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Crossover #2
Contact
In 11th century North America, the budding nation of Haven is extending its global influence through trade. Larry, one of the Far Ones that crossed over from the 21st century, is captaining the Havenites’ ocean-going vessel, Stormchaser. His goal is to establish a trade route from Haven’s outpost in Iceland to a small settlement in southern Ireland.
But on going ashore at their destination, the Havenites are attacked by the Ur Neill, a northern clan, and their Viking allies. Although Larry and his men inflict heavy casualties on their attackers, they are separated from Stormchaser and are driven into the mountains.
Any hope of escaping the island is dashed when a Viking longboat joins the conflict and the now-undermanned Stormchaser must flee back to Iceland.
Larry’s responsibilities increase as he takes in refugees who are also fleeing the Ur Neill. Desperate to find a sanctuary, Larry and his men capture a small Viking longboat and sail themselves, and a growing number of refugees, up a river into a remote valley.
But the brutal leader of the Ur Neill clan wants revenge for his casualties and his Viking allies want the return of their lost longboat. They start scouring the land for the Havenites.
Fatalities mount as Larry struggles to keep his rag-tag group of Havenites and refugees safe. He can only hope that another ship can cross the stormy seas from Iceland before they all end up dead.
But on going ashore at their destination, the Havenites are attacked by the Ur Neill, a northern clan, and their Viking allies. Although Larry and his men inflict heavy casualties on their attackers, they are separated from Stormchaser and are driven into the mountains.
Any hope of escaping the island is dashed when a Viking longboat joins the conflict and the now-undermanned Stormchaser must flee back to Iceland.
Larry’s responsibilities increase as he takes in refugees who are also fleeing the Ur Neill. Desperate to find a sanctuary, Larry and his men capture a small Viking longboat and sail themselves, and a growing number of refugees, up a river into a remote valley.
But the brutal leader of the Ur Neill clan wants revenge for his casualties and his Viking allies want the return of their lost longboat. They start scouring the land for the Havenites.
Fatalities mount as Larry struggles to keep his rag-tag group of Havenites and refugees safe. He can only hope that another ship can cross the stormy seas from Iceland before they all end up dead.
- GenresTime Travel
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2017
40 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 23, 2017
When modern meets ancient in a crossover time-slip, it’s almost inevitable that marriages and children will ensue. But where will those children go? What will they believe? And what will they do? Walter Socha’s second Crossover novel explores these questions through the continuing lives of parents and children, where modern meets ancient, gods are born of power or rejected in love, and “we can only rely on ourselves and the people around us.”
Crossed Icelanders, born of modern and ancient Americas, seek trade with a newly Christianized Eire in this tale. But this is a story where “actions, not beliefs… define a man.” Well-planned action scenes drive the adventure forward, sometimes quietly, with waiting and learning, and sometimes fast and furious as convincingly vulnerable characters interact, cultures clash, and desperate measures lead to desperate hope.
Nicely nuanced, well-researched, and told with excellent timing, this novel should satisfy any lovers of Viking stories, dreamers of Ireland, and time-travel enthusiasts. There's a growing cast of characters, a natural connection to death and romance as essential parts of life, and a very human touch. The story holds this reader’s attention from start to end, and promises of a series that could surely ecome classic. But it would be just as easy to read this tale as a standalone. It's highly recommended and I’m eager for more.
Disclosure: I’ve met the author and love his writing. I’m delighted to offer my honest review.
Crossed Icelanders, born of modern and ancient Americas, seek trade with a newly Christianized Eire in this tale. But this is a story where “actions, not beliefs… define a man.” Well-planned action scenes drive the adventure forward, sometimes quietly, with waiting and learning, and sometimes fast and furious as convincingly vulnerable characters interact, cultures clash, and desperate measures lead to desperate hope.
Nicely nuanced, well-researched, and told with excellent timing, this novel should satisfy any lovers of Viking stories, dreamers of Ireland, and time-travel enthusiasts. There's a growing cast of characters, a natural connection to death and romance as essential parts of life, and a very human touch. The story holds this reader’s attention from start to end, and promises of a series that could surely ecome classic. But it would be just as easy to read this tale as a standalone. It's highly recommended and I’m eager for more.
Disclosure: I’ve met the author and love his writing. I’m delighted to offer my honest review.
June 23, 2018
A bit too much like the first book.
The focus of the series moves eastward, as the new nation of Haven tries to establish a network across the Atlantic, and preempt the american rush on the New World, 5 centuries earlier. This time, it's a bit of an exploration of wild Ireland, with its differences. The thing that drops a star from this review is that Ragnar does feel too much like Tork in the previous book. Thankfully, the overall path ends in a very different place (can't have a virus-ex-machina).
The next book sounds like it could be different (mesoamerica rather than Europe). Hope that's the case.
The focus of the series moves eastward, as the new nation of Haven tries to establish a network across the Atlantic, and preempt the american rush on the New World, 5 centuries earlier. This time, it's a bit of an exploration of wild Ireland, with its differences. The thing that drops a star from this review is that Ragnar does feel too much like Tork in the previous book. Thankfully, the overall path ends in a very different place (can't have a virus-ex-machina).
The next book sounds like it could be different (mesoamerica rather than Europe). Hope that's the case.
February 16, 2020
Contact takes place two decades after the first book in the series. It was good, but I feel a time jump of two decades is a bit too much. I want to know what happened in the budding of the early "industrialization". Mayhaps Books 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and so on in the works?
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book as well. Looking forward to the third installment.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book as well. Looking forward to the third installment.
March 2, 2018
A good story, but...
I would have rather had more info about Haven, Joe, Alita, etc.
All in all I did enjoy it and look forward to the next book.
I would have rather had more info about Haven, Joe, Alita, etc.
All in all I did enjoy it and look forward to the next book.
May 2, 2019
Great new series!
The story line is well done, with well thought out action and events that leaves the reader wanting meow. I look forward to the third book in the series. Worth your dime, and your time. I cheerfully recommend these books to everyone.
The story line is well done, with well thought out action and events that leaves the reader wanting meow. I look forward to the third book in the series. Worth your dime, and your time. I cheerfully recommend these books to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews