REVIEW : Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren

REVIEW : Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren

   11:20 AM       Elisa

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Torrent (River of Time #3)

Author      : Lisa T. Bergren
Publisher  : David C. Cook
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 388 (Paperback)

Summary from Goodreads :

When Gabi and Lia finally learn to surf the river of time, they realize they must make hard choices about life and love in the third and final book in the River of Time series.

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times.

But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death.

You may want to read these first :
Waterfall
Cascade
before you continue to read this one =)

I really have no idea how to write this review, but I think I have to make it short, otherwise I'll spoil everything inside this book. Well, I tend to babble a lot about books I love but I try though =p.

Usually I feel a bit scared to read the final book of a series, and this book is not the exception. Somehow I feel the last book is a critical part where the author have to wisely think and decide. It can both liven up the whole story and make it unforgettable for several times, or no matter how happy the ending is, it can ruin the whole good story. There were several series I've read which have a pretty disappointing final for me, but thankfully, this series is definitely not one of them.

It's officially that this series is one of my favorite in this year and also Lisa T. Bergren is one of my favorite author. This series is purely awesome! I've said this like, well twice, again I'm still so in love with every single thing in this book and I still dazed how detail the story is, and how it still can be developed to the unexpected higher level, it thrilled me a lot and made me couldn't take my eyes from each page of this book!

Talk about the plot, wow, the stakes are higher and seriously stirred my emotion up and down. At one time it's almost like all heart-pounding and adrenalin-rushing action scenes that dragged me to the edge of my seat, then next my heart was warmed with so much love between the Betarinnis, the loyal Siena people and of course from the couples especially Gabriella and Marcello who put their relationship to the next level. But I also want to warn you, this book probably the most emotional, heart-wrenching one. I can say this book almost depressed me, everything seemed so overwhelming for my weak heart. But it's maybe because I took this book too serious, how I didn't, it seemed so realistic for me T^T. Many things happen in this book, many decisions are made then many things are sacrificed because of that.

Beside the regular characters that continuously become so awesome, I was so glad I could know more about this tall, dark, brooding double agent, Lord Rodolfo Greco. I fell so sad for him. He's so loyal both to his people and friends, in this case, Marcello and his brotherhood, but he's forced to choose only one and he has to endure the dangerous risk. He's beyond awesome and sorry Marcello, I have to give a little bit more of my heart for him ;) His presence between Gabi and Marcello, even makes Gabi distracted a bit from Marcello was for some reasons exciting me. No matter how determined she was, she almost can't resist Rodolfo's dark charm =D. I sincerely hope Rodolfo will find someone he really love someday.

Oops, I failed to make a short one. Lol.
I wanna say that Torrent is an EPIC final for such a magnificent series. Everything meets its climax, and they seem so realistic I could vividly imagine them and almost so eerie that I likely could feel what the characters felt. It also end with satisfying one, and obviously signs that it's only the beginning of the other journey. I feel so thankful I found this fantastic series to be added in my favorite series all the time.
And yeah, it's not a final actually =D. I'm beyond happy that Bergren continued this series and released soon-to-be-two e-novella, Bourne and Tributary, which have more Lia, Luca and Rodolfo inside, and perhaps that mysterious brotherhood (OH YAY!). I really can't wait to read them and hope someday they will be bundled as a physical book =D
What are you waiting for? I guarantee you also would not want to miss this awesome series! Just grab and devour them and experience the exciting back-to-the-Medieval-era-adventure-with-realistic-details-and-characters yourself =D.
*lol so mouthful*

Happy reading!

“My eyes shifted to the trickling river. Come spring, it would be ten times as wide and just as deep. On and on it went, rushing toward the distant horizon. Like time. Like life. Sometimes gently falling from one pool into the other, other times fast and cascading, and still other times narrowing into a funnel, a torrent of knots and waves.”

- Torrent

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REVIEW : Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

REVIEW : Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

   5:19 PM       Elisa

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Cascade (River of Time #2)

Author      : Lisa T. Bergren
Publisher   : David C. Cook
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 399 (Paperback)

Summary from Goodreads :

Mom touched my underdress—a gown made six hundred years before—and her eyes widened as she rubbed the raw silk between thumb and forefinger. She turned and touched Lia’s gown. “Where did you get these clothes?”


Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.

But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willinf to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

Trailer :


May contain spoiler from Waterfall, indeed you may guess how Waterfall ended and Cascade start from the summary above.
Same like what I felt on previous book, the sequel was still amazing, even better, I should say. Cascade has higher risks and stakes, more tension, twisted storyline, more hard decisions to be made, characters development, all of them is knitted and create another rich and beautiful story you will not want to be missed.
I lost myself inside this book, gasped many times even prayed for characters safety, practically couldn't put it down because there was always 'something' everytime I flipped a page, made me wanting more about how story rolled. Especially I have to greatly praise Bergren because there's in this book, she created such an awful, eerie scene which is strangely so gorgeous. I give you a hint, related to a cage and medieval wedding dress. Wack! I got great goosebumps while I imagined it!

Gabi, Lia and people they love have to face a lot of difficult moments in this book. Because of Gabi and Lia's given identity as 'She-Wolves of Siena', which they have never purposed to be at the first place, angry people of Firenze (enemy of Siena) leaded by Lord Paratore, ready to strom Siena's gate, want to see them dead; the dangerous Black Plague, one thing they fear the most, already takes a peek between them and not only things outside, Gabi also has to take a hard decision about her future with Marcello, because aim for one means sacrificing the other.

The characters inside this book leave such an amazing impression inside my head. Gabi is, no doubt one of a real, great and notable heroine from any YA books I've ever read. She's very brave, loyal and seemes willingly put her life on high stake just to save ones she love. Her guts is really out of my mind, seriously I couldn't imagine how terrifying if I was her because live in fourteenth century is gravely hard. But those things don't make her a wonder-perfect girl. She's just still a 17 years old girl who flaws; selfish, vulnerable, stubborn and suspicious for reason, not always fearless and doesn't shy to ask for a help from others. I also loved Lia makes more appearance here, take an action without ask twice with her kick-ass archery skill which mostly save their lives. They do face a lot of difficulties but I really really love how those obstacles, choices between live and death, and every hard decision that has to be made can mature both Gabi and Lia. I also loved the strong family bond and the idea involving parents in the adventure like in this book. Gabi and Lia already lost a father figure, they feel couldn't leave their mother alone like she also doesn't want to be left behind. Moreover their mother is not an annoying type (like easily freak out or noisy) and very cool, kick ass mother from where Gabi and Lia inherit their fearlessness and tenacity.

Marcello and Luca are still wonderful and swoon-worthy like before; Italian fine and charming gentlemen in shining armor. Odd for guys who live in medieval era, they don't underestimate the girls, even respect them for their knowledge and skill. It makes them more amazing. I found myself squee-ing everytime couple scenes appeared. I loved to see how both Gabi and Marcello love and adore each other but yet they aren't too focus on theirselves only. They still put their family in priority above everthing and although Gabi heavily in love with Marcello, tempted to stay for him, she still put Lia and her mother first in her mind.
And Lia-Luca? I couldn't get enough of them! So adorable with those witty banter between them like their own love lingos. Loved to see how Lia slowly grows fonding Luca, while Luca already desperately in love with her =D. Beside Marcello and Luca, I happily welcomed Lord Greco, an intriguing guy with some physical qualities like tall, dark, handsome and mysterious. He's both bad and very sweet in a same time. I was really afraid I could fall for his dark charm, or maybe I was =p.
For some minor characters, I was kinda missing the nice and fragile Fortino from Waterfall here because I like felt he has changed a bit and rarely appeared :( I felt as suspicious as Gabi related to Romana Rossi from the start, and hell Lord Paratore and those Fiorentini bad guys, I was like wanting to kick them die! *gggrrrr*.

Talking about Christian aspect in this book, I think it still nicely blends with the story, not too overwhelm yet naturally inspiring. Somehow I found maybe Bergren was inspired with Bible's stories while created some scenes, one when Gabi and Lia are saved by a Firenze woman, while mostly Fiorentini (Firenze peeps) are hunting them. It's like want teach us even in a dangerous situation, there's a hope for someone who willing to ask for help. There's always some goods between thousand bads. It's so heartwarming, made me happy and more enjoying this series for some reasons =)

This book is closed with a surprising decision Betarinni girls made. So touching yet I was also really happy for them, and thrilled to know what would happen next. A perfect yet cliffhanging ending!
To know what's that, you should read this series and jump into the magnificent River of Time yourself. I hope I can convince you to start reading this series, and for you who already have the copy, what are you waiting for???!

Happy reading! =D

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REVIEW : Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

REVIEW : Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

   10:22 PM       Elisa

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Waterfall (River of Time #1)

Author      : Lisa T. Bergren
Publisher   : David C. Cook
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 369 (Paperback)

Summary from Goodreads :

What do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

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.

Trailer :

When I saw Waterfall and the rest books of River of Time series, I was totally being hooked by the pretty and graceful covers and interesting premise about 2 teenagers who accidentally travel the time and are trapped in a place set long time ago. Then I have to say I'm so glad I decided to follow my instinct, made this series as one I had to get, because I loooooove like every single thing about this book; it's such a very good reading about love, family and adventure mixed with a sudden time-traveling to the past, meets Medieval Italy Era stuffs like castles, horses, elegant and gorgeous dresses, swoon-worthy Italian knights; whoa, such a perfect pack of my favorite things! The romance is sweet and clean but enough to make you dream about having your own knight. The action scenes are so tensing, so real like I read something did really happen. I also found Bergren has a very deep knowledge about Italy's social and politic condition in 14th century and exquisitely mixed it with her imaginations and slightly Christian views, created one fantastic story I've ever read!

What would you feel if one day, out of curiosity, suddenly you; and your sister or brother, or friend, whoever; were thrown back to the very old, lost time, the one that used to be a history in your time now, moreover you lost your companion too in that middle of, not exactly 'nowhere' but 'great battle'? Me, of course I'd completely FREAK OUT, I couldn't imagine how my freaking-out was, even prayed to God not letting that happen to me. That's probably what Gabi thought, before she and her sister experienced that themselves. And it seems like everything happen here simply because she's a family-oriented girl, a quality I love from some one. Gabi has a sister; like me; and lost her, so it's very rational she eagerly tries everything she can to find her back. But she never know her simple aim gives a big adventure and consecuences.

I didn't find any difficulties to love our main heroine here, Gabriella or Gabi. When I read this book, I felt so easy to put myself in Gabi's shoes, saw everything from her eyes and felt like I experienced what Gabi got, thanks to Bergren's amazing skill to draw something so real. Gabi's freaking out and depressed, yes, but what makes her more awesome, she is tough, strong enough to keep moving forward while also keep searching her lost sister and finding a way back to her own time. I was so glad she's not a whiner although her condition deserve it, on the contrary she's brave, very smart and adaptable (can talk comfortably in ancient Italy language, play fencing well too, how cool is that xD) and often throws some sarcasm jokes to herself. I found what Gabi feels is also realistic as a teenager. At this ancient Toscana she's admired for her 'unusual' (or modern) smartness and beauty, and she draws quite attentions from almost all guys she met there. Never before in her own time she felt that way, beautiful and special and gets important role in society. Those are enough to make her think she might be destined to be there. Then more complicated she's falling in love with Marcello, who is impossible to be loved, because 2 big reasons, literally he's 700 years older than her and already became a history and he also already betrothed to another girl. Yet one thing I loved from her, she's not easy and begging for love although Gabi likes him so much.

Marcello.... ah what should I say about him...
He's a different one, while a lot of YA books out there have bad type as their dream guys (don't get me wrong, I love bad guys too =D), Marcello is far from bad. Since he lives in an ancient Italy era and involves in many battles with high stakes and responsibility, he is raised as both a gentleman and warrior, well-mannered, kind-hearted, mature in his young age and very very handsome. Moreover he seems attracted and cares about Gabi more than it should be. I can't blame Gabi though, who would not fall for an ITALIAN knight like Marcello (Lol did I just capitalized ITALIAN? xD). So it's not just Gabi, Marcello also stole my heart almost completely.

The other side-characters are also delighting too, like Lia, Gabi's sister and her exquisite ability using bow and arrow; Luca, Marcello's cousin and best friend, a funny, cute, flirtatious and another swoon-worthy guy who seems attracted to Lia, me myself like him quite much and hoping to know him more; and Fortino, Marcello's sickly brother who is resilient and as kind-hearted as Marcello. I was really happy Bergren created a lot of good and awesome people like them, then the bad people, the Paratores, who is awesomely wicked and frightening; I even could imagine how scary Paratore is *shivered*; each of them along with Gabi and Marcello get their own stories which enrich this book as well.

As stated, this book is also categorized as a Christian fiction and that was one reason why I both excited and worried about this book. I'm a Christian, yes, but I admit sometimes a fiction reading with 'heavy specific religion content' somehow is 'uncomfortable', because you know this series won't be read by only Christians. But I gladly was wrong and I dare to say this series implicitly teaches simple but important Christian points about love, sacrificial, and how some circumstances are already set by the Creator for another bigger plan, and those make you moving closer to Him. Things that can be approved by everyone, I assumed =D. Big applause again to Bergren.

Okay, I'm blabbing again, but I hope you get what I mean upthere =p.
Overall, this book is a beginning but already so fantastic. Since I have read all of books while I wrote this review, I can assure you have to at least give this series a try. It's beautifully written, very detail and and set in a beautiful place and time (Medieval Italy) with swoon-worthy and wonderful characters. If you can enjoy history, clean romance, sword-battle action, handsome knights and brave girls, this series is definitely HIGH RECOMMENDED.
Happy reading! =D

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