by Lisa T. Bergren
Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives among the romantic hills with their archaelogist parents. Stuck among the rubble of the medieval castles in rural Tuscany, on yet another hot, dusty archaeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds...until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.
Suddenly Gabi's summer in Italy is much, much more interesting.
Wow, this was everything it has been built up to be. I loved this book and can't wait to see what will happen next. How long will I have to wait? I don't know if I will make it. Maybe, if I time traveled to the future I wouldn't have to wait too long. But then again I might run into a few problems. Am I really prepared?
The story was excellent. Lisa Bergren has taken the subject of time travel and made it a delight to read. I didn't think it could be done. So glad to be proven wrong. Somehow even having read several not so great books about time travel this one has caught my attention as well as my heart.
The characters are so absolutely fabulous. The question guide at the back asks a question about which male character you would give your heart to if you could be in Gabrielle's place. I honestly couldn't choose for once. I loved all the male leading good side characters. They each have flaws but hearts of gold. It is a good thing they are safely tucked away in history so as to not be in the realm of possibility (wink, wink). I also completely agree with another review I have read that Lisa has done a super job of making Gabrielle's reactions to the time transfer completely believable. I must agree that when I read too many Austen books in a row I start to speak a bit more like they do.
There are so many great conflict and danger riddled throughout the book as to keep you turning pages late into the night. The ending of the book, to my mind, should have been a real let down. Astoundingly, I am not left downhearted but completely hopeful. The ending feels just right, I might even say perfect. Hooray! I totally recommend this book.
