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A review by garnetofeden
Fearless by Francine Pascal
2.0
Someone deleted my alternate cover edition and, along with it, my review and rating. >:/ This is my attempt at reconstructing my review from my notes, but I don't remember how many stars I really gave it at the time.
In junior high, I was never able to read the first book in this series because the library didn't have it. The books I did read were out of order, but I thought that Gaia seemed like such a cool character, and I thought the concept for the overarching plotline sounded pretty cool too. With these memories in mind, I decided to check out the first book in the series.
It became apparent to me pretty quickly that I was past the age where I could appreciate this book without over-analyzing it. There were inconsistencies in the language and descriptions throughout the book. For example, the following quote:. Or this lingering question: ?
Aspects of Gaia’s personality rubbed me the wrong way. The things that made her seem cool when I was younger weren’t cool anymore. It’s hard to like someone who has an enormous chip on their shoulder. Also, with more experience, I believe that Gaia qualifies as a Mary Sue: beautiful despite not trying, super smart/genius, excellent at karate and marksmanship. Just the fear gene wouldn’t be responsible for all of that…
Speaking of, math genius error?
Another thing that bugged me was the big deal made out of her being a virgin. Besides not being that big of an issue (being a virgin at 17 is not THAT uncommon), it is NOT a good role model for the target audience of young adolescent girls who might idealize or admire. I don’t mind kissing, but WHY must we jump right from “Gosh I want to get kissed” to “I have to have sex”?
Also, there was
As for the science behind Gaia:
Some possible context errors that I didn’t have a chance to totally verify and double-check:
Despite all that, some sections of the book didn’t seem as terrible as others, like they recaptured the essence of what caused me to like the series when I was younger.
Rating reviewed 1/20/2023.
In junior high, I was never able to read the first book in this series because the library didn't have it. The books I did read were out of order, but I thought that Gaia seemed like such a cool character, and I thought the concept for the overarching plotline sounded pretty cool too. With these memories in mind, I decided to check out the first book in the series.
It became apparent to me pretty quickly that I was past the age where I could appreciate this book without over-analyzing it. There were inconsistencies in the language and descriptions throughout the book. For example, the following quote:
Spoiler
“Although her capacity for nervousness was nil, her capacity for insecurity was all there." (pg. 78) Are nervousness and insecurity really all that different? Insecurity also is rooted in fear, so if she's lacking nervousness it would make more logical sense for her to lack insecurity as wellSpoiler
Why is her hair slightly fried if she doesn’t do anything with itAspects of Gaia’s personality rubbed me the wrong way. The things that made her seem cool when I was younger weren’t cool anymore. It’s hard to like someone who has an enormous chip on their shoulder. Also, with more experience, I believe that Gaia qualifies as a Mary Sue: beautiful despite not trying, super smart/genius, excellent at karate and marksmanship. Just the fear gene wouldn’t be responsible for all of that…
Speaking of, math genius error?
Spoiler
I was really confused on pg. 17 – the quadratic formula as written in the book (at least in the edition I read) was correct. What did Gaia change that made it incorrect? It says she changed the final plus to a minus sign but within the square root it IS a minus sign, not a plus. Regardless, for someone who is a math genius, it’s interesting that she doesn’t consider tangent as it applies to calculus – only trig.Another thing that bugged me was the big deal made out of her being a virgin. Besides not being that big of an issue (being a virgin at 17 is not THAT uncommon), it is NOT a good role model for the target audience of young adolescent girls who might idealize or admire. I don’t mind kissing, but WHY must we jump right from “Gosh I want to get kissed” to “I have to have sex”?
Also, there was
Spoiler
lots of weird out of character apologizing at the end before she went back to normal bitchy self. WTH? I don’t know why Gaia had such an issue with telling the truth about what happened to her and Heather, why she didn’t warn Heather.As for the science behind Gaia:
Spoiler
Gaia describes herself as "hormonally challenged" (5). This is probably a more accurate way of describing her condition than "born without the fear gene" (although, to give Gaia credit, she does say "gene or whatever it is that makes you scared"). By "hormonally challenged" it seems they are referring to the extreme boost of adrenaline she receives in certain situations. Adrenaline can make people faster and stronger than they normally would be, so if you lacked that response would that be how nature compensated? “Without fear, there’s nothing to stop you from using every bit of power you have” (pg. 6-7). At one point, they basically describe her condition as berserk. “Her rage exploded, less controlled, more intense than ever before. (…) Her adrenaline carried her, so she didn’t have to think or count or predict” (pg. 171). She even experiences the same extreme weakness side effect that occurs once your boost of adrenaline is gone.Some possible context errors that I didn’t have a chance to totally verify and double-check:
Spoiler
How does Gaia know Ed is an ex-skate rat? She barely knows the guy… she knows nothing about his life before his accident. Also, Heather calls Gaia insulting names at the party, but as far as I can tell never learns Gaia’s actual name, yet she calls Gaia by her actual name at the park. WTF? Maybe she learned it at the party, but still…Despite all that, some sections of the book didn’t seem as terrible as others, like they recaptured the essence of what caused me to like the series when I was younger.
Rating reviewed 1/20/2023.