Blurb:

Following on from the bestselling The Seven Sisters and The Storm Sister, The Shadow Sister is the third book in Lucinda Riley’s spellbinding series of love and loss, inspired by the mythology of the Seven Sisters constellation.

Star D’Aplièse, in her late twenties, 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. But, when machinations outside of her control lead her to the London home of one of Edwardian society’s most notorious players, Flora is pulled between passionate love and duty to her family. But she 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.

The epic, multi-million selling series continues with The Pearl Sister.

Review:

I’ve really enjoyed this series so far and Star’s story was no exception. Lucinda Riley was an exceptional storyteller and I love the way she weaves elements of her really imaginative fiction with real historical events, places and people. I often feel intimidated by novels that are so long, but the author’s style is so absorbing that I just wanted to keep reading!

I’ve noticed in the first few novels in the series that Star is usually with her sister, CeeCee, so I was looking forward to the opportunity to get to know Star in her own right. I loved seeing her come out of her shell and I warmed to her almost straight away. She’s clever, creative and warm hearted, and I wanted to see where the discoveries she made about her past would take her. I also loved meeting Orlando and Mouse and their family and I took them to my heart, especially Rory, as quickly as Star did!

The historical elements of The Shadow Sister are set mostly in the early twentieth century, and I loved reading about all the “coming out” balls and society gossip. Lucinda Riley has researched the time period really well and I was taken there immediately and immersed myself in their life. Flora is a wonderful character, and I loved how the author embraced her slightly unusual personality, making her a character the reader could easily love. 

I found The Shadow Sister to be quite an emotional story. Lucinda Riley writes about themes such as grief, family relationships and friendship, which are universal to everyone and there will definitely be something in this story that resonates with everyone.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series!

The Shadow Sister is available from Amazon.