David C. Cook
ISBN: 978-1434764331
Published Feb 1, 2011
Trade paperback, 384 pages
I have been waiting so long to read the
River of Time Series, that it was pure bliss when I found just the
right time in my schedule to savor it. And savor it, I did! It's a
novel that blends two of my favorite genres—time travel and YA
historical fiction.
The Betarrini sisters, Gabi (Gabriella)
and Lia (Evangelia) are in Tuscany, Italy with their mother, an
archeologist. While trekking with her through the medieval ruins,
they decide to explore a little on their own. The girls end up in an
ancient tomb where they place their hands on a handprint on the wall
and travel back to 14th century Italy. Gabi finds herself
right in the middle of a battle between enemy knights. We don't know
what happened to Lia until much later on in the book. The second book
deals more with Lia's story.
Gabi is rescued by the handsome knight
Marcello and taken to his castle, where she explains that she has
lost her sister and mother while journeying and must find them as
soon as possible. They accept her story and make plans to help Gabi
to find her family. As Gabi adjusts to medieval life, she uses her
21st century knowledge to her advantage. She helps
Fortino, Marcello's elder brother who has a respiratory illness, and
she insists on accompanying the knights (riding astride like a man,
gasp!) as they search and make enquiries for her mother and sister.
Her bold personality as she battles alongside the men using a sword
makes her stand out. Gabi and Marcello are attracted to one another,
but he is betrothed to Lady Rossi. This is a good political match
because it will unite Marcello's family with that of the powerful
Rossi clan from Siena.
I really enjoyed this book. It was
adventurous, fun and action-filled. It was also far-fetched
with Gabi being able to do a lot—speak almost flawless Italian,
wield a heavy sword, be at liberty to do as she pleased—but hey, in a time travel book it works. However, I would have liked to see more reactions to living in the past and have Gabi learn from being there rather than knowing how to do it all. I
found Gabi's inner dialogue funny as it reminded me she was a 21st
century girl stuck in the 14th century. Sometimes, she did things
that had me shaking my head. She was stubborn and insistent on having
it her way. This same determination, however, served her purpose as
she searched for her sister and a way to get back home.
Both Marcello and his closest man Luca
were brave and swoon-worthy knights, of course. Luca was the
light-hearted one while Marcello more brooding. I particularly liked
Fortino, the sick brother, who was wise and never complained of his
ailment. There are many battle scenes with killing and I wish this
had been tamer seeing this is a YA book.
The minute I ended this one I was
reaching out for the second book in the trilogy. I'm looking forward
to reuniting with the Betarrini sisters to see how their adventures
continue. This book is the perfect book to escape—it's exciting,
gutsy and venturesome.
Note: This book is rated V = violence for battle scenes with gruesome descriptions, a torture scene and an almost rape scene.
I will count this book toward the following challenges: Time Travel Reading Challenge, TBR Pile Reading Challenge, YA Historical Fiction Challenge, What's in a Name 5 Challenge, I Love Italy Reading Challenge
Reviewed by Laura
Disclosure: I bought this book and was not told how to rate or review this product.
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