Review: Torrent by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Published Date: September 1st, 2011
Finished Date: September 25th, 2011
Publishers: David C. Cook
Format: Paperback
Pages: 388
Series: The River of Time Book Three

Blurb from Goodreads: When Gabi and Lia finally learn to surf the river of time, they realize they must make hard choices about life and love in the third and final book in the River of Time series.

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times. But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death.

My Review

I loved it. Period.

I devoured this book. You can see the chew and claw marks on my copy; It's just so utterly... Wow. I am lost for words. Bergren has yet again delivered a masterpiece of a novel. Well done!

Gabi, her sister, Lia, and their mother escaped the battle raging on in olden time Italia to race back to their own time to save Gabi's dad. They succeeded. Duh, lol.

Anyway, after they rescued him, Gabi is anxious to return to her beau's, one Lord Marcello Forelli, side, but because of the unpredictable River of Time (the handprints in Tomb 2), they were thrust back 1 year after they left... And to what? Castello Forelli now under the rule of Firenze and the evil Lord Cosmo Paratore...

Not only that, after being reunited with Marcello and Lia with Luca (that scene is one sweeeet moment), they had to travel to a neutral state to negotiate the terms of release for Fortino, Marcello's brother who has endured one year of torture under the barbaric Firenze's hands, surviving only because of Lord Rodolfo Greco's (my man) continual interference. Surviving, but barely.

Once there, the neutral state turned out to be not so neutral (lol), and so Gabi has a choice to make: to go to Firenze as a prisoner, or to go there as the intended bride of Lord Greco - whom I would like to remind, is one of Firenze's leaders.

It's hard to think of him as barbaric like the rest of his brethren, what with all the hotness and awesomeness and charm oozing out of the pages..Haha, now I sound so gay and girlie. Blueargh. But yes, he is Gabi and Marcello's enemy.

I have to say this again - I loved it; Every single minute of it, tho I thought that it ended too soon and too quick. I wanted more, I craved more of it.. Sigh, I know I know, like everything else, all good things have to come to an end.. Stupid nature law.

Bergren managed to incorporate threefolds more suspense and action, more challenges and obstacles that at one point, Gabi almost lost her marbles. Like seriously lose it. She went screaming and running away from Marcello and her family kind of crazy. But apart from the crazy side of things, there were more romance and heartbreak, sweet moments and times where you just felt like smashing your face into the pages so that you can also be transported there to experience what the characters are experiencing.

There is this one part I find that I must quote. And must you guess who's spotlight moment that is? It is my one and only froggy (in case you haven't read my previous reviews for WATERFALL and CASCADE, I really think the name Greco sounds like a frog..)!

This quote is going to be long..Approximately 1 page worth of text, but totally worth the typing.

Quote: [Gabi is talking to Rodolfo, a few hours before their forced nuptials.]

" The knock at my door made me jump in surprise. Hurriedly, I closed the shutters and went to the door and cautiously opened it a crack. Rodolfo. With the guard behind him.

His lips parted, and his eyes widened in wonder. He shook his head a little, "M'lady...you are exquisite."

I fought the urge to stare back at him. Because he appeared more the Roman god than ever, all six feet of him, his olive skin glistening with oils beneath his white toga, tied at the waist. A ring of greenery around his hair. And the smell of him--perfumes of sandalwood and spice...

...................(redundant part)

I paused at the fruit bowl and lifted a tiny apple to take a bite, hearing the door shut behind him and feeling his approach more than hearing it. He was silent. Stealthy. How did he do that?

He put his broad hands on my shoulders and then dragged them downward, terribly, beautifully, painfully slowly, across several inches until they rested on my upper arms, skin against skin. I could feel the warmth of his chest behind me, and I closed my eyes, trying to summon the strength to move away, to break this trance I seemed to be in. But he was pulling me closer, silently asking my permission. Letting his left hand run down the length of my arm, entwining his fingers with mine, wrapping both our arms in front of my waist. I could feel his breath past my ear. Felt him hold it a moment, then pick up speed, full of desire. His lips, soft and warm, pressed into my temple, then moved down toward my jaw. Each kiss sent delicious shivers down my spine, down my arms. "Gabriella," he moaned, each word a warm huff upon my skin. He leaned his face against mine, heavy, as if weak. "Forgive me, I cannot help myself. I want you. Want you for my own. Be my wife. Be mine." "

If you're wondering why they're in togas, it's because they're getting married in Roma, so they have to follow their customs and all. But isn't he just delicious?? Lol. Ok, I should tone down on the pervy-ness.

But if you're fuming at Gabi for two-timing, rest assure, she pushed him away. Sigh, that's why I didn't continue typing. But Rodolfo helped her escape in the end..Know why? Cause he's the self-sacrificing one, the loyal friend who gave his heart to his friend's girl. Which is sad.

There was much more Christianity stuff inbued here, more than WATERFALL and CASCADE. I was fine with it, I mean, it made Gabi stronger, wiser, and ultimately more mature, AND I guess olden time peeps are all more into religion, so it made it more believable. But it did get rather cheesy sometimes, especially when Gabi started spouting some life philosophies. But it was fine, very inspiring and all.

All in all, I loved the adrenaline-pumping action, the schemes, deception, and suspense. I loved the courage and bravery of the now-united Betarrini family. I loved the colorful, beautiful world of olden Italia. And most of all, I loved the sweet romance infused within its pages. It was an utterly delightful ride down the river of time together with a wonderful cast of characters. In a way, it was a bittersweet reading process because I knew that this would mark the end of our journey with them, but one that I would most happily embark upon again in the near future (which is after my stupid, stupid exams >:(  ).

My Rating