Mind Probe

reflex, by Steven Gould, copyright 2004, is the sequel to the book Jumper by Steven Gould, copyright 1992 .

In the first book, Davy, as a teenager, discovers that he can teleport thus allowing him to escape from his abusive father. In Jumper, Davy comes to grips with his special talent, trying to figure out how it works and what are his limitations.

The story of picks up again in reflex about ten years later. Davy and his wife Millie, who was introduced in the first book, are trying to live a quiet life while trying not to bring any attention to his jumping talent. Davy has not been too successful in keeping his talent a secret. In the first book, the NSA become aware of his activities and Davy ends up working with the NSA. Now, in the second book, it becomes apparent that another group is aware of Davy and his jumping ability. At the beginning of the second book, Davy is kidnapped by this other group leaving his wife to search for him.

The book is structured with alternating chapters, switching between Davy and Millie as the point of view characters. I found the story enjoyable. The chapters with Millie as the POV character are a combination of a race to find her husband and avoid being captured or killed by the people holding him. While the Davy chapters are about how his captivity goes, what he learns and how he reacts. The intertwining story lines keep the pace going.

The story takes place in a contemporay setting. Most of the story takes place in Washington, D.C. and New England. Buildings such as the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. add to the realism. I particular enjoyed the descriptions of paintings by Madame Vigee-LeBrun who is rumored to be an ancestor of mine (though I have never verified any direct connections). Adding to the contemporary setting is a reference to Christorpher Reeve’s spine injury. I wonder how this reference will date the book since Christorpher Reeve died after this book was written.

reflex is an enjoyable story for those who like science fiction that focuses mostly on how people deal with the extra science fiction what if element. I strongly recommend reading Jumper before reading reflex. I am looking forward to reading more of Steven Gould’s work.