Book 4 of the The Seven Sisters series. Again, loved it! The fourth sister is CeCe (Celaeno). Celaeno is the star that does not shine very brightly in the sky. CeCe is aptly named. She is insecure and lonely since separating from her sister, Star. She needs to find herself. She is an artist, and got accepted to a prestigious art school in London, but she drops out. She can't even figure out what to paint anymore. She is highly critical of her talent and her looks. She doesn't realize that other people see her as beautiful, inside and out.
Her journey to find her birth family starts in Thailand, where she meets a fugitive from the law, unbeknownst to her. She has a relationship with Ace and seems to really be enamored of him. This is important because all of her past relationships have not been fulfilling to her, in any sense of the word. Her life to this point had been consumed with the most important relationship in her life: her sister, Star. Ace encourages her to continue on her search for her birth family in Australia, even telling her that he may join her there.
The historical story of CeCe's birth family is fascinating. Her ancestor is named Kitty McBride. Kitty leaves her home (at the age of 18) in Scotland to travel as a ladies companion to Adelaide, Australia, where she meets the love of her life and her future husband. Her husband's family is prominent in the pearl industry in Broome, Australia. Living in Broome is not for the feint of heart! Kitty moves to Broome with her new husband, Andrew, and settles into a town that struggles with the "haves" and "have nots"; the whites and the aborigines; and rampant racism. The Australian outback is dangerous and difficult. It is extremely hot and red dirt permeates everything, especially in the "wet season" when red mud wipes out everything in its path. (This is ironic because the Pearl Masters always wear pure white from head to toe.)
As always, Lucinda Riley weaves fiction into historical events. I knew next to nothing about the pearl industry. I learned a lot about the pearl industry and how it evolved, this period of time in Australia and Aboriginal art. The reader "discovers" these things along with Kitty at the same time as CeCe does. It's always interesting to see how the sisters connect to the past (through the generations). Sometimes people die when I don't want them to. Sometimes the people I want together don't get together when I want them to. But in the end, there is always a positive influence on the sister's life who discovers her heritage. A lot of "growth" and fortunately, a happier, more fulfilling life.
I really love this series!
Wendy's Rating: *****
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