The Moon Sister by Lucinda Riley

• Hardcover: 752 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan; Main Market edition (1 Nov. 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1509840095
• ISBN-13: 978-1509840090

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

The Moon Sister is the fifth epic story in the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley.

After the death of her father – Pa Salt, an elusive billionaire who adopted his six daughters from around the globe – Tiggy D’Aplièse , trusting her instincts, moves to the remote wilds of Scotland. There she takes a job doing what she loves; caring for animals on the vast and isolated Kinnaird estate, employed by the enigmatic and troubled Laird, Charlie Kinnaird.

Her decision alters her future irrevocably when Chilly, an ancient gipsy who has lived for years on the estate, tells her that not only does she possess a sixth sense, passed down from her ancestors, but it was foretold long ago that he would be the one to send her back home to Granada in Spain …
In the shadow of the magnificent Alhambra, Tiggy discovers her connection to the fabled gypsy community of Sacromonte, who were forced to flee their homes during the civil war, and to ‘La Candela’ the greatest flamenco dancer of her generation.

From the Scottish Highlands and Spain, to South America and New York, Tiggy follows the trail back to her own exotic but complex past. And under the watchful eye of a gifted gypsy bruja she begins to embrace her own talent for healing.

But when fate takes a hand, Tiggy must decide whether to stay with her new-found family or return to Kinnaird, and Charlie . . . 

Review

The Moon Sister is the fifth book in Lucinda Riley’s fabulous Seven Sisters Series; one of my favourite literary series. This time it is Tiggy’s story, real name Taygete, whose nickname comes from Mrs Tiggywinkle due to her love of animals.  Tiggy is very spiritual, with a great love of nature and animals  and a sixth sense about things.  It is these qualities that bring her into contact with Chilly, a gypsy who lives on the estate she is working at an he opens the door to Tiggy’s past, present and future.

Lucinda Riley has out done herself with this book, it is an epic tale that sweeps us across continents and oceans, from Scotland to Spain, Portugal, Argentina, America, Switzerland and many places in between.  Tiggy’s journey starts in Grenada Spain, in the hill caves of Sacromnte where the gitanos, Spanish gypsies, lived at the beginning of the twentieth century.  Tiggy’s grandmother Luciá was a famous flamenco dancer and through her and her family we learn of the history of the gypsies, their pride, passion and love of Flamenco.  They are a people who have been driven out of Grenada town to live in caves in the hills with no running water, heating or luxuries, yet they have family, pride and flamenco. The detailed writing of the history of the gitanos is powerfully portrayed and I found myself emotionally drawn to their story. The same attention to detail is used to depict the wonderful locations visited in this book; the smoky and sweaty atmosphere of the Flamenco Bars in Barcelona, the destruction of Madrid after Franco’s army arrives, the exotic Buenos Airies and the stark and cold highlands of Scotland.

There are a wonderful and diverse cast of characters in this book.  Tiggy’s warmth, and big heart make her an endearing character and I think my favourite sister to date; I am an animal lover as well.  Of course there is a love interest, this time it is her boss and Laird of the Manor Charlie Kinnaird, who unfortunately is married.  Ulrika his wife is Tiggy’s complete opposite, cold, hard, entitled and only interested in money.  Some of the most memorable characters though are from Tiggy’s gypsy family; Angelina a healer who can tell fortunes, Maria, the matriarch of the family and Luciá the small but fiesty diva and queen of the Flamenco.  Such diverse characters bring interest and vitality to Tiggy’s story.  Diversity and opposites seems to be a recurring theme; the gypsies and the non gypsies (payos), the decadence of the Alhambra Palace and the starkness of the hillside dwellings, the colour and heat of Grenada against the dark and cold of Scotland and Tiggy’s warmth and love in contrast to Ulrika’s cold and hard personality.

There is no doubt that Lucinda Riley is a talented writer, and if I’m honest I think this is her best book yet. The Moon Sister seamlessly encompasses past and present and weaves them into a narrative that is compelling and addictive. Lucinda Riley’s descriptive prose brings the book to life and your senses are awakened as you are spirited into Tiggy’s story. The Moon Sister is a tale of love, passion, flamenco and self discovery; pure perfection.

 

Thank you for reading my review of The Moon Sister. Please see my reviews of her other books including  The Pearl Sister and The Shadow Sister and an interview I did with Lucinda Riley last year.