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. ( )