Undercurrent by Michelle Griep - REVIEWED

About the Book: (from the publisher)

Professor Cassie Larson leads a life her undergrad students hope to attain, until she tumbles into the North Sea and is sucked down into a swirling vortex…and a different century.

Alarik, son of a Viking chieftain, is blamed for a murder he didn’t commit—or did he? He can’t remember. On the run, saving a half-drowned foreign woman wasn’t in his plan.

Ragnar is a converted pagan shunned by many but determined to prove his Cousin Alarik’s innocence. He didn’t count on falling in love with Cassie or the deadly presence of evil that threatens his village in Alarik’s absence.

My Thoughts:

“Love requires no return, Alarik. It gives even when forsaken.” (p. 232)


The late tenth century is Michelle Griep’s chosen time period for her latest novel, Undercurrent. Once again, Griep has used the fantasy element of time travel to give the reader an unforgettable look into human nature through the lens of Viking warriors, early Christianity and one very misplaced twenty-first century professor.


Cassie, Alarik, Ragnar and Magnus are only a few of the well developed characters used to flesh out this very interesting story line. Alarik and Ragnar, although related as cousins, are far distant in the element of faith. Ragnar has such a stalwart, abiding faith in Jesu’s atoning death that no matter the circumstance, his faith is as close as his next breath. By far, in my opinion at least, he is the strongest, most moving character in the story. It seems as though everyone else’s life is touched in an eternal way by Ragnar’s constancy. He is certainly Alarik’s reminder of his innocence, Cassie’s reminder of all that she has sacrificed on the altar of self-promotion, and a stark contrast to the evil that is invading his pagan homeland.


Each character displays some timeless characteristic of human nature and the need that all people have for the atoning work of Christ. Griep effortlessly weaves a strong faith message into her story in a way that is both effective and believable. She recreates a tenth-century Nordic culture that contains accurate details of every day life challenges and activities. The overall effect is a very exciting and entertaining tale that really showcases God’s mercy and grace in every situation. I am more than happy to recommend this story to you!!



About the Author: (from the author)

I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: slug back massive amounts of prozac or write fiction. I've been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write--except for that graffiti phase I went through as teenager.