Cascade

Title: Cascade
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
Publisher: David C Cook
Pages: 399
ISBN: 978-1-4347-6431-7

Synopsis: 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, months have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence--while their enemies will go to great lengths to see them dead.

Even in the midst of the battles, Gabi's heart is increasingly drawn to Marcello, just as Lia's is to Luca. In medieval Italy, the sisters discover things inside themselves that they couldn't seem to understand in the present--connection with their mom, courage within, and the understanding that a life well lived often means encountering sacrifice. But in a world long past, many things still keep Gabi from giving Marcello her heart forever...and one thing in particular calls all three of the Betarrinis home.

I have to start off by saying, I liked Cascade more then waterfall! The River of Time Series seems to keep getting better with each book.

Cascade picks up right where we left off in Waterfall. Gabi and Lia have made it back to the present and they are discovered by a group of archeologist in the area working on excavating the tombs of the ancient Italians. At the end of Waterfall, Gabi was slowly recovering from a bad wound when she was poisoned. Lia and Gabi knew, that the only way for her to be healed was to head back to modern medicine. However, in the trip through the time portal, Gabi was healed and she was ready to head back. The archeologist on the other hand wanted these two teenagers out of their area.

Gabi and Lia find their mother at the sight wondering if she would have been worried at their disappearance, only to find just thirty minutes have passed, even though they had spent three weeks in the past. Their mother is mortified over the fact that they were at a dig site, but then realizes what they are wearing. Too stunned to believe what is being said, Gabi and Lia drag their mother back to the handprints on the tomb wall. After a debate, all three head back in time.

Even though Gabi and Lia had only been back in the present for just thirty minutes, three months have passed and they arrive during the fall. Luca and Marcello have left things in the tomb for the girls, with hopes that they would bring their mother, and come back to them.

Cascade's story was fast paced! I loved every minute of my time in Medieval Italy. The character's continue to grow and the story keeps growing with them. Marcello broke off his betrothal to Romona to wait for Gabi and in the time that Gabi is gone, Romona had a betrothal set up to Marcello's older brother Fortino. The city of Siena want to celebrate the victory that the sisters help bring about. However, woven into the story are lines of betrayal, double crossing, and battles.

The strength that the sisters show in these stories is fantastic! They do not sit on the side lines waiting for someone to do something for them, they know when they must help whether it be helping the sick or picking up their weapons. I liked that in Cascade, we got to see more of Lia.She is just as strong as her sister Gabi and as lethal.

Marcello and Luca are back (yay!). They are right up their now on my list of top literary men. They are guys of faith, respect, and protectiveness, and thankfully like other YA books it does not go into the area of stalking. Marello and Luca are the definition of gentlemen.

No spoilers, I promise, but I loved the ending. I can't wait to get the next books.

I loved Cascade, it is a Too Read!
5/5.