.
Although this is book 3 in the Seven Sisters series I had not read the first two. It didn’t matter. The story easily filled in the blanks and I caught up to speed. The story has a rather lyrical fairy tale quality to it. I enjoyed my time with Star and the other characters and this provided a nice change of place after my last couple of reads. A charming story focused on family and romance with characters that are complex and just a little bit quirky. This is my first book by this author and I do have a couple of her others on my to read list.
As often happens in dual time line stories one story captures the attention more than the other, In this case I found the more modern story far more interesting than the more historical story. Perhaps this was largely to do with liking the modern day characters more, especially Star but also Orlando, Mouse and Rory who is a sweetie. I wasn’t as enamoured learning about Flora, Mrs Keppel, Edward - the king of the time, Beatrix Potter and others. However, they are all a necessary part of the narrative. The ending is rather abrupt but that is no doubt because it leads into the next book about Cee Cee. Since I found her the most annoying character I will probably not read the next one.
Although this is book 3 in the Seven Sisters series I had not read the first two. It didn’t matter. The story easily filled in the blanks and I caught up to speed. The story has a rather lyrical fairy tale quality to it. I enjoyed my time with Star and the other characters and this provided a nice change of place after my last couple of reads. A charming story focused on family and romance with characters that are complex and just a little bit quirky. This is my first book by this author and I do have a couple of her others on my to read list.
December 21, 2017
I just love this series! I must admit, the 1st book - The Seven Sisters - is still my favorite so far, but these books seriously pull you in and this book - the 3rd - is no exception. I loved Flora's story. What a lovely human. She was the best part of it all. The beginning dragged a little, but it didn't ruin the story at all. I agree with some of the other reviewers in that these books do require commitment and time. They are longer books with a lot of details. Well worth it. Can't wait for CeCe's story in The Pearl Sister.
August 14, 2017
Für den Sommerurlaub ist es wirklich das perfekte Buch, wenn man am Strand einfach mal die Seele baumeln lassen will. Die Liebesgeschichte ist seicht, die gegenwärtige Story kurzweilig und die Geschichte aus dem edwardianischen England wirklich toll und berührend. Teilweise war es mir aber doch ein bisschen zuu kitschig und Realitätsfern und mit Star, die sich immer nur aufopfert, bin ich auch nicht warm geworden. Aber insgesamt war es wieder ein wunderschöner Teil der Reihe 😍🙌
November 1, 2016
Full review to come but this book is just so wonderful I had to share
Booktrail the locations here -link: Shadow Sister
For book lovers everywhere this centres around an old bookshop in London with rare books scattered all over, a story that leads back to Beatrix Potter and her home at Hill Top Farm, the love of animals she shares with Flora in Lucinda's book and a part in the story overall that is just magical!
Lucinda’s Seven sisters series just gets better and better. Star’s story is the most magical one yet -and the locations are stunningly evocative.
To say I was in my element was an understatement. Every scene – for the book reads like the film it deserves to be – is just full of detail and evocative writing. It always adds to the story though and never feels like padding, despite the book’s length there is not a single word wasted, each builds the intrigue and the story piece by painstakingly fascinating piece. The fact that this story starts in an old bookstore and leads to the home of Beatrix Potter will delight literary fans everywhere. Very cleverly done. Magical in fact.
Highly recommended!!!
Full review -
Lucinda’s Seven sisters series just gets better and better. Star’s story is the most magical one yet -and the locations are stunningly evocative. From an old bookshop in London, Star’s story leads us to the very home of Beatrix Potter and takes in a few large country houses and exquisite ballrooms in London along the way. To say I was in my element was an understatement. Every scene – for the book reads like the film it deserves to be – is just full of detail and evocative writing. It always adds to the story though and never feels like padding, despite the book’s length there is not a single word wasted, each builds the intrigue and the story piece by painstakingly fascinating piece. The fact that this story starts in an old bookstore and leads to the home of Beatrix Potter will delight literary fans everywhere. Very cleverly done. Magical in fact.
From the very moment Star finds her way to the bookstore, I could smell and feel the books as well as her excitement as making a step closer to the truth. The brothers – Orlando and ‘Mouse’ were such funny and vivid characters and I was as wrapped up in their story as I was in the fate of the shop. I do love a good brooding hero and these two were very distinct but equally fascinating. The past histories of two old country houses reveal a path of hidden secrets and brotherly spats. The ways families hang together, expectation and duty get in the way of free spirit and how a house can destroy as well as bring a family together – and what it means to love and be loved. There is such detail and warmth in this story, and it reads like a song.
I can’t not mention how fascinated I was to read of Beatrix Potter’s fictional role in the story. To think that she might have done what she did in the Flora’s tory (no spoilers here) just wowed me and made me want to revisit Hill Top Farm to see if I could see some extra secrets that we don’t know about Beatrix. This woman fascinates me anyway and I’m very familiar with Cumbria and where she lives so this was a delight for me to meet her in a story like this and to feel so happy as if I really was meeting her for real.
Star’s story and Flora’s past was like unravelling a really well wrapped parcel with delicate paper. I wanted to read fast but also to take my time as the secrets came spilling out one by one and really went in directions I was not expecting. There were lovely mentions of Ally the second sister whose story is featured in book two, and also a thread leading to the fourth sister’s story. I love the way Lucinda does that – so by the time you’ve read the entire series, it will be one huge tapestry of stories and locations. No wonder this is being made into a film.
I know this is a well worn phrase but Lucinda really is a born storyteller. I am as fascinated now as I was at the beginning of book one and even more hungry than ever for the rest of this amazing tale!
I was both heartbroken and delightedly happy at moments throughout Star and Flora’s story and love the way Lucinda weaves such magic in bringing it all together. All characters are so roundly developed that I feel at a loss now that I’ve finished the book and left them behind. These two women make their own destinies in their own way and it’s utterly fascinating how they do. Star is a quiet and unassuming character with a big heart and as for Flora…. I would have loved to meet her, she sounds amazing. The way these two women seemed to reach out to each other over the decades – this is skillful storytelling at its very very best.
Booktrail the locations here -link: Shadow Sister
For book lovers everywhere this centres around an old bookshop in London with rare books scattered all over, a story that leads back to Beatrix Potter and her home at Hill Top Farm, the love of animals she shares with Flora in Lucinda's book and a part in the story overall that is just magical!
Lucinda’s Seven sisters series just gets better and better. Star’s story is the most magical one yet -and the locations are stunningly evocative.
To say I was in my element was an understatement. Every scene – for the book reads like the film it deserves to be – is just full of detail and evocative writing. It always adds to the story though and never feels like padding, despite the book’s length there is not a single word wasted, each builds the intrigue and the story piece by painstakingly fascinating piece. The fact that this story starts in an old bookstore and leads to the home of Beatrix Potter will delight literary fans everywhere. Very cleverly done. Magical in fact.
Highly recommended!!!
Full review -
Lucinda’s Seven sisters series just gets better and better. Star’s story is the most magical one yet -and the locations are stunningly evocative. From an old bookshop in London, Star’s story leads us to the very home of Beatrix Potter and takes in a few large country houses and exquisite ballrooms in London along the way. To say I was in my element was an understatement. Every scene – for the book reads like the film it deserves to be – is just full of detail and evocative writing. It always adds to the story though and never feels like padding, despite the book’s length there is not a single word wasted, each builds the intrigue and the story piece by painstakingly fascinating piece. The fact that this story starts in an old bookstore and leads to the home of Beatrix Potter will delight literary fans everywhere. Very cleverly done. Magical in fact.
From the very moment Star finds her way to the bookstore, I could smell and feel the books as well as her excitement as making a step closer to the truth. The brothers – Orlando and ‘Mouse’ were such funny and vivid characters and I was as wrapped up in their story as I was in the fate of the shop. I do love a good brooding hero and these two were very distinct but equally fascinating. The past histories of two old country houses reveal a path of hidden secrets and brotherly spats. The ways families hang together, expectation and duty get in the way of free spirit and how a house can destroy as well as bring a family together – and what it means to love and be loved. There is such detail and warmth in this story, and it reads like a song.
I can’t not mention how fascinated I was to read of Beatrix Potter’s fictional role in the story. To think that she might have done what she did in the Flora’s tory (no spoilers here) just wowed me and made me want to revisit Hill Top Farm to see if I could see some extra secrets that we don’t know about Beatrix. This woman fascinates me anyway and I’m very familiar with Cumbria and where she lives so this was a delight for me to meet her in a story like this and to feel so happy as if I really was meeting her for real.
Star’s story and Flora’s past was like unravelling a really well wrapped parcel with delicate paper. I wanted to read fast but also to take my time as the secrets came spilling out one by one and really went in directions I was not expecting. There were lovely mentions of Ally the second sister whose story is featured in book two, and also a thread leading to the fourth sister’s story. I love the way Lucinda does that – so by the time you’ve read the entire series, it will be one huge tapestry of stories and locations. No wonder this is being made into a film.
I know this is a well worn phrase but Lucinda really is a born storyteller. I am as fascinated now as I was at the beginning of book one and even more hungry than ever for the rest of this amazing tale!
I was both heartbroken and delightedly happy at moments throughout Star and Flora’s story and love the way Lucinda weaves such magic in bringing it all together. All characters are so roundly developed that I feel at a loss now that I’ve finished the book and left them behind. These two women make their own destinies in their own way and it’s utterly fascinating how they do. Star is a quiet and unassuming character with a big heart and as for Flora…. I would have loved to meet her, she sounds amazing. The way these two women seemed to reach out to each other over the decades – this is skillful storytelling at its very very best.
August 26, 2024
Prepare to fall in love! This book deserves all the stars in the world… it truly has my heart! 💖 As the sister I relate to the most, I was beyond excited to dive into Star’s story in The Shadow Sister, and Lucinda Riley absolutely exceeded my expectations.
This novel is a treasure trove for book lovers. Star takes a job at a charming antiquarian bookshop in London, where she finds herself surrounded by piles of rare and collectible books—every reader’s dream come true! The quirky bookshop owner, Orlando, is a delightful character who quickly became a favourite of mine. He’s so wonderfully eccentric that I found myself wishing I could bring him into the real world, even though he’s hilariously unsuited for it!
Watching Star’s journey towards independence was relatable, frustrating, and full of growing pains as Star tries to find her place in the world. Her struggle to break free from the intense, co-dependent bond with her sister CeCe is portrayed with such depth that I was cheering for her every step of the way. For the first time in the Seven Sisters series, I was equally captivated by both the present-day and historical narratives. Flora MacNichol’s story, set a century earlier, is filled with surprising twists, fierce independence, and delightful encounters with figures like Beatrix Potter. Her love for animals, especially her bond with Panther the cat, added a lovely layer of warmth to her tale.
The Shadow Sister is a captivating read, masterfully weaving together two compelling stories filled with unexpected turns and unforgettable characters. It’s a must-read that truly deserves every one of its five stars! 🌟
This novel is a treasure trove for book lovers. Star takes a job at a charming antiquarian bookshop in London, where she finds herself surrounded by piles of rare and collectible books—every reader’s dream come true! The quirky bookshop owner, Orlando, is a delightful character who quickly became a favourite of mine. He’s so wonderfully eccentric that I found myself wishing I could bring him into the real world, even though he’s hilariously unsuited for it!
Watching Star’s journey towards independence was relatable, frustrating, and full of growing pains as Star tries to find her place in the world. Her struggle to break free from the intense, co-dependent bond with her sister CeCe is portrayed with such depth that I was cheering for her every step of the way. For the first time in the Seven Sisters series, I was equally captivated by both the present-day and historical narratives. Flora MacNichol’s story, set a century earlier, is filled with surprising twists, fierce independence, and delightful encounters with figures like Beatrix Potter. Her love for animals, especially her bond with Panther the cat, added a lovely layer of warmth to her tale.
The Shadow Sister is a captivating read, masterfully weaving together two compelling stories filled with unexpected turns and unforgettable characters. It’s a must-read that truly deserves every one of its five stars! 🌟
January 10, 2022
The Shadow Sister is the third book in the Seven Sisters series, and definitely my favourite so far. I’m beginning to understand why they are rated number one on the Whitcoull’s Top 100 (which is based on reader votes) and really liked both heroines this time. Riley has once again chosen an interesting slice of history to focus on, and while, as before, there is a love story in each arc, the romance is not the main point of the plot. These books are designed to be read in any order, and while there are some light spoilers for the previous book (The Storm Sister) this could easily read as a stand-alone.
Asterope - known as Star by her family, has always lived in the shadow of her more outgoing sister CeCe. After the death of their mysterious adoptive father, Pa Salt, the 3rd and 4th sisters move to London so CeCe can embark on an art course. Star, who has an English degree but no vocation, feels adrift in the big city so decides to follow the clues left to her about her heritage - starting in a rare book shop run by the eccentric Orlando. From here she learns about Flora MacNichol, a feisty young aristocrat from the Lake District who was obsessed with animals and plants - but what is Star’s connection to Flora?
The first book, The Seven Sisters, set up the rather implausible premise of a billionaire who has raised six girls from infancy in his mansion on Lake Geneva without them learning anything about his origins or work, only to die suddenly while they’re all away and arrange an elaborate puzzle for each of them to solve if they want to know about their biological heritage. The Shadow Sister repeated a lot of this, so was slow to get going, whereas this one condenses the backstory to avoid further repetition. This might make it seem rather preposterous to those who are starting with this one, but trust me, the things that make absolutely no sense in this one are not explained in the earlier books either - just go with it. I liked that while certain elements have been the same in each book, they are not too formulaic: the sister’s story is told in first person person while the (presumed) ancestor’s story is third person past.
Each book brings in real-life characters from history, in this case including Beatrix Potter and King Edward VII, as seen through Flora’s secret journals beginning in 1909. The plot twists were rather obvious but that didn’t spoil it for me, and while the ending was a bit contrived, I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing each revelation with Star and Flora. The writing also seems to have improved with each book - there’s much less word repetition and the plot flows nicely. The next book is about CeCe who is portrayed as mostly selfish and scatter-brained in this one, but I trust that hearing her POV will render her more sympathetic. 4.5 rounded up for the toned-down romance and likably flawed heroines.
Asterope - known as Star by her family, has always lived in the shadow of her more outgoing sister CeCe. After the death of their mysterious adoptive father, Pa Salt, the 3rd and 4th sisters move to London so CeCe can embark on an art course. Star, who has an English degree but no vocation, feels adrift in the big city so decides to follow the clues left to her about her heritage - starting in a rare book shop run by the eccentric Orlando. From here she learns about Flora MacNichol, a feisty young aristocrat from the Lake District who was obsessed with animals and plants - but what is Star’s connection to Flora?
The first book, The Seven Sisters, set up the rather implausible premise of a billionaire who has raised six girls from infancy in his mansion on Lake Geneva without them learning anything about his origins or work, only to die suddenly while they’re all away and arrange an elaborate puzzle for each of them to solve if they want to know about their biological heritage. The Shadow Sister repeated a lot of this, so was slow to get going, whereas this one condenses the backstory to avoid further repetition. This might make it seem rather preposterous to those who are starting with this one, but trust me, the things that make absolutely no sense in this one are not explained in the earlier books either - just go with it. I liked that while certain elements have been the same in each book, they are not too formulaic: the sister’s story is told in first person person while the (presumed) ancestor’s story is third person past.
Each book brings in real-life characters from history, in this case including Beatrix Potter and King Edward VII, as seen through Flora’s secret journals beginning in 1909. The plot twists were rather obvious but that didn’t spoil it for me, and while the ending was a bit contrived, I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing each revelation with Star and Flora. The writing also seems to have improved with each book - there’s much less word repetition and the plot flows nicely. The next book is about CeCe who is portrayed as mostly selfish and scatter-brained in this one, but I trust that hearing her POV will render her more sympathetic. 4.5 rounded up for the toned-down romance and likably flawed heroines.
October 21, 2017
I can't wait for Star's story in November, the silent sister! But I must confess I'm mostly waiting for Tiggy's story, she reminds me of myself. I hope her story is next after Star's. I'm excited that Beatrix Potter is mentioned.
[February 5, 2017] The day before yesterday, I bought this book and I'm over the moon! I've been waiting for some time! Last night I began reading the book, cracking the spine a bit. The relationship between Star and Ceecee is bewildering to me, I like my individuality and alone time, Ceecee is codependent on Star, and Star is too gentle, silent and weak beside Ceecee's outspoken personality, though I suspect that the stronger internally is Star. I love Pa Salt's relationship with each of the girls, but I repeat, I don't think he is dead! I think he is looking for the seventh sister who might be in danger, and I think he is the Greek tycoon! The girls don't even know his real name!
I'm almost done with the book and I got to say I don't get or like Star at all! I loved the story of Flora and I got the secret right from the start, her heritage, family history and so forth. My problem with Star is that I don't get her, she doesn't make sense to me, and I HATED that family! I didn't find them charming at all. In the beginning, I felt that they were all so old, but every once in awhile something will happen and I'll question myself because Star is messed up! Her emotions, thoughts and actions are weird, especially with this family and her sister. I think she is the least charming of the sisters so far.
As for Flora, I loved her story, character and how Alice Keppel and her daughters were portrayed in this novel, now that's an interesting family! I think the Keppel family line is the line that produces the kings and princes of England mistresses, what a weird family, the woman in this line are experts in catching the eyes (and the hearts) of royalty!
I don't want to say this now before officially finishing the book, but I'm quite disappointed with how this book turned out. I hope Ceecee's story will be better.
[February 5, 2017] The day before yesterday, I bought this book and I'm over the moon! I've been waiting for some time! Last night I began reading the book, cracking the spine a bit. The relationship between Star and Ceecee is bewildering to me, I like my individuality and alone time, Ceecee is codependent on Star, and Star is too gentle, silent and weak beside Ceecee's outspoken personality, though I suspect that the stronger internally is Star. I love Pa Salt's relationship with each of the girls, but I repeat, I don't think he is dead! I think he is looking for the seventh sister who might be in danger, and I think he is the Greek tycoon! The girls don't even know his real name!
I'm almost done with the book and I got to say I don't get or like Star at all! I loved the story of Flora and I got the secret right from the start, her heritage, family history and so forth. My problem with Star is that I don't get her, she doesn't make sense to me, and I HATED that family! I didn't find them charming at all. In the beginning, I felt that they were all so old, but every once in awhile something will happen and I'll question myself because Star is messed up! Her emotions, thoughts and actions are weird, especially with this family and her sister. I think she is the least charming of the sisters so far.
As for Flora, I loved her story, character and how Alice Keppel and her daughters were portrayed in this novel, now that's an interesting family! I think the Keppel family line is the line that produces the kings and princes of England mistresses, what a weird family, the woman in this line are experts in catching the eyes (and the hearts) of royalty!
I don't want to say this now before officially finishing the book, but I'm quite disappointed with how this book turned out. I hope Ceecee's story will be better.
April 6, 2023
A 3-a poveste din serie mi-a scăzut puțin entuziasmul pentru că n-am mai perceput-o la fel de vie și antrenantă precum primele două.
În acest volum, Star este cea care pornește în aflarea tainelor vieții ei.
Față de primele două volume am simțit aici lipsa artei dar mi-a plăcut că literatura și pasiunea pentru cărți au fost integrate.
Nu am rezonat foarte mult cu personajele și nu am simțit aceeași fiori la în celelalte volume dar voi continua seria.
În acest volum, Star este cea care pornește în aflarea tainelor vieții ei.
Față de primele două volume am simțit aici lipsa artei dar mi-a plăcut că literatura și pasiunea pentru cărți au fost integrate.
Nu am rezonat foarte mult cu personajele și nu am simțit aceeași fiori la în celelalte volume dar voi continua seria.
August 27, 2018
After somewhat of a let down reading the first book in the series, I had a marvellous time reading about Ally and her quest to trace down her roots from the second book in this series that I’ve come to be interested about. Obviously, it is only fair that I had high hopes that the third book will be as engaging as the second one, if not better. Alas, I was disappointed. I was intrigued to see where Star and CeCe’s story would diverge, as it has been mentioned since the first book that the two were just too close that it seems both persons resemble one as opposed to two. Whilst this book manage to put Star in the limelight without making it weird that for all of a sudden CeCe is not present, I really didn’t like how Star eventually evolves as a character in her own story. I felt she became a selfish and self-righteous to the point I felt bad for CeCe (even though at first I really thought CeCe’s domineering personality is what ‘killed’ Star’s own personality). I felt that most of the time Star is playing the victim as to how her life ends up, by putting the blame on CeCe headstrong and dominating personality. I felt it was such a bad writing on Star’s personality and character development as a whole.
Thankfully, Star is not the only one who took the reign of this book’s story. Here, we are met with Flora MacNichol, which would be the tether that would lead Star and the reader Star’s roots. Where Star grows irritating as the story progresses, as a reader, I am more and more in love with Flora. She is frustrating as she is strong and brave in facing whatever the world throws at her, even when the consequences to her actions are bleak, she still brace it as brave as she could. But, not only Flora, there in the present, together with the evr irritating Star, the reader is also met with Orlando, the eccentric bookshop owner, that I am glad didn’t end up as Star’s love interest. There’s a depth to Orlando’s quirkiness that made me stick around, if only to know about Orlando’s story (I seriously couldn’t care about Star’s story at this point).
Whilst Orlando is holding the fort of the story in the present with its own fair share of mysteries that is not quite interesting because it’s too technical, the past’s mysteries told from Flora’s perspective is a killer! It is both interesting and frustrating all at the same time, and yeah a bit far fetched if you ask me, but this is fiction, so let your imagination run free. No judging there. So, yeah, if it weren’t for Orlando, Flora, and the past, I’d probably drop this book the moment I realised that Star is fighting for the most annoying sister spot against Maia.
But, see, the problem that I had with this book isn’t entirely on the fact that Star as a character evolves into this seemingly annoying and irritating person. Far from how her two older sister had portrayed her in the first two books; Star seems to be this timid girl who is overshadowed by CeCe’s stronger personality, and yet there is also a sweet and understanding side to her. But, and here’s a big but, I ain’t seeing that in this book. Sure, she was nice to Orlando and his family, but I kept on thinking that’s just because it wouldn’t be polite to be rude to someone you just met, right? And I am so tired of her self-righteous comments, and the way she subtly blamed CeCe because at her late twenties, and she still doesn’t know what to do with her life. Oh boohoo, you’re not the only one who are not able to figure out your life, so don’t go blaming it on someone else.
Another point that I didn’t like from this book is, must we always pair up our heroine with someone else? After reading Ally’s story and seeing how she decided to focus on her life in the present, what with having a baby, meeting his biological father and twin brother, and not to pursue love in the moment, I figured Star’s story would end up the same. You know, what with having to read her woe about not knowing what to do with her life, and having to give up a spot in a better university for CeCe so they can go to the same university. After all those things, I thought that eventually Star would realise what she wants to do and pursue that, as opposed to fall in love with the first man she met, in which her sister was not around to cockblock her. Ugh! Oh, and don’t even get me started on her, “oh woe is me, what if he knew about my secret? Surely he wouldn’t want to be with me then.” Well, sweetie, unless your secret is you are secretly a murderer, I think it is safe to say everything is going to be alright.
In case you’re wondering what Star’s secret may be, let me just say it is stupid. Like, incredibly ridiculously unforgivingly stupid. There. I said it.
Thankfully, Star is not the only one who took the reign of this book’s story. Here, we are met with Flora MacNichol, which would be the tether that would lead Star and the reader Star’s roots. Where Star grows irritating as the story progresses, as a reader, I am more and more in love with Flora. She is frustrating as she is strong and brave in facing whatever the world throws at her, even when the consequences to her actions are bleak, she still brace it as brave as she could. But, not only Flora, there in the present, together with the evr irritating Star, the reader is also met with Orlando, the eccentric bookshop owner, that I am glad didn’t end up as Star’s love interest. There’s a depth to Orlando’s quirkiness that made me stick around, if only to know about Orlando’s story (I seriously couldn’t care about Star’s story at this point).
Whilst Orlando is holding the fort of the story in the present with its own fair share of mysteries that is not quite interesting because it’s too technical, the past’s mysteries told from Flora’s perspective is a killer! It is both interesting and frustrating all at the same time, and yeah a bit far fetched if you ask me, but this is fiction, so let your imagination run free. No judging there. So, yeah, if it weren’t for Orlando, Flora, and the past, I’d probably drop this book the moment I realised that Star is fighting for the most annoying sister spot against Maia.
But, see, the problem that I had with this book isn’t entirely on the fact that Star as a character evolves into this seemingly annoying and irritating person. Far from how her two older sister had portrayed her in the first two books; Star seems to be this timid girl who is overshadowed by CeCe’s stronger personality, and yet there is also a sweet and understanding side to her. But, and here’s a big but, I ain’t seeing that in this book. Sure, she was nice to Orlando and his family, but I kept on thinking that’s just because it wouldn’t be polite to be rude to someone you just met, right? And I am so tired of her self-righteous comments, and the way she subtly blamed CeCe because at her late twenties, and she still doesn’t know what to do with her life. Oh boohoo, you’re not the only one who are not able to figure out your life, so don’t go blaming it on someone else.
Another point that I didn’t like from this book is, must we always pair up our heroine with someone else? After reading Ally’s story and seeing how she decided to focus on her life in the present, what with having a baby, meeting his biological father and twin brother, and not to pursue love in the moment, I figured Star’s story would end up the same. You know, what with having to read her woe about not knowing what to do with her life, and having to give up a spot in a better university for CeCe so they can go to the same university. After all those things, I thought that eventually Star would realise what she wants to do and pursue that, as opposed to fall in love with the first man she met, in which her sister was not around to cockblock her. Ugh! Oh, and don’t even get me started on her, “oh woe is me, what if he knew about my secret? Surely he wouldn’t want to be with me then.” Well, sweetie, unless your secret is you are secretly a murderer, I think it is safe to say everything is going to be alright.
In case you’re wondering what Star’s secret may be, let me just say it is stupid. Like, incredibly ridiculously unforgivingly stupid. There. I said it.
November 12, 2018
Leicht schwächer als die ersten beiden Bücher aber trotzdem fesselnd und wieder ein schönes Leseerlebnis.
Wieder eine tolle Reise. Wieder treffen verschiedene Schicksale auf verschiedenen Zeitebenen zusammen. Und die anschauliche Sprache lässt ein lebendiges Bild entstehen.
Stars Geschichte ist interessant und fesselnd, genau wie die von Flora. Beide versuchen ihren Platz in der Welt zu finden.
Star wirkt auf ersten Blick ziemlich blass, in Wahrheit ist sie aber ein starker Charakter, nur sehr ruhig. Und genauso still und ruhig entwickelt sie sich weiter, wird noch stärker und selbstbewusster, kommt aus sich heraus und kapselt sich von CeCe ab.
Ihre Geschichte ist, genau wie sie, zurückhaltend und faszinierend.
Und dann versetzt uns Floras aufregende Geschichte in der Zeit zurück, in ein ganz anderes England. Historische Fakten werden vermischt mit tollem Drama.
Flora ist ein wirklich beeindruckender Charakter und ihre Geschichte ist total mitreißend, voll von Schicksalsschlägen und bei ihrer großen Chance, steht sie sich dann selbst im Weg.
Die beiden Stories um England im Verlauf der Zeit sind liebevoll und aufwendig ausgearbeitet und perfekt abgestimmt. Dazu haben mir die skurrilen Nebenfiguren total gut gefallen, vor allem Orlando.
Und wieder kann ich es kaum erwarten den nächsten Teil zu lesen.
Wieder eine tolle Reise. Wieder treffen verschiedene Schicksale auf verschiedenen Zeitebenen zusammen. Und die anschauliche Sprache lässt ein lebendiges Bild entstehen.
Stars Geschichte ist interessant und fesselnd, genau wie die von Flora. Beide versuchen ihren Platz in der Welt zu finden.
Star wirkt auf ersten Blick ziemlich blass, in Wahrheit ist sie aber ein starker Charakter, nur sehr ruhig. Und genauso still und ruhig entwickelt sie sich weiter, wird noch stärker und selbstbewusster, kommt aus sich heraus und kapselt sich von CeCe ab.
Ihre Geschichte ist, genau wie sie, zurückhaltend und faszinierend.
Und dann versetzt uns Floras aufregende Geschichte in der Zeit zurück, in ein ganz anderes England. Historische Fakten werden vermischt mit tollem Drama.
Flora ist ein wirklich beeindruckender Charakter und ihre Geschichte ist total mitreißend, voll von Schicksalsschlägen und bei ihrer großen Chance, steht sie sich dann selbst im Weg.
Die beiden Stories um England im Verlauf der Zeit sind liebevoll und aufwendig ausgearbeitet und perfekt abgestimmt. Dazu haben mir die skurrilen Nebenfiguren total gut gefallen, vor allem Orlando.
Und wieder kann ich es kaum erwarten den nächsten Teil zu lesen.
February 9, 2017
Lucinda Riley continues her Seven Sisters series with this, the third installment. Star is the quiet sister, the one who always lived in CeCe's shadow, letting her talk for her and make all of her decisions. But now everything has changed. Pa Salt is dead and Star needs to become her own person and figure out who she is.
This book takes the reader to the Lake District in England during the early twentieth century, and introduces us to Beatrix Potter and Alice Keppel, one of the King's mistresses. Star reads the journals of Flora, a young woman from that time period, as she herself figures out where she fits in society and love.
I love how the author skips between modern day and the past. It really feels like a journey through time, with such amazing descriptions that you can't help but feel that you are there. It's great how the origin of the sisters is never quite expected, and I always end up surprised.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series! They take way too long to come out, and I need to know everything about each sister and Pa Salt! Love this series.
This book takes the reader to the Lake District in England during the early twentieth century, and introduces us to Beatrix Potter and Alice Keppel, one of the King's mistresses. Star reads the journals of Flora, a young woman from that time period, as she herself figures out where she fits in society and love.
I love how the author skips between modern day and the past. It really feels like a journey through time, with such amazing descriptions that you can't help but feel that you are there. It's great how the origin of the sisters is never quite expected, and I always end up surprised.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series! They take way too long to come out, and I need to know everything about each sister and Pa Salt! Love this series.
April 29, 2024
⚠️POSIBLES SPOILERS DE LOS LIBROS ANTERIORES ⚠️
Creo que esta saga va mejorando libro a libro. No le he encontrado ninguna parte aburrida. De las seis hermanas que conocemos, empezamos con Maia y la búsqueda de sus orígenes. Después con Ally y ahora estamos con Star. Una chica que ya solo por el nombre sospechaba que iba ser una dulzura de persona, y así ha sido 😊. Me ha enamorado.
Como en los anteriores libros, tiene dos etapas temporales diferentes. Pues, como sabemos de los otros dos libros, su padre adoptivo muere al comienzo del primer libro y les deja una carta a cada una de sus hijas con varias pistas por si alguna vez tuvieran la curiosidad de conocer sus raíces.
En los tres libros, dichas pistas nos han transportado varias generaciones en el pasado y a varios países diferentes. Esta vez las coordenadas facilitadas nos han llevado al Londres de comienzos del siglo XX.
Como ocurrió con Maia y Ally, creo que la historia del pasado está más interesante que la del presente.
Comienza con la historia de Flora McNicol y su día a día, con sus cosas buenas y malas y se va desarrollando de tal manera que parece que estás dentro de la trama con cada uno de los personajes. Y hasta que no llegas a la parte donde todo cobra sentido te cuesta mucho parar. Al menos a mí me ha ocurrido.
Flora es de buena familia, concretamente de la aristocracia rural londinense y vive con su hermana Aurelia y sus padres. Desde el principio me pareció raro que, con lo buena persona que era Flora, dedicada a sus flores y animales, su madre la tuviera como el patito feo de la familia. Con la excusa de que no le íbamos mucho los eventos sociales a la señorita McNicol ni siquiera le preguntaban si quería acompañarlas. Me intrigó que ni siquiera su madre la quisiera presentar en sociedad (como si fuera La Cenicienta). Más adelante se le encuentra explicación a todo pero mientras estuve con la mosca detrás de la oreja 😅.
Me encantó lo bien que la autora entrelazó las dos historias y les dio sentido. Sin dejar ningún cabo suelto y con un final muy bonito 😊
El epílogo de cada uno de estos libros nos empieza a dar pistas sobre lo que nos esperará con la siguiente hermana.
La autora lo hace de tal manera que te deja con la intriga de querer saber más. Así que, estoy deseando poder devorar el cuarto libro enfocado en la hermana "más odiosa, fría, practica, ..." que es Cece. Al menos eso es lo que nos quiere hacer pensar, pero a mí no me engaña. Creo que hay mucho más detrás de esta hermana y que nos va a sorprender. Al menos ese es mi deseo.
Una saga muy recomendable 😊
Creo que esta saga va mejorando libro a libro. No le he encontrado ninguna parte aburrida. De las seis hermanas que conocemos, empezamos con Maia y la búsqueda de sus orígenes. Después con Ally y ahora estamos con Star. Una chica que ya solo por el nombre sospechaba que iba ser una dulzura de persona, y así ha sido 😊. Me ha enamorado.
Como en los anteriores libros, tiene dos etapas temporales diferentes. Pues, como sabemos de los otros dos libros, su padre adoptivo muere al comienzo del primer libro y les deja una carta a cada una de sus hijas con varias pistas por si alguna vez tuvieran la curiosidad de conocer sus raíces.
En los tres libros, dichas pistas nos han transportado varias generaciones en el pasado y a varios países diferentes. Esta vez las coordenadas facilitadas nos han llevado al Londres de comienzos del siglo XX.
Como ocurrió con Maia y Ally, creo que la historia del pasado está más interesante que la del presente.
Comienza con la historia de Flora McNicol y su día a día, con sus cosas buenas y malas y se va desarrollando de tal manera que parece que estás dentro de la trama con cada uno de los personajes. Y hasta que no llegas a la parte donde todo cobra sentido te cuesta mucho parar. Al menos a mí me ha ocurrido.
Flora es de buena familia, concretamente de la aristocracia rural londinense y vive con su hermana Aurelia y sus padres. Desde el principio me pareció raro que, con lo buena persona que era Flora, dedicada a sus flores y animales, su madre la tuviera como el patito feo de la familia. Con la excusa de que no le íbamos mucho los eventos sociales a la señorita McNicol ni siquiera le preguntaban si quería acompañarlas. Me intrigó que ni siquiera su madre la quisiera presentar en sociedad (como si fuera La Cenicienta). Más adelante se le encuentra explicación a todo pero mientras estuve con la mosca detrás de la oreja 😅.
Me encantó lo bien que la autora entrelazó las dos historias y les dio sentido. Sin dejar ningún cabo suelto y con un final muy bonito 😊
El epílogo de cada uno de estos libros nos empieza a dar pistas sobre lo que nos esperará con la siguiente hermana.
La autora lo hace de tal manera que te deja con la intriga de querer saber más. Así que, estoy deseando poder devorar el cuarto libro enfocado en la hermana "más odiosa, fría, practica, ..." que es Cece. Al menos eso es lo que nos quiere hacer pensar, pero a mí no me engaña. Creo que hay mucho más detrás de esta hermana y que nos va a sorprender. Al menos ese es mi deseo.
Una saga muy recomendable 😊
April 20, 2017
I knew by page 20 that this was going to be my favorite so far of the Seven Sisters series. I wasn't wrong. There was something about this particular book that drew me in more than the first two. Perhaps because it was set in England and that's my particular favorite or maybe I saw something in myself in Star that made her my favorite sister (so far). Whatever "it" was, it worked. I was completely engrossed in this novel from the very beginning and never once did I want to put it down. I was only half-way through when I got online and bought it!
So this 3rd entry, we meet Star. Star, in the past, we haven't heard much from considering that her sister CeeCee is always speaking for her. So I, personally, was very interested in what she would end up being like. Yes, she was a very quiet person. She's okay with being surrounded by books, or just being in the kitchen/garden. She doesn't feel the need to fill the silence. She, however, does feel the need to break away from CeeCee and forge her own path. Which is how she finds herself outside a London bookstore and meets the eccentric, Orlando. Through him and his family, Star will find much more than her history...she will also find her future.
It goes without saying that I loved everything about this novel: the characters--ALL of them!!, the setting, the story, the feeling it gave me--happiness doesn't even cut it. I can honestly say that this is my favorite novel I've read, so far, this year.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So this 3rd entry, we meet Star. Star, in the past, we haven't heard much from considering that her sister CeeCee is always speaking for her. So I, personally, was very interested in what she would end up being like. Yes, she was a very quiet person. She's okay with being surrounded by books, or just being in the kitchen/garden. She doesn't feel the need to fill the silence. She, however, does feel the need to break away from CeeCee and forge her own path. Which is how she finds herself outside a London bookstore and meets the eccentric, Orlando. Through him and his family, Star will find much more than her history...she will also find her future.
It goes without saying that I loved everything about this novel: the characters--ALL of them!!, the setting, the story, the feeling it gave me--happiness doesn't even cut it. I can honestly say that this is my favorite novel I've read, so far, this year.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2022
4.5⭐
No sabía que esperar de Star porque realmente era la hermana que menos me interesaba, pero me ha encantado.
Tanto la historia de Flora como la de Star me han tenido atrapada en todo momento. Flora es una persona increíble, con un enorme corazón. Star está comenzando a vivir de verdad tomando sus propias decisiones, la familia Vaughan/Foster son geniales, y harán que su mundo cambie para siempre
No sabía que esperar de Star porque realmente era la hermana que menos me interesaba, pero me ha encantado.
Tanto la historia de Flora como la de Star me han tenido atrapada en todo momento. Flora es una persona increíble, con un enorme corazón. Star está comenzando a vivir de verdad tomando sus propias decisiones, la familia Vaughan/Foster son geniales, y harán que su mundo cambie para siempre
June 19, 2023
“And above all, be true to yourself.”
Ever since the start of this series, I've been anticipating Star's story. Her silent character fascinated me, and I wanted the learn more about her and her back story as soon as possible. I was not disappointed. Out of the three books I've read so far; this is definitely my favourite! And my first five star. (the others came close with four and a half star each)
Not only did I fall in love with Star, but even more so with Flora. Both their stories resonated close to my heart. The “unseen” lonely girls that in the end also find their happy ever after, or as close to it as life permits.
I obviously had to go buy the next 2 books and is saving up for the rest. I'm really curious about CeCe, as I am currently not sure I like her very much.
And the mystery of why the girls keeps thinking they see or hear Pa Salt is fascinating me more and more.
Ever since the start of this series, I've been anticipating Star's story. Her silent character fascinated me, and I wanted the learn more about her and her back story as soon as possible. I was not disappointed. Out of the three books I've read so far; this is definitely my favourite! And my first five star. (the others came close with four and a half star each)
Not only did I fall in love with Star, but even more so with Flora. Both their stories resonated close to my heart. The “unseen” lonely girls that in the end also find their happy ever after, or as close to it as life permits.
I obviously had to go buy the next 2 books and is saving up for the rest. I'm really curious about CeCe, as I am currently not sure I like her very much.
And the mystery of why the girls keeps thinking they see or hear Pa Salt is fascinating me more and more.
August 13, 2019
Mir hat der dritte Band der Reihe wieder sehr gut gefallen, wobei Star nicht mein Lieblingscharakter ist; einfach weil ich mich mit ihr nicht identifizieren konnte. Trotzdem fand ich ihre Entwicklung interessant.
Die Geschichte in der Vergangenheit hat mir sehr gut gefallen, vor allem auch wegen der starken Frauen! Wie bisher bei den anderen Bänden fand ich die Parts welche auf wahren geschichtlichen Begebenheiten beruhen super interessant! Und die Landschaft in Südengland konnte ich mir sehr gut vorstellen und habe richtig Lust die Gegend mal zu bereisen.
Lucinda Rileys Schreibstil ist einfach toll, so dass ich überhaupt kein Problem habe zu diesem dicken Wälzern zu greifen! Band 4 liegt schon zu Hause und ich freue mich darauf die Reihe weiterzulesen!
Die Geschichte in der Vergangenheit hat mir sehr gut gefallen, vor allem auch wegen der starken Frauen! Wie bisher bei den anderen Bänden fand ich die Parts welche auf wahren geschichtlichen Begebenheiten beruhen super interessant! Und die Landschaft in Südengland konnte ich mir sehr gut vorstellen und habe richtig Lust die Gegend mal zu bereisen.
Lucinda Rileys Schreibstil ist einfach toll, so dass ich überhaupt kein Problem habe zu diesem dicken Wälzern zu greifen! Band 4 liegt schon zu Hause und ich freue mich darauf die Reihe weiterzulesen!
August 24, 2021
3.5
Historia Star podobała mi się bardziej niż poprzedniej siostry Ally. Uwielbiam angielskie klimaty.
Historia Star podobała mi się bardziej niż poprzedniej siostry Ally. Uwielbiam angielskie klimaty.
August 25, 2025
(3.5) sin dudas fue el que más me gustó de los que leí hasta ahora, le historia me pareció menos repetitiva y más interesante, aunque de todas formas cliché
tocara seguir leyendo…
tocara seguir leyendo…
September 29, 2017
What a terrific book to begin the Reading New Year. Let me set the scene...My family was gone for the day. I quickly cleaned the morning dishes, made my bed, brewed a cup of tea, found one of the multiple pairs of reading glasses that dot my house and snuggled with my Black Lab on the Daybed. Once I opened the The Shadow Sisters I became totally immersed in the story. Even though the book is 670+ pages, it literally flew by.
Lucinda Riley has created another fabulous story. This time she highlights Star...the very quiet sister who lives in London with her sister. Pure Joy. A gift of a fantastic book. 5++++ stars.
Lucinda Riley has created another fabulous story. This time she highlights Star...the very quiet sister who lives in London with her sister. Pure Joy. A gift of a fantastic book. 5++++ stars.
January 9, 2018
Priča o sestrama koje otkrivaju svoje porijeklo se u ovom romanu nastavila na najbolji mogući način. Puno tajni koje se polako otkrivaju do samog kraja i odlične završnice, zamršenih i jako povezanih odnosa između brojnih živopisnih likova, radnja iz prošlosti smještena na početak 20. stoljeća u divnoj jezerskoj oblasti Engleske, ali i London tada, kao i u sadašnjosti, a obje priče podjednako interesantne i dirljive, sve to protkano ljubavlju prema knjigama...meni dovoljno za odličan roman. Ovaj nastavak serijala o sedam sestara mi se najviše dopao, a željno očekujem izlazak i ostalih dijelova, nadam se stoga da nećemo predugo čekati na Lagunu.
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