The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Stars: 4


Summary:
(from amazon.com)


Who is Jenna Fox? Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a coma, they tell her, and she is still recovering from a terrible accident in which she was involved a year ago. But what happened before that? Jenna doesn’t remember her life. Or does she? And are the memories really hers?



This fascinating novel represents a stunning new direction for acclaimed author Mary Pearson. Set in a near future America, it takes readers on an unforgettable journey through questions of bio-medical ethics and the nature of humanity. Mary Pearson’s vividly drawn characters and masterful writing soar to a new level of sophistication.



Review:

 Jenna wakes up not knowing who she is.

How cool is that? Way freaking cool.


In Who Am I stories, the possibilities are endless. The character is so fresh. Jenna started off docile. She was willing to let her mother take care of everything. Jenna was afraid to ask the questions that mattered. Like, why her grandmother, Lily, seems to hate her. Thankfully, as Jenna starts figuring more about herself, she becomes more assertive. She makes her own decisions, gets her own consequences.


I would compare this book to The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman, and Skinned by Robin Wasserman. The Other Side of the Island because they have a similar narrative, plus, gooey dystopian goodness. Skinned, because of subject matter.


The narrative felt so slow, and unhurried. The mystery kept me into the book, but the sleepy voice made me need to take brakes. Also, Jenna’s relationship with Ethan had no spark; their relationship was only a subplot, so I wasn’t too bothered.

The ending tied up all the loose ends and answered all the questions, it made the book feel more worth while. Overall, if you can get past the slow narrative, The Adoration of Jenna Fox is a great read!