Time Wall

by S.D. Unwin

In this final standalone tale from the world of One Second Per Second, civilization is in ruins from the unintended consequences of time travel. As societies around the globe collapse and history itself becomes the plaything of the empowered few, Joad Bevan knows that the most terrifying consequences of the strange, new physics are still to come. Yet out of this chaos emerges the hope that he can find the woman he has loved across timelines. Now the cataclysm of time’s ending is getting close, but a handful of physicists believe they have found a loophole in the laws of nature that might allow humankind to survive. It’s a long shot and time is running out... literally.

"Once again, Unwin has combined startlingly original Sci Fi with a pulse-accelerating thrill ride. Only, this time, Time itself is at stake."
— Rob Grant, co-creator of the Red Dwarf television series

"If Michael Crichton’s 1999 novel Timeline had starred as astringent a lead character as Joad, maybe its 2003 movie adaptation would have been better."
— Kirkus Reviews

What readers are saying about the One Second Per Second time travel
★★★★★ "Compelling characters, plenty of twists, and an intriguing premise written by an author who knows his science."
★★★★★ "It's one of my new favorites in the [time travel] genre, destined for several re-reads."
★★★★★ "Kept me up at night reading way too long."
★★★★★ "Very unexpected story. It has a smooth flow and the characters are spot on.”
★★★★★ "... unravels some conventional ideas about time and history.”
★★★★★ "... a ripping read."

232 pages, Paperback

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

S. D. Unwin began as a theoretical physicist searching for the Holy Grail of a quantum theory of gravity. He later turned his mathematical skills to analyzing and communicating catastrophic risk, from nuclear mishaps to major earthquakes. He has now settled happily on writing science fiction. His work includes The Magni and the time travel trilogy of One Second Per Second, Fall Of Time, and Time Wall. Hailing originally from Manchester in the United Kingdom, he now lives in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time Travel = Time Muddled … VERY Confusing!!!

While I most certainly looked forward to reading this SciFi Trilogy … after the first book, I had trouble enjoying the last 2. Yes, they were somewhat contiguous (which is pretty good for Time Traveling!), but otherwise they were strangely different stories. Oh, sure, there was an underlying theme and a few very central characters common to all 3 tales … but The Author’s logic for writing things the way he did, leaves The Reader somewhat confused in the end.

Should you read this Trilogy?!? Yes. Just be prepared for confusion you would not normally encounter in other books.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The One Second Per Second Time Travel series is fantastic sci-fi and “Time Wall” is the best so far. Unwin’s vivid rendering of multiple-dimension time travel across parallel timelines is fascinating. I love how many thoughtful new ideas and new characters are artfully used to drive a very compelling narrative. This book was hard to set down.

[mark fowler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shame this trilogy

It is shame about the trilogy because the story was lost in the rather boring discussion of the science involved which both heavy going and repetitive. Was more like a school lesson than a work of fiction. Really did not enjoy it.

[Bill Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Time travel gets confusing, with a mystical barrier that doesn't permit time travellers to pass. This tale tries to weave too many threads together, and leaves lots of loose ends, and the final ending is rather unsatisfactory. It was OK, but I won't recommend it.

[Maureenmcquerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good mix of character development, action, and tension with enough clever twists to keep me turning the pages. The ending is warm and hopeful, a satisfying conclusion to an excellent trilogy!

[E.J. Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

MIND-BOGGLINGLY GOOD!

A gripping and fitting finale to the trilogy, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the two before it. I can happily Recommend !

[Clive Harding BSc Honours · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odd ending that dose not end, is that the point?