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Tempus Viatores: The Acolytes of Clio #1
Priestess of Herculaneum
Time travel should be a historian’s dream come true. But when Alex is tossed into the past, how real is too real?
Alexandra Lindgren thought her life was perfect. A history buff with her dream job as a museum archivist, a fabulous boyfriend, and a great social life. The only way life could get better would be to experience the past firsthand... But hours after her boyfriend dumps her, she’s tossed back into ancient Herculaneum – only weeks before Mount Vesuvius is set to erupt. As the reality of living in the past sets in, Alexandra realizes that it may not be as enchanting as she imagined. Especially since she has no idea how to get home. However, hope appears in an unexpected form – Clio, the Muse of history, emerges and offers Alexandra a way back to the present. The condition? Alexandra must save Titus, a handsome young man who was never meant to be in Herculaneum. The mission seems straightforward, but the path ahead is fraught with peril. Soon Alex and Titus are embroiled in a supernatural power struggle with enemies around every corner. Will they escape Vesuvius? Or will history be a little too real this time?
Alexandra Lindgren thought her life was perfect. A history buff with her dream job as a museum archivist, a fabulous boyfriend, and a great social life. The only way life could get better would be to experience the past firsthand... But hours after her boyfriend dumps her, she’s tossed back into ancient Herculaneum – only weeks before Mount Vesuvius is set to erupt. As the reality of living in the past sets in, Alexandra realizes that it may not be as enchanting as she imagined. Especially since she has no idea how to get home. However, hope appears in an unexpected form – Clio, the Muse of history, emerges and offers Alexandra a way back to the present. The condition? Alexandra must save Titus, a handsome young man who was never meant to be in Herculaneum. The mission seems straightforward, but the path ahead is fraught with peril. Soon Alex and Titus are embroiled in a supernatural power struggle with enemies around every corner. Will they escape Vesuvius? Or will history be a little too real this time?
- GenresMythologyTime Travel
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 26, 2023
4 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 12, 2023
Huge thanks to L.L Nelson for an ARC Copy
3.5 ⭐
A very enjoyable read, perfect for those who love time travel and mythology elements in their fantasy reads.
The time travel aspect felt heavily inspired by Dr. Who. The goddesses were also portrayed as these immortal beings instead of deities, which ultimately gives the book sci-fi vibes. I do really love the world Nelson has created. It made me long for a holiday in Italy.
Alex and Titus were likeable characters. The romance was very cheesy, but I'm not complaining. It was cute and it made me laugh!
The only thing I didn't like was Titus's (and everyone else in that timeline) 'formal' way of speaking. It just didn't seem like it had that natural flow. I also couldn't imagine someone talking like that (regardless of the time). It was especially noticeable against Alex's modern and casual dialogues.
However, overall this was still a good read and can't wait for the next installment ❤️
3.5 ⭐
A very enjoyable read, perfect for those who love time travel and mythology elements in their fantasy reads.
The time travel aspect felt heavily inspired by Dr. Who. The goddesses were also portrayed as these immortal beings instead of deities, which ultimately gives the book sci-fi vibes. I do really love the world Nelson has created. It made me long for a holiday in Italy.
Alex and Titus were likeable characters. The romance was very cheesy, but I'm not complaining. It was cute and it made me laugh!
The only thing I didn't like was Titus's (and everyone else in that timeline) 'formal' way of speaking. It just didn't seem like it had that natural flow. I also couldn't imagine someone talking like that (regardless of the time). It was especially noticeable against Alex's modern and casual dialogues.
However, overall this was still a good read and can't wait for the next installment ❤️
February 6, 2024
This could have been so good, the concept is there, the research was pretty good and the storyline could have been great. Unfortunately it was full of overly cheesy writing, convenient plot points, unrealistic romance and bad characters.
The concept of time travel, meeting deities and trying to save someone could have been awesome. However, the deities were poorly written, either overly helpful or overly 'villainous' only showing up to further or delay the plot rather than actually forming part of the narrative. How the MC is suddenly fluent in Latin and Greek, despite being unable to understand anything in the beginning and often not understanding random words, is never really explained. The MC is given a mission, which (spoiler) she ultimately fails because she is unable to actually stick to a plan, be firm in what needs to happen and is overly emotional. Like she fully falls in love with the MMC within a few chapters of meeting him, despite having just been broken up with after a 5 year relationship, and she succumbs to his will immediately. Going to try and save loads of people instead of focusing on her mission...
The main character was so annoying, overly emotional, yet at times overly confident, and constantly whining about her situation. She is so immediately submissive, to the deities, good and bad, and to the MMC. She's meant to be a chosen, strong, intelligent woman, instead all she does is run away and occasionally spout historical facts...
The romance element was awfully done, it came out of nowhere, she completely falls for him because he is pretty(?) and he falls for her because she is submissive to him immediately. He is apparently the only Roman who respects women and is open to modern views... How convenient. Let's not even talk about using worshipping your temple as a sex metaphor... ew.
The villain was badly written and honestly randomly overpowered half way through. The MC also became completely useless in her presence and the presence of her minions... If you like stories where the maiden needs constantly saving by men and deities, this is for you.
The concept of time travel, meeting deities and trying to save someone could have been awesome. However, the deities were poorly written, either overly helpful or overly 'villainous' only showing up to further or delay the plot rather than actually forming part of the narrative. How the MC is suddenly fluent in Latin and Greek, despite being unable to understand anything in the beginning and often not understanding random words, is never really explained. The MC is given a mission, which (spoiler) she ultimately fails because she is unable to actually stick to a plan, be firm in what needs to happen and is overly emotional. Like she fully falls in love with the MMC within a few chapters of meeting him, despite having just been broken up with after a 5 year relationship, and she succumbs to his will immediately. Going to try and save loads of people instead of focusing on her mission...
The main character was so annoying, overly emotional, yet at times overly confident, and constantly whining about her situation. She is so immediately submissive, to the deities, good and bad, and to the MMC. She's meant to be a chosen, strong, intelligent woman, instead all she does is run away and occasionally spout historical facts...
The romance element was awfully done, it came out of nowhere, she completely falls for him because he is pretty(?) and he falls for her because she is submissive to him immediately. He is apparently the only Roman who respects women and is open to modern views... How convenient. Let's not even talk about using worshipping your temple as a sex metaphor... ew.
The villain was badly written and honestly randomly overpowered half way through. The MC also became completely useless in her presence and the presence of her minions... If you like stories where the maiden needs constantly saving by men and deities, this is for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2023
Alexandra Lindgren thought her life was perfect. A history buff with her dream job as a museum archivist, a fabulous boyfriend, and a great social life. The only way life could get better would be to experience the past firsthand... But hours after her boyfriend dumps her, she’s tossed back into ancient Herculaneum – only weeks before Mount Vesuvius is set to erupt. As the reality of living in the past sets in, Alexandra realizes that it may not be as enchanting as she imagined. Especially since she has no idea how to get home. However, hope appears in an unexpected form – Clio, the Muse of history, emerges and offers Alexandra a way back to the present. The condition? Alexandra must save Titus, a handsome young man who was never meant to be in Herculaneum. The mission seems straightforward, but the path ahead is fraught with peril. Soon Alex and Titus are embroiled in a supernatural power struggle with enemies around every corner. Will they escape Vesuvius? Or will history be a little too real this time?
Time travel ,mythology and more what a great story .
Great characters and scenes that are easy to imagine.
You will really enjoy this book.
December 17, 2023
Never say things can’t get worse
*If you don’t know what gaslighting or narcissistic abuse looks like, you do now:
‘I’d seen him rip into people eloquently but viciously before. Insulting them in such a way that they couldn’t retort without looking like a fool.’
*Stalked by someone who mistakes you for someone else.
*Getting thrown back in time to a place of a well-known and tragic natural disaster – YIKES!
Even though time travel is fictional (right?), it wouldn't hurt to strike up conversations with strangers (especially while already somewhere of a common interest). Art supply stores, book shops, libraries, museums – all sound like great portal-jumping locations to me!
Fave lines:
‘What is life but a creative process?’
‘There’s art everywhere if you’re looking for it.’
This is the first I’ve read by this author and I look forward to more.
*If you don’t know what gaslighting or narcissistic abuse looks like, you do now:
‘I’d seen him rip into people eloquently but viciously before. Insulting them in such a way that they couldn’t retort without looking like a fool.’
*Stalked by someone who mistakes you for someone else.
*Getting thrown back in time to a place of a well-known and tragic natural disaster – YIKES!
Even though time travel is fictional (right?), it wouldn't hurt to strike up conversations with strangers (especially while already somewhere of a common interest). Art supply stores, book shops, libraries, museums – all sound like great portal-jumping locations to me!
Fave lines:
‘What is life but a creative process?’
‘There’s art everywhere if you’re looking for it.’
This is the first I’ve read by this author and I look forward to more.
December 5, 2023
This was a fun way to explore ancient Rome in the time of Pompeii. Take all the things you've learned about Rome - the gods, the houses, the society, food, the slaves - then drop an historian into it and force them to explore. Watch as the immortals in their tiffs volley with human beings as the shuttlecock.
This is certainly a way to evaluate your own behavior and beliefs. Which one of the characters would you be? Can you see the evolution of civilization from Rome to today?
If you enjoy history and the what-ifs about history this is right down your alley.
This is certainly a way to evaluate your own behavior and beliefs. Which one of the characters would you be? Can you see the evolution of civilization from Rome to today?
If you enjoy history and the what-ifs about history this is right down your alley.
December 30, 2023
Alexandra has her dream life. . .until she doesn't. She suddenly finds herself in ancient Herculaneum just weeks before Vesuvius erupts. Alexandra is tasked by Clio to somehow save Titus who's not supposed to be there too. This is an intriguing concept but struggled to get going at the start. Eventually, it developed into a better story. This is an interesting start to a new series but we'll have to see how it develops over time.
I'm a member of the ARC team and have left an honest review voluntarily.
I'm a member of the ARC team and have left an honest review voluntarily.
February 26, 2024
this was a great fantasy novel, it had everything that I wanted based on the description. It had a great mythology element that I was looking for and glad I was able to go on this journey with them. The characters were what I was expecting and glad it worked out so well. L. L. Nelson has a great writing style and was invested in the characters.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 10, 2024
Not what I normally expect from a fantasy novel. There is a load of Roman mythology and aspects of time travel. I felt for the characters and wanted them to succeed. I sincerely hope there’s a sequel, because I definitely need to know what happens next.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I’m leaving an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I’m leaving an honest review.
January 17, 2024
What a wonderful storyline. Great subject matter. Since the doors somewhat left open I’m hoping we get in a future novel the chance for Titus to visit family.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews