A Delightful Discovery
I pre-ordered Lisa T. Bergren’s Rip Tide months ago and had forgotten about it! Imagine my delight when my signed copy showed up in the mail. I quickly dove into it, excited to see what was next in this next installment in the Oceans of Time (sequel series to Rivers of Time).
Check Out Prior Reviews for Context!
If you haven’t looked at my previous reviews on this series (linked above and below), I’d encourage you to do so. Some of what I’ll share in my review is similar content, but I don’t want to completely parrott everything I’ve already written in terms of the plot. Those reviews can give more context to the books as a whole.
A Spoiler-Lite Overview of Rip Tide
Rip Tide picks up nearly immediately after Estuary ends. The Betarrini twins – Luciana and Domenico – are back in 13th century Italy, having narrowly escaped Dr. Manero in present day and healing Ilaria Greco from an otherwise fatal wound. Grateful as they are to be amidst the Forrellis and Grecos once more, there is no time for rest as the lords and ladies of their castello are on trial for assassinations and violence against Firenze that they did not commit. Luciana, Domenico, Tiliani, Guilio, and Ilaria plunge into Firenze to discover who is framing them and clear their family’s name before the fragile peace between Firenze and Siena is broken once more.
What I Liked:
- Fast-Paced: We jump straight back into the action and back into building the relationships. It actually took me just a bit to find my bearings, considering I read Estuary over six months ago, but it came back to me quickly.
- Setting: This book took place largely in Firenze, which was a different setting than we’ve been in with the most recent novels. There were definitely references to prior novels in which Gabi is prisoner in Firenze, which I thought was a fun nod.
What I Liked Less:
- Less Romance: There was a bit less romance in this book and more action. Kisses were still stolen, hearts still pined for, and longing glances still exchanged; but there was less downtime to explore these in this novel than in prior novels.
Overall Book Thoughts
As always with Bergren’s time travel books, I loved the foray into medieval Italy:
- The clan-culture of the Forrellis and Grecos and the way it is contrasted with our individualistic Western societies of today.
- Easy-to-read
- Clean of graphic violence, language, or sex
- Full of good life and faith lessons.
- Relationships (I like the way relationships are taken seriously and the way the “elders” of the book (the parents, the grandmother, et cetera) are respected, even if they’re not always right or perfect)
Final Rating
I’ve said before – the books don’t land exactly the same way they did for me when I was thirteen and starting Waterfall for the first time. I read them differently as an adult and a mother now.
But I still love them, love what they represent, and the escape they are for me. I appreciate Bergren giving her audience so much more to love with the Forrellis and medieval Italy!
Content Rating: Mild
for action/battle sequences and some romantic exchanges
Copyright Lisa T. Bergren and Enclave. Image from Amazon.
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