Book Recap: Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

Cover Inpection:
Like the first book, the cover is dull to me. 

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):
Mom touched my underdress—a gown made six hundred years before—and her eyes widened as she rubbed the raw silk between thumb and forefinger. She turned and touched Lia’s gown. “Where did you get these clothes?”

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, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.

But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	2.0
Plot	3.5
Writing	3.0
Characters	4.0
Ending	3.0
Overall Rating	3.0 Very Good! (89% to 92%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

LOCATION/SETTING:
The story begins right after the girls went back to the twenty first century and were caught trespassing in the cave. Then they were brought to their mother. It appears that every minute in the modern period is one day in the 1300s. This is the reason why Gabi is very anxious to go back in the past for fear that Marcello might move on already, or worse, marry Lady Rossi.

MAIN CHARACTER:
Of course the main character is still Gabi. She remains to be the strong girl that we knew from the first book, however, in the sequel, she has grown so much as a person. She matured in so many ways than one. For one, she realizes she loves Marcello, and that it is not just some teenage infatuation. She is even considering living in the 1300s just to be with him. Also, this second book shows the strength of her character, and that she is very much willing to endure pain for those she loves. Also, in this book, we get to know more about Lia and their mother.

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:
This book is about politics, treachery, and war. That combined with love and romance produces a moving story that stirs deep in the core. Just when Gabi realized she cannot live without Marcello, someone betrays them and everything goes downhill. War and the Black Plague are looming. Thus, Gabi must fight for the people she loves. Here, she learns how evil and cruel people can be. Her selflessness and sacrifice shines all throughout the book. She endured humiliation and so much more in order to save those dear to her. Indeed, she is the heroine that every YA book should be - the kind where beauty, intelligence, and courage mix and mingle. The love between Gabi and Marcello changes from being light and fluffy to one that is serious and heartbreaking. It's just very sad to have the right love at the wrong time.

LOVE:
I am not a sadist or anything, but I love that Gabi endured so much in this book. ** spoilers ahead! ** I especially loved the part when she was dragged in town like some criminal. The townsfolk threw fruits at her, calling her names. It was so barbaric, I felt so bad for her. That part of the story truly made my heart ache. ** spoilers end. **

NO LOVE:
This is the romantic in me speaking. I disliked the chapters when our knight in shining armor was absent. I remember browsing through the chapters just to see when Marcello would be coming back to rescue Gabi. Not good, I know. But I am in love with him, and I want to read about him.

FAVORITE CHARACTER:
Lia. Whereas in the first book, she was the girl to be saved (not saying she is a damsel in distress), here, she shows her fierce side, such that even the men consider her as a threat especially with her bow and arrow. I even think that she is better with her bow and arrow than Gabi is with her sword.

FAVORITE LINE:

Loyalty is not loyalty unless one clings to it in the face of adversity.

MUSINGS:

I am very intrigued by this Lord Greco! Gabi described him as very, very handsome. I mean, just how handsome can he be? Is he hotter than Marcello? I want more of this guy. I want to get to know him. Maybe in book three...

DOODLES:

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:

Lisa Tawn Bergren

SIMILAR READS:
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
Chime by Franny Billingsley
Hourglass by Myra McEntire

CONTENT REVIEW:
profanity: mild
violence: moderate
sexual content: mild
mature themes: mild
age recommendation: 13+