Book Review: Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Waterfall (Book 1 River of Time) by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Date of Publication: 1st February, 2011
Publishers: David C Cook
Source: Bought


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 Review:

My Favourite Quote:  We froze.  Neither of us moving, simply staring at each other if the other was going to move first.  
"You are," he whispered, "uncommonly stirring."
He closed his eyes then, as if he had to in order to break the bond between us, then lifted me to the saddle and stare at the ground as he guided my feet into the stirrups.

AWESOME!  I am not usually a fan of anything that slightly resembles historical fiction and well this is time travel back to Fourteenth-Century Italy.  But I love everything about this book the setting, the characters, the history, the romance.  It has to be one of my favourite series of 2011.

Bergen prose is elegant and magnetic while the plot is fast paced and addicting. Often with historical fiction I feel overloaded with information and sometimes a little bored but Waterfall was effortless read that had me on the edge of my seat.  I was completely captivated by this story.   Immediately when I finished it I looked up how long I would have to wait for the next one.  It is one of those books that you just don't want to end thanks to the amazing writing of Bergren.  

The characters are fantastic.  And not just this main ones.  The secondary character are just as strong and entertaining and I admit it is hard to pick a favourite.  Gabi is a compelling character.  Strong, mature and caring.  She showed a lot of courage and I don't think I could have handle myself as well as she did if got sent back to Fourteenth-Century Italy and lost my sister.  Then there is Marcello.  My first thoughts was WOW.  A  fierce fighter, smart, loyal and kind.  Gabi and Marcello has chemistry from page one.   There is loads of tension and obstacles as their relationship builds slowly.

Overall, Waterfall is an electrifying and enthralling tale.  Do not miss out on this awesome new series.


Overall Rating: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 4.5/5
Cover:4/5


For more info:  Visit Lisa Tawn Bergren website.
For more reviews:  Small Review

The second book in the series Cascade has just been released!