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Jump or Fall
Jump or Fall: A Dark Cyberpunk Romance
When a man with a scarred face appears in Mara’s home looking to purchase an armor suit, everything turns on its head.
He shouldn't be in her part of the city–let alone in her apartment. The Silvers hold the city hostage with implanted retractable claws and the ever-present threat of “stripes” for disobedience. A stripe to the face? The worst banishment to the Outskirts.
But the scar isn't the only reason he shouldn't be there. Mara's life as a designer and maker of armor for Hyperion may seem glamorous, but she lives in a prison without bars. Her keeper is Dawson Knight, the leader of the Silvers himself.
Perhaps this stranger offers her a chance at freedom. But the cost of failure will be more than her face, and she must decide whether she’s willing to pay.
She must choose: jump or fall.
When a man with a scarred face appears in Mara’s home looking to purchase an armor suit, everything turns on its head.
He shouldn't be in her part of the city–let alone in her apartment. The Silvers hold the city hostage with implanted retractable claws and the ever-present threat of “stripes” for disobedience. A stripe to the face? The worst banishment to the Outskirts.
But the scar isn't the only reason he shouldn't be there. Mara's life as a designer and maker of armor for Hyperion may seem glamorous, but she lives in a prison without bars. Her keeper is Dawson Knight, the leader of the Silvers himself.
Perhaps this stranger offers her a chance at freedom. But the cost of failure will be more than her face, and she must decide whether she’s willing to pay.
She must choose: jump or fall.
321 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2025
10 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
C.J. North
2 books6 followersCJ North lives in the frozen wasteland better known as Alaska. She loves geography, history, mythology, and writing romance stories that incorporate them all. When not lost in a story, she's probably wandering a street on Google Maps or two hours into a deep dive on a random topic with no practical use.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 4, 2025
"She escaped back into the haven of her mind. The one place she could control."
I recently traveled, and my goal was to finish this book by the end of my return flight.
Usually, annotating takes me a little longer as I feverishly try to doodle my thoughts. Let me tell you that I had some hilarious conversations with my seat mates on both flights. My favorite, though, was a person asking me why I kept writing WTF ?!
This author can write the hell out of a villain!
The villain was villianing, and it gave me murderous thoughts and sweaty pitts.
The characters are complex, and the world is gritty. The system is broken and bruised for Mara. Forced to work for a sadistic man creating high-tech suits for the very people who trap her. Mara is self medicated, dissociating, and just trying to survive... until him.
Mara is finally given the hope to fight back, and boy does she!
Absolutely stellar! There is a romance aspect to this, which I love because it's so wholesome in the dark world.
Please check trigger warnings. There are a lot of dark themes, but I do feel they contribute to the heart of the story and the perseverance of the FMC!
I recently traveled, and my goal was to finish this book by the end of my return flight.
Usually, annotating takes me a little longer as I feverishly try to doodle my thoughts. Let me tell you that I had some hilarious conversations with my seat mates on both flights. My favorite, though, was a person asking me why I kept writing WTF ?!
This author can write the hell out of a villain!
The villain was villianing, and it gave me murderous thoughts and sweaty pitts.
The characters are complex, and the world is gritty. The system is broken and bruised for Mara. Forced to work for a sadistic man creating high-tech suits for the very people who trap her. Mara is self medicated, dissociating, and just trying to survive... until him.
Mara is finally given the hope to fight back, and boy does she!
Absolutely stellar! There is a romance aspect to this, which I love because it's so wholesome in the dark world.
Please check trigger warnings. There are a lot of dark themes, but I do feel they contribute to the heart of the story and the perseverance of the FMC!
August 3, 2025
Jump or Fall is the perfect intro to a world full of interesting ideas that leaves a lot of potential for future installments (I demand more Robo-Doggies!), and I can't wait to see what the author has planned for it.
The characters coming together tell how differently they navigate a life where facial scars and mutilation are a deciding factor in who you are and how people see you. We have differing characters who are or were part of the elite, enforcing these rules but handling them in their own way. And we have characters who, for justifiable reasons, rebel against the ideals set forth.
Mara and Gordon have become comfort characters for me that I wouldn't mind returning to should I need something familiar to fall back on. Their journey to discover themselves and the comfort found in each other along the way is what makes this a believable romance within the context of this world.
I'm personally not a person who reads a lot of sci-fi (romance or not), but this story had me engaged throughout, and I would describe it as a good entry point for people who aren't sure if they like the genre, as the points brought up in this book aren't too far-fetched and out there. It's fairly believable in the scope of a distant dystopian world.
The characters coming together tell how differently they navigate a life where facial scars and mutilation are a deciding factor in who you are and how people see you. We have differing characters who are or were part of the elite, enforcing these rules but handling them in their own way. And we have characters who, for justifiable reasons, rebel against the ideals set forth.
Mara and Gordon have become comfort characters for me that I wouldn't mind returning to should I need something familiar to fall back on. Their journey to discover themselves and the comfort found in each other along the way is what makes this a believable romance within the context of this world.
I'm personally not a person who reads a lot of sci-fi (romance or not), but this story had me engaged throughout, and I would describe it as a good entry point for people who aren't sure if they like the genre, as the points brought up in this book aren't too far-fetched and out there. It's fairly believable in the scope of a distant dystopian world.
August 7, 2025
Goodreads doesn’t do percent but my full rating is 4.25 ⭐️!
I got the wonderful opportunity to read this as an ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring North's world and walking along Mara and Gordon's sides. Please heed the content warnings in the beginning of the book as they are no joke.
Though North did a wonderful job of showing the city and the districts, I am a lover of maps and I really wish this book had one. Personally I love tracking where the characters are going as the story progresses and to just see how the author envisions their world.
I loved the healing element in this story of conquering your traumas and healing from them, also while learning to love and stand up for yourself. I do wish we spent more time exploring those themes tho.
I would have loved to explore some of the side characters a little more especially as Mara gets to know them; everyone felt unique and distinct especially as the story progressed. If North is planning a sequel or even a side story I would love to read about all of the characters again, especially after how to story ends and seeing them all settle into their new lives.
All that said I very much liked the book and definitely recommend! Thank you again for the opportunity to read in advance!!
I got the wonderful opportunity to read this as an ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring North's world and walking along Mara and Gordon's sides. Please heed the content warnings in the beginning of the book as they are no joke.
Though North did a wonderful job of showing the city and the districts, I am a lover of maps and I really wish this book had one. Personally I love tracking where the characters are going as the story progresses and to just see how the author envisions their world.
I loved the healing element in this story of conquering your traumas and healing from them, also while learning to love and stand up for yourself. I do wish we spent more time exploring those themes tho.
I would have loved to explore some of the side characters a little more especially as Mara gets to know them; everyone felt unique and distinct especially as the story progressed. If North is planning a sequel or even a side story I would love to read about all of the characters again, especially after how to story ends and seeing them all settle into their new lives.
All that said I very much liked the book and definitely recommend! Thank you again for the opportunity to read in advance!!
October 29, 2025
Jump or Fall pulled me in with its intricate worldbuilding. The technology was detailed without becoming overwhelming. This was built as the story grew naturally in both the world and the emotional depth as it unfolded.
I took to Mara very quickly. She’s sharp and capable, but the way her fragility peeked through in the small moments made her feel real. The balance between her strength and vulnerability is beautifully done.
Gordon, too, is complex. His backstory is heartbreaking, hers is chilling.
Their connection felt genuine to me, like they saw something in each-other before they shared the words.
The God’s Eye concept was so cool (ahem, sharingan anyone? :D)
By the final chapters, I was fully invested. The tension, stakes, emotional load, I was on edge and bracing myself for heartbreak. I genuinely didn’t know if I could handle a tragic ending. Thankfully, it delivered what I was hoping for.
C.J. North has created a world I don’t want to leave. I’m ready to go to Cygnus now, please?
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August 18, 2025UNDECIDED.
You're going to have to choose between liking the romance or just liking the Dystopian plot itself.
Personally, the romance didn't capture my attention from the beginning.
The first meeting didn't wow me, and how potentially high it would develop into insta-love was a total turn-off.
Other than that, it seemed like a lengthy novel with a deep exploration of politics and the rebellion that drives the entire plot. If you're not into the romance or you're cool with insta-love then you'll probably be fine.
You're going to have to choose between liking the romance or just liking the Dystopian plot itself.
Personally, the romance didn't capture my attention from the beginning.
The first meeting didn't wow me, and how potentially high it would develop into insta-love was a total turn-off.
Other than that, it seemed like a lengthy novel with a deep exploration of politics and the rebellion that drives the entire plot. If you're not into the romance or you're cool with insta-love then you'll probably be fine.
dnf
December 15, 2025Ch 12
Very few reviews for this book and unfortunately I know this is a new author but I’m just rather bored by it. The romance is somewhat insta and the writing and all is a bit cringey :(
Very few reviews for this book and unfortunately I know this is a new author but I’m just rather bored by it. The romance is somewhat insta and the writing and all is a bit cringey :(
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews