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Lucinda Riley was a prolific author of historical fiction and the bestselling author of "The Seven Sisters" series. Born in Northern Ireland in 1965, she grew up initially in the village of Drumbeg, just outside Belfast, before moving to England and, at 14, becoming a pupil at the famous Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. A successful career as an actor began at only 16 and lasted for seven years until a bout of the debilitating Epstein-Barr virus kept her off work for a period of time and allowed her to write and quickly publish her first novel, ‘Lovers and Players’, in 1992.
Her passion for storytelling and her love of history led her to pursue a career as a writer, and she went on to publish over 25 novels during her lifetime that are widely and wildly popular, have been translated into more than 30 languages, and have sold millions of copies worldwide.
Riley's writing is known for its rich historical detail and intricate plots, often featuring strong female characters and themes of family, love, and self-discovery.
Tragically, Lucinda Riley passed away in June 2021 at the age of 55 after a battle with cancer. Despite her untimely passing, her impact on the literary world is undeniable, and her work continues to inspire and entertain readers around the globe. From her vivid descriptions of historical eras to her strong and relatable characters, her novels are a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring human spirit.
Lucinda Riley's "Seven Sisters" series is a sweeping saga of eight books that span continents and centuries, weaving together history, mystery, and romance in a way that keeps the reader captivated from the very first page. Inspired by the Pleiades star cluster in 2012, the books are based on the legends that surround the cluster and follow six of the adopted D’Aplièse sisters, each of whom is given a clue to their true origins and sent on a journey of self-discovery, after the death of their father,. The seventh sister, who was never officially adopted, is the mystery of the seventh book, as she is left to unravel her own past while simultaneously being sought by her sisters.
The final book, released on May 11th, 2023 and co-authored by Lucinda’s son Harry Whittaker, Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt, draws the Seven Sisters series to its stunning, unforgettable conclusion.
In 1928, in Paris, a caring family saves a dying boy's life by taking him in. Soft-spoken, bright, and gifted, he blossoms in his new family and is given opportunities he never imagined existed. However, he will not reveal his true identity, and although he begins to forget the horrors of his life and the promise he has sworn to maintain as he matures into a young man, finds love, and attends studies at the famed Conservatoire de Paris, the threat of widespread evil means that nobody in Europe can feel safe for long, and he knows deep down that there will be another time when he has to run.
The Aegean Sea, 2008.
On board the Titan, the seven sisters have come together for the first time to bid farewell to their mysterious but beloved father. Much to everyone's surprise, Pa Salt has entrusted the key to unlocking their pasts to their mysterious absent sister. As soon as one mystery is solved, another one appears, and the sisters have to face the fact that their beloved father was actually very different from the person they grew up with and that perhaps the effects of those long-forgotten truths continue to reverberate.
"We are all haunted by our own pasts, and sometimes it takes a journey to the ends of the earth to set us free."
The first book in the series, "The Seven Sisters," introduces us to the sisters and sets the stage for their epic journey. The protagonist, Maia, travels to Rio de Janeiro in search of her birth family and discovers a world of glamour, passion, and intrigue. As she delves deeper into her past, Maia uncovers secrets that have been buried for decades, and she begins to understand the true meaning of family.
"Family is not just about blood. It's about the people who are willing to love you unconditionally, no matter where you come from or what you've been through."
"We can't change our past, but we can choose how we live our future."
In "The Storm Sister," the second book in the series, we follow the journey of the second sister, Ally, as she travels to Norway in search of her roots. Here, she discovers a world of music, art, and mythology that captivates her and leads her on a path of self-discovery. As she unravels the mysteries of her past, Ally must confront the demons that have haunted her and learn to embrace the power of love and forgiveness.
"Music has the power to connect us to our past, to heal our wounds, and to inspire us to greatness."
"Books are not just words on a page. They are portals to other worlds, other times, and other lives."
The third book, "The Shadow Sister," takes us on a journey to England, where the third sister, Star, discovers a world of art, literature, and intrigue. As she delves into her family's past, Star uncovers a secret that has been hidden for generations, and she must learn to confront her own fears and insecurities in order to find true happiness.
"We are all connected to each other, and to our pasts, in ways that we cannot even begin to comprehend."
"Sometimes the most valuable things in life are the ones that cannot be bought with money."
The fourth book, "The Pearl Sister," takes us to Australia, where the fourth sister, CeCe, discovers a world of Aboriginal culture, spirituality, and adventure. Here, she finds the strength to confront the demons of her past and embrace the power of forgiveness and self-acceptance. As she unravels the mysteries of her family's past, CeCe learns to trust in the power of love and the importance of family.
"We are all connected to the land, to the animals, and to each other. We must learn to respect and cherish the natural world, or we will lose everything."
"We all have a purpose in life, even if we don't yet know what it is."
The fifth book, "The Moon Sister," takes us to the rugged landscape of Scotland, where the fifth sister, Tiggy, discovers a world of wildlife, music, and magic. Here, she learns to trust in her own instincts and embrace her unique gifts. As she delves deeper into her family's past, Tiggy uncovers a mystery that has haunted her family for generations, and she must learn to confront her fears and embrace the power of love and forgiveness.
"The magic of life is not just in the big moments, but in the small ones too. We must learn to appreciate every precious moment."
The Sun Sister
"The past may be painful, but it does not have to define us. We have the power to create our own destiny."
The sixth book, "The Sun Sister," takes us to Kenya, where the sixth sister, Electra, discovers a world of beauty, danger, and adventure. Here, she learns to embrace her own strength and courage and confront the demons that have haunted her. As she delves into her family's past, Electra discovers a secret that will change her life forever, and she must learn to find the strength to forgive and move on.
"The true measure of a person's character is not in their successes, but in how they deal with their failures."
"I'd learned that a person's truth is never just one thing, but is instead a kaleidoscope of many different facets, each one capable of reflecting a different image of who they are."
The six D'Aplièse sisters have all gone on extraordinary quests to learn more about their family history, but one mystery remains: who or where is the seventh sister? They have only one piece of evidence: a picture of an emerald ring in the shape of a star.
"Some things in life can't be fixed, no matter how much we might wish they could be. But that doesn't mean we can't find a way to move forward and create something new and beautiful in their place."
Throughout the series, Lucinda Riley weaves together a tapestry of history, mythology, and romance that will transport you to another time and place. Her writing is lush and evocative, and her characters are complex and relatable. Each book is a standalone story that is linked to the larger narrative of the series, and each sister's journey is unique and captivating in its own right.
But beyond the beauty of the writing and the intricacies of the plot, what makes the "Seven Sisters" series truly special is its celebration of family, love, and the power of the human spirit. As Lucinda Riley herself has said, "Ultimately, the series is about the importance of family”
