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Timerunner: ...stuck in the future with no way back, a tyrant wants to own the world, and death waits at every corner...
Osvaldo is a regular family man living in Venice with a wife and daughter he adores, a job he loves, and a very special circle of friends. He works as a tour guide for American and British tourists and is a cheerful and popular man, always up for having fun and laughs.
Osvaldo finishes work early one afternoon, so decides to walk home taking a longer route, and stumbles upon Roccia, one of Venice's many stray cats. He notices the cat is strangely out of his usual comfort zone and follows him through an alley leading into a courtyard, where Osvaldo notices a strange glowing portal. He watches in fascination as Roccia disappears through it. Despite his overwhelming curiosity, Osvaldo resists the temptation of stepping through it at first and decides to go home to his wife and child.
Unable to sleep, Osvaldo decides to return to the strange portal in the middle of the night and as the glowing door starts to fade before his eyes, he steps through and finds himself catapulted 2000 years into the future with the portal immediately dispersing behind him. The few locals he meets whilst getting his bearings, quickly brand him as one of the terrifying and mysterious "Timerunners," whom the locals fear, and the authorities hunt relentlessly, and sure enough, he is soon arrested by said authorities.
The police officer who interrogates him realizes Osvaldo is not one of the usual Timerunners and the two become close friends and the cop, William Ross, invites him to stay at his home.
Will eventually reveals that the portals are a one-way ticket to the future, and there is no way for Osvaldo to return to his own time.
Osvaldo is then forced to adjust to a new life in the Venice of the future while agonizing over the loss of his family and friends.
Osvaldo then meets Lucrezia, an enigmatic character whom many of the locals fear, and she eventually manages to reach into his mind and soul. Then there's Dario, the night ferryman that Osvaldo feels comfortable around at first, but comes to learn that he clearly harbours a secret. Will himself becomes strangely troubled also, as he begins to show signs of slipping toward a darker side.
With time, Osvaldo finds his very life is in danger and the lives of his new friends, as he is forced to battle the consequences of secrets unveiled. He also learns of an important political figure that holds the key to manipulating history itself. Now faced with the dreaded Timerunners and a rabble-rousing madman, Osvaldo is forced to assume the responsibility of stopping the rewriting of history and the terrifying ambitions of one who could become a tyrannical ruler and a god of every time zone the world has ever known. With no combat or military skills to speak of, Osvaldo finds himself as the only one who can stop the Timerunners, but first, he needs to find out how.
Osvaldo finishes work early one afternoon, so decides to walk home taking a longer route, and stumbles upon Roccia, one of Venice's many stray cats. He notices the cat is strangely out of his usual comfort zone and follows him through an alley leading into a courtyard, where Osvaldo notices a strange glowing portal. He watches in fascination as Roccia disappears through it. Despite his overwhelming curiosity, Osvaldo resists the temptation of stepping through it at first and decides to go home to his wife and child.
Unable to sleep, Osvaldo decides to return to the strange portal in the middle of the night and as the glowing door starts to fade before his eyes, he steps through and finds himself catapulted 2000 years into the future with the portal immediately dispersing behind him. The few locals he meets whilst getting his bearings, quickly brand him as one of the terrifying and mysterious "Timerunners," whom the locals fear, and the authorities hunt relentlessly, and sure enough, he is soon arrested by said authorities.
The police officer who interrogates him realizes Osvaldo is not one of the usual Timerunners and the two become close friends and the cop, William Ross, invites him to stay at his home.
Will eventually reveals that the portals are a one-way ticket to the future, and there is no way for Osvaldo to return to his own time.
Osvaldo is then forced to adjust to a new life in the Venice of the future while agonizing over the loss of his family and friends.
Osvaldo then meets Lucrezia, an enigmatic character whom many of the locals fear, and she eventually manages to reach into his mind and soul. Then there's Dario, the night ferryman that Osvaldo feels comfortable around at first, but comes to learn that he clearly harbours a secret. Will himself becomes strangely troubled also, as he begins to show signs of slipping toward a darker side.
With time, Osvaldo finds his very life is in danger and the lives of his new friends, as he is forced to battle the consequences of secrets unveiled. He also learns of an important political figure that holds the key to manipulating history itself. Now faced with the dreaded Timerunners and a rabble-rousing madman, Osvaldo is forced to assume the responsibility of stopping the rewriting of history and the terrifying ambitions of one who could become a tyrannical ruler and a god of every time zone the world has ever known. With no combat or military skills to speak of, Osvaldo finds himself as the only one who can stop the Timerunners, but first, he needs to find out how.
146 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 21, 2026
As a fan of sci-fi and especially anything to do with time travel, it was great to come across Timerunner by indie author Mike Avalon. I never do spoilers but I particularly liked the feel of a futuristic Venice (Italy) and enjoyed the descriptive elements of the story and the characters, which added depth and charm to the story. The main downside’s for me were the proliferation of swear words and sex acts (which some may find a pull factor). Other than that I found it to be a good read and will definitely be keeping a look out for any follow-ups from Mike.
March 26, 2026
Timerunner by Mike Avalon is a compelling and imaginative read. The concept is fresh, the pacing is engaging, and the storyline blends suspense with emotional depth seamlessly.
Osvaldo’s journey through an unfamiliar future is both gripping and thought provoking. A well crafted story that delivers from start to finish highly recommended.
Osvaldo’s journey through an unfamiliar future is both gripping and thought provoking. A well crafted story that delivers from start to finish highly recommended.
March 26, 2026
Mike Avalon’s Timerunner
is an impressive blend of imagination and suspense. The storyline is gripping and keeps you invested throughout.
is an impressive blend of imagination and suspense. The storyline is gripping and keeps you invested throughout.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews