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The Seven #3
1973
Alternative cover edition of ASIN B07JQ22X59.
1973. New Orleans. The Deschanel siblings are now scattered, searching for meaning in their new lives.
Charles, the playboy, moves from his first heartbreak to solemn acquiescence, as he promises his mother he’ll marry a woman who is, by all accounts, a monster. Augustus, the fixer, is all business, until one of his employees catches his attention in a unique way, and he can’t and won’t ignore the strange appeal. Colleen, the adherent, finds lurid temptation undermining her better judgment. Evangeline, the genius, finally enrolls in college but lives a second life no one, not even Colleen is aware of. Maureen, the haunted, discovers there’s more to her terrible ability than she’s ever known, but the cost may be her soul.
And only Elizabeth, the anguished, knows how their stories will go on, or end. She would do anything to change the future. She’ll finally try to do just that.
As the family progresses through the seventies, they’ll discover the power of secrets, lies, and a fate they cannot escape, no matter how powerful they are.
1973. New Orleans. The Deschanel siblings are now scattered, searching for meaning in their new lives.
Charles, the playboy, moves from his first heartbreak to solemn acquiescence, as he promises his mother he’ll marry a woman who is, by all accounts, a monster. Augustus, the fixer, is all business, until one of his employees catches his attention in a unique way, and he can’t and won’t ignore the strange appeal. Colleen, the adherent, finds lurid temptation undermining her better judgment. Evangeline, the genius, finally enrolls in college but lives a second life no one, not even Colleen is aware of. Maureen, the haunted, discovers there’s more to her terrible ability than she’s ever known, but the cost may be her soul.
And only Elizabeth, the anguished, knows how their stories will go on, or end. She would do anything to change the future. She’ll finally try to do just that.
As the family progresses through the seventies, they’ll discover the power of secrets, lies, and a fate they cannot escape, no matter how powerful they are.
238 pages, ebook
First published January 22, 2019
41 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Sarah M. Cradit
99 books899 followersSarah is the USA Today and International Bestselling Author of over forty contemporary and epic fantasy stories, and the creator of the Kingdom of the White Sea and Saga of Crimson & Clover universes.
Born a geek, Sarah spends her time crafting rich and multilayered worlds, obsessing over history, playing her retribution paladin (and sometimes destruction warlock), and settling provocative Tolkien debates, such as why the Great Eagles are not Gandalf's personal taxi service. Passionate about travel, she's been to over twenty countries collecting sparks of inspiration, and is always planning her next adventure.
Sarah and her husband live in a beautiful corner of SE Pennsylvania with their three tiny benevolent pug dictators.
Connect with Sarah:
sarahmcradit.com
Instagram: @sarahmcradit
Facebook: @sarahmcradit
Born a geek, Sarah spends her time crafting rich and multilayered worlds, obsessing over history, playing her retribution paladin (and sometimes destruction warlock), and settling provocative Tolkien debates, such as why the Great Eagles are not Gandalf's personal taxi service. Passionate about travel, she's been to over twenty countries collecting sparks of inspiration, and is always planning her next adventure.
Sarah and her husband live in a beautiful corner of SE Pennsylvania with their three tiny benevolent pug dictators.
Connect with Sarah:
sarahmcradit.com
Instagram: @sarahmcradit
Facebook: @sarahmcradit
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 23, 2019
This series continues to amaze me. In this installment the seven siblings are exploring their gifts and as they all mature. Just like any other family the Deschanel’s are full of drama and intrigue but theirs sends us on a roller coaster ride because of their powers!! This entire series is well written and the characters are beyond awesome. This latest installment is a must read and will keep you captivated from beginning to end!!!
January 24, 2019
Every time I reach the end of a book in this series, I feel completely wrung out. From a practical POV, I have to wonder why I continue reading, but from an emotional POV, there's really no question. I am invested in these characters and feel so much for them and for the pain they've experienced and will continue to experience. Somehow I think I feel that by witnessing their pain I can help in some small way to make it worthwhile. It's silly. These are fictional characters, but it's so easy to lose sight of that while in the midst of reading about their turmoil.
I think that the character that I feel the most sympathy for in this particular book is Charles. Because I've read the books that come later, I never saw him as a sympathetic character. However, this series of prequels has managed to portray him having a strength of character and sense of morality that transcends his actions. This man has a heart and he cares immensely for his family and his friends, to the point where he is willing to forsake his own happiness. Although it is painful, I am thankful to have seen this side of him.
Colleen and Evangeline are far from the sensible characters that they will embody in future books, and I suspect it will be interesting to watch their transformation. Augustus is a sad case, and knowing a bit more about him, I can understand better his actions in subsequent books. Maureen is not familiar to me, which leads me to wonder what a horrible end she faces. And Elizabeth, a very sympathetic character, is one who makes my heart hurt for her because I know of the pain she will experience as she ages.
This is an intense series of books, not for the faint of heart, not for those who seek a happy ending. Though I know that there will be moments of happiness, a part of me wonders why this family must experience so much anguish. I will continue to read this series because I care about them too much to allow them to experience this without me as a witness.
I think that the character that I feel the most sympathy for in this particular book is Charles. Because I've read the books that come later, I never saw him as a sympathetic character. However, this series of prequels has managed to portray him having a strength of character and sense of morality that transcends his actions. This man has a heart and he cares immensely for his family and his friends, to the point where he is willing to forsake his own happiness. Although it is painful, I am thankful to have seen this side of him.
Colleen and Evangeline are far from the sensible characters that they will embody in future books, and I suspect it will be interesting to watch their transformation. Augustus is a sad case, and knowing a bit more about him, I can understand better his actions in subsequent books. Maureen is not familiar to me, which leads me to wonder what a horrible end she faces. And Elizabeth, a very sympathetic character, is one who makes my heart hurt for her because I know of the pain she will experience as she ages.
This is an intense series of books, not for the faint of heart, not for those who seek a happy ending. Though I know that there will be moments of happiness, a part of me wonders why this family must experience so much anguish. I will continue to read this series because I care about them too much to allow them to experience this without me as a witness.
January 21, 2019
Oh my! 1973 was quite a year for the Deschanel clan. This book gives all the siblings more-or-less equal focus. Since the characters have been established, there was a more interesting plot progression.
As I read Charles’ story, I thought back to the House of Crimson and Clover books. Ms. Cradit gave her readers the perfect backstory for Charles’ loveless marriage, his cheating heart, and his continued bad behavior. It all makes sense now! If you haven’t read the HOCC series, you can still see the torment to come.
Maureen and Colleen are both finding their own way, a bit of a rocky road, but no more so than many new adults. Evangeline and Lizzie are still loose ends. As the younger siblings, they are still developing. Lizzie in particular is an enigma.
Augustus sets off on his own. He seems to be successful, and yet, he also seems weakly vulnerable to the apparent games and coy advances of the office damsel in distress. I can’t wait to read how this storyline plays out!
The importance of family is an arcing theme in this series. The siblings face normal issues as well as the unique situations faced by someone with special “gifts”. No matter how surely or indifferent they behave toward one another, bottom line, they’ve got each other’s backs.
As more backstory is revealed, the tension mounts…and not only because Lizzie laments how horrific 1974 will be for the Deschanels. As melodramatic as that is, I’m still hooked and can’t wait for the rest of the series.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
As I read Charles’ story, I thought back to the House of Crimson and Clover books. Ms. Cradit gave her readers the perfect backstory for Charles’ loveless marriage, his cheating heart, and his continued bad behavior. It all makes sense now! If you haven’t read the HOCC series, you can still see the torment to come.
Maureen and Colleen are both finding their own way, a bit of a rocky road, but no more so than many new adults. Evangeline and Lizzie are still loose ends. As the younger siblings, they are still developing. Lizzie in particular is an enigma.
Augustus sets off on his own. He seems to be successful, and yet, he also seems weakly vulnerable to the apparent games and coy advances of the office damsel in distress. I can’t wait to read how this storyline plays out!
The importance of family is an arcing theme in this series. The siblings face normal issues as well as the unique situations faced by someone with special “gifts”. No matter how surely or indifferent they behave toward one another, bottom line, they’ve got each other’s backs.
As more backstory is revealed, the tension mounts…and not only because Lizzie laments how horrific 1974 will be for the Deschanels. As melodramatic as that is, I’m still hooked and can’t wait for the rest of the series.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
January 16, 2019
By 1973 the 7 Deschanel siblings are coming into their own lives and personalities more and are scattered across the family properties in New Orleans. Charles has a character change and agrees to marry a woman who he doesn't love and Augustus is concentrating on work until an employee turns his head. Colleen seems to have been led astray and is ignoring her better judgement and Evangeline enrols into college but then lives a second life that no one else anticipates. Maureen discovers there is much more to her strange ability that anyone every thought and it might cost her soul. Elizabeth is just her usual anguished self as she knows how events will unfold for all of them and wants to do something to change it for them. How will the family fare as they discover some secrets, lies and fates that they cannot escape.
This was full of drama and intrigue as the 7 siblings explored their world, their skills and their personalities. I can already see how the development of each of hem fits in with the main series around the Deschanel family. Well written and clear/easy to understand it was very enjoyable and helped me to both understand the characters more and the year that is covered in this book. Recommended for anyone who read the main series about the family or has read the previous books in this series.
This was full of drama and intrigue as the 7 siblings explored their world, their skills and their personalities. I can already see how the development of each of hem fits in with the main series around the Deschanel family. Well written and clear/easy to understand it was very enjoyable and helped me to both understand the characters more and the year that is covered in this book. Recommended for anyone who read the main series about the family or has read the previous books in this series.
January 21, 2019
I am absolutely FLOORED. Reading this, the beginning of the downfall, but not for all of them. Of them all, 1973 tells so much about who Charles was, who he became, in the Crimson Series. There is so much in this book, Colleen and her struggles and guilt that she hasn't done or recognized the signs, Aggie and his choices. Some of them growing but mostly towards heartbreak or disaster. But Charles, even in his darkness helped and protected his family. He makes sense while my heart breaks for him. Elizabeth carries the burden of seeing what is coming and knowing that it only gets worse for her siblings and carries that burden on her own. This author does it again. Makes us feel for this family. We know what's coming and yet we still feel their pain as they face the obstacles. We know them, well we thought we did. We judged them, but we didn't have all of the facts. Now as we truly get to know them does it change how you feel? Does it make them more human? Or does it break your heart to feel their pain, their loss, their fears? All of your preset notions will be changed, because the Crimson Series didn't tell us everything.
January 18, 2019
This third book shows the older siblings maturing (some of them, anyway), making some tough decisions, going in different directions, and starting lives on their own. The others are learning previously undiscovered facets about their gifts, while Elizabeth has to live with the knowledge of the sadness and heartbreak they'll all face in the future.
A constant theme throughout this series is the importance of family. No matter the complexity of the problems, or the dire situations they find themselves in, these characters are willing to drop everything to be there for their family the best way they can. And with what they have to deal with, that's saying a lot.
I received an ARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A constant theme throughout this series is the importance of family. No matter the complexity of the problems, or the dire situations they find themselves in, these characters are willing to drop everything to be there for their family the best way they can. And with what they have to deal with, that's saying a lot.
I received an ARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 12, 2019
So so good! Best one yet. What I really enjoyed with this one is the fact that the 7 are coming into their own now and are not as afraid always to reach for and learn more about their abilities. In book 1 we learned who they all were and end with the tragedy and book 2 is about the results and coping after wards sp now in book 3 we have them all adapting and as they are growing up and learning to accept who they are, I am truly looking forward to thr next book
April 18, 2023
Book 3 in The Seven series
Witches and Warlocks make up an entire family that's in a constant state of crisis/survival mode. This dark fantasy is filled with conflict, growing pains, loss, sorrow, abuse, alcoholism, strong language, and spice. Be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading. The book is built in a detailed world with strong characters who grow/change throughout.
Wounded, but still strong.
"Yo u have this gift for a reason."
Witches and Warlocks make up an entire family that's in a constant state of crisis/survival mode. This dark fantasy is filled with conflict, growing pains, loss, sorrow, abuse, alcoholism, strong language, and spice. Be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading. The book is built in a detailed world with strong characters who grow/change throughout.
Wounded, but still strong.
"Yo u have this gift for a reason."
February 21, 2019
Good book, very well developed characters and amazing storyline. This is the third book in this particular series, I missed reading book two , I have enjoyed everything I’ve read from this particular author. Looking forward to reading what’s next.
September 12, 2020
Amazing
I am truly enjoying this series. I love the complexity of the lives of the 7. I won't spoil any of the story by giving away spoilers. Each book just gets better and better!
I am truly enjoying this series. I love the complexity of the lives of the 7. I won't spoil any of the story by giving away spoilers. Each book just gets better and better!
November 15, 2020
This prequel series continues to be interesting, though I feel some of the characters are becoming less substantial instead of more. However, I still want to know what’s going to happen next, so I’ll keep reading.
February 13, 2019
Sarah M. Cradit has written another stunning episode in the Deschanel Saga. Her characters reach out and grab hold of the reader. They become part of you. I can't wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews