The Recommended Reading Order
To fully appreciate the magic, mystery, and historical depth of Lucinda Riley's sweeping saga, you should read the books in their official publication order. Although each novel highlights the journey of a different sister, they are tied together by a central present-day framing story: the death of their enigmatic billionaire adoptive father, Pa Salt, and the clues he leaves behind. Reading them out of sequence will spoil major plot points and the overarching mystery that builds toward the final volume.
Here is the recommended reading path for the series:
- The Seven Sisters (2014): The series opens with Maia, the eldest sister, who travels to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Her search for her roots plunges readers into the 1920s during the design and construction of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, blending present-day self-discovery with historical romance.
- The Storm Sister (2015): Ally D'Aplièse, a talented sailor and musician, is the focus of the second book. Her journey leads her to the rugged landscapes of Norway, where she uncovers her family's connection to the 19th-century singer Anna Landvik and the premiere of Edvard Grieg's famous Peer Gynt suite.
- The Shadow Sister (2016): Quiet and private Star D'Aplièse takes center stage in the third installment. Her search leads her to the English Lake District and London, weaving through Edwardian high society, the life of beloved children's author Beatrix Potter, and historical romantic scandals.
- The Pearl Sister (2017): CeCe D'Aplièse, an artistic soul who has always felt like an outsider, travels to the red deserts of Australia and the coastal town of Broome. The historical timeline explores the pearling industry of the early 20th century and the pioneering life of Kitty Mercer.
- The Moon Sister (2018): Tiggy D'Aplièse, a wildlife conservationist working in Scotland, follows her instincts to the Alhambra and the gypsy caves of Sacromonte in Granada, Spain. The past timeline visits the 1930s and 1940s, tracing the legacy of a legendary flamenco dancer amid the Spanish Civil War.
- The Sun Sister (2019): Electra D'Aplièse, a high-fashion model in New York dealing with addiction, unravels her heritage in Kenya. The historical narrative details the drama of the infamous Happy Valley set in the 1930s and the beauty of the African landscape.
- The Missing Sister (2021): In the seventh book, the sisters unite to search for Merope, the elusive seventh sister. The story spans multiple global locations but anchors itself in Ireland, exploring the Irish War of Independence in the 1920s and the fierce spirit of Irish republicanism.
- Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt (2023): The epic conclusion shifts the spotlight to the mysterious adoptive father himself. Beginning in Paris in 1928, this final book crosses multiple historical periods and continents, bringing all the threads together and answering the questions raised throughout the series.
Can the Books Be Read as Standalones?
While the historical timelines in each book are self-contained and could technically function as standalone historical novellas, the modern-day narratives are deeply interconnected. Characters from previous books routinely appear in later volumes, and the D'Aplièse family dynamics evolve chronologically. Most importantly, the overarching puzzle of Pa Salt’s identity and his reasons for adopting the sisters is built piece by piece. Skipping books or reading them out of order will lead to confusion and diminish the emotional payoff of the series finale.
The Mythological Connection
Lucinda Riley conceived the series in 2012, drawing inspiration from the Greek mythology of the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters. Each sister is named after one of the mythological stars: Maia, Alcyone (Ally), Asterope (Star), Celaeno (CeCe), Taygete (Tiggy), Electra, and Merope (the missing sister). Riley's meticulous research and passion for mythology are woven into the fabric of the story, with subtle mythological easter eggs scattered throughout the books for keen-eyed readers to discover.
A Co-Authored Conclusion
Tragically, Lucinda Riley passed away in June 2021 after a battle with cancer, before she could write the final book, Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt. However, she left behind detailed notes and blueprints for the conclusion. Her son, Harry Whittaker, co-authored and completed the eighth book using her instructions, ensuring that fans received the resolution to the mystery that Riley had planned from the very beginning.
What to Read Next
If you have finished the Seven Sisters and want more of Lucinda Riley's signature blend of historical mysteries and dual timelines, she wrote several acclaimed standalone novels. Excellent starting points include The Orchid House, The Butterfly Room, and her posthumously published crime mystery, The Murders at Fleat House.