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The Seven Sisters #2
The Storm Sister
Ally D'Aplièse is about to compete in one of the world's most perilous yacht races, when she hears the news of her adoptive father's sudden, mysterious death. Rushing back to meet her five sisters at their family home, she discovers that her father - an elusive billionaire affectionately known to his daughters as Pa Salt - has left each of them a tantalising clue to their true heritage.
Ally has also recently embarked on a deeply passionate love affair that will change her destiny forever. But with her life now turned upside down, Ally decides to leave the open seas and follow the trail that her father left her, which leads her to the icy beauty of Norway...
There, Ally begins to discover her roots - and how her story is inextricably bound to that of a young unknown singer, Anna Landvik, who lived there over 100 years before, and sang in the first performance of Grieg's iconic music set to Ibsen's play 'Peer Gynt'. As Ally learns more about Anna, she also begins to question who her father, Pa Salt, really was. And why is the seventh sister missing?
Following the bestselling The Seven Sisters, The Storm Sister is the second book in Lucinda Riley's spellbinding series based loosely on the mythology surrounding the famous star constellation.
Ally has also recently embarked on a deeply passionate love affair that will change her destiny forever. But with her life now turned upside down, Ally decides to leave the open seas and follow the trail that her father left her, which leads her to the icy beauty of Norway...
There, Ally begins to discover her roots - and how her story is inextricably bound to that of a young unknown singer, Anna Landvik, who lived there over 100 years before, and sang in the first performance of Grieg's iconic music set to Ibsen's play 'Peer Gynt'. As Ally learns more about Anna, she also begins to question who her father, Pa Salt, really was. And why is the seventh sister missing?
Following the bestselling The Seven Sisters, The Storm Sister is the second book in Lucinda Riley's spellbinding series based loosely on the mythology surrounding the famous star constellation.
513 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2015
14553 people are currently reading
32737 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 6,741 reviews
December 12, 2019
Unfortunately, this book was not my cup of tea. Hence, two stars. Nevertheless, there are things I did enjoy about this book. Here are the most important ones:
- Lucinda Riley is very good at plotting and crafting interconnecting storylines. That's the reason I started this series at all and in this department, she hasn't let me down.
- Anna. I liked her characterization, I liked her consistency, I liked that she was neither a wild rebel nor the I-want-romance-but-have-little-personality-beyond-that stereotype (cough-cough, Izabela). She had real flaws and made bad decisions, struggled and held on and remained true to herself. I enjoyed reading her.
- Tom and Felix. I liked that Ally actually found living blood relatives and how she started to build three-dimensional relationships with them.
And, inevitably, the things I disliked:
- The pacing. Parts of the book drag on forever (the scenes after Pa Salt's Death could have focused on the aspects and conversations that were unique to Ally instead of retelling absolutely everything we already knew from the first book), while parts I found more interesting (Felix' parents' story, Anna and Grieg) felt rushed even though they were vital parts of the family history.
- The style. For me, this has always been a matter of personal preference, but I'm still not warming up to her writing style and I don't think I will. It's all a bit too straightforward and on the nose. I don't like having everything explained to me, so I miss subtlety and nuance in her writing, the 'between the lines' if you will - but that might just be me.
- And last but definitely not least, THEO. Theo ruined this book for me before I was even halfway through. I started not liking him when his opening line to Ally was basically "when I heard you were competent, I assumed you were really ugly". Uh. Okay? That was the first red flag. He was controlling, pushing for too much commitment too soon and actually admitted to Ally that he believed his choices were more important than her fears but his fears were more important than her choices. Cool. Way to belittle that your girlfriend is an adult with free will. When I saw that he was nice to his mom, I thought, maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt. Boy, was I wrong. It got worse. In conclusion, fuck that guy. I liked Maia's love story so much in the first book that I was all the more disappointed by Ally's.
Would I read this book again? Probably not.
Will I, however, continue to read the rest of the series? Definitely.
So far, my overall series ranking is:
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 / infuriating with bright spots in between)
- Lucinda Riley is very good at plotting and crafting interconnecting storylines. That's the reason I started this series at all and in this department, she hasn't let me down.
- Anna. I liked her characterization, I liked her consistency, I liked that she was neither a wild rebel nor the I-want-romance-but-have-little-personality-beyond-that stereotype (cough-cough, Izabela). She had real flaws and made bad decisions, struggled and held on and remained true to herself. I enjoyed reading her.
- Tom and Felix. I liked that Ally actually found living blood relatives and how she started to build three-dimensional relationships with them.
And, inevitably, the things I disliked:
- The pacing. Parts of the book drag on forever (the scenes after Pa Salt's Death could have focused on the aspects and conversations that were unique to Ally instead of retelling absolutely everything we already knew from the first book), while parts I found more interesting (Felix' parents' story, Anna and Grieg) felt rushed even though they were vital parts of the family history.
- The style. For me, this has always been a matter of personal preference, but I'm still not warming up to her writing style and I don't think I will. It's all a bit too straightforward and on the nose. I don't like having everything explained to me, so I miss subtlety and nuance in her writing, the 'between the lines' if you will - but that might just be me.
- And last but definitely not least, THEO. Theo ruined this book for me before I was even halfway through. I started not liking him when his opening line to Ally was basically "when I heard you were competent, I assumed you were really ugly". Uh. Okay? That was the first red flag. He was controlling, pushing for too much commitment too soon and actually admitted to Ally that he believed his choices were more important than her fears but his fears were more important than her choices. Cool. Way to belittle that your girlfriend is an adult with free will. When I saw that he was nice to his mom, I thought, maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt. Boy, was I wrong. It got worse. In conclusion, fuck that guy. I liked Maia's love story so much in the first book that I was all the more disappointed by Ally's.
Would I read this book again? Probably not.
Will I, however, continue to read the rest of the series? Definitely.
So far, my overall series ranking is:
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 / infuriating with bright spots in between)
March 1, 2022
Every time I read a Lucinda Riley novel, I wonder why I keep reading Lucinda Riley novels. I think it's because they're light, easy reads, and are nice after reading something intense, or sad. And they're frequently available for free on public bookshelves. There are some hits (The Midnight Rose) , and some that are a nightmare (The Orchid House, I'm lookin' at you). Riley is a great story-designer, and not-so-much a good writer. An olive can't just be an olive. It has to be a plump olive, a juicy olive, a lusciously round and delectable olive. Everyone's gotta have flat stomachs, robust curls, and perfect waistlines, and be super gorgeous and perfect and successful...and on and on. This novel contains the usual outlandish descriptions, and it would be lovely to harness the power that creates unnecessary fluff, and put it into creating more realistic and complex characters. That said, I'm intrigued by the plot of this series, I respect the historical research put into it, and I acknowledge that Riley has a formula that captures the hearts of thousands of women...just not me. 2 stars for this okay book.
I also reviewed 4 and 6.
I also reviewed 4 and 6.
January 18, 2016
The second novel in Riley's Seven Sisters series has taken me on another amazing journey. I love that each story explores a new historical figure... in this novel that person is Norwegian composer Grieg. Also, the mystery of Pa Salt and the overall part he plays in the girls pasts is again touched upon. I'm not sure that I enjoyed Ally's story as much as Maia's, but this is still very solid and entertaining. I am looking forward to continuing this series with the D’Apliese sisters and seeing what adventures Riley has in store for them. 4 stars.
November 5, 2021
Nie wiem co jest ze mną nie tak, ale uważam tę historię za bardzo przewidywalną.
June 15, 2018
Auch Band 2 hat mir gut gefallen, allerdings kam er für mich nicht ganz an Band 1 heran. Obwohl ich Ally genauso sympathisch fand wie Maia, hätte ich doch ein bisschen meine Probleme um mit Anna warm zu werden...
Die Geschichte an sich setzt wieder in der selben Zeit an wie Band 1, was vermutlich vor allem gut ist, wenn zwischen dem lesen der einzelnen Bücher etwas mehr Zeit liegt als bei mir dieses Mal 😇😅
Wieder sehr genial fand ich wie schmackhaft Lucinda Riley einem klassische Musik gemacht hat mit diesem Buch. Ich habe früher selber jahrelang klassische Musik im Orchester gespielt und möchte ihre Beschreibungen dahingehend sehr.
Auch Norwegen wurde einem hier so schön beschrieben wie Brasilien im ersten Teil. Dieses Buch spielt dabei sogar auf 3 Zeitebenen und nicht nur auf 2 ⏳
Etwas schade finde ich, dass es zum Ende hin nicht noch etwas mehr Lovestory mit unserem vermutlichen Loveinterest gab (alle die es bereits gelesen haben werden sicher wissen was und wen ich meine), da hätte ich mir irgendwie ein etwas weniger offenes Ende gewünscht, aber hoffe dass man da im Verlauf der nächsten Bücher vielleicht noch etwas drüber erfährt.
Das letzte Kapitel war wieder aus Sicht der Schwester, die im nächsten Buch die Protagonistin ist erzählt, diesmal Star. Und auch da war am Ende wieder so ein seltsam-spannender Cliffhanger wie auch schon im ersten Band in Ally's Kapitel. Es bleibt auf jeden Fall spannend!
Die Geschichte an sich setzt wieder in der selben Zeit an wie Band 1, was vermutlich vor allem gut ist, wenn zwischen dem lesen der einzelnen Bücher etwas mehr Zeit liegt als bei mir dieses Mal 😇😅
Wieder sehr genial fand ich wie schmackhaft Lucinda Riley einem klassische Musik gemacht hat mit diesem Buch. Ich habe früher selber jahrelang klassische Musik im Orchester gespielt und möchte ihre Beschreibungen dahingehend sehr.
Auch Norwegen wurde einem hier so schön beschrieben wie Brasilien im ersten Teil. Dieses Buch spielt dabei sogar auf 3 Zeitebenen und nicht nur auf 2 ⏳
Etwas schade finde ich, dass es zum Ende hin nicht noch etwas mehr Lovestory mit unserem vermutlichen Loveinterest gab (alle die es bereits gelesen haben werden sicher wissen was und wen ich meine), da hätte ich mir irgendwie ein etwas weniger offenes Ende gewünscht, aber hoffe dass man da im Verlauf der nächsten Bücher vielleicht noch etwas drüber erfährt.
Das letzte Kapitel war wieder aus Sicht der Schwester, die im nächsten Buch die Protagonistin ist erzählt, diesmal Star. Und auch da war am Ende wieder so ein seltsam-spannender Cliffhanger wie auch schon im ersten Band in Ally's Kapitel. Es bleibt auf jeden Fall spannend!
July 24, 2022
When I wrote about the first novel of the cycle, I assumed that each book, in addition to the theme of experiencing loss, finding a family and forgiveness, a love and adventure component, would be a story about one of the modern wonders of the world, and now I understand that I was wrong. Bet on the next round of the game - each novel corresponds to its own kind of art: the first sculpture, the second music.
So Alcyone (Ali), the "Sister of the Wind", from childhood had a penchant for music lessons and excellent musical abilities, but no less loved to sail.
The coordinates of the birth point to Norway and will be associated with the history of the creation and the first performance of Grieg's Peer Gynt. Do you remember the story of an empty dreamer who left ruins everywhere he passed and the faithful Solveig, who waited and waited for him?.
The heroine learns the experience of heavy losses and happy gains, and you and I will meet with the history of the creation of wonderful music, not without some scandalous details (however, Riley is very delicate).
Сольвейг
Сольвейг! Ты прибежала на лыжах ко мне,
Улыбнулась пришедшей весне!
Жил я в бедной и темной избушке моей
Много дней, меж камней, без огней.
Но веселый, зеленый твой глаз мне блеснул.
"Александр Блок "Сольвейг"
Дочитаю этот цикл Люсинды Райли до конца. Не подряд, рискуя потонуть в потоке патоки, а вперебивку, с промежутками между частями в несколько месяцев. Что может быть приятнее, чем утомившись серьезными суровыми жестокими и злободневными книгами, сбежать в такую историю. как в санаторий выходного дня.
Что было раньше: после смерти богатого благородного харизматичного человека, шесть удочеренных им в свое время молодых женщин переживают утрату, всякая по своему. Согласно его завещанию каждая из них получит содержание, достаточное для достойной жизни без излишеств. О том. чтобы дать им хорошее образование и развить таланты он позаботился. Также каждая узнает координаты места, связанного с ее удочерением. Поиски корней - основная интрига "Семи сестер" .
Когда писала о первом романе цикла, я предположила, что каждая книга, помимо темы переживания утраты, обретения семьи и прощения, любовной и приключенческой составляющей, станет рассказом о каком-либо из современных чудес света (напомню, история старшей из сестер, Майи, связана была со статуей Христа-искупителя в Рио-де-Жанейро). И теперь понимаю, что ошибалась. Интрига однако остается, ставка на следующий тур игры - каждому роману соответствует свой вид искусства: первому скульптура, второму музыка.
Итак Альциона (Алли), "Сестра ветра" , с детства имела склонность к занятиям музыкой и отменные музыкальные способности, но не меньше любила ходить под парусом. Посвятила себя парусному спорту и достигла в нем настолько серьезных успехов, что даже вошла в олимпийскую сборную Швейцарии. Общие интересы свели ее с Тео, он тоже яхтсмен мирового класса, а совместная работа сблизила еще больше. Они созданы быть вместе.
Что до координат, связанных с рождением - они указывают на Норвегию и окажутся связанными с историей создания и первого исполнения "Пер Гюнта" Грига. Историю пустого мечтателя, оставлявшего руины всюду, где проходил и верной Сольвейг, которая ждала и дождалась его, высоко ценю. Со всей скандинавской жутью - Принцессой Троллей, Горным королем, Пуговичником. А как хороша музыка, и как точно попало "Утро" в резонанс к тому, что люблю больше всего у Грига.
Героиня познает опыт тяжелых утрат и счастливых обретений, а нас с вами ждет встреча с историей создания дивной музыки, не без некоторых скандальных подробностей (впрочем, Райли очень деликатна).
So Alcyone (Ali), the "Sister of the Wind", from childhood had a penchant for music lessons and excellent musical abilities, but no less loved to sail.
The coordinates of the birth point to Norway and will be associated with the history of the creation and the first performance of Grieg's Peer Gynt. Do you remember the story of an empty dreamer who left ruins everywhere he passed and the faithful Solveig, who waited and waited for him?.
The heroine learns the experience of heavy losses and happy gains, and you and I will meet with the history of the creation of wonderful music, not without some scandalous details (however, Riley is very delicate).
Сольвейг
Сольвейг! Ты прибежала на лыжах ко мне,
Улыбнулась пришедшей весне!
Жил я в бедной и темной избушке моей
Много дней, меж камней, без огней.
Но веселый, зеленый твой глаз мне блеснул.
"Александр Блок "Сольвейг"
Дочитаю этот цикл Люсинды Райли до конца. Не подряд, рискуя потонуть в потоке патоки, а вперебивку, с промежутками между частями в несколько месяцев. Что может быть приятнее, чем утомившись серьезными суровыми жестокими и злободневными книгами, сбежать в такую историю. как в санаторий выходного дня.
Что было раньше: после смерти богатого благородного харизматичного человека, шесть удочеренных им в свое время молодых женщин переживают утрату, всякая по своему. Согласно его завещанию каждая из них получит содержание, достаточное для достойной жизни без излишеств. О том. чтобы дать им хорошее образование и развить таланты он позаботился. Также каждая узнает координаты места, связанного с ее удочерением. Поиски корней - основная интрига "Семи сестер" .
Когда писала о первом романе цикла, я предположила, что каждая книга, помимо темы переживания утраты, обретения семьи и прощения, любовной и приключенческой составляющей, станет рассказом о каком-либо из современных чудес света (напомню, история старшей из сестер, Майи, связана была со статуей Христа-искупителя в Рио-де-Жанейро). И теперь понимаю, что ошибалась. Интрига однако остается, ставка на следующий тур игры - каждому роману соответствует свой вид искусства: первому скульптура, второму музыка.
Итак Альциона (Алли), "Сестра ветра" , с детства имела склонность к занятиям музыкой и отменные музыкальные способности, но не меньше любила ходить под парусом. Посвятила себя парусному спорту и достигла в нем настолько серьезных успехов, что даже вошла в олимпийскую сборную Швейцарии. Общие интересы свели ее с Тео, он тоже яхтсмен мирового класса, а совместная работа сблизила еще больше. Они созданы быть вместе.
Что до координат, связанных с рождением - они указывают на Норвегию и окажутся связанными с историей создания и первого исполнения "Пер Гюнта" Грига. Историю пустого мечтателя, оставлявшего руины всюду, где проходил и верной Сольвейг, которая ждала и дождалась его, высоко ценю. Со всей скандинавской жутью - Принцессой Троллей, Горным королем, Пуговичником. А как хороша музыка, и как точно попало "Утро" в резонанс к тому, что люблю больше всего у Грига.
Героиня познает опыт тяжелых утрат и счастливых обретений, а нас с вами ждет встреча с историей создания дивной музыки, не без некоторых скандальных подробностей (впрочем, Райли очень деликатна).
July 31, 2024
The Storm Sister was a captivating read, and I really enjoyed the story! ❤️
Ally D'Aplièse’s journey to discover her Norwegian heritage after her adoptive father's mysterious death is intricately intertwined with the historical tale of Anna Landvik, a talented opera singer. Riley’s breathtaking descriptions of Norway—its towering mountains and tranquil villages—really bring the setting to life.
The only drawback was Theo, Ally’s love interest. His controlling behaviour and reckless decisions, which put lives at risk, were frustrating and detracted from the story.
Nonetheless, I’m excited to dive into the next book in the series!
The full review is up on my blog.
Ally D'Aplièse’s journey to discover her Norwegian heritage after her adoptive father's mysterious death is intricately intertwined with the historical tale of Anna Landvik, a talented opera singer. Riley’s breathtaking descriptions of Norway—its towering mountains and tranquil villages—really bring the setting to life.
The only drawback was Theo, Ally’s love interest. His controlling behaviour and reckless decisions, which put lives at risk, were frustrating and detracted from the story.
Nonetheless, I’m excited to dive into the next book in the series!
The full review is up on my blog.
January 17, 2024
Story within a story,within a story.It could have been great but all this separate narratives confused me.Five generations of Hallvorsen all mixed up in a huge book.Pip's story was absolutely useless.Anna's story was the one i mostly enjoyed.An interesting book which i would prefer much more had it been shorter and not so detailed.The first book of the series,is much more interesting than this but ok i give it three stars since it wasn't that awful. In fact quite enjoying!!!!
October 17, 2020
Qué manera más prodigiosa de tejer historias, te tiene expectante desde que comienza a investigar su procedencia y durante toda la historia y nos lleva de viaje, esta vez por Noruega. Tiene verdaderamente una narrativa preciosa.
Extractos del libro:
Qué es en realidad el talento, es decir las cosas que haces con facilidad ¿son un don?
No creo que el mero hecho de poseer un talento te libre de tener que trabajar duro.
Estoy segura de que millones de personas poseemos una habilitad natural para algo, pero si no la desarrollamos y nos dedicamos a ella, nunca alcanzaremos nuestro verdadero potencial.
Extractos del libro:
Qué es en realidad el talento, es decir las cosas que haces con facilidad ¿son un don?
No creo que el mero hecho de poseer un talento te libre de tener que trabajar duro.
Estoy segura de que millones de personas poseemos una habilitad natural para algo, pero si no la desarrollamos y nos dedicamos a ella, nunca alcanzaremos nuestro verdadero potencial.
January 27, 2016
The story is interesting but the dialogues are unnecesarily long and repetitive. I found it boring and could wait to finish it.
May 1, 2017
I loved this book as much as seven sisters. It was especially interesting to me, since much of the narrative was set in Norway where I'm from. I learnt a lot from the book, both when it comes to music history and how to live life to the fullest. You become stronger after reading this books, because you realize that you must never stop exploring and following your heart.
March 17, 2016
“We do not have to be ashamed of what we are. As sentient beings we have wonderful backgrounds. These backgrounds may not be particularly enlightened or peaceful or intelligent. Nevertheless, we have soil good enough to cultivate; we can plant anything in it.”
----Chögyam Trungpa
Lucinda Riley, an Irish international bestselling author, pens her second book, The Storm Sister in her series called The Seven Sisters. This soul-touching and engrossing book narrates the story of the second eldest sister, Ally after Maia, who embarks upon a journey to find her original roots after her adoptive father's sudden death.
Synopsis:
Ally D'Aplièse is about to compete in one of the world's most perilous yacht races, when she hears the news of her adoptive father's sudden, mysterious death. Rushing back to meet her five sisters at their family home, she discovers that her father - an elusive billionaire affectionately known to his daughters as Pa Salt - has left each of them a tantalizing clue to their true heritage.
Ally has also recently embarked on a deeply passionate love affair that will change her destiny forever. But with her life now turned upside down, Ally decides to leave the open seas and follow the trail that her father left her, which leads her to the icy beauty of Norway . . .
There, Ally begins to discover her roots - and how her story is inextricably bound to that of a young unknown singer, Anna Landvik, who lived there over 100 years before, and sang in the first performance of Grieg's iconic music set to Ibsen's play 'Peer Gynt'. As Ally learns more about Anna, she also begins to question who her father, Pa Salt, really was. And why is the seventh sister missing?
Ally D'Aplièse, is the second eldest sister among the six sisters and they were all adopted by a wealthy billionaire, whom they used to call as 'Pa Salt'. They grew up in their adoptive father's palatial home by the shores of Lake Geneva. But Pa Salt is dead now and as per his last dying wish, Ally embarks upon a journey in search of her original roots. But her decision to undertake this journey is on the crossroads as she is in love with the man of her dreams but soon her gravity changes and Norway awaits her arrival with open arms, especially with the story of Anna Landvik and Jens who both took part in a five-act play in verse called Peer Gynt. Laced with musical historical that took place almost hundred years ago in Norway, Ally's story is simply entrancing and intriguing.
Although the story is a fictional account of a woman whose roots take her on the high road to Norway where the story again takes us hundred years back in time highlighting the love story between the world's one of the greatest music composers, Jens Halvorsen and the famous singer, Anna Landvik, that is set around in Norway as well as in Germany. Gradually from Jens and Anna's story, it comes down from one generation after another until the last living Halvorsen in the present timeline. Some characters in the book are drawn straight from the pages of the world history, but the stories going in and around their lives are mostly fictional!
The book is set across so many beautiful countries around the world, from the sky-blue sea in Greece to a country house on a island in Geneva to a backward village in Norway to it's city to another in Germany, the story simply guides the readers through many untrodden as well as beautiful destinations. And each and every location, especially Norway, is vividly painted into the pages of this book by the author.
The writing style is exquisite that spell-bound me with it's fairy-tale-like essence. The author has unfolded the stories of Ally and Anna strikingly and consecutively, with Anna's story breaking at such vital points that kept me anticipating real hard. The prose is eloquent and evocative that kept me turning the pages of the book till it's very end. Moreover, the articulate and engaging narrative kept me glued till the very last page. The emotional pull in this book is quite strong, since the story unfolds from Ally's POV, who happen to suffer from pain and grief. Her story made my heart break into millions of pieces. Also while reading I felt like the author has poured all her best emotions while penning this story.
This story has many layers and each intricate layer is written with enough compassion and depth. Despite of Ally's POV, the author has given opportunity to her readers to look at the story from their own perspectives. The characters are well-crafted and exceptionally brilliant. Although this is the second book, hence we get a brief idea about all the six sisters as well as some of the supporting cast in the first book.
This book envelopes around Ally's world who is a daring sailor and loves to take part in some of the world's most famous yacht races. Ally is a brave and independent woman who has made her mark in the world of men. But the amount and level of grief she goes through, made me sympathetic as well as root for her till the very end. Anna and Jens are another two most interesting characters in the book. Anna's dedication towards music and her love for Jens kept me hooked on to the book.
The book ends with a mild cliffhanger and at certain points, the book raises some mystifying questions that certainly has an enigma related to it, that which definitely made me to vouch for the next book in this series.
Verdict: A must read series for all the historical romance reader fans!
Courtesy: Thanks to the author's publicist, for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
----Chögyam Trungpa
Lucinda Riley, an Irish international bestselling author, pens her second book, The Storm Sister in her series called The Seven Sisters. This soul-touching and engrossing book narrates the story of the second eldest sister, Ally after Maia, who embarks upon a journey to find her original roots after her adoptive father's sudden death.
Synopsis:
Ally D'Aplièse is about to compete in one of the world's most perilous yacht races, when she hears the news of her adoptive father's sudden, mysterious death. Rushing back to meet her five sisters at their family home, she discovers that her father - an elusive billionaire affectionately known to his daughters as Pa Salt - has left each of them a tantalizing clue to their true heritage.
Ally has also recently embarked on a deeply passionate love affair that will change her destiny forever. But with her life now turned upside down, Ally decides to leave the open seas and follow the trail that her father left her, which leads her to the icy beauty of Norway . . .
There, Ally begins to discover her roots - and how her story is inextricably bound to that of a young unknown singer, Anna Landvik, who lived there over 100 years before, and sang in the first performance of Grieg's iconic music set to Ibsen's play 'Peer Gynt'. As Ally learns more about Anna, she also begins to question who her father, Pa Salt, really was. And why is the seventh sister missing?
Ally D'Aplièse, is the second eldest sister among the six sisters and they were all adopted by a wealthy billionaire, whom they used to call as 'Pa Salt'. They grew up in their adoptive father's palatial home by the shores of Lake Geneva. But Pa Salt is dead now and as per his last dying wish, Ally embarks upon a journey in search of her original roots. But her decision to undertake this journey is on the crossroads as she is in love with the man of her dreams but soon her gravity changes and Norway awaits her arrival with open arms, especially with the story of Anna Landvik and Jens who both took part in a five-act play in verse called Peer Gynt. Laced with musical historical that took place almost hundred years ago in Norway, Ally's story is simply entrancing and intriguing.
Although the story is a fictional account of a woman whose roots take her on the high road to Norway where the story again takes us hundred years back in time highlighting the love story between the world's one of the greatest music composers, Jens Halvorsen and the famous singer, Anna Landvik, that is set around in Norway as well as in Germany. Gradually from Jens and Anna's story, it comes down from one generation after another until the last living Halvorsen in the present timeline. Some characters in the book are drawn straight from the pages of the world history, but the stories going in and around their lives are mostly fictional!
The book is set across so many beautiful countries around the world, from the sky-blue sea in Greece to a country house on a island in Geneva to a backward village in Norway to it's city to another in Germany, the story simply guides the readers through many untrodden as well as beautiful destinations. And each and every location, especially Norway, is vividly painted into the pages of this book by the author.
The writing style is exquisite that spell-bound me with it's fairy-tale-like essence. The author has unfolded the stories of Ally and Anna strikingly and consecutively, with Anna's story breaking at such vital points that kept me anticipating real hard. The prose is eloquent and evocative that kept me turning the pages of the book till it's very end. Moreover, the articulate and engaging narrative kept me glued till the very last page. The emotional pull in this book is quite strong, since the story unfolds from Ally's POV, who happen to suffer from pain and grief. Her story made my heart break into millions of pieces. Also while reading I felt like the author has poured all her best emotions while penning this story.
This story has many layers and each intricate layer is written with enough compassion and depth. Despite of Ally's POV, the author has given opportunity to her readers to look at the story from their own perspectives. The characters are well-crafted and exceptionally brilliant. Although this is the second book, hence we get a brief idea about all the six sisters as well as some of the supporting cast in the first book.
This book envelopes around Ally's world who is a daring sailor and loves to take part in some of the world's most famous yacht races. Ally is a brave and independent woman who has made her mark in the world of men. But the amount and level of grief she goes through, made me sympathetic as well as root for her till the very end. Anna and Jens are another two most interesting characters in the book. Anna's dedication towards music and her love for Jens kept me hooked on to the book.
The book ends with a mild cliffhanger and at certain points, the book raises some mystifying questions that certainly has an enigma related to it, that which definitely made me to vouch for the next book in this series.
Verdict: A must read series for all the historical romance reader fans!
Courtesy: Thanks to the author's publicist, for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
April 29, 2021
Okay, I’ve got a lot to say about this book.
First, I’m not a fan of Lucinda Riley's writing style AT ALL. It’s extremely literal and throws the “show don’t tell” principle out of the window. It felt like I was reading something written by a 16-year-old who’s never taken a writing class.
Second, the dialogue. It’s even worse than her overall writing style. It’s bland, it’s boring and it’s clumsy. An amazing example of dialogue during an emotional moment: “I wrapped my hands around his neck and planted a kiss on the top of his head, ‘Thank you so much for saying that.' ‘Okay.’” OKAY? HOW IS THAT AN ANSWER?
Third, the characters were so f-cking flat, I couldn’t care less about any of them.
And finally, the story was extremely predictable. I’m usually not a person who sees things coming, so that’s saying a lot.
After reading this book I won’t be reading any of the other books, this was super disappointing and way too long.
First, I’m not a fan of Lucinda Riley's writing style AT ALL. It’s extremely literal and throws the “show don’t tell” principle out of the window. It felt like I was reading something written by a 16-year-old who’s never taken a writing class.
Second, the dialogue. It’s even worse than her overall writing style. It’s bland, it’s boring and it’s clumsy. An amazing example of dialogue during an emotional moment: “I wrapped my hands around his neck and planted a kiss on the top of his head, ‘Thank you so much for saying that.' ‘Okay.’” OKAY? HOW IS THAT AN ANSWER?
Third, the characters were so f-cking flat, I couldn’t care less about any of them.
And finally, the story was extremely predictable. I’m usually not a person who sees things coming, so that’s saying a lot.
After reading this book I won’t be reading any of the other books, this was super disappointing and way too long.
April 20, 2020
The Storm Sister by Lucinda Riley is book 2 in The Seven Sister series I had great expectations for this one because I absolutely loved the first book 😍 but this one I found didn't really hold my interest for very long.
These books flip from today and then right back to great grandparents time which is a lovely Idea and normally works but we get such a heartbreaking start before the first step back in time I wasn't really interested.
I love the whole seven different adopted sister's and their rich dead adoptive father leaving them clues to who they are and where they come from and the Idea to give them a wonderful journey but I guess some sisters stories are not going to work for everyone and this is the one for me 😢 I'm certainly looking forward to reading about the other sisters and I'm definitely recommending this 📖
These books flip from today and then right back to great grandparents time which is a lovely Idea and normally works but we get such a heartbreaking start before the first step back in time I wasn't really interested.
I love the whole seven different adopted sister's and their rich dead adoptive father leaving them clues to who they are and where they come from and the Idea to give them a wonderful journey but I guess some sisters stories are not going to work for everyone and this is the one for me 😢 I'm certainly looking forward to reading about the other sisters and I'm definitely recommending this 📖
January 31, 2018
Me gusto mucho esta segunda parte de la historia de Las 7 hermanas.
El escenario en el que se desarrolla, hermoso y ni que decir de la música en la que se basa gran parte de la trama, simplemente ¡espectacular!
Reseña próximamente en el canal
El escenario en el que se desarrolla, hermoso y ni que decir de la música en la que se basa gran parte de la trama, simplemente ¡espectacular!
Reseña próximamente en el canal
November 1, 2017
Wow, I'm going strictly by the book with this review in terms of Goodreads stars. The Storm Sister was good, but it wasn't great like the previous installment in the series.
The story follows Ally (Alcyone), the second sister in her quest of healing after the sudden death of her father, the mysterious billionaire Pa Salt. In this novel, we delve into the past of a blossoming singer, Anna, from pastoral Norway who is recruited to become the ghost voice for the premier production of Grieg's Peer Gynt.
Can I be honest, the modern day story bores me for the most part. Ally unfortunately feels like the caricature of a "strong" woman, and for the most part falls flat. She's not particularly interesting. Seriously. The romance between her and Theo was so unbearable that I was thanking the stars above that he fell off that damn boat. He made this supposedly strong woman into a whipped puppy that followed close to her master's heels. It felt like such an unhealthy relationship, but she's calling this guy her soulmate. Why was anyone okay with this relationship? She lost her sense of agency with him! Please don't have and tell me she's strong without showing actual strength. Also...Lucinda Riley, you threw every trope imaginable into her story. Was that really necessary? I feel like I got unneeded whiplash from the lot of it. I could not groan loud enough when it was revealed that Ally was pregnant with Theo's child.
For me, the strongest part of the book was actually Anna's portion. She was young, naive, spunky, spirited, honest, and actually interesting (something Ally just doesn't have going for her). Her life was so interesting that I inhaled this book in apparently three days. And while I didn't really buy her love with Jens, it was by far more interesting the modern day portion. Unfortunately, we got caught off from her perspective right when things got super juicy! Jens basically was kicked to the curb after his benefactor dropped him, after he dropped his wife in Leipzig like the bastard he is. He just returned! And what happens? Nothing. We don't get to read the passionate love affair that transpires between Anna and Grieg , we merely are told that it occurs. All this, in favor of telling Pip's story, which I feel was such a let down after the tantalization I was put through. AUGH! Why would you do that. I literally didn't care about these characters! Yes, what occurred to the grandchildren was horrible, but for the love of...really? I feel that should have been left for another book.
I liked this book, really I did, even though I seem to be complaining. Though, I think I'm complaining because I know that Lucinda Riley can do better. I read that first book, I know she can. All I can say is less is more, and I hope the remaining books aren't this jam-packed with unnecessary plot devices and false hopes. C'mon Riley, I'm counting on you!
The story follows Ally (Alcyone), the second sister in her quest of healing after the sudden death of her father, the mysterious billionaire Pa Salt. In this novel, we delve into the past of a blossoming singer, Anna, from pastoral Norway who is recruited to become the ghost voice for the premier production of Grieg's Peer Gynt.
Can I be honest, the modern day story bores me for the most part. Ally unfortunately feels like the caricature of a "strong" woman, and for the most part falls flat. She's not particularly interesting. Seriously. The romance between her and Theo was so unbearable that I was thanking the stars above that he fell off that damn boat. He made this supposedly strong woman into a whipped puppy that followed close to her master's heels. It felt like such an unhealthy relationship, but she's calling this guy her soulmate. Why was anyone okay with this relationship? She lost her sense of agency with him! Please don't have and tell me she's strong without showing actual strength. Also...Lucinda Riley, you threw every trope imaginable into her story. Was that really necessary? I feel like I got unneeded whiplash from the lot of it. I could not groan loud enough when it was revealed that Ally was pregnant with Theo's child.
For me, the strongest part of the book was actually Anna's portion. She was young, naive, spunky, spirited, honest, and actually interesting (something Ally just doesn't have going for her). Her life was so interesting that I inhaled this book in apparently three days. And while I didn't really buy her love with Jens, it was by far more interesting the modern day portion. Unfortunately, we got caught off from her perspective right when things got super juicy! Jens basically was kicked to the curb after his benefactor dropped him, after he dropped his wife in Leipzig like the bastard he is. He just returned! And what happens? Nothing. We don't get to read the passionate love affair that transpires between Anna and Grieg , we merely are told that it occurs. All this, in favor of telling Pip's story, which I feel was such a let down after the tantalization I was put through. AUGH! Why would you do that. I literally didn't care about these characters! Yes, what occurred to the grandchildren was horrible, but for the love of...really? I feel that should have been left for another book.
I liked this book, really I did, even though I seem to be complaining. Though, I think I'm complaining because I know that Lucinda Riley can do better. I read that first book, I know she can. All I can say is less is more, and I hope the remaining books aren't this jam-packed with unnecessary plot devices and false hopes. C'mon Riley, I'm counting on you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2023
*Poignant Circle of life*
*I re-read this and my review still stands love this book, I love the fact all the sisters are left clues to where they came from each being adopted*
This story kept me both engrossed and sometimes on edge. This story concentrated on Ally the second of the D'Aplièse adopted sisters. Ally is strong and an accomplished sailor as well as the ability to play the flute. She concentrates on sailing and she also shared this passion with her adopted father Pa Salt as they call him. His passing meant that he left them all clues to where they originate from. Ally meets the love of her life through sailing and after tragic circumstances she finds herself in Norway. There she finds out more about herself than she bargained for and with all the tragedy she has gone through the biggest surprise is within her.
*I re-read this and my review still stands love this book, I love the fact all the sisters are left clues to where they came from each being adopted*
This story kept me both engrossed and sometimes on edge. This story concentrated on Ally the second of the D'Aplièse adopted sisters. Ally is strong and an accomplished sailor as well as the ability to play the flute. She concentrates on sailing and she also shared this passion with her adopted father Pa Salt as they call him. His passing meant that he left them all clues to where they originate from. Ally meets the love of her life through sailing and after tragic circumstances she finds herself in Norway. There she finds out more about herself than she bargained for and with all the tragedy she has gone through the biggest surprise is within her.
June 27, 2019
The Storm Sister is the second book in the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley and the book is amazing! All the books in the series are written in a way that does not matter if you read them in whatever order you want. However, I would say that it's a good idea to read them from the beginning, in order to follow the seven adopted sisters while each of them finds their roots. There are some things happening in their lives in the books that may be interesting to follow chronologically.
In The Storm Sister is it Ally D'Aplièse turn to find her roots. Her father's death hits her hard, and soon she faces another devastating blow when someone close to her drowns. Ally, who always loved to sail, feel that she can't return to the sea and it is now the clue that her father gave her to come into the picture. The clue takes her to Norway and to the story of Anna Landvik, a talented singer who lived one hundred years ago.
Lucinda Riley shows once again that she's a master when it comes to writing stories with two different timelines. It's very exciting that the book story is taking place a lot in Norway. It's almost like home, and I love that composer Edvard Grieg plays a big part in the book story. The Storm Sister is a novel that is hard to put away and I really loved to follow Ally and Anna's adventures. I was vexed when Anna's story ended. I want to know what happened next. Of course, we do get to know what happened next in Anna's life while reading Ally's story. However, I would have loved reading the story as it unfolds not just as snippets in Ally's story.
Fantastic book! Highly recommended!
4.5 stars
Thanks to Bazar Förlag for the review copy!
In The Storm Sister is it Ally D'Aplièse turn to find her roots. Her father's death hits her hard, and soon she faces another devastating blow when someone close to her drowns. Ally, who always loved to sail, feel that she can't return to the sea and it is now the clue that her father gave her to come into the picture. The clue takes her to Norway and to the story of Anna Landvik, a talented singer who lived one hundred years ago.
Lucinda Riley shows once again that she's a master when it comes to writing stories with two different timelines. It's very exciting that the book story is taking place a lot in Norway. It's almost like home, and I love that composer Edvard Grieg plays a big part in the book story. The Storm Sister is a novel that is hard to put away and I really loved to follow Ally and Anna's adventures. I was vexed when Anna's story ended. I want to know what happened next. Of course, we do get to know what happened next in Anna's life while reading Ally's story. However, I would have loved reading the story as it unfolds not just as snippets in Ally's story.
Fantastic book! Highly recommended!
4.5 stars
Thanks to Bazar Förlag for the review copy!
October 20, 2023
>>Musik ist Liebe auf der Suche nach einer Stimme<<
(Tolstoi)
„Die Sturmschwester“ von Lucinda Riley ist der zweite Band der 'Sieben-Schwestern-Reihe' und hier dreht sich alles um Ally und der Suche nach ihren Wurzeln. Doch gleichzeitig gibt es hier so viel mehr zu erfahren und zu erleben, denn Musik spielt hier eine tragende Rolle und das hat Lucinda Riley für mein Empfinden ganz wunderbar mit der Liebe zum Meer, zum Wasser und der Tragik des Schicksals miteinander vereint.
>>In Momenten der Schwäche wirst Du Deine größte Stärke finden.<<
...und so ist es, Ally muss unglaublich schwere Zeiten durchmachen und doch findet sie Kraft und Hoffnung und manchmal sind es die kleinen Dinge, die zu Großem werden.
Ein ganz ganz wundervoller zweiter Band, wie ich finde!
(Tolstoi)
„Die Sturmschwester“ von Lucinda Riley ist der zweite Band der 'Sieben-Schwestern-Reihe' und hier dreht sich alles um Ally und der Suche nach ihren Wurzeln. Doch gleichzeitig gibt es hier so viel mehr zu erfahren und zu erleben, denn Musik spielt hier eine tragende Rolle und das hat Lucinda Riley für mein Empfinden ganz wunderbar mit der Liebe zum Meer, zum Wasser und der Tragik des Schicksals miteinander vereint.
>>In Momenten der Schwäche wirst Du Deine größte Stärke finden.<<
...und so ist es, Ally muss unglaublich schwere Zeiten durchmachen und doch findet sie Kraft und Hoffnung und manchmal sind es die kleinen Dinge, die zu Großem werden.
Ein ganz ganz wundervoller zweiter Band, wie ich finde!
September 18, 2018
I’m sad to say that I didn’t enjoy this book nearly as much as the first in the series and there’s two main reasons for that. The first and most important being that I just didn’t connect with Ally like I did with Maia. And when I don’t connect with the characters, I really struggle to get into a book. The second reason is that I was really hoping the mythology of the Seven Sisters would be further explored in this book but there was big fat zilch about it. The story was still incredibly interesting and there are definitely aspects that make me want to continue with this series but this book lacked a lot of magic that the first had.
January 10, 2017
En realidad 4'5 ⭐ Me ha gustado aún más que el anterior
March 9, 2023
Uwielbiam te historie, wprowadzają mnie one w totalnie inny świat❤️
November 3, 2024
Seguimos con Ally ,la segunda hermana que después del fallecimiento de su padre adoptivo, no tiene la necesidad de seguir las pistas que le deja ,ya que está inmersa en el mundo de las regatas, pero un accidente le hace replantearse su vida y decide indagar.
Las pistas la hacen viajar a Noruega donde como en el libro anterior narrandonos la trama en dos líneas temporales vamos descubriendo su procedencia que está ligada al mundo de la música.
Igual que en la primera novela la autora nos deja con las ganas de coger el siguiente para conocer ese mundo que es Atlantis y sus miembros y acercarnos más a la figura tan enigmática que es Pa Salt.
Las pistas la hacen viajar a Noruega donde como en el libro anterior narrandonos la trama en dos líneas temporales vamos descubriendo su procedencia que está ligada al mundo de la música.
Igual que en la primera novela la autora nos deja con las ganas de coger el siguiente para conocer ese mundo que es Atlantis y sus miembros y acercarnos más a la figura tan enigmática que es Pa Salt.
October 16, 2022
Smagus sutapimas, knygą skaičiau būdama toje pačioje vietovėje, Bergenas, Norvegija. Kaip ir knygos herojė klaidžiojau tomis siaurutėmis senamiesčio gatvelėmis, aplankiau Edvardo Griego namus-muziejų, klausiausi jo įstabių simfonijų.. Išties kiekvienais metais Bergene vyksta nemokami, būtent jo garbei skirti, simfoniniai orkestrai.
Knyga man labai patiko. Tikras gyvenimo sūkūrys. Pagrindinė herojė, tiksliau jos čia dvi, skaudžiai gyvenimo blaškomos. Tiek sielvarto.. kaip po skaudžių išgyvenimų vėl patikėti šviesiu rytojumi.. Tuo pačiu knygoje tiek švelnumo ir gėrio. Visų moteriškų išgyvenimų puokštė.
Dvejos istorijos, praeities ir dabarties, abi palietė, abi sukėlė daug emocijų ir minčių. Neabejotinai 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Rekomenduoju knygą kiekvienai ❤️
🖋️ Kai užsidarai savyje, pabėgi nuo visų kuo toliausiai.
🖋️ Niekas iš tikrųjų nesusitaiko su tuo, kad jų mylimi žmonės mirtingi. Ir vis dėlto tai antras po gimimo dalykas, kuris tikrai nutiks kiekvienam iš mūsų.
🖋️ ..kol pats neišgyveni netekties ir stipraus sielvarto, neįmanoma nuoširdžiai atjausti kitų, atsidūrusių tokioje pat padėtyje.
Knyga man labai patiko. Tikras gyvenimo sūkūrys. Pagrindinė herojė, tiksliau jos čia dvi, skaudžiai gyvenimo blaškomos. Tiek sielvarto.. kaip po skaudžių išgyvenimų vėl patikėti šviesiu rytojumi.. Tuo pačiu knygoje tiek švelnumo ir gėrio. Visų moteriškų išgyvenimų puokštė.
Dvejos istorijos, praeities ir dabarties, abi palietė, abi sukėlė daug emocijų ir minčių. Neabejotinai 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Rekomenduoju knygą kiekvienai ❤️
🖋️ Kai užsidarai savyje, pabėgi nuo visų kuo toliausiai.
🖋️ Niekas iš tikrųjų nesusitaiko su tuo, kad jų mylimi žmonės mirtingi. Ir vis dėlto tai antras po gimimo dalykas, kuris tikrai nutiks kiekvienam iš mūsų.
🖋️ ..kol pats neišgyveni netekties ir stipraus sielvarto, neįmanoma nuoširdžiai atjausti kitų, atsidūrusių tokioje pat padėtyje.
March 22, 2016
4.5 -
The moment is all we have.
Stars!
The Storm Sister is the second book in Lucinda Riley’s The Seven Sisters series. Having read and enjoyed the first book, I have to say I was eagerly awaiting Ally’s story. But be warned this isn’t a book you pick up and read in a couple of hours, it’s one of those stories that demands you pay attention but at the same time you get lost in its pages.
In moments of weakness you will find your greatest strength.
We begin in 2007 with Ally discovering the death of her beloved adoptive father, Pa Salt and with her five other adoptive sisters, she returns to their family home, a castle called Atlantis on the shores of Lake Geneva, each of the sisters is due to have their story told, and although the books are all due to start at the same point, each sisters journey to discover more about their true self, and biological family takes them back in time.
For Ally’s story we step back to Norway 1875, and the story of young mountain girl Anna Landvik, and how from being plucked from obscurity she becomes one of Europe’s most renowned classical singers. As you would expect, the innocence of the inexperienced woman causes more than a few bumps in Anna’s road to singing success, and her life journey takes her across Europe to Leipzig and living in the world of famous composer Edvard Grieg.
"Whatever I am now, I am."
As I said this is a story you get lost in, Ally was a bit of a struggle to get along with at the beginning of the book, but as the story progressed, in the past and in her present you get to understand a little more about her and her motivations, and to say it doesn’t just rain but it pours in relation to the things she has to deal with would be an understatement, Lucinda really did push this character to her limits in relation to her losses and gains in this story.
"No more hiding."
The story from the past then picks up again in Leipzig 1936, with Ally traveling herself to Noway and learning about her grandfather Jens Horst Halvorsen who was studying at the Landeskonservatorium der Musik zu Leipzig at that time, anyone with an ounce of historical knowledge will know, just how unpredictable the thirties were in Germany, and especially for people considered a little different. Eventually Jens, also known as Pip, returns to Norway with three Jewish friends believing that they will be safe from the spreading threat of the Reich and more specifically Nazism.
You go through a whole gamut of emotions in reading this story, it is so richly built, and vividly described that the characters all feel so very real to you as you are reading of their journeys, although set in very different times everything is weaved together so beautifully that it was just a real pleasure to read, three couples, three love stories, set in three very different times.
Our love lives on…
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.
The Storm Sister is the second book in Lucinda Riley’s The Seven Sisters series. Having read and enjoyed the first book, I have to say I was eagerly awaiting Ally’s story. But be warned this isn’t a book you pick up and read in a couple of hours, it’s one of those stories that demands you pay attention but at the same time you get lost in its pages.
In moments of weakness you will find your greatest strength.
We begin in 2007 with Ally discovering the death of her beloved adoptive father, Pa Salt and with her five other adoptive sisters, she returns to their family home, a castle called Atlantis on the shores of Lake Geneva, each of the sisters is due to have their story told, and although the books are all due to start at the same point, each sisters journey to discover more about their true self, and biological family takes them back in time.
For Ally’s story we step back to Norway 1875, and the story of young mountain girl Anna Landvik, and how from being plucked from obscurity she becomes one of Europe’s most renowned classical singers. As you would expect, the innocence of the inexperienced woman causes more than a few bumps in Anna’s road to singing success, and her life journey takes her across Europe to Leipzig and living in the world of famous composer Edvard Grieg.
"Whatever I am now, I am."
As I said this is a story you get lost in, Ally was a bit of a struggle to get along with at the beginning of the book, but as the story progressed, in the past and in her present you get to understand a little more about her and her motivations, and to say it doesn’t just rain but it pours in relation to the things she has to deal with would be an understatement, Lucinda really did push this character to her limits in relation to her losses and gains in this story.
"No more hiding."
The story from the past then picks up again in Leipzig 1936, with Ally traveling herself to Noway and learning about her grandfather Jens Horst Halvorsen who was studying at the Landeskonservatorium der Musik zu Leipzig at that time, anyone with an ounce of historical knowledge will know, just how unpredictable the thirties were in Germany, and especially for people considered a little different. Eventually Jens, also known as Pip, returns to Norway with three Jewish friends believing that they will be safe from the spreading threat of the Reich and more specifically Nazism.
You go through a whole gamut of emotions in reading this story, it is so richly built, and vividly described that the characters all feel so very real to you as you are reading of their journeys, although set in very different times everything is weaved together so beautifully that it was just a real pleasure to read, three couples, three love stories, set in three very different times.
Our love lives on…
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.
March 19, 2023
Am avut emoții că nu o să-mi mai placă la fel de mult acest volum pentru că am depășit elementul surpriză dar nu a fost așa.
Deși acum am avut o idee despre structura la care să mă aștept, mi-a plăcut la fel de mult povestea pentru că a fost la fel de emoționantă și surprinzătoare. Ce-i drept, m-am prins de unele chestii destul de repede dar asta nu mi-a luat din bucurie.
Observ că până acum ambele volume au avut influențe artistice, aici fiind vorba despre lumea muzicală.
Vedem ce surprize urmează în volumul lui Star pentru că abia aștept să ajung și la el.
Deși acum am avut o idee despre structura la care să mă aștept, mi-a plăcut la fel de mult povestea pentru că a fost la fel de emoționantă și surprinzătoare. Ce-i drept, m-am prins de unele chestii destul de repede dar asta nu mi-a luat din bucurie.
Observ că până acum ambele volume au avut influențe artistice, aici fiind vorba despre lumea muzicală.
Vedem ce surprize urmează în volumul lui Star pentru că abia aștept să ajung și la el.
June 28, 2023
“Music is love in search of a voice.”
This was just WOW!
Ally's story is gut-wrenchingly beautiful.
It ripped-out my heart, stomped on it, then tenderly put it back together. This one drained me.
It is only the second book in the series and I'm already seeing the greatness that awaits me.
I really enjoyed seeing how the classic music scene changed and evolve from Anna’s days to Ally’s.
Lucinda truly has a gift in creating the most believable characters and circumstances.
I still have many questions... But also, I still have many books to go.
Trying my best to avoid spoilers now that Atlas is out.
March 23, 2024
Loved the story within a story aspect and how it then connected with the main story. Loved the historical elements and the musical ones too.
December 20, 2021
The Storm Sister is the second book in the Seven Sisters series about six girls adopted from around the world by a mysterious billionaire who begin quests to discover their origins after his sudden death. The series is top of this year’s Whitcoull’s Top 100 and the rest of my book club all loved it. I was lukewarm about the first one for various reasons, but thought that Ally sounded more interesting than insipid Maia, and definitely enjoyed the stronger characters and non-romance plot line in this one.
Alcyone, known as Ally, is sailing the Mediterranean with her new boyfriend Theo when she learns that Pa Salt has died. Rushing home to the family mansion on Lake Geneva, each sister is given clues to their place of birth - in this case Norway. When a second tragedy strikes, Ally travels to Oslo and learns the story of a talented young singer who was the first to perform Grieg’s famous musical adaptation of Peer Gynt.
The first part of this felt very slow as a lot of it repeats the set-up from the first book - a side effect of the author’s intention that each book be readable as a stand-alone or out of order. Ally is a likeable main protagonist - brave and pragmatic, refusing to wallow in self-pity, and always looking on the positive side of each situation. The Insta-love romance with the insufferable Theo is fortunately brief and the outcome well sign-posted, so it isn’t too long before Ally embarks on her Scandinavian quest, then we shift to Anna’s story in 1975. I also liked Anna, she may be naive and innocent, but she learns to stand up for herself and use her talent to get herself out of various difficult situations.
I don’t know much about classical music or Norwegian history so those aspects were interesting, but tragic in parts, especially the WW2 section - I had no idea that Norway had been invaded by the nazis. While the various present-day revelations and final outcomes were totally predictable, I liked the way it ended, and do intend to continue the series.
Alcyone, known as Ally, is sailing the Mediterranean with her new boyfriend Theo when she learns that Pa Salt has died. Rushing home to the family mansion on Lake Geneva, each sister is given clues to their place of birth - in this case Norway. When a second tragedy strikes, Ally travels to Oslo and learns the story of a talented young singer who was the first to perform Grieg’s famous musical adaptation of Peer Gynt.
The first part of this felt very slow as a lot of it repeats the set-up from the first book - a side effect of the author’s intention that each book be readable as a stand-alone or out of order. Ally is a likeable main protagonist - brave and pragmatic, refusing to wallow in self-pity, and always looking on the positive side of each situation. The Insta-love romance with the insufferable Theo is fortunately brief and the outcome well sign-posted, so it isn’t too long before Ally embarks on her Scandinavian quest, then we shift to Anna’s story in 1975. I also liked Anna, she may be naive and innocent, but she learns to stand up for herself and use her talent to get herself out of various difficult situations.
I don’t know much about classical music or Norwegian history so those aspects were interesting, but tragic in parts, especially the WW2 section - I had no idea that Norway had been invaded by the nazis. While the various present-day revelations and final outcomes were totally predictable, I liked the way it ended, and do intend to continue the series.
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August 29, 2021
I didn't like this. I think my reading suffered a lot from the beginning of this book basically rehashing what happened in the previous one. I wasn't able to connect to Ally, I severely disliked Theo, and I didn't care enough about Anna's story. :(
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