Review: Waterfall

Author: Lisa T. Bergren

Pages: 369

Publisher: David C. Cook

Source: Library

Synopsis: 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.

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Waterfall was one of those books that had it all and was executed perfectly. I've read so many reviews of people being surprised at how much they liked it. I'm one of them. Time travelling is generally something that doesn't always interest me as the storyline will be very similar in all stories but for Waterfall it worked.

I'd like to first say I love Gabi. Gabriella is strong, clever and loyal. I can sometimes get so annoyed with main characters throwing themselves at guys or general stupidity but Gabi was smart! She talked with the voice of a teen and I loved reading in her perspective. The way she adapted was impressive and I love reading about resourceful people.

I enjoyed most of the other characters. Fortino for example was a side character but well drawn out. I liked him a lot. The obvious mean girl would have been Lady Rossi so I was pleased when Lisa T. Bergen gave her more depth as a character.

Marcello the love interest was divine. You'll love Marcello. Sexy Italian, commanding, and a gentleman. His best friend, Luca, did garner my interests too. I was happy with that.

The setting... I thought it was great. I know about nothing about that era and I can't begin to remember the last book I read that took place in Italy. There were many differences from modern NA culture that were evident from speech to how women were treated. I do have to say that Gabi had a fair bit of fortune on her side. I'm not sure how historically accurate Waterfall is but I was having too much fun to care.

The plot was really good. There was always something happening and the story progressed at a good pace. I wasn't really ever bored. Waterfall had action, battles, blood, but there was romance and more day to dayish scenes. And of course there were many questions: Will Gabi ever find her way back at home? Will she ever see her family again? The ending was also well done. At one point there was an ending that I thought for a split, frenzied second that it was going to be a cliffhanger. But nope, I flipped the page and there was more.

Overall, I recommend this to many people. It's honestly just a solid story that will appeal to many for lots of different reasons. Romance, history, action, time travel, court life... All that and more can be found within these pages. 4 stars,

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