Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren
June 1st 2011 by David C. Cook
Paperback, 399 Pages
Review Copy
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.
Review
In Lisa Bergrens sweeping sequel to Waterfall, Gabi and Lia return to the 14th Century with their mother to reunite with Marcello and the Kingdom that's become beloved to Gabi. This time around though, the country is aware of the "She-Wolf" sisters and the people of Siena see them as hope and proclaim them as heroes to the survival of their nation. When the girls arrive there is an immediate celebration but not everyone in the country is taken in by these mysterious sisters from Normandy. Dangerous plots to destroy them all have been set by the Florentines and while Gabi and Lia suspect a certain villain, no one can guess the extent of evil that is coming for the girls. Marcello and his men along with Gabi and Lia fight to maintain leverage over their enemies, but attacks, disease and injuries keep slowing them down and in a shocking twist Marcello and Gabi decide to separate to gain advantage, a decision that will most likely cost one of them their lives.
Despite the war and all the political aspects going on, another big issue in the book is Gabis choice to stay in the 14th Century. Gabi knows the risk to herself and her family but also knows her fate is tied in with Marcello’s. He as well, will face political and social disaster if things go the way of the Florentines. But Gabi struggles with the emotions of her family, knowing that they too would have to make a sacrifice in staying. Either way danger is in both choices, to stay will mean risking her life, but holding onto to her soul mate, to leave will mean safety but a broken heart, one that’s already been tried with the loss of her father. The stakes are much higher and the circumstances much more devastating.
Im sure by now you all know Waterfall was my favorite YA read this year, after reading Cascade though Id say its going to be hard choosing between the two of them... so I ask myself, why should I have to? The answer is I don't, because Cascade was just as good if not better than the first. Once again I melted into this story and loved every minute!! Bergrens daring details in war and romance are just what Ive been looking for in an inspirational, yet boldly told story. Not only does Marcello and Gabi's romance intensify but the action is more graphic and more scary than the first. If I can explain what I saw in my head while reading this story I would compare medieval times to Lord of the Rings, I don't know why this happens but I always see that type of world in my mind, the dark ages, kings and knights and tragic romance (I think I like to romanticize the era instead of seeing it as how horrible it was)....my husband tells me repeatedly that LOTR is not medieval its Mid-Earth with trolls and wizards...but hey I cant help what I see in my head! While Cascade remains wizard and troll free...it does have some kick-butt sword fights, hot knights in tights and medieval dresses to swoon for!!
My heart was pounding throughout the story, I loved coming face to face with Marcello again, reading through Gabi's ordeal and loving the way Bergren ended on a cliffhanger of intense proportions. Im eagerly awaiting Torrent and excited to reunite with characters who have come to life for me.
My heart was pounding throughout the story, I loved coming face to face with Marcello again, reading through Gabi's ordeal and loving the way Bergren ended on a cliffhanger of intense proportions. Im eagerly awaiting Torrent and excited to reunite with characters who have come to life for me.
Rating
Cascade is recommended to mature teens and adult readers. Contains: Romance, war, violence, torture, time travel, plague and sickness, kidnapping, death and political aspects.
5/5- YA-Historical-Time Travel
Thanks to David C. Cook and Jeane Wynn for Ebook and a special thanks to Lisa Bergren for Finished Copy
This book sounds interesting! I'll have to give it a shot!
ReplyDeletesounds like a great book. I love when a second book does just as good as first book.
ReplyDeleteNoooo. You had me sold until you mentioned the intense cliffhanger. I just don't deal well with those.
ReplyDeleteI have heard so many wonderful things about these books! To compare them to LoTR is pretty bold, but definitely attention grabbing.
@Missie- Dont let the cliffhanger scare you...its just one of those OH I CANT WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS type cliffhangers...:)
ReplyDeleteLOTR is one of those epic stories no one can come close too, but I felt while reading this, the same tension I felt when I watched LOTR, just wanting to know what would happen and the feel of the world around the characters..:)
@Renee- You should!! Start with Waterfall first..;)
@Missie- the good thing about this cliffhanger is the author is releasing all three books back to back, so you only have to wait until September to get the last one in the series. It's not like some YA we read and we have to wait a year for a conclusion.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Tina!
Intense Cliffhanger OH NO! I am about to read this. Now I am scared. The good thing is we only have to wait 3 months until the next book PHEW. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteEeeeek! I so want to read this!
ReplyDeletePsst... your blog says it's by "David C. Cook"
Yay, Tina! I'm so glad you liked CASCADE as well as WATERFALL. #2s are always so scary for authors! Hang in there, TORRENT is coming down the pike FAST! And thanks so much for sharing my passion for this series--and telling your readers about it. Love, Lisa
ReplyDelete