📖 Overview
Steven Charles Gould is an American science fiction author best known for his novel "Jumper" (1992), which was adapted into a major motion picture in 2008. His work frequently incorporates themes of survival, self-reliance, and the responsible use of power.
A graduate of Texas A&M University, Gould began his career in 1980 with the publication of his short story "The Touch of Their Eyes" in Analog magazine. He has since authored ten novels, including the popular Jumper series, which follows characters with teleportation abilities.
Gould has maintained strong ties to the science fiction community, serving as president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) and contributing to various writing workshops and conventions. His works are particularly noted for their scientific accuracy and attention to technical detail.
His background as the child of a military officer and his experiences with scuba diving have influenced his writing, often informing the realistic portrayal of both military life and underwater scenes in his works. He continues to write and lives with his wife, fellow science fiction author Laura J. Mixon.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Gould's fast-paced plotting and detailed research, particularly in Jumper and Wildside. Many reviews note his ability to explore realistic consequences of science fiction concepts. Fans highlight his focus on character development over action sequences.
Common criticisms include abrupt endings, uneven pacing in later books, and what some readers call "repetitive" descriptions of teleportation mechanics. Several reviews mention that his later Jumper sequels lack the emotional depth of the first book.
From 12,000+ Goodreads ratings:
Jumper: 3.9/5
Wildside: 3.8/5
Reflex: 3.8/5
7th Sigma: 3.5/5
Amazon reviews average 4.2/5 across his titles.
Reader quote: "Gould excels at taking fantastic premises and working out their logical implications in careful detail" - Goodreads review
Critical quote: "Later books feel like they're running through the motions of the first novel's ideas" - Amazon review
📚 Books by Steven Gould
Jumper
A teenager discovers he can teleport and uses this ability to escape his abusive father, leading to involvement with counter-terrorism efforts while being pursued by government agencies.
Reflex The sequel to Jumper follows Davy's wife Millie as she develops teleportation abilities while searching for her kidnapped husband who is being held by a secretive organization.
Jumper: Griffin's Story A parallel novel to Jumper that tells the story of Griffin O'Connor, a young teleporter hunted by the shadowy Paladins organization since childhood.
Impulse Cent, the teenage daughter of two teleporters, inherits her parents' abilities and uses them to combat high school bullies and survive extreme sports adventures.
Exo Cent expands her teleportation abilities to reach orbit, leading to her involvement in space exploration and the commercialization of orbital transport.
Reflex The sequel to Jumper follows Davy's wife Millie as she develops teleportation abilities while searching for her kidnapped husband who is being held by a secretive organization.
Jumper: Griffin's Story A parallel novel to Jumper that tells the story of Griffin O'Connor, a young teleporter hunted by the shadowy Paladins organization since childhood.
Impulse Cent, the teenage daughter of two teleporters, inherits her parents' abilities and uses them to combat high school bullies and survive extreme sports adventures.
Exo Cent expands her teleportation abilities to reach orbit, leading to her involvement in space exploration and the commercialization of orbital transport.
👥 Similar authors
John Scalzi writes military and space-focused science fiction with careful attention to scientific plausibility and power dynamics. His Old Man's War series explores similar themes of adaptation and responsibility as Gould's work.
Robert Charles Wilson focuses on character-driven science fiction that examines how individuals cope with extraordinary circumstances and powers. His works like Spin share Gould's interest in the personal implications of fantastic abilities.
David Brin combines hard science fiction elements with exploration of how individuals handle newfound capabilities and responsibilities. His Uplift series demonstrates the same attention to scientific detail and consequences of power that characterize Gould's writing.
Catherine Asaro writes science fiction that balances technical accuracy with character development and survival scenarios. Her background in physics informs her work similarly to how Gould's diving experience shapes his underwater sequences.
Timothy Zahn creates science fiction featuring protagonists who must use intelligence and resourcefulness to overcome challenges. His work shares Gould's focus on self-reliance and careful world-building based on established scientific principles.
Robert Charles Wilson focuses on character-driven science fiction that examines how individuals cope with extraordinary circumstances and powers. His works like Spin share Gould's interest in the personal implications of fantastic abilities.
David Brin combines hard science fiction elements with exploration of how individuals handle newfound capabilities and responsibilities. His Uplift series demonstrates the same attention to scientific detail and consequences of power that characterize Gould's writing.
Catherine Asaro writes science fiction that balances technical accuracy with character development and survival scenarios. Her background in physics informs her work similarly to how Gould's diving experience shapes his underwater sequences.
Timothy Zahn creates science fiction featuring protagonists who must use intelligence and resourcefulness to overcome challenges. His work shares Gould's focus on self-reliance and careful world-building based on established scientific principles.