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Jumper
368 pages
A grounded exploration of sudden power that balances the exhilarating rush of absolute freedom with the heavy shadows of childhood trauma.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a superhero origin story stripped of its glossy veneer, grounded instead in the gritty reality of survival. The narrative moves at a brisk, pragmatic clip, mirroring its protagonist's desperate need to keep moving and stay safe. It balances the sheer, exhilarating wish-fulfillment of absolute freedom with the heavy, lingering shadows of domestic trauma. The prose is direct and unadorned, focusing intensely on the mechanics of power and the logistics of living off the grid, which gives the fantastical elements a deeply satisfying, tactile realism. It is a perfect fit for readers who crave coming-of-age adventures where the hero is flawed, the moral choices are messy, and the emotional stakes feel just as dangerous as the physical ones.
- Mood
- tense
- liberating
- lonely
- adventurous
- Tone
- earnest
- pragmatic
- gritty
- introspective
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- escaping abuse · the burden of power · moral ambiguity · coming of age · survival and independence
- The writing
- Direct, unadorned, and highly pragmatic, focusing on the mechanics of survival and the visceral reality of the protagonist's abilities.
- The arc
- Moves from desperate entrapment and isolation to exhilarating freedom, culminating in a mature acceptance of responsibility and human connection.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love grounded, morally complex superhero origin stories and competent protagonists figuring out how to survive in a harsh world.
Content notes
- child abuse
- domestic violence
- terrorism
- trauma
- gun violence
About the book
The sudden discovery of his teleportation ability rescues teenager David Rice from his abusive father. It also signals the beginning of a new life for the troubled young man. Gould's first novel features a hero who is not particularly wise and whose ethics are sometimes questionable, but whose yearnings and psychological turmoil ring true. A dollop of suspense and a dash of romance make this fast-paced sf adventure a good purchase for large libraries.
Description from Open Library.
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