First: I firmly believe a giant disclaimer should be required on any book who's story is left hanging when the last page is turned. That way we, the readers, are given the option of choosing whether we want to invest the time multiple books will require. There is NOTHING worse than anxiously reading an exciting story only to find the author has tied you up and is holding you hostage until you purchase her next book. "Waterfall" is the perfect example. Everything is left up in the air, dangling precariously below that proverbial cliff the reader was just shoved off. So - read at your own risk, now you know.

That being said, the story truly is exciting and great fun to read. There are two definite reviews within this book, however, the adult version and the young adult version. The adult version will assuredly find the writing elementary, the dialogue somewhat silly at times and will always be aware this is geared for adolescent readers. The young adults will find this perfect! The heroine is a 17 year old girl complete with eye-rolling whatever's", simple, self-indulgent histrionics and all other teenage maladies young people can relate to.

As the story progresses,though, the dichotomy between the two virtually disappears as the danger, suspense and, of course, the love story ratchets up until neither adult nor youth is able to set the book down! Ms. Bergren does an exceptional job of writing from a teenage point of view while keeping it interesting enough that everyone ultimately enjoys the journey.

Share/Like this Review?

I didnt plan on reading this book in one sitting but once I started it I couldnt even begin to put it down. WOW! What an amazing story. This is saying a lot for me because it had two things against it when I started.

Number one Im not a big fan of Youth Fiction

Number two I rarely like or enjoy stories written in first person.

I think Im going to have to stop saying that after reading this novel. The writing was absolutely AMAZING. Bergren really knows how to draw her reader in.

I had heard raving reviews about it from friends and with a little hesitancy decided to give it a try. Im glad I did.
My Rating: 5 Stars

The story is about two young girls (young meaning 17 and 15), whos parents are archeologists and they have been dragged from dig to dig their whole lives. After the death of their father, their mother continues her obsession with all things old and brings the girls to Italy.

They find THE tomb that her parents have devoted their life to finding and the girls are transported back in time to the 1300′s. From there they meet knights and castles and perilous feuds. Its a story that kept me up until midnight because I just couldnt put it down.

My warning to you Dont start it unless you have the time to finish it. :)

Share/Like this Review?

I got a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program (it was also available for free for Kindle a while back). I had heard wonderful things about this book and it ended up being an excellent romantic historical fantasy story.

Gabi and her sister Lia are accompanying their mother on an archaeological dig in Italy when they find some hand prints in a tomb. When they place their hands on the hand prints they are sent back in time, separated, and find themselves in the middle of a power struggle between two Italian families. Gabi has to learn how to navigate this strange time, find her sister, find a way back home, and hopefully guard her heart from the lord of the castle Marcello. Marcello is betrothed to another woman but finds himself drawn to Gabi despite the political ramifications.

There are a couple things about this story that are a bit too fairy tale and convenient. Gabi can ride horseback and fight with a sword from the get-go; this is explained via activities she used to do with her father but is a bit too convenient for my taste. The whole falling in love with the lord who rescues her is also a bit too fairy tale. Despite this I found myself absolutely enraptured by this story and couldn't put the book down.

Gabi is a kick-butt character, she faces a lot of danger in this novel and pulls off being incredibly brave yet still seeming humble about it. She does a number of things that would be somewhat normal in our time, but when she does them in this past era it is so out of character for a woman that it shocks, stuns, and awes the people around her. She was a fun character to read about and very engaging; I found myself really emotionally involved. She has some tough decisions to make throughout the story: does she follow her heart or do what her head says is the right thing to do?

Marcelle was a dream male lead; he is basically the knight in shining armor. Extremely masculine, but tender towards Gabi and very concerned about the welfare of those around him.

Bergren did an excellent job with describing the period and with the language. Gabi reverts to talking in a more archaic/stilted form of language, but she still thinks in normal modern teen slang and sometimes she does slip up in her speech. This was done very well and remained consistent throughout the story.

The plot is well done and is full of conspiracy and plotting, there are some excellent action scenes, and the romance is tender and sweet. Keep in mind this is part of a trilogy so this book does not stand alone, there really isn't much resolved by the end of this book so I would recommend having the second book, Cascade, on hand.

I was a bit dubious about reading this book because of the Bergren's religious background, not to mention the publishing house. I've been conned into reading fantasies before that end up being more treatises on religion than actual works of fantasy. This book was not like that. Being that you are in old Italy God is mentioned a number of times. Gabi occasionally wonders if her being sent back in time was God's will (even though she is admittedly not all that religious) and wonders when people pray to God if he really hears. Besides those mentions this really isn't a religious heavy book. I thought the use of religion was reasonable and fit well with the story, I never felt like I was being preached too or beat over the head with heavy religious beliefs. So don't let the Christian history of the writer or publishing house deter you from reading this book.

Overall I loved this book. The characters, plot, and action scenes were all very well done. Sure all the sword fighting, horseback riding, language skills that Gabi had were a bit too convenient and maybe Marcelle was a bit too perfect...but the package made for a wonderful historical fantasy full of intrigue, adventure, and a very sweet romance. Fans of historical fantasy with romance will find a lot here to love. I absolutely could not put this book down. A lot remains unresolved at the end of this book so I have to admit I immediately went out and bought Cascade and Torrent so that I could read the rest of the story.

Share/Like this Review?

Time to divulge a little known, deep dark secret: It has always been my secret fantasy to time-travel back to medieval times. Seriously, I kid you not. Without even realizing it, Lisa Tawn Bergren tapped into one of my deepest desires, so is it any wonder I am head-over-heels in love with this series?

I was skeptical about reading a time travel book. I love time travel in movies, but in movies I dont have to imagine the world twisting and melting into something newthe visual is provided for me. I wasn;t certain Bergren could pull it off without the story becoming hokey and laughable. But she did it in spades. I felt like I was taken back with Gabi and Lia.

Take away my geekish fantasies of being whisked to another time and place, this story is rife (See that? Using old words) with fantastic characters and gripping action. The novel is told from Gabis point of view, and I cannot remember a heroine I have loved more. She is strong, but not so strong that she doesnt have her moments of genuine breakdown over her situation. I also adored when Gabi used her knowledge of modern medicine to try and help some people. Again, another secret fantasy is to not only go back in time, but to wow them with my awesome abilities that we take for granted here (like cleaning a room to help someone with allergies or asthma).

Even though the story is told entirely from Gabis first person point-of-view, Lia is just as amazing. I only wish she could have been in more of the book. As for the male lead(s) Marcello and Luca are the reasons I need to build my own time machine or start excavating some tombs ASAP. I miss that age of chivalry and knights, of long dresses and honor.

I honestly cannot figure out why I waited so long to start this series. Thank goodness I bought the second book in the series, Cascade, at the same time. I already started it and am at chapter four. Now, if youll excuse me, Im going to go finish that book.

Share/Like this Review?

I enjoyed reading this book. I especially liked the time travel and historical aspect of it, along with a little romance and sword fights. I can't wait for the next one to come out.

Share/Like this Review?