Review: The Storm Sister (The Seven Sisters #2) by Lucinda Riley

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?

Hardcover, 512 pages

Expected publication: March 22nd 2016 by Atria Books

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Atria Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication date is March 22, 2016.

I am in no way, shape, or form able to do this story justice so I am not going to try.  I am simply going to try to jot down whatever random thoughts pop in to my head.

First thing, I have waited forever for this story to come out.  I read the first book in the series The Seven Sisters almost a year ago and have been anxiously waiting for the second story ever since.  It will be with great agony that I will be waiting for the next story as this is part of a seven story series that Lucinda Riley is working on.  Why, oh why, did I have to discover this series at the beginning.  I have to wait for the next instalments to be written.

That brings me to my second point.  I have read all of Lucinda Riley's works.  For her fans, you will not be let down.  For fans of historical fiction who have not yet discovered her work, pick it up now!  She is a master of weaving the past and the present in to compelling stories that you can't put down.

This instalment is Ally's quest to discover her heritage.  Through her journey you are taken through not one but two stories in the past.  First Anna and Jens, and then later Karine and Pip.  Both equally interesting and tragic (as one would expect).  I will divulge not details as I will let the story sell itself.

I enjoyed the fact that Ally's present day story was very different form her sister Maia's (from the first story) and also a little bit different than the standard formula you tend to find with some historical fiction.  I may have enjoyed her story the most in this book which is rare, I almost always prefer the story in the past.

It is said that this can be read as a stand alone, and that all in the series can be, however I don't see why.  There is a little bit of a mystery that has surrounded these first two stories which I believe will surround all of the stories of the sisters.  I believe I mentioned it in my review of the first book (have not gone back to check) but I believe the mystery of Pa Salt will become a story of its own in the end.  There are bits and pieces, I would almost say teasers, woven in to both stories.  Then there is also the fact that the series is called The Seven Sisters yet there are only six.  Hmmmmmmm, I sense a master plan here.  In fact looking at the Q&A at the end of the story, Riley herself admits that she already knows the plot for the last book which supports my theory.

Don't hesitate to read this book.  In fact, stop reading the reviews and just pick it up.  Start with the first and then pick this one up.  While you wait for the next one, go back and read her other stories.  I am sure you will not be disappointed. This is my first 5 star rating this year.

My only complaint (as it was with the first one) is that I discovered it too soon.  I now wait and wait until the next one comes out.  Sigh...

About the Author

Lucinda Riley was born in Ireland and wrote her first book aged 24. Her novel 'Hothouse Flower' (also called 'The Orchid House') was selected for the UK's Richard and Judy Bookclub in 2011 and went on to sell 2 million copies worldwide. She is a multiple New York Times bestselling author and has topped the bestseller charts in four European countries.

In response to demand from her readers, she has recently re-written two books from her early writing career when published under her maiden name Lucinda Edmonds - the books are now being published as 'The Italian Girl' and 'The Angel Tree'.

'The Seven Sisters' is the first of a unique seven book series based allegorically on the mythology of the famous star constellation.

Lucinda's books are translated into 28 languages and published in 38 countries. She lives with her husband and four children on the North Norfolk coast in England and in the South of France.

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