Nocturnal Book Reviews

4.5/5
Absolutely gorgeous. I'm totally in love with the book!

Waterfall was nothing like I expected. I was prepared to read somewhat watered down, rosy, time-travel YA with a cutesy and clumsy main heroine.

Hah! I say, hah!

Down and dirty, gritty and atmospheric with a more than capable heroine. She can fence! She can heal! She scales the walls! Oh, man... I was in heaven.

This very much reminded me of The Outlander, and I truly can't wait to read more about Gabriella and her younger sister (who is an archer!), Lia.

Even the men in this book are interesting, Marcello and his learned but sickly older brother, Luca - Marcello's cheerful, cheeky second in command. The love line is a bit overdramatic and very troubadour-ish, and historically I had to suspend my disbelief in many places, however the writing itself outshines all the flaws.

I love Renaissance, and here is the story which I'm not very familiar with about two Italian city-states Florence and Siena, and their political battle against each other.

17 year-old Gabi and her 15 year old sister Lia came to Italy with their mother who is an archaeologist researching old Etruscan burial sites. Bored out of her mind Gabi sneaks into one of the tombs with Lia and they both touch certain stones on the wall at the same time, which transfers them back in time. Way back to the 14th century.

And that's where all the fun starts. Which I'm not telling you about.

Suffice to say there is plenty of excitement. And now because of this book I have another Italian town on my MUST SEE before I die list, - Siena.