Gabriella has never spent a summer in Italy like this one. Remaining means giving up all she’s known and loved … and leaving means forfeiting what she’s come to know—and love itself.
Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. In Book One of the River of Time series, Gabi and Lia are stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, boring, and dusty archeological site … 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.
And thus she comes to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?
Carol’s Review
In Waterfall, the Betarrini sisters travel to Italy with their archaeologist mother. Typical American teens, they grow bored at the medieval castle archaeological site. When they place their hands over handprints in an ancient tomb they stumble upon, the sisters are transported back to 14th century Tuscany. Gabi finds herself in the midst of a fierce battle while her younger sister Lia ends up elsewhere. Two handsome young men, Marcello and Lucas, rescue them. They face life-threatening adventures including fighting battles alongside the men before returning to their own time.
Bergren does it again, penning a well-written character and plot-driven series. Readers should be aware that although the story involves evil men, violence and torture, it is handled without excessive detail. The book includes an interview with the author, discussion questions, and historical notes.
This book will appeal to older teens and adults alike. Although this is Christian fiction, it is definitely not preachy. Highly recommended for school libraries and public libraries.
Reviewed by: Carol Gehringer
Reviewd for: Reprinted from the Christian Library Journal (August 2011); used with permission.
Thanks so much for including this review of WATERFALL!