The Shadow sister - Lucinda Riley review

02/05/2023

Star D'Aplièse is at a crossroads in her life after the sudden death of her beloved father--the elusive billionaire, affectionately called Pa Salt by his six daughters, all adopted from across the four corners of the world. He has left each of them a clue to their true heritage, and Star's clue leads her to an antiquarian bookshop in London, and the start of a new journey.

A hundred years earlier, headstrong and independent Flora MacNichol vows she will never marry. She is happy in her home in England's picturesque Lake District--just a stone's throw away from her childhood idol, Beatrix Potter. But when circumstances carry her to London, and into the home of one of Edwardian England's most notorious society hostesses, Alice Keppel, she finds herself a pawn in a larger game; forced to choose between passionate love and duty to her family. That is, until a meeting with a mysterious gentleman reveals answers Flora has been searching for...

Star's voyage of discovery takes her deep into Flora's remarkable story, and into her own past. But the more she uncovers, the more Star begins to question herself, and her place in the world.

I am trying to finish reading all of the series before the appearance of "Atlas" in May. I fear I won't meet this deadline in time. But as a result, I did rediscover my love for this series.

I was greatly looking forward to the story of the introverted Star. The story started with the recognizable beginning we already know from the other sisters, but from Star's point of view. This made it relatable and the feeling for the story immediately sat well. This feeling weakened a bit as the story progressed. At times I felt it came across as a bit drawn out. Compared to the first two books, I find this the least of the three so far. And was convinced this was going to be a 3-star story.

As we moved toward the end, this feeling changed again for me. The mother-daughter situation of Star and her mother struck a very sensitive chord with me. I was reading these passages with tears in my eyes and a heavy lump in my throat. As a result, I think the book earned its 4 stars. If a book can get me so emotional, it deserves more than 3 stars.


About the book: 

- Author: Lucinda Riley 

- Genre: Romance 

- Themes: Love, friendship, trust, family, history

- Publisher: Atria Books 

- Published: 2/01/2018

- Number of pages: 512 pages

- Series: The seven sisters vol 3

- ISBN-Code: 9781476789156

- Rating: * * * *