Book Review: Waterfall River of Time #1 by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Waterfall
River of Time #1
by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Paperback, 369 pages
Published February 1st 2011
by David C. Cook
ISBN 1434764338
YA
Historical, Christian Fiction
Book Source: bought
5 stars
What do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world? Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives among the romantic hills with their archaelogist parents. Stuck among the rubble of the medieval castles in rural Tuscany, on yet another hot, dusty archaeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds…until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting.
Review: I have had this series on my wish list FOREVER! And so, so glad I finally sat down to start reading it. Now that I’m sucked in I’m gong to have to read the whole thing–all three + books. It’s so fun to find a time travel YA that transports you to another dimension for a few hours. Gabi and her sister are on site in Italy with their mother for an archaeological dig of ancient Etruschan tombs. Going inside the dig site is forbidden, but the sisters are curious and bored. Little do they know they are about to be sucked into a time tunnel and spit out in the 14th century.
Tensions are thick and the country is in the uproar of war, border disputes and alliances. Gabi is spit right into the midst of a clash between Castelle Peratore and Castello Forelli– a battle that eventually may cost her her life. With fast paced action, perfect romance and historic elements, I ate this book up. The tension between Gabi and Marcello is beautiful. There are lots of layers to plot and the characters are well developed. I do wish we knew a little bit more about Marcello and am hoping we get a peek of his perspective in the novellas or sequels. There are also moments of finding one’s faith and turning to God.
Lisa Tawn Bergren has a new fan. I’m off to read book two, Cascade.
Content: moderate war related violence, kissing, threat of torture and sexual assault. For older teens.
About the author: Lisa Tawn Bergren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 40 books, with more than 2.5 million copies sold. Her most recent works includes a YA series called River of Time (Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent, Bourne & Tributary), God Gave Us Easter, a devotional called Upside-Down Prayers for Parents and the Grand Tour Series (Glamorous Illusions, Grave Consequences, and Glittering Promises). She’s currently at work on a new YA series called Remnants, coming out in 2014.
Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, writing, and working on ducks with her husband, Tim (RMrustic.com). Tim’s a worship leader, graphic designer and duck-sculptor. They have three kids–Olivia (18), Emma (15) and Jack (10).
The Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Learn more on her website/ facebook/ twitter