After reading Revenge of the Sisters, by Geri Spieler, I found myself drawn into a deeply emotional and powerfully layered story. The book follows Rose, Josie, and Dorothy, three Jewish sisters raised in a Los Angeles orphanage during the 1930s, who come together years later to plot subtle, lawful revenge against the people and institutions that wronged them during their youth. Their stories unfold in tightly woven chapters that alternate between past and present, focusing on themes of justice, resilience, and the long shadows of childhood trauma. As their adult lives intersect with those of their old enemies, the sisters slowly and strategically reclaim the power that was denied them.

Spieler’s writing has a raw, heartfelt honesty that hit me square in the chest. The dialogue feels natural, like it came from real memories. I especially loved how Spieler gave each sister her own voice. Rose, so driven and methodical; Josie, sharp-tongued and creative; Dorothy, bold and defiant with a reporter’s instinct. The writing doesn’t shy away from the harsh truths of prejudice, poverty, and injustice, but it also manages to stay warm, even tender, especially in the family scenes. The pacing is careful and deliberate. It takes its time, but I never felt bored. Each scene deepens your understanding of these women and what shaped them.

The ideas behind the book moved me even more than the plot. Spieler touches on systemic inequality, anti-Semitism, and the long-lasting sting of being overlooked. It got under my skin. There’s no cartoon villain here, just flawed people and flawed systems. What really struck me was how the sisters seek revenge not through violence or chaos, but through intelligence, patience, and a kind of poetic justice. It made me think hard about how often women, especially poor and marginalized women, are expected to just “move on” from harm, and how cathartic it can be when they don’t. I found myself rooting for them, not just because they’d been wronged, but because they deserved to win.

Revenge of the Sisters is a quiet but powerful novel that simmers with righteous anger and hard-won love. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy stories about family bonds, historical settings, and justice served cold. I’d especially recommend it to fans of character-driven fiction with heart and grit.

Pages: 276 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F7K14NC2