Review: Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Click the cover to purchase at Amazon

Book: Cascade
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
Publisher: David C. Cook
Release date: June 1, 2011
Source: ARC received from publicist
Series: River of Time #2

**NOTE - contains mild spoilers for the first book**

Summary: (from Goodreads) 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.

First impressions: I knew I was going to like this book from the first line: "Mom freaked out when she saw us, of course." (p. 11) Best. First. Line. Ever. Slipping back into this world was like throwing on your favorite comfy jeans. I was a goner.

Lasting impressions: I'm so anxious to read Torrent, the final book in the trilogy, that I may develop an ulcer by September 1st. At least I only have to wait the summer, though. This quick release series thing is my new favorite.

Conflicting impressions: I don't know if I'm just not remembering Waterfall that well, but Gabi felt a bit off to me in this book. Her voice came through a little differently than I was expecting - more typical teenager-isms, I guess. As a result, the internal monologue was 21st century, but the dialogue was 14th century, which was more jarring for me this time around.

Overall impressions: That said, the book was written the way I think. And the way I like to write. So, OF COURSE, I loved it!

At this point, I feel almost like, "What else can I say?" I love this series. Unless Lisa Bergren had written this sequel with Gabi murdering her own sister with noxious farts, I couldn't have been disappointed. No. You know what? Even with the death-by-farting, I still probably would have rolled with it, nodding along as I read, assuming this was a weird ritual Italian thing that only Lisa is smart enough to know, and that eventually Lia would spring back to life and pull a rabbit out of a hat or something.

Ta da!

Lucky for us, Lisa didn't write anything quite so silly. Instead, she completely rose to the occasion and crafted a sequel with even more of the heart-pounding action and non-stop danger that hooked me in the first book. Let's face it. Medieval Italy was HARD LIVING, especially if you were a woman. Gabi, still a teenager, has a hard time accepting just how tough life in Marcello's Italy can be. This book didn't cut her any slack. Gabi and Lia are constantly under attack, but in a believable way and without anything seeming over the top or overdone.

Perhaps the best part of this installment is getting to spend nearly the entire book with Gabi and Lia together. I love seeing the She-Wolves of Siena fighting along side each other, and witnessing their bond grow through the time they spend in the past. Lia kind of steals Gabi's thunder in this book, actually, showing off those mad archery skills and proving herself every bit as tough as our main heroine.

No review of this book could be complete without mention of Marcello and Luca. Cue the handheld fans! Our Italian hotties are back and better than ever, joined by the somewhat sinister Rodolfo Greco. Lord Greco added a nice element this time around - not purely evil like Lord Paratore, but not fully good like our main men. I appreciated his duplicity and scheming, and I think this is not the last we will hear from him.

Marcello and Gabi are totally sweet together, of course, but Luca and Lia stole the show for me. I think I may be falling more in love with Luca! I'm a sucker for his wit and smile, and I can't wait to see how things develop with Lia. I love the pace at which these relationships are moving (not that they have much choice given all of the danger and violence constantly chasing them!), and I particularly enjoy watching Gabi struggle with her growing feelings for Marcello. Would you be willing to give up modern life for your possible true love? Oh! It's so heart-wrenching!

The end of this book is so sweet and joyous despite its uncertainty. I absolutely cannot wait to read Torrent and find out what happens next! I could personally relate to the final events of Cascade's story (minus the time travel, natch), which led to many bittersweet but also happy tears while reading the last chapter. The entire book will have your heart leaping into your throat, dashing down to your stomach, and hammering so hard you might fear for your own life.

So what are you waiting for?

Rating: 5/5 stars

Click the stars for a description of my rating system

Want to read my take on the first book? Click to read my review of Waterfall. I'm also giving away a copy of Cascade this month, so click here to enter. You should also check out Small Review's incredible review of Cascade. She's got some sweet giveaways happening as well!



PS - Lisa just sent me the link to the book trailer, and it's too pretty not to include. Enjoy!



9 comments:

Brodie said...

I love your review!! I could not agree with you more. And I too think I'm falling more for Luca! But then Marcello does something and I'm all *faints*. Although if I travelled back in time, all Luca would have to do is wink at me and I'd throw myself in his arms ;)

Ahh man, I'm so excited to get my hands on Torrent! Except I don't want it all to end just yet :(

Small Review said...

Aaaah, I love your review. And Brodie's comment. And this whole series. I really need those hand fans you mention, and maybe a fainting couch. My heart was in my throat throughout this whole book! I don't know, every time I think Lia is maybe the awesomer She-Wolf, Gabi goes and does something like ears or cage and I'm all *jaw drop* She's AWESOME! I can't choose....and I LOVE that they're both so amazing I can't choose!

I'm so glad we only have to wait until September! I'll be sitting next to you in the dr's office getting my ulcers treated too. :P

Lisa Tawn Bergren said...

Logan, your review made me cry. And laugh. (As did Brodie and Small Review.) Thank you for being such a passionate supporter and telling your readers about this series. I really appreciate it.

Serena Chase said...

Fun review, Logan! I like your style -- you made me laugh a lot. This is a great series. My review agrees -- http://www.edgyinspirationalromance.com/2011/05/review-cascade-by-lisa-t-bergren.html This book is a top notch pick.

It's a bittersweet wait for TORRENT,isn't it? knowing it's "the end" of the series. I want to see how it all comes together, but I hate to say goodbye to these characters!

Thanks for making me laugh today! I look forward to checking out your future reviews!

Serena

Logan E. Turner said...

@Brodie - Agreed! If I read Torrent then it all ends and I will cry for days!

@Small - I'll send you a Tums care package. :)

@Lisa - You are by far the most involved and caring author I've dealt with so far, and I can't tell you how much it means to me to have you stop by. Thank you for writing these incredible books!

@Serena - I love your style as well! Thanks for the link. Isn't it awesome when books bring us all together? *hears collective groaning* I know, I know. Kumbaya and all that. :P

Steph (Poetry to Prose) said...

It's almost insane how high Lisa raised the stakes in this one! It was great to see Gabi and Lia rise to the occasion, though, and they went above and beyond any expectations I had for them. They are AMAZING! And Marcello and Luca, eeee! I love them both, but Luca definitely caused a lot of my swooning this time around.

BRING ON TORRENT!

Michelle Flick said...

So I missed the boat on this series...had no idea it was a sequel...so I didn't read your review, however I am going on the search to find the first one! I'll read the review in a little while!

Joy Tamsin David said...

Death by farting! LOLOLOL!!! I was gonna tweet this link to my friend Serena, but I see she's already seen it. Love your humor!

Aylee said...

Must read this!! Hopefully sometime this summer. Even if there was a scene in the book involving noxious farts, I'd still be interested in reading it due to all the gushing, positive reviews I've read for this series, haha.

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