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Author: Rachel Harris
Release Date: September 11th 2012
Genre: YA, Magical Realism, Contemp/Historical
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Pages: Unknown
Source: ARC (provided by the publisher - thank you!!!)
On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.
Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore.
Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?.
OMG. There's not enough words to describe how much I LOVED this book. Ever since getting an e-ARC late last month, I've already devoured it three times since. It's just that spectacular and mesmerizing. It's already got a place in my favourite debuts and favourite books ever.
What really made this debut book stand out was the characters. Yes, y'all know that I'm a big characters girl. I'm one of those readers where the characters are the most important element of the story. And yes. THIS BOOK HAS GOT EVERYTHING I LOVE IN A BOOK. And I just love love love all of the characters. (Well, except one or maybe two, you know who I'm talking about, right?) Especially Cat/Patience, Alessandra, Cipriano and Lorenzo. *Sigh*. Rachel has written some of my favourite characters EVER.
I want the main character Cat as my best friend. Seriously. This girl just rocks. She's my YA girl alike. She's got a great sense of humor, she's independent and fiercely determined. Not to mention she's funny as hell. I was literally laughing out loud at some of her lines. And what really made me love her more is that she's SO relatable. It may or may not be 'cause we're the same age. And I love that there's mentions of pop culture and the media, and people like Rihanna, Miley, and the Kardashians and that she's such a girly girl. AND she's got a painted pear tattoo. YES.
I really don't want to make this just telling you about how much I adored the rest of the characters, but I have to mention Alessandra. Or Less, as Cat calls her. Cat's 'cousin' was just SO adorable and so sweet and so nice. Gosh. I also didn't expect to like Less's brother Cip (Cipriano), he suprised me a lot. And I don't even need to mention Lorenzo. SWOON. As if I need another reason to wish I was born in the Renaissance time. And Reyna is such an interesting character. I don't think I've ever read about a gypsy as captivating as her!
Italy!! This book is actually set in ITALY. *faints* Yes. Finally. I've never been to Italy (though I freaking want to!) but reading this book just WOW it made me feel like I was actually in Florence, and in the Renaissance time itself. Rachel just has a way of making you feel like you're actually there. Didn't I tell you she's a genius? :)
About the actual plot itself, well what else can I say? It was just perfect. I don't know about you, but I found it pretty unpredictable. And I had such a great time trying to guess what's going to happen next. I couldn't stop reading this (read it in one sitting) and the writing and pacing was just right. :)
I really really appreciated the lessons that Cat learned at the end of the book. Her character development was absolutely astounding. I loved seeing her grow. And I loved (I've lost count how many times I've said LOVED on this review) how highly creative this book is. I loved the idea of the gypsy tent and how Rachel made Cat's family really famous in the modern day world. I haven't read any YA book so far that has a MC with a famous director for a father and an actress for a mother. Nor the idea for a story surrounding her Sweet Sixteen. And lemme just tell you - my Sweet Sixteenth earlier this year wasn't nearly as exciting as this. :P
I don't think I've ever read a book as light or as fun as this. This just reminds me why I love reading. Why I love YA. Rachel Harris, I applaud you! I've already pre-ordered this (AND YOU SHOULD, TOO!) and I can say that I'll happily read everything that Rachel writes. This writer is one to watch out.
Did you hear me screaming from right here when I heard that there will be a companion novel (starring Less!) called A Tale of Two Centuries? Yes? No? Yeah that was me. Please please please gimme the book now. I don't think I can handle the wait. *suffers*
I want the main character Cat as my best friend. Seriously. This girl just rocks. She's my YA girl alike. She's got a great sense of humor, she's independent and fiercely determined. Not to mention she's funny as hell. I was literally laughing out loud at some of her lines. And what really made me love her more is that she's SO relatable. It may or may not be 'cause we're the same age. And I love that there's mentions of pop culture and the media, and people like Rihanna, Miley, and the Kardashians and that she's such a girly girl. AND she's got a painted pear tattoo. YES.
I really don't want to make this just telling you about how much I adored the rest of the characters, but I have to mention Alessandra. Or Less, as Cat calls her. Cat's 'cousin' was just SO adorable and so sweet and so nice. Gosh. I also didn't expect to like Less's brother Cip (Cipriano), he suprised me a lot. And I don't even need to mention Lorenzo. SWOON. As if I need another reason to wish I was born in the Renaissance time. And Reyna is such an interesting character. I don't think I've ever read about a gypsy as captivating as her!
Italy!! This book is actually set in ITALY. *faints* Yes. Finally. I've never been to Italy (though I freaking want to!) but reading this book just WOW it made me feel like I was actually in Florence, and in the Renaissance time itself. Rachel just has a way of making you feel like you're actually there. Didn't I tell you she's a genius? :)
About the actual plot itself, well what else can I say? It was just perfect. I don't know about you, but I found it pretty unpredictable. And I had such a great time trying to guess what's going to happen next. I couldn't stop reading this (read it in one sitting) and the writing and pacing was just right. :)
I really really appreciated the lessons that Cat learned at the end of the book. Her character development was absolutely astounding. I loved seeing her grow. And I loved (I've lost count how many times I've said LOVED on this review) how highly creative this book is. I loved the idea of the gypsy tent and how Rachel made Cat's family really famous in the modern day world. I haven't read any YA book so far that has a MC with a famous director for a father and an actress for a mother. Nor the idea for a story surrounding her Sweet Sixteen. And lemme just tell you - my Sweet Sixteenth earlier this year wasn't nearly as exciting as this. :P
I don't think I've ever read a book as light or as fun as this. This just reminds me why I love reading. Why I love YA. Rachel Harris, I applaud you! I've already pre-ordered this (AND YOU SHOULD, TOO!) and I can say that I'll happily read everything that Rachel writes. This writer is one to watch out.
Did you hear me screaming from right here when I heard that there will be a companion novel (starring Less!) called A Tale of Two Centuries? Yes? No? Yeah that was me. Please please please gimme the book now. I don't think I can handle the wait. *suffers*
ALSO. Don't forget to come back here on September 14th for the official MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH blog tour hosted by Entangled. I'll be posting an interview with one of the sweetest authors ever, Rachel Harris :) Can I just say I loved her answers? Oh, and watch the super sweet book trailer below!
Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating.
I also really loved this book! Great review :)
ReplyDeletegreat review... :)
ReplyDeleteSo cool you loved it like that! I love a book with excellent characters!
ReplyDeleteGreat revieww!
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing good things about this!
-Cynthia
You cant handle the wait for a tale of two centuries? Im going crazy I wanna read this one because the reviews are awesome!
ReplyDeleteWow... You must really, really love this one very much... And e-copy and you also pre-ordered... Don't worry I understand cause I also do that... =)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this!!!
Great review. I loved this book to. Didn't you love their first kiss. I thought it was great.
ReplyDelete