The Seventh Sister by Millie Abecassis SFINCs4 Book Review
This review is part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”. This is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.).
To see more information on my team TBR Strikes Back check out this post!
Blurb for The Seventh Sister
WELCOME TO SANCTUARY
Seer Éliane is destined to a brilliant future as a servant of Aurië, the Sun-God. Everything changes when the High Seer, her superior, becomes jealous of Éliane’s abilities and chases her from the temple.
Having no family, Éliane has no choice but to find refuge in Sanctuary, the mysterious mansion of Lady of Clairemont, alongside six women living there as sisters and refugees.
When the sisters begin to disappear, Éliane must find the truth about Sanctuary and its secretive owner before she disappears, too.
A horrific retelling of Bluebeard and Snow White, The Seventh Sister is a tale about sisterhood and overcoming adversity.
The Seventh Sister Book Review
Once an orphan, Éliane was selected to join the seers of the sun God Aurië. When Éliane undergoes the God’s trials, she unlocks the potential to be a seer more powerful than the current High Seer. But the High Seer isn’t ready to be replaced, and makes a rash decision that will haunt her.
The Seventh Sister opens with a prologue that will hook readers with its clever use of foreshadowing. It’s one of those prologues that, when the story concludes, it all clicks into place in a satisfying way. And it also hints at more experiences between the characters that I would love to read about.
The main character Éliane may not have chosen her path in life, but she does what she can to follow Aurië’s teachings. When her life is upended, she finds herself with a newfound family. Éliane may not know the sisters she finds herself among, but she recognizes they are vulnerable. Women who seek refuge and safety in hiding. And though readers may not have the time they would in a full-length novel to learn of each woman, the events that take place are just as heartbreaking.
Millie Abecassis has created an imaginative world with children of Gods and devoted servants of Gods who can attain abilities with their devotion and sacrifices. This novella only scratches the surface of the Gods and their prodigies, and I sincerely hope there will be more from this world.
To Purchase: Author's Website
All or part of this book review may be used in marketing, I only ask that you reference Behind the Pages if you choose to do so.
