After spending three years in prison and others completely alone, twenty-four-year-old Cole Flint discovers an amazing ability—he can time-travel and teleport. He’s a jumper. So what should the motorcycle-riding, cage-fighting tough guy do? He should protect an innocent eighteen-year-old girl who happens to be in possession of the Staff of Moses. Following the direction of a trio of angels who are determined to shake things up in the Middle East, Cole pairs up with Hannah Carpenter and her pet grizzly while he also tries to change his past and learn the mystery of his birth. Curiously, the King of Jordan knows all about Hannah, and he’s determined to gain possession of the staff. He’ll do anything to possess its power, but is it possible that he’s no more than a pawn, manipulated in time along with Cole and Hannah? Jumper is a mysterious roller coaster of action and a time-traveling adventure that will keep readers guessing right to the very last page.
Jeff LaFerney was a full-time language arts teacher in Davison, Michigan, for 30 years. After coaching basketball for most of his career, he decided to write books instead and took on his new hobby. Now he spends his free time reading, writing, and editing books. He and his beautiful wife have two adult children. His Clay and Tanner Thomas series focuses on a father and son team who use parapsychological abilities to solve mysteries. Jumper, Planer, and Warper are time-travel science fiction adventures. Lost and Found is a unique mystery/treasure hunt with ties to World War II history. His latest, The Lake House, is a detective murder mystery. He has a blog called The Red Pen where he usually infuses humor to share about himself or to give inspiration or writing tips. http://jefflaferney.blogspot.com/
Find someplace comfortable, grab this book and be prepared to go on an amazing time-travel adventure! When I started reading the first page, I thought I would really have to go slow and pay attention – not the case at all. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. You will want to pay attention to the brief headings as they tell you when and where you and the characters are at that point in the story. If you do this, you will have no problem navigating this wonderful adventure.
There are numerous plot twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. I appreciate the fact that some of the surprises were not at all what I may have wanted but in the end the author does an amazing job of tying everything together in great way without it seeming contrived.
I would definitely read more books about Cole, Hannah and Teddy!
“An attempted murder, a raging six-hundred-pound grizzly, a mini-tornado, and a random lightning bolt strike all before breakfast - Hannah’s world had gone mad.”
Time-travel adventures aren’t my usual choice of read, but the premise of a “motorcycle-riding, cage-fighting tough guy” who has to “protect an innocent eighteen-year-old girl who happens to be in possession of the Staff of Moses” got me curious, and once I had my review copy, I couldn’t wait to jump into the story (see what I did there?) and find out what it’s all about. It ended up being one big thrill ride from the first page to the last!
Make no mistake. If you’re expecting a love story loaded with sappy romance about a tough guy braving the odds across time to save the damsel in distress, you will be disappointed. There are three love interests in this story, but by no means is it a love-triangle and the romance aspect is very much only a mere mention in the background. I can assure you though, there is a lot to love about this novel.
My one fear when reading time-travel novels is that I’ll get confused somewhere along the line as to where in time the characters find themselves and how they got to that point. Here it’s definitely not the case. Cole’s ability to time-travel is well-explained, but it didn’t make it less complicated. Something about time being linear and it being comparable to a slinky…it all still went over my head. I do suspect though that it has something to do with Cole’s gorgeous blue Kawasaki Ninja ZX14 street bike, and a healthy measure of divine intervention. Whichever way it works, the reader never loses track of where in time the characters find themselves.
Jumper makes for an effortless read in what promises to be the start of a great series!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jumper was unlike any other book I have read - in a good way, of course. It is essentially a story about the battle between good (angels) and evil (demons), but both sides need humans to do the work.
The book is very well-written, full of twists and surprises and I could rarely predict what was going to happen next. Even the romantic aspect of it was not what I expected. I was a little worried about the time travel thing, because it's not easy to write, but Jeff LaFerney succeeded in making it complex, yet for the most part easy to follow. Not only did I enjoy the story, I also loved both main characters. Even though we don't learn as much about Hannah's past as we do about Cole's ( but then again, I guess she really was just an ordinary teenager before all this), I still liked her a lot. And it's not often that I find a female lead I don't have a problem with.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great time travel adventure.
Jeff LaFerney's latest novel, Jumper, is an outstanding read. Full of mystery, suspense, adventure, action, romance and a touch of otherworldly excitement make the entire novel a wonderful tale expertly written.
The time travel element is handled beautifully as Cole learns how to use his newly discovered ability. Cole is a flawed hero with a colorful past that men and women will easily connect with, as is Hannah's. Throw in the strange interplay between the guardians and the Staff of Moses and you have a winning combination for readers of various genres to enjoy.
Even though the book deals with aspects that are unrealistic, the author manages to weave a cast of interesting and realistic characters and plot lines together in such a way that you might find yourself actually believing in "jumping."
I have read all of Jeff LaFerney's books to date and was impressed by each of them. I was more than excited when I was given the opportunity to read Jumper. I loved this book! I enjoyed the time traveling that took place and how challenging it was to keep up with such a futuristic plot. The interaction between humans and angels/demons was well written; it was very believable. I also love that I can relate to the Michigan locations in the novel. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in fantasy/science fiction!
I really enjoyed this book. I struggled through the Prologue because of the names and trying to figure out what was going on, but by the end of Chapter 1 I was hooked. I really enjoyed the story line and found myself reading every chance I got. This was the first time traveler book I've read and the first I've read by Jeff. I look forward to reading more stories...maybe some more about Cole and Hannah's adventures....and my favorite character, Teddy!
Have you ever seen the film ‘Jumper’ directed by Doug Liman? If so this book will put you in mind of that film, Cole Flint’s abilities are remarkably similar to those of David Rice, the films MC. The story line however is nothing like it. We have Cole Flint our unwitting hero who is drawn into the role of protector when he discovers his unique ability to teleport and time travel, and Hannah Carpenter who for some reason is the only person who can remove the Staff of Moses from the rock in a ‘Sword in the Stone’ manner. Once the King of Jordan discovers the Staff on his land he wants it and all the power it holds. So with the aid of a motorcycle Cole teleports Hannah five years into the past to safety, and this is where the chapter headers become important to keep track of where and when you are while reading.
Time travel always messes with my head but I have to say this book is pretty well explained, and I didn’t feel nearly as confused as I normally do with this type of story! There were some points that had me wondering, for instance ….When Cole travelled back and changed his name plus the way his victims died, his family and the police remembered the ‘new’ past yet the reporters remembered the story they had originally posted.
The fact that certain people remembered certain pasts was briefly explained towards the end of the book, but it felt to me like an after thought to excuse why some people remembered while others didn’t. Another point that felt rushed to me was Cole’s parentage, it wasn’t covered much throughout the story and then suddenly we find out who his mum is, again it felt like it was thrown in there just to tie up loose ends an I was a little disappointed with those parts of the plot.
I have read a few of Jeff’s books, and this by far, is the most enjoyable for me. It had me staying up late to read and that hasn’t happened very often just lately. I found the writing comfortable and was easily able to live in the moment. The story was fast paced, and exciting throughout and I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exhilarating read.
Jumper is a well-written, action-filled novel with a healthy portion of biblical history that kept me on the edge of my seat as I anxiously turned the pages. At first, I was skeptical about Jumper. I figured it would be just another typical time travel story, but God was I wrong.
From the first page, I was enraptured with the world of Jumper. It takes place in the modern day, but with fabricated names for various world leaders. For example, the president of the U.S. is called President Stonewood.
Jumper kept my mind whirling as I tried to fathom what had just happened. It kept me guessing the entire time. Jumper has everything a teenager or YA loving adult could want in a YA novel: a fantastic plot, heartwarming characters (including a pet grizzly bear named Teddy), angels, demons, exciting fight scenes, and a unique explanation for the concept of time. Jeff LaFerney's approach to explaining the concept of time fascinated me. Especially because in most time travel novels I've read, the characters going forward and back in time is explained by "magic" or a far-fetched idea. Jeff describes it as "There are no multiple timelines. Time cannot split with people living in parallel universes. The current timeline will be completed and re-established..."
There is really nothing I disliked about Jumper. The foreshadowing was well-done, not too predictable and not too subtle. Everything in the plot connected together like missing puzzle pieces and made sense. I loved reading about Hannah and Cole transforming into more confident and happy people as they went through each ordeal. I had my doubts, but Jumper has proved to be the best novel I've read so far this summer. Jumper is a must-read for anyone looking for a great story that will leave you thinking about it long after you read it! I'm looking forward to sequels :D
Keep checking A Walk on Words for an interview with Jeff coming soon!
I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m not going to lie, when I read the first page of this book I groaned. I really did think I was going to struggle with it and end up not finishing the book. How wrong was I! The book has a hint of biblical history, a gallon of suspense, a dash of romance and an intriguing storyline. Jumper is book one in the series. The characters in the book are well defined, which makes it so much easier to connect with them. I love the relationships that were built and how they were built. The book jumps from present to past (time travel) and from different POV’s. Jeff LaFerney has done a remarkable job of shifting the book around WITHOUT confusing the reader and I’m easily confused. Jeff has laid the foundation really well in this book for the series to continue. The book itself has its own storyline running through it that concludes nicely while leaving you wanting more. The book flows while reading it and it’s so easy to get lost in the book. This is a book that once it grabs you, you’ll struggle to let it go.
Jumper by Jeff LaFerney – This is a very strange book that includes time travel, teleportation, motorcycle riding, a pet grizzly bear, murderous corrupt politicians/heads of state, magical and nefarious creatures, and the Staff of Moses. Eighteen-year-old Hannah Carpenter and her family visit Jordan to see the Staff of Moses. When Hannah accidently gains possession of the Staff of Moses she is rescued from the vicious King of Jordan by motorcycle-riding Cole Flint, but her family is imprisoned in Jordan. Flint is the perfect champion for Hannah and he fights to try to keep her safe and rescue her family. This is a strange story that includes fantasy, but is also an interesting one. Hannah and Cole are appealing characters, and Cole is heroic as well. It is a good story that embraces time travel, a concept that fascinates me. It also provides lots of action and danger for Hannah and Cole. I liked this book.
I loved this book! It is a tight, fast paced story that has it all and leaves you wanting more stories just like it. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you'll love it too! Do you like action and adventure interwoven with mystery and suspense? Do you think time travel could be possible? Do you believe good and evil are more than just words and there are layers to our world that we can't normally see and touch? Do you like characters that you can believe in, like, and would enjoy being friends with? If you do, then Jumper is the book for you! It will keep you flying through those pages way past your bedtime. Here's hoping Jeff LaFerney never runs out of new ideas!
An imaginative adventure-story that takes you to another place. It was brilliantly executed, easy to follow, and a joy to read. This was one of the few times where I was able to read a book that had clean language, no cursing-not having to cringe at all the J.C.'s and G.D.'s. I'm sorry, but I hate when the Lord's name is taken in vain in books and I have to read it. It just goes to show that all of that is unnecessary. This story was still highly enjoyable without all that. This is a book that can be enjoyed by people of all ages-guys or women. There is something for everyone.
This book surprised me by turning out to be a good one. I took a big chance on buying it used simply because it was a time travel book and half expecting an average story with stock characters. I WAS WRONG. This is a complex story with very well-done characterizations. The author made following along easy as the story line jumps around. I still think all the real Moses had was a good solid used wood staff. In my Bible reading, I figured out God did the miracles not a fancy or unfancy staff. In this books case, this fiction storyline works with the fancy staff. The characters work. The plot has the unexpected and also leads up to the not traditional end to be totally working as it should. I Highly Recommend this book!
There is one "news" agency represented in this book. The whole world is one in which only the intrepid reporters working under Roger Wiles can get to the truth. When bullets are flying and demonic Muslims assail the innocent only the quick thinking of one Fox News reporter can get the story.
Also this is a fantasy world where Israel isn't instigating fights with everyone who isn't white and hosing their own population with white phosphorus and human rights abuses.
Jeff LaFerney has produced yet another exciting book. 'The Jumper' is a time travel adventure on a very different level than we would expect. Time travel is not in the realm of machines but on a spiritual level. A mission is assigned to Cole Flint by angles who exist on a different plane to humans. Flint's family life was not good, his mother was affectionate but his father was not the greatest. After his mother died when he was a teen he was always picked on and defending himself ended up on the wrong side of the law. As a result Cole spent three years in jail. When he gets out of prison he learns that he has an amazing ability, he can teleport, 'jump' in time. Flint is directed by a trio of angels in a fight against 'good over evil'. He is charged with protecting Hannah Carpenter who gains possession of the Staff of Moses. Hannah, Cole, a grizzly bear, a motorcycle, global conflict, relationships, drama and mystery add up to a whole lot of suspense throughout the book. Time travel has been talked about, written about, and theorized about by many. Jeff LaFerney has obviously researched the subject and composed his own twist on it. Jeff's view of time travel is a 'slinky' that can stretch in and out of time and place. His theory allows events in the past to be changed that alters the present in subtle ways. These changes could be in the realm of reality. The author has created likable and interesting characters. The characters are cleverly developed, they appear normal in an everyday way, yet possess special powers. Hannah is portrayed as an innocent teenager with a rebellious side to her a part the normal ' all American' family. But as she becomes aware of her powers, she develops a more mature and responsible personality. Whereas, Cole is depicted as the ‘underdog’ and 'bad guy' at the start of the story, he becomes the 'hero' and lovable character. LaFerney cleverly adds small details to help the reader keep track of the events and characters during their time jumps. The book is full of action, suspense, mystery, and even romance. Fantasy novels are not my usual choice for reading. The premise of time travel seems too farfetched, yet there is that fascination of 'what if...'. As I began to read 'Jumper', I thought perhaps I would just scan the story and do a quick 'like or 'dislike' review. But as I read the first few pages, I was drawn into the plot and just kept turning those pages. Special Forces, Guardians of political, military, and economic issues got my attention. Jeff's knowledge and research of 'Time Travel' was evident from the start of the book. I even found myself ‘believing’ it could happen. LaFerney's ability to develop the characters and their relationships, particularly Cole and Hannah, helped me to overcome my resistance to the 'non- human' ones. Hannah's 'pet' was a little too much for me but then the story is fantasy and it had its uses. Overall, I found the book enjoyable and would recommend it as a page turning, light read. I will definitely look into other books written by Jeff LaFerney.
What's a guy to do after finding out he has the ability to time-travel? Save the world, of course! Okay, maybe that was a little bit dramatic, but after surviving three years in jail and a whole lot more time by himself, Cole Flint is a bad ass motorcycle rider who can clearly take care of himself.
Enter stage left, Angels.
That's right angels. Of course when they mention stirring up the Middle East that isn't exactly what you expect to come out of a heavenly bodies mouth. To fix parts of the world, however, sometimes you gotta shake it up so when an 18 year old girl named Hannah has the infamous Staff of Moses, these angels assign Cole and his new-found powers to protect her. Are they really as they seem? Or are the powers that be just using all of them as pawns in a bigger game? You'll find out in Jumper!
I know what your thinking, I really do. A time travel book? Are you nuts? Well let me tell as fan of Sci-Fi in general, time travel can seem daunting. In the words of Dr. Who the "wibbly wobbly, timey wimey" can be just plain confusing. Trying to find out what decade characters are in can be tough enough, not to mention the fact that they can pop place to place and time period to time period. It can get confusing FAST. Jumper, however, was not like that....ever. It was very clear where we were and what the characters were doing, no matter what was going on in the story. That is refreshing. I find myself having to re-read books a lot because I missed something here or there and then moving on. Not the case here. In fact, they are clear as day at the top of the page to show you where the characters are and when. I consider this genius because it doesn't happen a lot, but it seems so simple! Listen the fact is that when your reading a book, nothing can give you a headache more than being confused or lost and that was biggest apprehension while starting Jumper. I clearly had nothing to fear here.
That being said, the characters are a big draw in this book. Cole Flint is just so damn cool, it's hard not to like him. Add to the fact that you feel emotionally pulled towards him with everything that he has gone through already in his life, plus everything happening within the story, I feel like I just understood Cole. To be able to connect with the main character is really essential to loving a story and you get that here. Hannah is also fascinating in her own right, including her pet grizzly bear (named Teddy no less!). There are so many twists that your simply trying to figure out where the young girl fits into all of the cosmic things going on around her. Reading about Cole, Hannah and Teddy without sappy romance is simply just nice. I am a romance reader but it is always nice not to have to deal with love triangles and other things in a book simply because people expect it. If your looking for an amazing adventure that isn't hindered by guidelines, Jumper is the one for you!
Ladies and Gentlemen!! Tonight on the far left we have Cole who is sporting a bright blue Kawasaki Ninja street bike and on the far right we have Hannah clutching the hand of a 300 lb. grizzly. Yes, folks it is true!! For your entertainment pleasure tonight the duo will change history right before your very eyes. In the audience folks, we have a reporter named Lauren and she has says she has the story of a lifetime surrounding the duo which is about to be released to the world, if she can stay alive. Let me begin by telling you how Cole and Hannah found each other and what Lauren’s story might entail before we let you see their secret trick. Cole‘s family life was not always the greatest. His mother was the affectionate one but his father not so much. His mother died when Cole was a teen and in the back of Cole’s mind he always wondered about her death. Moving on with my story…Cole felt for the underdog. You know…. the people who got picked on in life, the people who got pushed under the rug? One day, things got out of hand and he ended up doing time and when he got out of jail, he thought he’d done his time. Well, someone thought otherwise and he was chosen to be a time-traveler. Thus the bike of his dream! Cole had no idea what this calling meant but things fell into place and he got his first mission. Imagine going back in time and going forward in time. Cool, huh? Popping in and out whenever you wanted? Well, it has it good and its bad points. Hannah was his first mission and Hannah had no idea that she was going to be so important surrounding the Staff of Moses. Remember the staff that parted the sea and allowed the people to walk across the sea on dry land from the biblical times? The bear? Well, Hannah can tell you that story but the duo got messed up with a King, a Prime Minister, the President and some other important people. Oh, I almost forgot, their parents got involved and that was a mess too. I guess Lauren does have a good story, if only she lives through this ordeal tonight. So without further ado….. please focus your attention on Cole and Hannah carefully… are you watching….yes? I really enjoyed the characters in the book and the relationships they brought with them. I thought I was getting overwhelmed with the time traveled aspect of the book but I concentrated more on what was happening in the book and everything else fell into place. I never thought about some of the aspects of time traveling that Jeff brought up in the book so I had to stop reading a few times and think about it and that was good. The book had everything in it: humor, relationships, drama, fighting, family, emotions, and even mystery. Well done and an enjoyable read. I was given a copy of this book for an honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This is an exciting time traveling adventure from one of my favorite authors! I loved it!
Cole Flint is a fantastic character. Although he has spent 3 years in jail, I think he was wrongly prosecuted! I really liked Cole and I felt that he had been given a whole heap of bad karma! When he finds out that he's a "jumper", someone able to time travel, and he is given a mission to protect Hannah Carpenter and the Staff of Moses, he is thrown into a dangerous adventure!
Hannah Carpenter is also a fantastic character! She is a normal teenager. Or is she? I liked her sassy comebacks, and she is one of the bravest characters I know! She is extremely likable. She also has a grizzly bear called Teddy as a pet!
This book is told mostly from both Cole's and Hannah's point of view, but there are other characters that have their say too. This story could be a political thriller if you take out the paranormal aspects. However, the paranormal aspects i.e. the time travel, gives this story a fantastic twist. I don't know how the author kept the storyline flowing so well with all the different time lines. Some readers may be put off by the jumping backwards and forwards, but this is an action packed adventure that kept me hooked from the first page! There are meddling angels, a despotic King and not forgetting Teddy, Hannah's pet grizzly, and the Staff of Moses! I would love to see this as a TV movie! The characters are all so lifelike that I was expecting Cole and Hannah to come riding though my house! The political intrigue adds a darkness to the story, but doesn't seem so far fetched! This book ends with some intriguing questions remaining unanswered, and that makes me anxious to read the next book in the series!
I have read other books by Jeff LaFerney, but I think this may be one of his best books so far! I love the way his stories flow! They are fast paced, but extremely fluid.
I highly recommend this as a "MUST READ" if you love YA or Paranormal genres. - Lynn Worton
Holy Moses - This is a great, action packed futuristic read! Jumper (Time Travelers) has a plethora of reviews outlining its storyline, maybe even some with spoilers, so I'll stick to a personal assessment of this tale and the author's ability to bring it to life.
Jumper is my first exposure to Jeff LaFerney's writing, and I must say it was a much better experience than I initially imagined. Despite the novel being well-written and extensively researched, I considered it far too esoteric for me. After reading mostly humorous, light-hearted novels, it took me awhile to wrap my head around what I initially considered would be mental calisthenics. But interesting and affable characters drew me into the story as my curiosity grew and concern for their well-being surfaced. And when I began disliking certain characters, I knew I was hooked even though Sci-Fi fantasy novels aren't my usual genre. Jumper effortlessly (or so it seems) tethers a futuristic society with real life by keeping things familiar. As a Texan, I was still able to relate to Michigan settings as Mr. LaFerney offers grand depictions that give readers a strong sense of place.
This story of good versus evil was refreshing and magnetizing. Midway through, I was dreaming about how wonderful time travel could be, and looking for companies offering this service. I found a few, but none had favorable BBB standings. I am a writer who sticks with meat and potatoes storylines, therefore I am enviously impressed by authors with brilliant ideas who successfully translate them into entertaining reading. Plot twists and turns and lack of predictable ending, left me Jonesin' for another book from this first-rate author. Bulletproof, here I come:)
This is the second book I’ve read by Jeff LaFerney and I do enjoy his writing. He has the gift of getting you interested from the beginning and keeping you engaged in the book throughout. There were so many ways this book could have ended so I had to keep reading to find out which direction it went and why Hannah and Cole were given the gifts that they had. Much of the story was predictable but there were also a couple surprises which is always nice.
The time travel is done well. The title of each chapter tells what day it is in relation to gaining possession of the staff so you always know where in time the story is. I did have trouble understanding one aspect of the time travel near the end of the book but I don’t want to give anything away so I can’t go into it any further than that. I reread one chapter 3 times and was still confused.
Both Hannah and Cole are likeable. I didn’t really care for the way the relationships were handled by Cole but, in retrospect, he acted more like a real person than most heroes in novels so I have to say, “Well done!”
There were times in the book that it went more in-depth than I care for, such as when Middle East politics were described or at the beginning when the complete narrative of the tour guide at Mount Noab was included. This is just a personal preference and I’m sure many people enjoy the in-depth descriptions. I tend to skip over them. I’ve been known to skip pages of descriptions in some of Michener’s books.
I definitely recommend this book and I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.
I really enjoyed this book, very much! It was fun to read, and really intriguing. There was a GREAT story line and a world that is very imaginative.
As all great stories, there were many plot twists that I didn't see coming and like-able characters. For example, Cole. Cole may seem like the typical "bad boy" type. But, not really. He has an interesting story. Also, Hannah was great. She was strong throughout the book, even when she was confused about many things.
Although, with characters that I love, there also have to be characters that I don't like. Lauren, a reporter you meet early in the story, didn't really give me the same feelings I had for Cole and Hannah. Personally, I found her to be slightly obnoxious and prying. I thought I'd warm up to her later in the book, but I never did. Of course though, this is a personal preference.
Some parts of the novel were confusing with the constant time traveling. But hey, it's a time travel book. What book about time travel are you going to find that isn't confusing at some point? Even though I was confused at parts of the book, I ended up knowing very clearly what had happened throughout the story by the end.
The end of the book was good. It may not have ended exactly how I thought, or wanted, it to end, but it gave clarity to everything. The epilogue of the book may have been a little open ended, leaving the possibility for a second book.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this short, fun book! I'd recommend it to many. Put it on your to-read pile!
Jumper, Jeff LaFerney’s time traveling adventure, is based on a fascinating premise...that angels and demons are in constant struggle for the fate of life on Earth, and that humans are a necessary part / tool of their fight.
As such, the “villains” in the book are all possessed by demons. The “heroes/heroines” are being guided by angels, who recognize chosen humans, and encourage them to use their gifts for the highest good. These gifts include time travel for one human, and the ability to wield (and create miracles with) Moses’ staff for another. In addition, the author throws in some of the most gorgeous scenery in the world, a pet grizzly bear, tensions in the Middle East, and a fabulous sense of humor.
Unfortunately, LaFerney’s writing in this book doesn’t always live up to the premise. I found much of the book predictable. I quickly suspected that names of the characters -- especially the angels and demons -- indicate which side of the battle they’ve chosen. I also felt that there was far too much overly graphic violence.
On the positive side: LaFerney has obviously done his homework. I found it interesting and pleasant that he’s included an Arab (based on the name) in the Israeli cabinet. He also seems to be well-versed in the hierarchy of angels...a detail not often found in fantasy / science fiction / thrillers. Finally, the book kept me reading throughout.
***I received this book free of charge, in return for an honest review.***
Time travel stories are some of my favorites to read, and this one did not disappoint me at all! I love Cole. I love Hannah. I love how the personalities and situations regarding Isreal and Jordan and their leaders are realistic (yes, even being possessed by a demon!), and how every single one of the characters seem so real and believable in their lives before the angels step in and things start getting complicated. Hannah has just turned 18, just graduated high school and is dreading finding a job and getting ready for college. Cole is a damaged man with a broken past, lot of pain, but also a big heart and a desire and tendency to help those who need it. Lauren is a news reporter for a major news agency and catches Cole's rescue of Hannah after she pulls the staph of Moses out of the stone floor of the remnants of the Church on Mt Nebo, and the arrest of her family by Jordan's king. With Cole's help, Hannah is jumped through time to different times in her past, different places, all in the name of keeping the staph safe and out of the Jordanian king's hands. A little guidance and help from three angels make their job a little easier, and a little more confusing until they get it figured out. But it all works out, through adventures and hiding and fighting and finding themselves and even love. Really, this was a great story and I'll be watching for others. Review by Kendra @ www.FaeBooks.co.uk
A Top Notch Time Traveling Action/Adventure Awaits You!!
Jumper (Time Travelers) by Jeff LaFerney is a superbly written book filled with action, adventure, mystery, suspense, humor and puzzling plot twists & turns that will leave you guessing right until the very end. I have read all of Mr. LaFerney's books and while his writing always amazes me, what I love the most is his ability to weave together a wondrous story, full of unique and colorful characters, that will peak your curiosity, grab your interest and have you reading from dusk until dawn.
Cole Flint is just trying to survive in a society that he does not fit into anymore. Hannah Carpenter is a teenage girl with the future at her doorstep. But, in an instant everything about what they think they knew of this world changes. Forces unseen have brought them together and have given them a chance to alter events in time - Will they succeed? What will it cost them? From Mount Nebo in Jordan to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee to the Bernese Alps in Switzerland, follow Cole and Hannah through time as they encounter angels, demons, assassins, evil political leaders, a friendly grizzly bear and many others along this remarkable journey.
Imagine one day you discover that you can time travel. That's what happens with the protagonist, Cole, in this book. Cole is a loner who has basically raised himself beyond the age of 13 after leaving his mother, and although there was a father, he was not a person Cold rely upon for care or love.
Cole learns from an angel that his gift's spark was for the purpose of humankind as well as his new responsibility to protect a young woman destined to make her mark in changing history & the collapse of mankind. In the pursuit of Hannah's protection, Cole learns much about himself, his origin, his capabilities, and his destiny. Ultimately he learns about his adoption and discovers his birth mother.
The author's incorporation of current politics in the middle east made this novel seem more real. I felt myself wishing that something like jumping were real. Imagine how the world would be! The prose and the plot are dynamic and full of energy; there are no glaring holes or glitches. A very entertaining read!
When I was a kid I read two books by Frank Peretti called - This Present Darkness and its sequel- Piercing the Darkness. I LOVED them. Jumper is the only other book I've read like them and it was fantastic. I love the whole demon and angels thing. It makes for great reading and Jeff LaFerney has pulled together an excellent story.
I liked Cole Flint straight away and Hannah was just great. She is an excellent character. I never really warmed to Lauren, for no other reason than she got in the way of where I wanted a certain romance to go, but there is another story planned, so I won't lose hope yet :)
Jeff LaFerney dealt with the time travel aspects beautifully. He did his research and the book has a lot of depth because of it. Occasionally I got a little lost with the number of characters involved, but that would be my only criticism of the book.
If you're after a book that involves lots of action, some supernatural mystery and some very loveable characters then you should definitely read Jumper.
Set in the Middle East, Europe and the United States, in the past and in the present, three angels are assigned to complete one task each and then to watch over American teenager Hannah Carpenter and her motorcycle-riding protector Cole Flint as they battle forces of evil. The King of Jordan is possessed by a demon. The Middle East is in an uproar. Hannah skillfully uses the newly discovered Staff of Moses. Cole travels anywhere and anywhen by visualizing a place and time. And a biblical prophet makes an appearance.
Through this time travel novel, the author explores the impact that changing events in the past would have on the future. Each chapter is preceded by a notation of the general time frame before or after the discovery of the Staff of Moses. I found this a bit confusing at first but think I was trying to put too much emphasis into the “when” of it all. Soon though, I was just following the story and really enjoyed it. I look forward to the next book in this series.
The prologue was a bit much to get into but after reading the book it made sense why you would need that there. I am glad to have read this book it was a neat way to play how "jumping" would work. It did prove that somethings are set in stone on how history has them portrayed but we may miss out on a few details here and there that happen behind the scenes. I could never have guessed where he was taking the book until the very end. By that time I am trying to guess and have a note book full of notes on how I think it would of ended. The research was well thought out into this story between the places it was set and time period and also the Staff of Moses. The book doesn't loose steam or the story line when they jump between time like some books do. I would recommend this book to any one for a good read that would have them guessing to the end.
{my thoughts} - This books basis is about the ability to time travel. There are three angels that help to shape the course of the future and two main characters Hannah and Cole that are selected to help with the process. This book covers sadness, regret, happiness, loss, love and numerous other emotions. This is a rather fast read and very difficult to put down once you finish chapter one. I wanted to know more and more and just kept reading and then when I reached the end I was wowed! I wasn't expecting the book to take all the twists and turns it had, but it was all interwoven so nicely that it was easy to keep up with what was happening and when within the book. The ending was not what I expected but was spectacularly written.
{reason for reading} - I was given a copy of this book by the author in return for an honest review.
First of all I enjoyed this book, and felt you could really connect with the characters. Cole the Jumper who always seems to have trouble follow him around and be in the wrong place at the wrong time, literally, and his attempts at fixing the past never really goes to plan. Hannah who has it all planned out for her, without her knowledge, from winning the family holiday to the "jumping" around with Cole wielding the "Staff Of Moses" in an attempt to change the future and my favourite character has to be Teddy the grizzly bear, loved him!!
I have to say it did get a little confusing switching from the different times/years sometimes but in no way did it take away the greatness of the story. A must read!!