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Untimed
(Rules of the Regulator #1)
by
Charlie's the kind of boy that no one notices. Hell, his own mother can't remember his name. So when a mysterious clockwork man tries to kill him in modern day Philadelphia, and they tumble through a hole into 1725 London, Charlie realizes even the laws of time don't take him seriously. Still, this isn't all bad. Who needs school when you can learn about history first hand
...more
Paperback, 342 pages
Published
December 19th 2012
by Mascherato
(first published December 17th 2012)
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Start your review of Untimed (Rules of the Regulator, #1)

Look at that cover! How could I resist requesting this to review? Time and time again I've been burned by a pretty cover, but - fortunately - that wasn't the case here. Untimed is both better than expected, and a bit disappointing. I'll try to get into both reasons here.
I read, first and foremost, for characters. Interesting characters will make me beg for more, for the story to never end. And that's where we run into my main issue with Untimed. Every character in this story felt like a ... plac ...more
I read, first and foremost, for characters. Interesting characters will make me beg for more, for the story to never end. And that's where we run into my main issue with Untimed. Every character in this story felt like a ... plac ...more

The next time some snob who hasn't been paying attention for the past couple of years tells you that all self-published books are crap, point them to this one.
As I'm reading on my Kindle, I routinely highlight passages or words where the author, and their editor, if any, has screwed up - left a word out of a sentence, used the wrong word for what they mean, mispunctuated or misspelled something. I have no highlights in this book. Zero. The author thanks a large number of people in his acknowledg ...more
As I'm reading on my Kindle, I routinely highlight passages or words where the author, and their editor, if any, has screwed up - left a word out of a sentence, used the wrong word for what they mean, mispunctuated or misspelled something. I have no highlights in this book. Zero. The author thanks a large number of people in his acknowledg ...more

Guys, gals, this book was wonderful! Somewhere between middle grade and YA, sci-fi, steampunk and just pure delightful time travel, it's a must read for all your teen adventurers with vivid imagination. And just look at these illustrations! This book is full of them:


I don't know why I'm so surprised if I loved Andy Gavin's first book just as much. Also, everything he does is meticulous - the text, the covers by fab Cliff Nielsen, the sheer research for each book.
Untimed is not a silly, fluffy li ...more


I don't know why I'm so surprised if I loved Andy Gavin's first book just as much. Also, everything he does is meticulous - the text, the covers by fab Cliff Nielsen, the sheer research for each book.
Untimed is not a silly, fluffy li ...more

I have always enjoyed the subject of History in school. I loved reading about the wars and the people and how different the times were. I couldn’t wait until I was about to write a paper or an essay on an interesting topic. It was one of the easiest subjects in High School and a breeze in College. Reading a History book, though? Now that’s something I’ve never done. I was able to read passages but I couldn’t exactly go to bed with a novel about History. It was than exciting news when I found out
...more

History, fact, fiction, fun, excitement and suspense all mash up together in what I will call one of the best time-traveling books I have read.
The protagonist... I can't seem to recall his name... (read the book, you'll get the joke. LOL), seems never to do as well as anyone else in school. It's not that he's not gifted - just no one ever seems to notice what he's doing. He's got one of those forgettable, well... lives. Post-Its clutter his home. Even his own mother can't remember his name. What ...more
The protagonist... I can't seem to recall his name... (read the book, you'll get the joke. LOL), seems never to do as well as anyone else in school. It's not that he's not gifted - just no one ever seems to notice what he's doing. He's got one of those forgettable, well... lives. Post-Its clutter his home. Even his own mother can't remember his name. What ...more

This book started off with a bang, with the main character jumping into a worm hole and traveling back in time. The year 1725 to be exact, and the author was true to detail, London is a dirty place, filled with poverty and filth.
This is where Charlie meets Ben Franklin, and Yvaine the mother of Franklins son William. Yvaine is also a time traveler, and in talking to her he finds out that only men can travel back in time and women can travel into the future.
So a lot of stuff happen, and it ends ...more
This is where Charlie meets Ben Franklin, and Yvaine the mother of Franklins son William. Yvaine is also a time traveler, and in talking to her he finds out that only men can travel back in time and women can travel into the future.
So a lot of stuff happen, and it ends ...more

First Reads Review - Untimed by Andy Gavin
I had rather high hopes for this book when I won it through the Goodreads First Read program. It appeared to be a young adult novel with time travel and some steam elements, which really would have been something I would have enjoyed quite a lot. Instead what I got was something that couldn't quite decide what it wanted to be, that was written in a more juvenile style but which cannot be considered young adult because of how it treats sex and language. A ...more
I had rather high hopes for this book when I won it through the Goodreads First Read program. It appeared to be a young adult novel with time travel and some steam elements, which really would have been something I would have enjoyed quite a lot. Instead what I got was something that couldn't quite decide what it wanted to be, that was written in a more juvenile style but which cannot be considered young adult because of how it treats sex and language. A ...more

I wonder if Andy Gavin knows that he has unwittingly created a time machine in the form of a book? I was given them book by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review and to be quite 'honest' this story left me breathless. There is never a moment where it lacks the ability to entertain, and you barely get a chance to to take a breath with all the action!
Poor Charlie has lived the majority of his life without being noticed, even his own mother can't seem to remember his name. It's ...more
Poor Charlie has lived the majority of his life without being noticed, even his own mother can't seem to remember his name. It's ...more

Utterly and completely amazing! I love this book! When is the next one coming out because I want it NOW, NOW, NOW! Andy weaves a tale that is original, unique and well-written! The man holds up to his amazing contributions to the Gaming world and now adds gems to the literary one!
The book is full of action and adventure. Andy's characters have well developed arcs, you can see them grow and change as the story goes one on. I absolutely LOVE Yvaine! I can see how her ma told her she was full of pi ...more
The book is full of action and adventure. Andy's characters have well developed arcs, you can see them grow and change as the story goes one on. I absolutely LOVE Yvaine! I can see how her ma told her she was full of pi ...more

A Goodreads Win
I really enjoyed this. Once I started reading I didn't want want to stop. ...more
I really enjoyed this. Once I started reading I didn't want want to stop. ...more

Untimed by Andy Gavin is a book I've had for some time. Andy very kindly sent it to me all the way in Australia, much appreciated. I had read and reviewed Andy's first book The Darkening Dream which is an excellent novel. Untimed is Andy's second and check out that cover. Great stuff huh.
The inside is and isn't as great as that cover. I feel quite mixed on this one. The Darkening Dream was a mature YA novel, historical and religious details that Andy clearly put a great deal of time and research ...more
The inside is and isn't as great as that cover. I feel quite mixed on this one. The Darkening Dream was a mature YA novel, historical and religious details that Andy clearly put a great deal of time and research ...more

Dec 06, 2012
M.M. Hudson
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
YA and up
Recommended to M.M. by:
IOBT
Untimed is a Young Adult fantasy book written by Andy Gavin.
This book follows Charlie, a 14 year old, history buff, Philadelphia raised boy, whom everyone seems not to notice. His own mother cannot remember his name and his father seems to be more absent than home.
This all changes a few days before his birthday when the police knock on his front door, just as a visit from his Dad is going to reveal something important. However, this is just not any old police! This is a clockworks man known late ...more
This book follows Charlie, a 14 year old, history buff, Philadelphia raised boy, whom everyone seems not to notice. His own mother cannot remember his name and his father seems to be more absent than home.
This all changes a few days before his birthday when the police knock on his front door, just as a visit from his Dad is going to reveal something important. However, this is just not any old police! This is a clockworks man known late ...more

Dec 15, 2012
REMEMBER UKRAINE NOW ReadingReindeer
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to REMEMBER UKRAINE NOW ReadingReindeer by:
Innovative Online Blog Tours
Review of Untimed by Andy Gavin
An IOBT Blog Tour
5 stars
Readers who enjoyed Andy Gavin’s novel “Darkening Dream,” be sure to pick up “Untimed,” a time travel romance-mystery-steampunkish-science fiction-coming of age story with an endearing set of characters, including the self-effacing (and easily effaced) Charlie, a fifteen-year-old whose father and aunt are-well-time travelers extraordinaire. Charlie only sees them for two weeks in October and for two weeks near his birthday in January. Charli ...more
An IOBT Blog Tour
5 stars
Readers who enjoyed Andy Gavin’s novel “Darkening Dream,” be sure to pick up “Untimed,” a time travel romance-mystery-steampunkish-science fiction-coming of age story with an endearing set of characters, including the self-effacing (and easily effaced) Charlie, a fifteen-year-old whose father and aunt are-well-time travelers extraordinaire. Charlie only sees them for two weeks in October and for two weeks near his birthday in January. Charli ...more

Jan 01, 2013
Tee loves Kyle Jacobson
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
book-for-review-from-author,
january-2013
Untimed is a great read. I have to say that when I first saw the book I said man this book cover reminds me of the movie The Pirates Of The Caribbean and I was very excited to start reading it.
Untimed is a story about a boy Charlie who appears invisible to everyone. No one seems to realize he exists. His own mother does not remember his name.Which is crazy because what mother would not remember their own child's name. Then something weird happens and someone attacks him and tries to kill him.
Cha ...more
Untimed is a story about a boy Charlie who appears invisible to everyone. No one seems to realize he exists. His own mother does not remember his name.Which is crazy because what mother would not remember their own child's name. Then something weird happens and someone attacks him and tries to kill him.
Cha ...more

If there was any justice in the literary world, this novel would be at the top of the bestsellers lists while those authors who need a wheelbarrow to take their money to the bank and write like hacks would wallow in obscurity.
This novel started out a bit slowly but by the end I was thoroughly convinced I had enjoyed it. Adventure, time travel, close escapes, alternate worlds and steampunk goodies all add up to a rollicking grand time. The author is a true raconteur and writes convincingly of dif ...more
This novel started out a bit slowly but by the end I was thoroughly convinced I had enjoyed it. Adventure, time travel, close escapes, alternate worlds and steampunk goodies all add up to a rollicking grand time. The author is a true raconteur and writes convincingly of dif ...more

Apr 11, 2013
iamjenai
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
received-for-review
Charlie's wondering why people seem to always forget his name, even his mother. It's like people don't "see" him. So if he went away, no one would really notice his absence. When he started his time travel, that's when he realized that time travelers are all forgettable.
I really enjoyed this book and I love the pictures! In every chapter or so, there would be a picture to guide the readers of Charlie's travel. I love how the author wrote the story incorporating history in Charlie's time travel. ...more
I really enjoyed this book and I love the pictures! In every chapter or so, there would be a picture to guide the readers of Charlie's travel. I love how the author wrote the story incorporating history in Charlie's time travel. ...more

(Originally posted on TheIndieMine.com)
The science fiction genre has arguably been around for millenia, so it’s only natural to assume that it’s all been done before. While there’s still room for true innovation, many authors instead make their mark by either putting their own unique twist on an idea or concept, or by introducing characters and places that capture the imagination. Untimed, the 2nd novel from author Andy Gavin, is all about time travel as experienced by a teenage boy trying to fi ...more
The science fiction genre has arguably been around for millenia, so it’s only natural to assume that it’s all been done before. While there’s still room for true innovation, many authors instead make their mark by either putting their own unique twist on an idea or concept, or by introducing characters and places that capture the imagination. Untimed, the 2nd novel from author Andy Gavin, is all about time travel as experienced by a teenage boy trying to fi ...more

Charlie is an odd boy who moves through life unnoticed. Literally. People don’t see him, people look away and even his own mother forgets his name. He is utterly forgettable.
Until he runs into and battles a clockwork man and finds himself falling through a portal to 18th century London – and meets a girl who can see him, a girl who can remember him, a girl who is out of time like himself.
But Yvaine has her own problems, a child, and a cruel gang she’s had to join to survive the streets of Londo ...more
Until he runs into and battles a clockwork man and finds himself falling through a portal to 18th century London – and meets a girl who can see him, a girl who can remember him, a girl who is out of time like himself.
But Yvaine has her own problems, a child, and a cruel gang she’s had to join to survive the streets of Londo ...more

Cross-posted from Papyrus Independent Author Reviews (http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2013/03/17/untimed-by-andy-gavin/)
What do you do when you discover you have a hidden talent for time travel and you encounter a conspiracy to remove the importance of Benjamin Franklin from history? You probably get set for an adventure across time.
Charlie is an atypical teen who has trouble being noticed; his mother does not even remember his name. His father and aunt are historians who are absent more than pres ...more
What do you do when you discover you have a hidden talent for time travel and you encounter a conspiracy to remove the importance of Benjamin Franklin from history? You probably get set for an adventure across time.
Charlie is an atypical teen who has trouble being noticed; his mother does not even remember his name. His father and aunt are historians who are absent more than pres ...more

Originally shared on Tales to Tide You Over
Untimed is a delightful, steampunkish, take on the consequences of time travel. Charlie has been kept in the dark about his nature too long, and his natural curiosity is all it takes to start him on a crazy adventure through time where his smallest decision can change the future as he knows it. Growing up with a largely absentee dad, though not for the usual reasons, and a strangely absentminded mother leads him to develop a strong independent outlook t ...more
Untimed is a delightful, steampunkish, take on the consequences of time travel. Charlie has been kept in the dark about his nature too long, and his natural curiosity is all it takes to start him on a crazy adventure through time where his smallest decision can change the future as he knows it. Growing up with a largely absentee dad, though not for the usual reasons, and a strangely absentminded mother leads him to develop a strong independent outlook t ...more

I know that your not supposed to judge a book by it's cover but how could you not, it's absolutely gorgeous and draws you in instantly to want to read on. I couldn't wait to start reading the book as soon as it arrived and with the added addition of twenty-one black and white illustrations throughout the book, I think this would be a great book for any young adult or older reader to enjoy.
The author has wrote a highly creative, fast paced and at times humorous time travel fantasy that has so ma ...more
The author has wrote a highly creative, fast paced and at times humorous time travel fantasy that has so ma ...more

Time travel? Romance? Action-packed adventure? Andy Gavin delivers it all in his new release by Mascherato Publishing, ‘Untimed’. This action-packed novel follows Charlie, a character who no-one really seems to even notice, on his adventures through time to find his father, and surprisingly a whole lot more along the way.
I found the writing style of this book unique, in that it was written from the point of view from a fifteen year-old time traveller, which makes for some interesting insights an ...more
I found the writing style of this book unique, in that it was written from the point of view from a fifteen year-old time traveller, which makes for some interesting insights an ...more

Charlie has lived his entire life in the shadows. No one takes much notice of him, not even his parents. While he's been content with this fact, for the most part, he yearns for the small recognition that comes with being noticed. Most of all, he wishes that his parents would acknowledge him in more ways than one.
While walking home one afternoon, he encounters a man intent on killing him. Fighting for his life, Charlie does everything in his power to make sure the man doesn't succeed in achievin ...more
While walking home one afternoon, he encounters a man intent on killing him. Fighting for his life, Charlie does everything in his power to make sure the man doesn't succeed in achievin ...more

I love young adult novels, especially fantasy and science fiction, thanks to my son. So, I was pretty excited that I got to do a book review for Untimed. It did not disappoint. I absolutely loved Untimed. It grabbed my attention from the beginning, and I couldn't put it down.
I loved that it had quite a bit of history in the book. I didn't check it for accuracy but I assume that it is pretty accurate. This one involved Ben Franklin. With all of the time traveling, there are endless possibilities ...more
I loved that it had quite a bit of history in the book. I didn't check it for accuracy but I assume that it is pretty accurate. This one involved Ben Franklin. With all of the time traveling, there are endless possibilities ...more

Charlie has never been like the other boys. For one thing, it seems that no one (not even his own mother) can remember his name. His father and Aunt Sophie are historians, stopping at home to visit him only for a month every year. So it's not an enormous surprise when it's revealed that he comes from a long line of time travelers. What is a surprise? The fact that he (and his father) are suddenly on the run from a series of strange clockwork men, who seem determined to change the timeline.
Transp ...more
Transp ...more

This excellent young adult historical fantasy is a great little action story and one that would appeal to teenage boys.
Charlie's father has something important to tell him, but before he can, Charlie finds himself falling into a kind of wormhole after a mechanical man. He ends up travelling backwards in time to London in the 1700s, meets a girl and the adventures begin. They cause a timequake when they inadvertently get Ben Franklin killed before he goes to Philadelphia. This alters the course o ...more
Charlie's father has something important to tell him, but before he can, Charlie finds himself falling into a kind of wormhole after a mechanical man. He ends up travelling backwards in time to London in the 1700s, meets a girl and the adventures begin. They cause a timequake when they inadvertently get Ben Franklin killed before he goes to Philadelphia. This alters the course o ...more

Where to start... Untimed by Andy Gavin is the story of a boy who is invisible. No, not literally, but no one remembers him, his name, or who he is. He passes through life insignificant and forgotten. Until the day he follows a strange, clockwork man, down a hole . . .
and finds himself very far from 2011 and from the U.S.
Untimed is a time traveling story with some romance and lots of action. I could probably gush on and on about this book, I loved it so much.
The characters of Yvainne and Charlie ...more
and finds himself very far from 2011 and from the U.S.
Untimed is a time traveling story with some romance and lots of action. I could probably gush on and on about this book, I loved it so much.
The characters of Yvainne and Charlie ...more

Originally Reviewed At: Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: Publisher
Reviewer: AimeeKay
I just finished Untimed by Andy Gavin. For some reason the pictures in between the chapters and the cover gave it a mid-grade feel, but I have to say it is definitely YA. I’ve seen the premise behind the story before, but Gavin was able to present it in a very unique and exciting way.
I really adored the characters Gavin has created. I wasn’t too sure about either Charlie or Yvaine ...more
Rating: 5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: Publisher
Reviewer: AimeeKay
I just finished Untimed by Andy Gavin. For some reason the pictures in between the chapters and the cover gave it a mid-grade feel, but I have to say it is definitely YA. I’ve seen the premise behind the story before, but Gavin was able to present it in a very unique and exciting way.
I really adored the characters Gavin has created. I wasn’t too sure about either Charlie or Yvaine ...more

I loved this book so much! Just like with The Darkening Dream, Andy Gavin shows that with his novels you need to expect the unexpected. Whatever ideas I had from reading the summary were played upon and enhanced to the point where I could no longer guess what might end up happening next! I loved that feeling combined with the suspense brought about with this action-packed plot!
Charlie and Yvaine are wonderful leading characters. They each have their flaws but that’s part of what makes them so in ...more
Charlie and Yvaine are wonderful leading characters. They each have their flaws but that’s part of what makes them so in ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
YA Buddy Readers'...: Untimed (Rules of the Regulator #1) by Andy Gavin - GBR - Starting October 1st 2018 | 3 | 134 | Sep 22, 2018 09:10AM | |
SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY - 3 Winners!! | 1 | 15 | Mar 11, 2013 02:43AM | |
great time travel book | 1 | 9 | Jan 14, 2013 04:21PM |
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Andy Gavin is an unstoppable storyteller who studied for his Ph.D. at M.I.T. and founded video game developer Naughty Dog, Inc. at the age of fifteen, serving as co-president for two decades. There he created, produced, and directed over a dozen video games, including the award winning and best selling Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter franchises, selling over 40 million units worldwide. He sleeps
...more
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