While on an archaeological dig with their mother in Tuscany Italy, 17-year-old Gabi and her 15-year-old sister Lia stumble upon mysterious handprints that snatch the sisters back to the year 1332. The sisters are separated and Gabi lands in the middle of a battle where the young and handsome Sir Marcello Forelli and the knights of Castle Forelli rescue her from the evil Paratores ensconced in a formidable castle nearby. Fluent in Italian and resourceful, Gabi quickly gets her bearings, and pretends to be a lost Norman separated from her mother and sister. While caught up in the desperate struggle to find and rescue Lia, Gabriella falls in love with Marcello who is betrothed to Lady Rossi from a powerful Siena family. All sorts of romance, war, intrigue and chaos ensue.
Lisa T. Bergren has spun a compelling tale around a contemporary teen heroine who suddenly finds herself in medieval Italy. The plot evolves with faint echoes of The Hunger Games, only with a more relatable character, but just as much graphic violence. The first person narrative and dialogue were both sharp, the spirituality although subtle, was well done and offered hope.
Age Range: 11 and up
This book was grea! I read through it over a weekend, and was pulled in by the adventure!