Review: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

 

Waterfall

The River of Time Series #1

Written by Lisa T. Bergren

Available NOW!

Published by David C. Cook
*Arc copy provided by Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review* 

Summary from Goodreads:
"Lisa Tawn Bergren's new YA series, River of Time, is romantic, historical fiction in which the plucky heroine doesn't have to fear a vampire's bite but must still fight for her life.

In Waterfall, American teenager Gabi Betarrini accidently finds herself in Fourteenth-Century Italy . . . Knights. Swords. Horses. Armor. And Italian hotties. Most American teens want an Italian vacation, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds... until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the Fourteenth Century and in the middle of a fierce battle between knights bent on killing one another."

My Thoughts:

This is the first book I have ever read that is marketed as 'christian fiction' and I honestly didn't know what to expect. I will say that this book really took me by surprise!  I enjoyed it from cover to cover.  To me, it didn't seem like christian fiction.  There were references to God here and there, and Gabi prayed more than once, but it flowed with the direction and setting of the story.  Waterfall was just a great read!  I was fascinated with the time period that the majority of the story took place in.  I have always loved medieval history and culture and this book made you feel as if you were really there.  The author did such a great job creating the medieval setting, characters, and overall tone of the book.  I imagine that tons of research must have went into writing this!  I enjoyed so many of the characters!  Marcello, Luca, and Fortino made my heart melt and Gabi was such a strong female protagonist.  She was able to think on her feet quickly and not afraid to defend herself.  I did find it a little difficult to believe that at only 17 years old she would be able to step back into medieval Italy and blend in with the language, daily practices, and customs that were so dramatically different than her modern day life.  Granted she knew a lot from history lessons with her famous archaeologist parents and courses in school- but would that really be enough to blend in?  Aside from that, I found the pace of the story fast and the plot exciting.  The men in the book were beyond perfect... chivalry at its best!  Who wouldn't want their own knight in shining armor!  I was lost in this story and in its forbidden romances, betrayals, and vicious battles!  I predicted the ending pretty acurately, but that didn't take away from it at all.  I cannot wait until the second book in this series releases so I can see what Gabi and her sister do next!  Book two in The River of Time Series is titled, Cascade, and is scheduled for release on June 1st, 2011.  I highly recommend this book to any readers that love historical fiction or just a good clean 'sweep you off your feet' romance!