The Third Rule of Time Travel

De: Philip Fracassi

Narrado por: Abigail Reno

Rule One: Travel can only occur to a point within your lifetime.
Rule Two: You can only travel for ninety seconds.
Rule Three: You can only observe.
The rules cannot be broken.

In this riveting science fiction novel from acclaimed author Philip Fracassi, a scientist has unlocked the mysteries of time travel. This is not the story you think you know. And the rules are only the beginning.

Scientist Beth Darlow has discovered the unimaginable. She's built a machine that allows human consciousness to travel through time—to any point in the traveler's lifetime—and relive moments of their life. An impossible breakthrough, but it's not perfect: the traveler has no way to interact with the past. They can only observe.

After Beth's husband, Colson, the co-creator of the machine, dies in a tragic car accident, Beth is left to raise Isabella—their only daughter—and continue the work they started. Mired in grief and threatened by her ruthless CEO, Beth pushes herself to the limit to prove the value of her technology.

Then the impossible happens. Simply viewing personal history should not alter the present, but with each new observation she makes, her own timeline begins to warp.

As her reality constantly shifts, Beth must solve the puzzles of her past, even if it means forsaking her future.

©2025 Philip Fracassi (P)2025 Orbit

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A page-turning adventure with a mind-bending conclusion."—Les Johnson, futurist and space technologist

"A novel of frighteningly plausible science fiction, Fracassi blends deft character work with suspense to create a story that’s simultaneously focused in its approach and massive in its implications. Part Crichton, part Blake Crouch, part Bradbury, and all Fracassi. Chilling and unpredictable, The Third Rule of Time Travel further demonstrates why Fracassi is one of the best writers working today, regardless of genre.”—Tyler Jones, author of Midas and Burn the Plans

"[Fracassi is] especially skillful at creating, and sustaining, suspense.”—The New York Times

The Peak

This was an absolutely amazing novel. Kept me on my toes. Listening to this store helped with accepting the past and present. Overall great experience!

Ending was abrupt

Clever show bit it seemed like it wrapped too quickly. Id give it 3.5 stars if I could. Narrator was ok although the male voices all sounded the same

A great story weighed down by a poor performance

To be clear, the story is very good. Not great but very good. There is a lot to explore and unpack but, I feels rushed at the end. I won't spoil anything but if you have seen the Abyss, you know what I'm talking about.
I am not a fan of this performer at all. She wasn't able to differentiate her male voices at all. The all sounded the same. This made listening to the story more challenging and took away from the overall experience.

The protagonist is overly dramatic

The main character, Beth, is a scientist, yet she scream/cries, throws fits, begs and pleads when things don't go her way. Sometimes the narrator will whisper as Beth is having dramatic thoughts. It's very hard to listen to. The other characters even remark that she needs to take a break for her mental health and she'll deny she needs it, then in the next scene lose her mind again. The time travel concept never really takes off. I would pass on this one.

Unique time travel story

Fracassi has become one of my favorite authors and when there is a new book coming it's one the few authors I'll preorder. His books flow well, are easy to get into and never disappoint. This book was no different. Excellent narration as well.

Not what I expected; would be better as a movie

Narrator: male voices were very distracting and unconvincing, but good enough to enjoy listening.

Story: I think this would make a really good movie. Simple, yet interesting plot, and a setting that serves as a doorway into other locations. It would be one of those movies that those of us like to think and be challenged by ideas would love to watch multiple times.

Very well written and thought-provoking

This is a very nice sci-fi story that is well worth the listen if you're into time travel, and alternate dimension type stories. Overall very well written and performed, glad I picked this up and gave it to listen!!

This guy is one of the best writers out there

Story telling like none other and constantly keeping you on the edge. Phillip knows how to craft one hell of a story!

Time travel? Not!

Not a terrible story, but not time travel. And far too many insertions of F-bombs.

Interesting concept

Repetitive information. The first 70% needs a ruthless edit. Instead, I skipped ahead a lot until the finale. I also speeded up the read to 1.05. Usually, I slow it down for consideration to .9.
Novel science and tech ideas. A bit rough around the edges for a technical scientist to completely swallow, but overall pretty good!