Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Release Date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: David C. Cook
Pages: 352
Series: River of Time #1
Review Source: eBook from author for review

Synopsis: (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:
I totally fell in love this book: I didn't want to stop reading it! Gabi is a seriously strong character. She's intelligent and brave, and she faces her fears in order to save her sister and protect those she cares about. I'm not sure what I would do if I were sent back in time, but hopefully I could be like Gabi, who really tries to deal with the situation while also making the most of it. Gabi isn't the only awesome character in the book, though. Pretty much every main character is fully realized, including Marcello and Luca, two very swoony Italian knights. Dashing, funny (particularly Luca), and chivalrous male leads? Yes please!

This book features so many amazing things. I have to say that it's my favourite type of historical, and by that I mean the 'travel back in time' historical. There are knights, battles, swords, fleeing on horseback... so much action, and it doesn't shy away from the realistic parts of history, like people dying in battle and illness that is very hard to recover from without modern medicine.

I was truly swept away in the action of this story, and I absolutely fell in love with the characters. I was so thankful that I had Book #2 ('Cascade') ready to read, because 'Waterfall''s conclusion leaves you desperately wanting to read the next book. This is a seriously enjoyable action-packed read that is full of swoony romance, family loyalty, and a bit of questioning of faith as well.

Rating:
[4.5/5]

Find Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.ca