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Time Flow #1
Fast-Time at Aldmont High
This hard Sci-Fi novel is the first book of the “Time-Flow Stories,” a series of tales about Witt Ryllin, a young man who abruptly gains the ability to psychically control the flow of time.
In it, he navigates the plights of his senior year in high school. At the same time, his mom and family are struggling with issues arising from his parents’ recent divorce and the financial problems caused by his father’s drinking and subsequent loss of employment.
Witt first realizes he has a talent for controlling the flow of time when one of the football players throws a punch at him—for the sin of talking to the big guy’s girlfriend. Time slows around Witt and he suddenly finds himself easily able to dodge the blow.
Witt’s aptitude for science and math stands him in good stead as he tries to understand why colors change and light dims when his personal time-flow speeds up. It also helps him understand some of the things his new ability might enable him to do.
He sets to work, figuring out how to use his new gift to help his family and perhaps even improve his college prospects. This is far from as easy as he’d first hoped.
Through all this he must deal with his sarcastic friend Jesse. A friend who’s sometimes helpful, but at least as often a big part of the problem.
Oh, and Witt’s got girl trouble!
In it, he navigates the plights of his senior year in high school. At the same time, his mom and family are struggling with issues arising from his parents’ recent divorce and the financial problems caused by his father’s drinking and subsequent loss of employment.
Witt first realizes he has a talent for controlling the flow of time when one of the football players throws a punch at him—for the sin of talking to the big guy’s girlfriend. Time slows around Witt and he suddenly finds himself easily able to dodge the blow.
Witt’s aptitude for science and math stands him in good stead as he tries to understand why colors change and light dims when his personal time-flow speeds up. It also helps him understand some of the things his new ability might enable him to do.
He sets to work, figuring out how to use his new gift to help his family and perhaps even improve his college prospects. This is far from as easy as he’d first hoped.
Through all this he must deal with his sarcastic friend Jesse. A friend who’s sometimes helpful, but at least as often a big part of the problem.
Oh, and Witt’s got girl trouble!
- GenresScience FictionFiction
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2022
373 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Laurence E. Dahners
62 books672 followersI was born on the island of Cyprus where my dad was employed as a mining engineer. We moved to the Philippines (more mining) when I was three and then to Arizona when I was 9. I went to med school at the University of Arizona and did a residency in Orthopaedics at the University of Kansas. I taught Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill until I retired in 2017.
I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.
If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com
Laury Dahners
I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.
If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com
Laury Dahners
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 22, 2022
The author delights in working through the implications and mathematics of changing the movement of time, this is OK up to a point, but it might have been better for the flow and pace of the story to worry less about some of the science.
The other problem I had with the book is that the characters were basically unlikeable, especially Jessie and Claire. Even Witt made such strange and occasionally stupid decisions I didn’t feel a lot of empathy for him.
The other problem I had with the book is that the characters were basically unlikeable, especially Jessie and Claire. Even Witt made such strange and occasionally stupid decisions I didn’t feel a lot of empathy for him.
April 2, 2022
Dahners, Laurence. Fast-Time at Aldmont High. Time Flow No. 1. Kindle, 2022.
It is always fun to start a new series by Laurence Dahners. His métier is to take a tried-and-true science fiction what-if premise, like FTL or matter transport, embed it in a coming-of-age story, and spin out its scientific and technological implications in logical, if unexpected, directions. The subgenre in Fast-Time at Aldmont High, as he explains in a preface, is the time-stop story. The classic example for me is John D. McDonald’s The Girl, the Gold Watch, and Everything in which a young man inherits a watch that allows him to stop time. Dahners does it without gadgets, instead using a heritable genetic anomaly. Witt, the lucky young man with the anomaly, explores the physics of operating in a fast-time bubble. Quaintly, Dahners puts an author’s note in Chapter One explaining that the next few pages will detail Witt’s experiments to discover how fast-time works and that readers who might be bored by this can skip to a summary at the beginning of the next chapter. Of course, such a reader is not likely to be reading Dahners’ work. 3.5 stars.
It is always fun to start a new series by Laurence Dahners. His métier is to take a tried-and-true science fiction what-if premise, like FTL or matter transport, embed it in a coming-of-age story, and spin out its scientific and technological implications in logical, if unexpected, directions. The subgenre in Fast-Time at Aldmont High, as he explains in a preface, is the time-stop story. The classic example for me is John D. McDonald’s The Girl, the Gold Watch, and Everything in which a young man inherits a watch that allows him to stop time. Dahners does it without gadgets, instead using a heritable genetic anomaly. Witt, the lucky young man with the anomaly, explores the physics of operating in a fast-time bubble. Quaintly, Dahners puts an author’s note in Chapter One explaining that the next few pages will detail Witt’s experiments to discover how fast-time works and that readers who might be bored by this can skip to a summary at the beginning of the next chapter. Of course, such a reader is not likely to be reading Dahners’ work. 3.5 stars.
December 29, 2023
This is an alright story. Too much of expositions. Protagonist is likeable character. But he speaks too much mature language for his age and shows maturity too. The mind control of time and time bubble is at times lazily written. For example, Witt learns he can shape bubbles just by experimenting with thoughts. Science is also a bit wrong. Witt is not going fast enough in time to see spectrum of light separated. He can start it as slow as 50x, that's not how light spectrum works. That part really put me off at times.
Anyways, another thing that put me off is the chronicler way of story. There is really no character development, there is no arc to the story. It's just reporting of what's happening.
But it is interesting enough to help complete the story. I may or may not read the next book in the series though.
Looking at the writer's pattern, he just write one single story in the chronicle format and split it in multiple books, perhaps just to increase his revenue. But then it would piss me off to read one single story that take so many pages to build.
Anyways. I suppose you'd enjoy it enough to finish it as well I suppose.
Anyways, another thing that put me off is the chronicler way of story. There is really no character development, there is no arc to the story. It's just reporting of what's happening.
But it is interesting enough to help complete the story. I may or may not read the next book in the series though.
Looking at the writer's pattern, he just write one single story in the chronicle format and split it in multiple books, perhaps just to increase his revenue. But then it would piss me off to read one single story that take so many pages to build.
Anyways. I suppose you'd enjoy it enough to finish it as well I suppose.
March 13, 2022
Laurence Dahners is back with the first book, Fast-Time at Aldmont High, in an entirely new series, The Time-Flow Stories, and, well, let’s just say I’m totally blown away. I first fell in love with this author’s storytelling when I read his The Ell Donsaii series (which, by the way, you don’t want to miss). He’s been pretty consistently great in his other stories but this book has dragged me in like none other since Quicker, the first Ell Donsaii story. That’s quite an achievement considering how totally addicted I am to that series. I can already see how Witt, the star of this book and series, is going to drag me into equally total addictions - and, even though this book is self-contained, I’m already desperately seeking my next “fix” (I.e., Book 2). In the interim, it’s ridiculously easy for me to highly recommend this book.
October 14, 2023
Fast-Time at Aldmont High is a tantalizing quick-paced story with an upbeat good feel. I found myself intrigued by what the main character was able to do with time, and how he would overcome obstacles and dangers, but I was also drawn into his growth as a person. He was imminently likeable. There were also psychological, and physics related insights that showed the author was well acquainted with his subject. As I was listening via audible, I needed a good narrator and in Robin Coppock I was more than satisfied. His reading is outstanding. He made the story come alive, giving each character his or her own personal identity. Robin knows how to speed up, slow down, pause, and inflect words that is way beyond most readers' ability. Frankly, I've rarely heard a narrator of Robin Coppock's quality. He is a joy to hear.
March 19, 2022
Lost connection…
I normally make some connection to the math/science introduced in LD’s works, even if it’s often beyond me. I could not connect with the explanations in this one. They were rather boring facts that never broadened my understanding of the physics. I’m sure the failing is mine.
Since I lacked a connection to any of the characters, in addition to the science, it was overall a less interesting read than his other stories. I had no sympathy for any of the people, not even the mother. In fact, it was disappointing to have such a pitiful individual be the mother of the leading character—especially when the father, another bad guy imho, is turned into the anti-hero. A lot of this read like Red Pill fanfic. Sheesh.
I normally make some connection to the math/science introduced in LD’s works, even if it’s often beyond me. I could not connect with the explanations in this one. They were rather boring facts that never broadened my understanding of the physics. I’m sure the failing is mine.
Since I lacked a connection to any of the characters, in addition to the science, it was overall a less interesting read than his other stories. I had no sympathy for any of the people, not even the mother. In fact, it was disappointing to have such a pitiful individual be the mother of the leading character—especially when the father, another bad guy imho, is turned into the anti-hero. A lot of this read like Red Pill fanfic. Sheesh.
January 1, 2025
Not the worst of Dahners (that honour goes to Porter and the Vaz-series), but certainly not as good as Ell Donsaii, Hyllis or Stasis.
Like others have mentioned some characters, Jessie and Claire, have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Both are greedy, selfish and stupid to levels one can hardly imagine. The main character isn't exactly a genius either, but his biggest mistake is having a friend like Jessie.
Another thing that annoys me with the bad Dahners novels is the constant "moral dilemmas" characters have about killing or even harming people who are actively harming and/or killing people. I get that you're gonna be upset and question it, but at some point it just gets repetitive, annoying and outright dangerous.
Like others have mentioned some characters, Jessie and Claire, have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Both are greedy, selfish and stupid to levels one can hardly imagine. The main character isn't exactly a genius either, but his biggest mistake is having a friend like Jessie.
Another thing that annoys me with the bad Dahners novels is the constant "moral dilemmas" characters have about killing or even harming people who are actively harming and/or killing people. I get that you're gonna be upset and question it, but at some point it just gets repetitive, annoying and outright dangerous.
September 5, 2025
Just Ok
I've become a fan of Dahners. It's rare to find an author whose work I consistently enjoy across multiple series.
That said, I want to flag something important for readers: with the exception of Mender Magic, every series I've read so far includes scenes involving sexual assault. It's not my hill to die on, but I think it's worth mentioning for survivors who may want to be prepared before reading.
As for this book, it was okay. At times, it felt more like listening to someone explain their science project than following a dynamic story. The main character spends a lot of time talking about his abilities, but I would’ve preferred to see him use them more actively in the plot.
I've become a fan of Dahners. It's rare to find an author whose work I consistently enjoy across multiple series.
That said, I want to flag something important for readers: with the exception of Mender Magic, every series I've read so far includes scenes involving sexual assault. It's not my hill to die on, but I think it's worth mentioning for survivors who may want to be prepared before reading.
As for this book, it was okay. At times, it felt more like listening to someone explain their science project than following a dynamic story. The main character spends a lot of time talking about his abilities, but I would’ve preferred to see him use them more actively in the plot.
March 19, 2022
I enjoy Laurence Dahners books & the science is usually speculative but good foundations. I was disappointed with Laurence Dahners ignorance of UVC ultraviolet. The “toxic” ultraviolet is UVA & UVB. UVC, although more energetic rapidly loses the ability to penetrate to living tissue as wavelengths shorten. Near UVC close to UVB has many of the same damage but at shallower depths of tissue so less likely to cause cancer. Far-UVC cannot penetrate the outer keratin layer of our skin or tear layer of our eyes. Ignorance of UVC science in the medical community is one of the leading barriers to disinfecting indoor air to prevent airborne disease.
March 22, 2022
Wonderful, just wonderful
I've read every book by Laurence Dahners that I can lay my hands on, and loved every single one of them. This is no exception. It lives up to the very high bar set by Mr Dahners backlist. I love that he takes his science seriously. With experiments, reasonable explanations, and real consequences. I can hardly wait for the next book. Write quickly Mr Dahners. Please
I've read every book by Laurence Dahners that I can lay my hands on, and loved every single one of them. This is no exception. It lives up to the very high bar set by Mr Dahners backlist. I love that he takes his science seriously. With experiments, reasonable explanations, and real consequences. I can hardly wait for the next book. Write quickly Mr Dahners. Please
March 24, 2022
Excellent story about learning to use time flow powers! I loved it!!
This is one of my favorite story ideas. The author, Laurence, has written a very enjoyable "What If" story about a young man dealing with how to as ethically as possible deal with the opportunities and risks involved in using time flow control powers. Highly recommended. Get it now, you'll be very glad you did! :)
This is one of my favorite story ideas. The author, Laurence, has written a very enjoyable "What If" story about a young man dealing with how to as ethically as possible deal with the opportunities and risks involved in using time flow control powers. Highly recommended. Get it now, you'll be very glad you did! :)
April 9, 2022
Interesting Idea
A fairly interesting proposal but not very Believable unlike some of his more far out ideas. He probably tries to cram too much information into a very short half book which seems to finish in the middle, probably to be expected from someone who writes for recreation in the limited time available in a very demanding work life. Can't wait for the next 2-3 books in this series.
A fairly interesting proposal but not very Believable unlike some of his more far out ideas. He probably tries to cram too much information into a very short half book which seems to finish in the middle, probably to be expected from someone who writes for recreation in the limited time available in a very demanding work life. Can't wait for the next 2-3 books in this series.
March 17, 2022
A great start that oozes the potential to be another long running and fantastic series comparable to Ell Donsaii.
And a very entertaining "what if" that provides a thoughtful view of what a young teen would do with the power to alter the flow of time around him. I can't wait to see where the author takes us next in exploring “Time-Flow Stories”. This is book 1 in the series.
And a very entertaining "what if" that provides a thoughtful view of what a young teen would do with the power to alter the flow of time around him. I can't wait to see where the author takes us next in exploring “Time-Flow Stories”. This is book 1 in the series.
March 19, 2022
Another Hit!
One of my favorite authors managed to drag me into the story once again. This was a really great start (sort of, this takes place in the same series as a couple of shorts from Six Bits) to the series, and I look forward to seeing how Witt moves forward with his abilities.
One of my favorite authors managed to drag me into the story once again. This was a really great start (sort of, this takes place in the same series as a couple of shorts from Six Bits) to the series, and I look forward to seeing how Witt moves forward with his abilities.
March 20, 2022
Another great storyline
Laurence Dahners keeps coming up with great ideas to explore, finding that little twist of science that can change everything. Here he explores how the ability to alter time speed in a defined space would affect those inside and outside that area of effect. Fun and fascinating indeed.
Laurence Dahners keeps coming up with great ideas to explore, finding that little twist of science that can change everything. Here he explores how the ability to alter time speed in a defined space would affect those inside and outside that area of effect. Fun and fascinating indeed.
March 20, 2022
extension
Extending and blending two short stories into one main story would work better if Dahners finished the story that he was concentrating on. It ended too abruptly. He also interjected too much into the story at the beginning. Overall though the main character grew and got lucky but more is needed to create a coherent story.
Extending and blending two short stories into one main story would work better if Dahners finished the story that he was concentrating on. It ended too abruptly. He also interjected too much into the story at the beginning. Overall though the main character grew and got lucky but more is needed to create a coherent story.
March 30, 2024
Intriguing and entertaining series!!!!
Congratulations to Lawrence Dahners for this amazing series. It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
Congratulations to Lawrence Dahners for this amazing series. It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
September 11, 2024
This series start doesn't have the pace or tension of Dahner's other similar stories. It feels like he's following his own formular but without the emotional investment.
Witt's best friend Jessie is a nightmare. I wouldn't trust him with my cheesecake recipe much less a secret that could destroy my life.
I'm moving on to book two in hopes things improve.
Witt's best friend Jessie is a nightmare. I wouldn't trust him with my cheesecake recipe much less a secret that could destroy my life.
I'm moving on to book two in hopes things improve.
March 17, 2022
New series. GREAT
So a slight bleedover to a couple of shorter works. A good read and vastly enjoyed. Would appreciate a followup to Ell and family. And or Vas too. But will take and enjoy what we can get.
So a slight bleedover to a couple of shorter works. A good read and vastly enjoyed. Would appreciate a followup to Ell and family. And or Vas too. But will take and enjoy what we can get.
March 17, 2022
Not his best book
I'm putting 5 stars on this in the hope of more in the series. Fun concept and mechanics, but not a very deep story. Having read several of his series this is a lesser book overall.
I'm putting 5 stars on this in the hope of more in the series. Fun concept and mechanics, but not a very deep story. Having read several of his series this is a lesser book overall.
March 18, 2022
Fast time at Aldmont High
Very good plot with lots of logic to back up the story. Great character development. Will be interesting ro see if this will be a stand alone book or series.
Very good plot with lots of logic to back up the story. Great character development. Will be interesting ro see if this will be a stand alone book or series.
March 20, 2022
Another good one!
The author writes well and tells a good story, with believable characters. His stories usually have people with unusual abilities, and how they use them to get along in the world. And as I said, he tells a good story.
The author writes well and tells a good story, with believable characters. His stories usually have people with unusual abilities, and how they use them to get along in the world. And as I said, he tells a good story.
March 20, 2022
One of the best time shifting stories I have ever read
Laurence Dahners is one of my favorite authors. The characters are realistic, the action is beautifully described, and the story line keeps me interested until the last paragraph.
Laurence Dahners is one of my favorite authors. The characters are realistic, the action is beautifully described, and the story line keeps me interested until the last paragraph.
March 22, 2022
Dahners keeps putting out fantastic stories
Excellent characters, interesting plots, and well consideredflow are consistent in each novel. I generally put down whatever else I am reading when a new one drops.
Excellent characters, interesting plots, and well consideredflow are consistent in each novel. I generally put down whatever else I am reading when a new one drops.
March 27, 2022
Excellent
This is the first in a new series and it is off to a great start! The story starts with a high school student who finds he can speed up time and goes on to experiment on what else he can do. There in lies the adventures and what do you do with that power?
This is the first in a new series and it is off to a great start! The story starts with a high school student who finds he can speed up time and goes on to experiment on what else he can do. There in lies the adventures and what do you do with that power?
June 15, 2023
I like it.
Whoever does not want to read about science and Math and explanations of what works how, this is not for you.
Every good SF needs to have science and explanations!
Beyond that, it's a quick read with lots of action.
Whoever does not want to read about science and Math and explanations of what works how, this is not for you.
Every good SF needs to have science and explanations!
Beyond that, it's a quick read with lots of action.
July 14, 2023
Although a bit juvenile, it was still a fun exploration of what would happen if a teenager was able to manipulate time. This novel only scratches the surface of the issues that the protagonist will immerse himself in, and so I will likely buy the sequel.
June 28, 2024
Well worked out science if you accept the time ability
An interesting story with believable characters. It is well plotted and makes for a good tale. I will be reading the next book in the series.
An interesting story with believable characters. It is well plotted and makes for a good tale. I will be reading the next book in the series.
March 18, 2022
Great Book
This new series is amazing. I have read almost all of Dahners books and this one is terrific. Hope to see the guitar girl in the future.
This new series is amazing. I have read almost all of Dahners books and this one is terrific. Hope to see the guitar girl in the future.
March 21, 2022
Fun read
Good read. I laughed a lot while reading this book. Now I need ten more words to finish this review
Good read. I laughed a lot while reading this book. Now I need ten more words to finish this review
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews