A riveting and worthy sequel: My review of "Cascade" by Lisa T. Bergren

Book Synopsis as provided by the publisher:

 

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?”

In Cascade, the second book in the River of Time Series, 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.

MY REVIEW


After devouring book 1 in the "River of Time Series", I was greatly looking forward to continuing Gabi and Lia's story in Cascade...and I was definitely not disppointed.

Now, I again have to offer a disclaimer that this series is primarily written for teen females, and thus I am well outside of the target zone. However, I can justify reading this book as a concerned father wanting to make sure my daughters are reading appropriate literature, right? Right?

Once again, Bergren has succeeded at immersing the reader in a fatanstic world of "what if?". What if it were possible to travel back in time and toss society's expectations for females right out the window? What if it were possible to be beautiful and intelligent and seemingly fearless and an expert with the sword or bow and arrow? What if it were possible to convince your mother to accompany you back in time and find out she can secretly handle a weapon with ease? Bergren makes these "what ifs" a reality in an absolutely captivating historical setting.

Teen girls (and likely the older female population too if they'd admit it) will no doubt find themselves sighing with contentment over the developing romance between Gabi and Marcello, as well as younger sister Lia and Marcello's cousin, Luca. However, while there are scenes of romance, they are entirely appropriate and godly in their content, and parents can be assured that their teens are in good hands when reading this book.

Bergren is continuing to prove that she is an author to watch, capable of writing books that are action-packed, and ones that not only will entertain and keep the pages flying by, but ones that will make you reflect on your faith and the character of God as well. I highly recommend this second book in the series, and award it 5 out of 5 stars.