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:
You remember when your parents always pointed out to you that "just because your friends do something doesn't mean you have to do it, too?" More specifically, I believe the correct question was, "If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?" Well. Dear old mom and dad just didn't know about the River of Time, and the "bridge" that took us there, did they? *wink*
Yep, I jumped off a bridge and into a book that far exceeded my expectations. I have always known that Lisa was an exceptional author, but she's gone and made me a fan for life with Waterfall. I found myself smiling, laughing, and wishing that Gabi and Marcello could've met each other in the same century realistically.
I loved all of Gabi's 21st century thoughts as she wished she could go to Google for medicinal cures, or wondered why there was no deodorant, or most importantly, why there was *no* indoor plumbing (seriously, that'd be it for me...chamber pots just aren't my thing). Lisa also did a great job with the language as Gabi was clearly out of her element at first. Thank heavens, we have progressed enough to say "tomorrow" instead of "on the morrow," and that the use of "mayhap" has gone by the wayside.
But what impressed me the most was that this did not feel like a young adult novel. Sure, there were some moments when Gabi's maturity faltered a bit, but overall, she was a believable teenager who handled this unusual journey through time quite admirably. It was also nice to see that there are *great* books out there suitable for a younger audience that aren't full of vampires, zombies, or sex (not that I read any of those, but I'm tired of seeing them on bookstore shelves just the same).
So, I'm back on dry ground, no longer in the River of Time, but I'm itching to jump back in! This book left me hanging in the worst sort of way, and the only way I'll recover will be to immediately find the next one, Cascade
. And if it wasn't already obvious, Waterfall has earned a well-deserved 5-star rating from this non-YA person, and a high recommendation for all audiences of Christian fiction. :o)**Many thanks to the publisher and the Amazon Vine program for providing a copy for review.
Southern? No
Sass? Yes
- Yes, I mentioned this book last week, but it deserves a place on this week's list, too. I didn't realize until a few days ago that her Sister Wife books were only scheduled to include two books, and the good news is it's already available to read. Must. Get. A. Copy. :o)
- Thank heavens this book is currently on my nightstand, and I have plans to read it very soon. Cindy's last book was fabulous--like all her others--but I'm eager (and sad) to know how this series ends. Plus, I'm uber-excited that she'll be here for an interview in one month. One month!!! Yay!
- Well, this title's not exactly out yet (and no cover art yet, either), but it's most definitely already got a place on my wish list. This is another book that's gonna tie up a 3-book series, and I can't wait until it's in my hot little hands. :o)
- If you've not yet checked out Terri's Intervention series, you are seriously missing out! Both Intervention and Vicious Cycle are two of the best books I've read all year. Ever since I read them, I've taken the time to watch Intervention on A&E, and that is one scary/sad show. It is so hard to watch some people struggle to get over their addictions, and this series by Terri Blackstock has really opened to my eyes the horrors that some families endure. 
- I had never read anything by Dale Cramer 
- Actually, I just started on this book just the other day, but I'm not so far into it that it can't be included on this list. Yes, it's more Amish, but some authors totally get it right all...the...time. :o)
- This book just arrived in my mailbox last week, and I'm itching to get started on it!!! Julie's books are the kind that, if I don't carve out several hours of uninterrupted reading time for her newest release, I'm liable to get real agitated! Fair warning, k? *wink*
- This is another book that came in the mail last week, and it's another one that's very similar to Allison Pittman's book listed at #1. I've read two of Diane's early Mormon fiction books, and have stayed up late to be sure to finish them. Yep, worth every minute...even if I was too tired to function at work the next day. :)
- Yes, I'm way behind as this book has been out since May. Now, that's not too bad if you don't consider that the next book in this series came out in July. Mercy, I must get busy! Cara's first book, Love on a Dime, was