Review: Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren

Torrent (River of Time #3) 
by Lisa T. Bergren

Publisher: David C. Cook
Release Date: September 1, 2011
Format: eGalley
Source: Publicist/Author
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon

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. (Goodreads)

Torrent is the third book in the River of Time series. If you haven’t read this series yet, you should check out my reviews of Waterfall and Cascade. Torrent picks up right where Cascade left off; and I was immediately captivated and happy to be back with these characters!

It’s evident in Torrent how much Gabi and Lia have grown over the series. You really see how they’ve been changed from their life and death experiences in 14th century Italy. Gabi is brave and strong, but she isn’t perfect and she makes mistakes. Which makes me love her as a heroine even more. Gabi is forced to make difficult decisions and I really liked seeing how she worked through them.

I loved the romance between Marcello and Gabi, but I also loved the conflict with Lord Greco. I really like him as a character… he’s complicated, charming, and tall, dark, and handsome. Sigh… yeah… Greco kind of stole the show for me! I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t more of Luca and Lia (not as much as Cascade), but I realize if I got my wish that Torrent would have been forever long!

Torrent is little less intense than Cascade but is full of action scenes that keep you glued to the page. My only complaint with this installment is that some elements were a little too convenient, and the story ties up a little too neatly in the end. However, Bergren’s writing made it easy for me to just go with it and enjoy the story.

Torrent was a wonderful conclusion to the series … but I’m ecstatic that Lisa Bergren wants to continue to write installments! An e-novella, BOURNE, is being released on 2/28/12 and picks up right after Torrent! I really, really hope that Bergren is able to write more installments in the future. The River of Time series is truly an adventure back in time – full of romance, action, family, and history. I highly recommend this series to adults and young adults alike, it does not disappoint!

Author Links: website | twitter | facebook | goodreads

Charlie Woodchuck is a Minor Niner by Dayla Moon

Charlie Woodchuck is a Minor Niner 
by Dayla Moon

Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: July 25, 2011
Format: ePub
Source: Author
Age Level: Middle Grade
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon

It's 1988, and Charlie Woodchuck is the most minor of niners. At thirteen, she’s the youngest girl at Snowy Cove High School, and so clueless, she wore leg warmers and acid-wash jeans on her first day. Big mistake! Almost as big a mistake as signing up for a boys-only shop class. Doy.

Just when she thinks the first week of high school can’t get any more weird, Charlie discovers she may be adopted. According to her Science textbook, her eyes should be blue, not brown.

Now the girl with the boy’s name will have to use her detective skills to uncover the mystery of her identity. She'll need the help of best friend Stacy, expert blackmailer, and new friend Ross, expert class clown.

Before the year ends, Charlie will face down the biggest bullies of all: the all-powerful members of Snowy Cove’s School Board. The Board doesn't like what Charlie's been up to, and they're all out of doughnuts. (Goodreads)

Minor Niner is a cute Middle Grade story that made me laugh and root for the protagonist, Charlie Woodchuck. The story follows Charlie through her freshman year of high school, though she seemed younger to me. I enjoyed this story, and I think my younger self would have loved this novel.

Though this story takes place in the late-80s, I didn’t feel like I was reading historical fiction... but it probably would to a tween. The 80s references were fun (hello leg warmers!), but the only major thing that stood out was the gender discrimination. I loved that Charlie spoke her mind and stuck up for her self and classmates. She didn’t like that her school had different electives for girls and boys, so instead of complaining about it, she actively worked to have equal choice. She’s a character you can root for.

I do have to say that the second half was a bit odd to me because it skipped around a lot.  The plot seemed purposely pieced together instead of the nice flow it had in the beginning.

Overall this was a humorous, fun, and heart-warming read! I would recommend this book to tweens.

Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

Publisher: David C. Cook
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Series: River of Time #2
Format: Paperback
Source: Author (won)
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

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 willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever. (Goodreads)

Cascade is the second book of the River of Time series, and a fantastic sequel. I immediately started reading it after I finished Waterfall (read my review here), and read it in a day! Cascade picks up right where Waterfall ended, so you are quickly absorbed back into the story. In Cascade, Gabi and Lia return to Castello Forelli (with their mom) and are warmly welcomed as heroes before everything turns to chaos.

I really don’t want to give anything away about the series… but I can say that in Cascade everything becomes more… intense. The political tension between Florence and Siena erupts into a full on war, so there is much more action, with Gabi and Lia in the thick of it of course!

The relationship between Gabi and Marcello becomes more passionate and serious, and there is much more of Lia and Luca in this book – which I loved. I also enjoyed getting to know the sisters’ mother and seeing the relationship she has with her daughters. There’s a new intriguing character in this book, Lord Greco, and I look forward to learning more about his story and intentions in Torrent.

The one small complaint I have about Cascade is that I felt it wrapped up a little too easily and neatly for me… but I ate it up all the same. I can’t wait to get my hands on Torrent! If you loved Waterfall like I did, you will not be disappointed! If you haven’t read Waterfall yet, what are you waiting for?

Check out this book trailer for Cascade:

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Publisher: David C. Cook
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Format: Paperback
Source: Author (won)
Age Level: Young Adult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Buy: Amazon | IndieBound

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. (Goodreads)

If you’re a fan of historical fiction and romance, then this is a must read! Lisa’s debut YA novel is fantastic. I was quickly sucked into the story and became lost in the pages to the point that I forgot I was reading. Well, you know what I mean, right? I’d look up from the book and be shocked that HOURS had passed!

There is so much to love about Waterfall – strong capable heroines, honorable knights, sword fights, and time travel! The story is told from the perspective of Gabi, a fairly typical American teenager except that she gets to travel every summer with her sister and archeologist parents to Italy in search of Etruscan ruins. While there, on a dig site, bored and feeling a bit rebellious, Gabi and her sister Lia accidentally find a time portal, and suddenly Gabi finds herself in 14th century Italy on the brink of war, in the middle of a battle… in 21st century clothes.

I believe Lisa Bergren did an excellent job of describing 14th century Italy. I could easily see the world she built, and felt completely immersed in that time and place. I appreciated the details she included without it feeling overly done and drawn out, as I feel with some historical fiction novels. I feel I should mention that though this series is categorized as Christian historical fiction, it isn’t really obvious or distract from the story in any way.

I really grew to love Gabi as a character; you can’t help but admire a strong female protagonist stuck in the 1300s when women were supposed to be silent and weak. Gabi’s love interest, Marcello is brave, passionate, and loyal to his family and to Gabi. As much as I loved Gabi and Marcello, I think my favorite character was Luca, Marcello’s cousin and best friend. He’s funny and light-hearted, and his character had a way of lighting up the page.

Waterfall is a captivating adventure across time, and not to be missed! I recommend picking up a copy along with Cascade (book 2) as you will want to immediately start the sequel once you finish!

Check out this book trailer for Waterfall: