Book Review - Cascade


What if you not only feel back through time...
But fell in love, too?


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.

Even in the midst of the battles, Gabi's is increasingly drawn toward Marcello, just as Lia's is to Luca. In medieval Italy, the sisters discover things inside themselves that they couldn't seem to find in the present - connection with their mom, courage within, and the understanding that a life well lived often  means encountering sacrificing. But in a world long past, many things will keep Gabi from giving Marcello her heart forever...and one thing in particular calls all three of the Betarrinis home.

Romance:

Violence:

Fear/Horror:

Overall Opinion:


KATY'S REVIEW:

Much like the first book in this series, Cascade was awesome! Even after I finished reading the last page—another cliffhanger, ugh!—I instantly went back and started re-reading the highlights…which was nearly the whole book! The River of Time series just keeps getting better and better! (is it September yet??) I am really looking forward to how this series will be concluded. Tuscany continually grows on me, as it does on Gabi and Lia, and I can only hope that they decide to remain back in time with the men they have each grown to love.

The adventures in Waterfall are intense and perilous—and the events that Gabi and Lia go through in Cascade are even more intense! Just when one of the girls get out of a situation, they seem to fall right back into another perilous predicament. Their men, Marcello and Luca, are beside them the whole time, rescuing them from dire situations and, on occasion, being rescued themselves! If I thought I was attached to these four characters in the first book, Waterfall, the bond only grew stronger in Cascade. These four young adults are the best hero’s and heroine’s I’ve read in an action/adventure book in a long time.

Gabi came back in Cascade even stronger than before. Ever protective of the people she loves—Lia, Marcello, Luca, and now her mother—she fights to protect everything she holds dear. But she finds it more difficult than before as she realizes that Marcello isn’t the object the enemy most desires now…it’s her and her sister that they want now—the mighty She-Wolves of Siena. There was only one questionable thing that I thought to point out for younger readers. When Gabi is captured a man tears her shirt down the front. Nothing much is seen as her chest and stomach are bound with a clothe, as Gabi was suffering from broken ribs. The man glances down at the rope holding her pants up, but somebody steps in just then and nothing else happens. Lisa Bergren handled this situation so well, though, that I would think its fine for young teen readers.

As the girls continue their fight to stay ahead of their powerful enemy, Gabi struggles with the biggest decision she will ever make. She loves Marcello, and Marcello loves her. But if she marries him, she will be tying down her sister and mother to remain in the past forever. My admiration for Gabi grew as she struggled with this issue. Showing a vast amount of selflessness, she considers her mother and sisters happiness over her own. Even though all she could ever want was to remain in the past, marry Marcello, and spend the remainder of her days fighting at his side, she thought of her family first. A wonderful character quality that I really appreciated.

I mentioned above that the book ends in another cliffhanger, and now I am looking forward to the release of Torrent just as much as I looked forward to the release of this book. I am SO curious how this series will end. Gabi and Lia want to go back, but if they do, it will be right around the time of the dreaded Black Plague. Are they willing to risk their own death to return to the men who have captured their heart? That is the question that will be answered in Torrent and I cannot wait! At least I can re-read Gabi and Lia’s grand adventures over and over while I wait. Cascade makes me wish I could jump inside the book and go back in time with Gabi. :-)

Originally reviewed on my blog, Book Reviews by Lady Katy

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