Monday, March 12, 2012

Review: Bourne

BOURNE (River of Time #3.1)
Lisa T. Bergren
Historical Young Adult
e-novella
Self-published
Available Now
Received from author for review

THE STORY (from author website)
In this e-novella, River of Time #3.1, the dramatic tale about the Betarrinis and Forellis continues, picking up directly after where Torrent left off… The battle is done at the front, but the battle is only beginning back at Castello Forelli. Marcello fights for his life; Lord Greco fights to find his place; and Lia fights for love.

MY THOUGHTS
A read that’s easily devoured in a single sitting, Bourne is a treat for fans of The River of Time series, returning us to the Betarrinis for a brief but emotionally and physically intense visit before leaving us wanting more of everything from the characters and world we’ve come to care about so much. This novella gives a little something new in the form of Lia’s point of view, allowing us into the head of the younger Betarrini sister as she and Luca continue their romantically-tense dance, but with the new we also have the familiar comfort of Gabriella’s perspective as she and Marcello deal with the aftermath of the events of Torrent. As always, Ms. Bergen sublimely depicts both the beauty and the ugliness of life in medieval Italy, sweet flirtations accompanying the brutality of war to leave us utterly exhausted by the end given all the energy we’ve expelled reveling in the happy moments and despairing in the tragic ones.

Gabi and Lia are as enjoyable as ever, both strong-willed women who’ve proven themselves to be skilled fighters, and it’s nothing short of an absolute pleasure to watch as these modern young woman are courted in a time of chivalry and extreme gallantry. Both girls delight in Marcello and Luca's ingrained sense of honor at the same time they rebel against it, wanting to take up arms and defend those they love with every ounce of strength they possess instead of playing demure ladies who simply wait for their loved ones to return from battle. Spending extra time with Lia and Luca is thrilling, the tension between them crackling so strongly we can almost feel the tingles in our fingertips as we touch the pages (or screen as it were), our desire to see their romance unfold all-encompassing now that Marcello and Gabi are married.

Fans of Lord Greco may be slightly disappointed in this novella as Rodolfo is present throughout but definitely relegated to the background when Lia and Luca take center stage, and though we certainly won't complain about the new couple at the forefront, we can’t help but want more time with the man who is an undeniably intriguing mystery–sometimes a friend and sometimes a foe, but always someone who draws our gaze whether or not he is meant to be the object of our unwavering focus. Overall, Ms. Bergren packs a great deal of action as well as a touch of romance in a short number of pages, reminding us of what we love about this world and the characters who inhabit it while also making it glaringly apparent that we’ll not be satisfied until we have happy endings for every single person to whom we’ve been introduced.

Rating 4/5

33 comments:

  1. I'm really in love with the last line of your review because that's exactly what I think a novella is for! <3 It's meant to be entertaining and to remind us what we love about the characters, so I'm glad that this novella does that! :) And the chemistry between Lia and Luca (who have very awesome names) sounds combustible!

    Beautiful review, Jenny! This series is slowly but surely making its way to the top of my TBR pile, and this review just gave it a little boost! ;) <3

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  2. Hmmmm never heard of this before, but you have a way of making me want to read books I would never otherwise consider (naturally) ;)

    Great review!

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  3. Mimi - I really enjoyed this series, it was fun to see modern day young women sent back to the medieval time period:) And Marcello, Luca, and Greco are super swoon worthy!

    Melissa - I think you would like these books! They're really fun with some grit and darkness mixed in to suit the time period:)

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  4. I have heard nothing but good things about this series. I really need to read it already! I think I have the first book on my Nook... I need to check on that! Glad you enjoyed this!

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  5. Thanks so much for reading River #3.1, Jenny! You are truly a She-Wolf among book reviewers...What a comprehensive review! Rodolfo is coming along...Felt like he really needed some time to digest what has happened before he takes center stage in TRIBUTARY (#3.2, coming in June!). A hero's heart, after all, has to be whole, before it can be shared with another. Right? xoxo

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  6. Jenny- Love love your review! I agree with you....more Greco!! I think book 4 will blow us all away I..cant wait!!!

    Oh my gosh this series has my hackles all up too when people give it a hard time...I left a snarky comment on an Amazon review because they said something mean about Lisa...I NEVER DO THAT!!!!!!! Im starting my own GR scandal.....Dont mess with Greco or its creator.......lol

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  7. You just reminded me that I need to catch up and get started on book two!

    Nice review :)

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  8. Christy - I just love this series, the characters are brilliantly executed in my opinion!

    Lisa - Of course! You know my love for this series (and GRECO!!!!!) runs deep:) Also, I might die waiting for TRIBUTARY. Just saying.

    Tina - MORE GRECO!!!! That will always be my wish for this series no matter how much Greco we actually get:) And I wrote you an email.

    Lea - YAY! I think the books get better as they go:)

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  9. I agree with Mimi. Sometimes we want to know what's going on with everyone! Again, a beautiful review. I love the Medieval Era, but have never read anything that took place in Italy.

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  10. I think this may be the book to get me back to reading. I feel like I'm in a massive slump right now and it seems that characters I've already grown to love do a lot for my reading slumps. :) I've got to go pick this book up from Amazon.

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  11. This series is new to me. I'm glad that you really enjoyed it.

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  12. I LOVE the River of Time series. It's definitely one of my all time favourites and I am determined to get round to this short as soon as possible. It'll be nice to return to that world, even if for a few short hours. :) Wonderful review!

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  13. I have only read the first book in this series. It has quite a fan following. I thought I recenlty read something about a continuation of the series. I love,nice short little novelllas. Oh I see reading the comments that Lisa is working on another book. I need to read the other two books now.
    I really liked Luca and Lia and I want to see them together.

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  14. "romantically-tense dance"

    Oh, what a delicious way to word their love story, Jenny. Those two!

    But, you're right, I'm a little disappointed we don't get more Greco face time. I was really hoping the story would be told from his POV.

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  15. Well I've yet to read the first 3 books in this series... But everyone raves about those too! Lol

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  16. I think I am thinking of the right series but I better google to be sure

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  17. Pam - Yep. I want more of everyone in this series! Especially Grego. Have I made that clear? ;-)

    Jen - It's a super quick read, you'll blow through it in no time. Loved:)

    Jennifer - I'm a huge fan of this series - really amazing characters:)

    Sam - YAY! ME TOO! Can't wait to see what you think:)

    Heidi - I'm hoping she'll get to do more full length novels, but I'm content for now with fun novellas:)

    Missie - Love Lia and Luca, but Greco is my guy. I want LOTS more of him:)

    Ashley - DO IT! I think you'll like them:)

    Linda - I highly recommend these books:)

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  18. Yep, I want more Lord Greco too! We have to talk EVERYONE we know into buying this whole series so she can sell more of her books so we can get more Lord Greco!

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  19. I've always wanted to take the time to read this series but I've never taken the time to DO IT. I even have the first book. What's my problem, Jenny?

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  20. I think it'd be fun to go back and be "courted" and have men treat me gallantly. I'm sure I'd tire of all the other bits--no deodorant, poor hygiene, death at a young age--but it'd be fun to be pampered for a while.

    And novellas sometimes fill that big gap between books, like a snack between meals.

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  21. I hear such great things about this series from everyone, including you, I can't believe I still haven't started it yet! Love the review. These novellas are always so great when you want a taste of the writer's style or you're missing the characters. :)

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  22. YOU TOTALLY DESCRIBED THE WAY I FELT. It's like you plucked the words and feelings jumping around in my head and poured them out so eloquently. Gosh, THIS IS A TREAT for us fans. I adored this story so much, I was grinning almost the whole way through :D

    Asher

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  23. *sobs to hear that Rodolfo was relegated to the background* On the other hand, I'm curious to see things through the eyes of Lia and thrilled that we get more of Luca. I can't wait for book 4!

    Oh, and Rodolfo's happy ending shall be with me.

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  24. I love this cover. Though I haven't read the Rive of Time series yet I do remember hearing how great is is from you and from other bloggers.

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  25. Okay, I didn't read the review, because I haven't read past Waterfall yet. I know for shame, for shame. But I will! Could we have another read-a-long?

    Heather

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  26. Sounds great. I would miss Lord Greco's presence, but I can't get enough of Luca. And I like that Lia's POV is in there now. Is this one free?

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  27. Thanks for the fabuous review Jenny !! I ordered the first book in the River of Times series yesterday because I've heard amazing things about it and I can't wait to get it and start reading this wonderful series !!

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  28. ACK! Can you believe I still have the first one on my tbr staring at me... willing me to read it. Oh I think I need to get this one to add to that reading list. It looks like a great addition!

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  29. BTW... anon was me... don't know why it did that. :P

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  30. So excited for this book! Loved the review Jenny!

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  31. I was just saying on Tweet that I wish she'd come up with more books, I feel like the story is far from being over! There's so much more...
    I wish it weren't a novella but it does give me hope that she's not completely done with the series!

    Thank you so much for sharing this!!! Big hugs for this info and off I go to get it!

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  32. Oh gosh, here is another series that I have had for a while but have yet to read! I love the fact that you can read this entire novella in one sitting and I especially love the fact that Lisa works so hard in making sure that each of her characters get the ending that they deserve! Must move this up in my TBR pile!

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  33. This was an awesome book! I was immediately transported back in time right where Torrent left off. Ms. Bergren includes all the aspects of a great book, and I loved getting back into Gabi and Lia's life. It was neat getting to read from Lia's point of view, but I am so glad she included Gabi's too.

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