An All-Time Favorite YA Series
I am so excited to review one of my all-time favorite book series! I stumbled across Lisa T. Bergren’s River of Time back in late middle school and became absolutely hooked. Since 8th grade, I’ve read the original trilogy four times and the highly-anticipated sequels at least three times. I know these stories by heart!
Series Overview
The River of Time series is originally made up of three novels with two novellas and a finale added several years later:
- Waterfall
- Cascade
- Torrent
- Bourne & Tributary
- Deluge
These books tell the sweeping tale of the Betarrini sisters, Gabi and Lia. They’re spending yet another summer at a hot and dusty archaeological site in Nowhereville, Italy as their recently widowed mom begins work at a new dig.
Seriously bored, the two sisters break their mother’s cardinal rule and explore the tombs at the site. With one touch to a handprint on a tomb’s wall, Gabi and Lia are sent back in time. Nearly 700 years. To 14th century medieval Italy. In the middle of a battle.
Oh, but not only do Gabi and Lia fall through time, they also fall head-over-heels in love. Enter Marcello, Luca, and the entire cast of ever-loyal and lovable characters comprising Castello Forelli, the beautiful castle these handsome men call home.
Gimmicky? Or Worth the Read?
Sound gimmicky? It’s so not. Imagine a PG-version of Outlander.
What this Time-Travel Series Does Right:
- Fascinating Medieval Setting: Medieval Italy absolutely comes to life. Filled to the brim with castles, knights, feasts, bloody battles, political turmoil and tension, readers can taste, smell, and feel 14th century life.
- Contrast to Modern Life: While classified as YA, the books don’t shy away from the difficulties of the 14th century world as compared to Gabi’s 21st century life: gruesome battles are frequent, illnesses and infections for which there was no cure at the time are rampant, and women’s rights are a long, long way’s off.
- But Bergren uses this contrast to showcase the ideals so often lost in today’s world: community, loyalty, family, faith, and living each day to the fullest.
- Fast-Paced: Full of action and adventure, the plot moves swiftly and is well-paced.
- Swoon-worthy Romance: Oh, the drama! There’s a lot of falling in love, but romance readers will love the yearning and chemistry. You’ll fall in love right along with the characters.
- Humorous: Even with the gravity of the situations that the characters find themselves in, Bergren weaves in humor. Sometimes this is only manifested in Gabi’s thought processes. 21st century thought processes mixed in with the seriousness and formality of 14th century castle life… It’s a great combination!
Is River of Time for You?
If you like:
- Time-travel adventures
- Good writing
- Knee-weakening romance
- Clean romance
- Lots of action and drama
- Themes of loyalty, family, and faith
- Sisterhood
- Found family
- Secret brotherhood
- Medieval setting
- Handsome knights
Then you really, really need to pick up this series!
If You Like Clean Time-Travel Romance:
Consider picking up the following:
- Oceans of Time (Lisa T. Bergren) – a sequel series to River of Time
- Waters of Time (Jody Hedlund) – an adult time-travel series
Though these three series sound similar, Bergren’s and Hedlund’s books are quite different.
Final Thoughts
Even after reading Deluge (the last book) for the third or fourth time, I hated parting with the Betarrinis and those at Castello Forelli. Bergren’s story brings you in and makes you feel like part of the family. This remains an absolute favorite of mine.
Go read it.
Content Rating: Moderate
for action scenes and closed-door romance
Copyright Lisa T. Bergren and Bethany House. Image from Amazon.com.
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