To relive the past for real, what will it hold for the present and future?

Synopsis

He travelled through time to capture her heart. 

The amulet was still in the palm of his hand. Was it some sort of conduit to the past? The image of the anguished woman in his vision was seared into his mind. Perhaps it could help him find her?

Ivar Thoresson is desperate for adventure. As an archaeologist specialising in Viking times, he wants nothing more than to travel back to the ninth century as his loved ones have done, to learn everything he can about the era which fascinates him. And whilst his adopted family have always made him feel loved, the chance to meet a true ancestor, the warrior Thorald, is a temptation he cannot resist.

But while Ivar is preparing to go, he uncovers an amulet which shows him a vision of an arresting woman with red-gold hair. Clearly in distress, she is pleading for help. Convinced of the power of the charm and its message, Ivar’s journey takes on a new purpose. He steps back in time determined to follow his destiny – and find the woman who has called to his heart.

My review

Ever since his siblings Linnae and Madison Berger were able to travel back in time, it’s been Ivar’s big dream to also find an amulet that would be able to bring him back in the real Vikings time.
While his adopted family gave him all the love and care, he wants to meet a real ancestor, the warrior Thorald.
When after a long search, he is finally successful, he is more than ready to travel back in time, but now with an extra purpose. Because since finding the amulet, he is having visions of a beautiful woman with red – gold hair, needing his help… 

Okay… time – travelling is a difficult concept to grasp, as I always think of one hundred thousand problems I would have…
And we all know that time – travelling is something not real (until further notice of course…). 

I haven’t read the complete series, but I didn’t feel that it was necessary to enjoy Ivar’s adventure. And whenever there was the need to know something that happened previously, the author made sure we had a small recap. 

Somehow I could understand Ivar’s need to travel back. While he had all he could ask for from his foster parents, he wanted to meet at least one real ancestor. There was absolutely no distinction of how he was treated compared to his siblings, yet I could see how Ivar would still feel as the ‘odd one out’.
And having his sisters being able to travel time, while he hadn’t managed yet, only made him feel more different than he already did before.
When he was finally able to travel back, I hoped he would find all the answers he was looking for and that he would find some peace.   

I found it a little bit funny reading how the clan of Vikings weren’t all that surprised when Ivar arrived, or how easily they accepted his rather lame excuse of appearing out of nowhere. Obviously, them knowing that time – travelling is possible, helps 😊. 

I liked it how no matter how much Ivar thought he was prepared, the reality was different of how he thought it would be. It makes sense that there is a big difference in a real fight compared to how Ivar trained. 

But what made me like this story even more, was reading how Ivar went from a determined bachelor to a protective Viking. It was great to see how this man, never looking for love, finds himself enthralled by a woman he doesn’t know and has only seen in his visions before.
And then to see how Ellisif has exactly the same feelings, despite her determination to never marry again after a disastrous wedding before and her new forced prospects… 

Reading their romance blossoming, showed somehow that it doesn’t matter who you are or where (or even when) you’re coming from, you can always find your match.
Both Ivar and Ellisif are strong characters, in their own ways. Ivar shows an admirable protectiveness but also sense of right and wrong. And Ellisif is tired of men underestimating her and her capabilities. But she is also a curious woman, she doesn’t fear the unknown. 

It was also a bit funny to see how the characters are trying to adapt in a world they do not know, and sometimes even failing at it. Ivar fearing for nits or Ellisif seeing a shower or a bus for the first time, it for sure made me laugh! 

It’s clearly that this author made her homework and tried to stick to the facts as much as possible. Of course, for the sake of this book, some liberties were taken, to make it all work out for the characters we started to care for.
And while in the previous books the ending was somewhat the same, I liked it how the tables were turned a bit, and the opposite happened of what we would think (not in a bad way, don’t worry!). This little detail made me like this book even more! 

Overall I truly enjoyed reading this book, making me wonder what era I would travel to if it were possible. But I also enjoyed somehow living the Viking times through this book, while sitting still comfortably in the advantages of our own era!