Francine Paula Pascal was an American author best known for her Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High, the backbone of the collection, was made into a television series, which led to several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they remained so popular that several titles were re-released decades later.
This one was a bit disappointing - although maybe I just prefer it when our heroine's life is sucking. I think I must have missed a few of the books or when I first read the series because I don't remember this... then again, maybe I was so underwhelmed it simply didn't stick. The plots have always been ludicrous but this time it was sloppily done as well. That said I'm still reading on...
Sam and Gaia finally got together. Uncle Oliver proposes a deal to Gaia about having a real family. They both leave New York. Or did they?
The One Where Gaia Meets Her Dad After So Long
The man with Gaia wasn't Uncle Oliver (He got arrested!). It was Tom Moore, the dad who abandoned her five years ago. After a heartwarming explanation, they reconciled. They both travel to France, where Gaia gets in a lot of trouble. Meanwhile, Sam Moon gets into a deep struggle. The death of his roommate, Mike Suarez, isn't long forgotten. Two detectives are on to him, and believe that he was somewhat involved on his murder. Also, after Ed told Heather about the possibilities of walking again, Heather proposes a cold deal: Pretend that he doesn't really know how to walk so she could get the 26 million dollars she thinks she deserves for her family.
The plot is getting thicker. A new character was introduced (who looks very suspicious. . .), and somehow, the characters I hated, are even more annoying and the rest are still the same.
As complex as the story is, I didn't feel like analyzing too much into the "episodes" because the "episodes" itself are very short and quick. And besides, it doesn't need my analyzing on the first place.
I'm getting nearer the half, and I can't wait to know what happens next.
For a series that’s fueled mainly by action, this book has very little plot, but instead lotsa emotions. Gaia and her dad reconcile near the beginning, and are all lah-dee-dah. Ed’s surgery finished but now Heather wants him to pretend he’s making no progress to ensure he’ll get his full lawsuit payment and help her family. So he’s all emo. Sam’s still being chased around by cops because now-dead-Ella killed his friend, and some guy is conveniently becoming his BFF in his time of distress. That’s pretty much it.
And not that it matters, but the back cover summary has nothing to do with the book.
I wonder what the ghostwriting model for this series was...like, did Pascal write more in the beginning...or none at all? Or did the contract for the series get renewed so it seemed okay to dull the pace? Hmm.
Summary: Tom travels to France for an off-screen mission with Gaia, Gaia learns the truth about her uncle, Loki sits in jail after getting arrested at the airport, Ed faces physical therapy after a successful surgery, Sam keeps getting questioned by detectives about Mike's death and makes a new friend named Josh who he socializes with in the meantime, Heather wants Ed to lie about his recovery so she can get money to support her family, Gaia deals with almost getting raped, and the book ends with Loki swearing his revenge.
Usual Fearless-stupidity aside (And They Wasted A Perfectly Good Plot since Francine Pascal should have written more chapters in which Gaia and Tom interact with each other in France), this was actually the first book in the series I had ever read. I spotted this on a bookshelf in my Middle School's library years ago and read some of it before quitting since I had no idea about previous events that happened before. Also, this was the only Fearless book the library had. I had only remembered this series when the first 9 books got released into bundles which made me motivated to read every single book out of curiosity nowadays. Anyway on with the review:
1) During the beginning where Tom is telling Gaia (who's locked herself in the bathroom) all about Loki and trying to convince her that he's her father, I couldn't help but wonder if anyone else was paying any attention to them?
2) I agree with the FBI agents on thinking Loki's plan of trying to take a plane overseas was stupid because it is. How did Loki think he was going to bypass airport security THAT easily if he's such an established villain? However I don't think telling Loki to avoid NYC is good advice considering he's dined out and walked around the city without anyone ever batting an eye.
3) Loki monologues about how smoother things would run if the human heart was removed. Anyone should know that emotions actually come from the brain. If hearts were removed, no one would be living. You would think a "terrorist mastermind" would have gotten this simple fact correct but nope.
4)
"Aiiee!" He cried. (Screams of pain were the same in any language)"
The sentence in parentheses was really stupid and should have been omitted. Also the demographic this series was intended for already knows that simple things like laughter and crying are the same in any language which makes that part even more pointless.
5) What's with the constant stabs at Hallmark? We get that their movies are essentially the same plot rehashed over and over but when you insult it more than once, it loses it's flavor.
6) Has Gaia been sitting in a French cafe all until 4 am?? Why hadn't she been kicked out long after the business closed? Where were the staff that could have protected Gaia from getting raped in that scene? Why didn't Gaia go back to the hotel immediately after her dad takes off to complete his agency mission? Who leaves their customers in their restaurant alone when said customer can vandalize the place or rob them?
This part alone was really idiotic. If you still wanted Gaia to still face an attempted rape, a less stupid alternative scene could be Gaia heading to the hotel room after making a late-night stop at a convenience store for some French candy for a treat/souvenir when the group of rapists take that moment to try assaulting her.
7) On the same topic as rapists, how come from all the time any French males are given screen time none of them are given positive portrayals? I'm aware anyone can be mean and nasty but wouldn't at least ONE good portrayal be okay?
8) Gaia isn't bothered at all that she was going to get raped. Instead, she's sad that she won't be losing it to Sam. She's more worried it'll be lost to the wrong person rather than being violently assaulted and being left with trauma.
I swear these books are beginning to drive me to TEARS with how bad they are...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Wow wow wow. That plot twist is what got this to a 4 instead of a three star. I am so happy with it. Gaia is at the moment safe from Loki thanks to some quick thinking from her dad. I was squealing when that scene happened.
The rest of the book was mostly filler in my opinion. Ed surgery went great but now Heather wants him to act like it didn't work for a while so he can get his money and give some her to take care her family. What a witch and horrible person she is. Money hungry for sure.
Sam needs to stop trusting this Josh guy and get a lawyer to me. I not sure bit Josh seems be in with Loki somehow don't quote me on it but that's my thoughts.
Loki for now is being held by feds which is perfect.
Thirty-six books are in this series. They are essentially, one story; told thirty-six times. A few characters die, and are replaced by others. But mostly, the cast remains constant; with the same main villain, side-kicks, and foils. This book, #14 is not so bad, though; with the mean-girl, Heather, actually plotting to get in on Ed's insurance settlement. He's recovering, and she says to hide that fact; to increase his settlement money. There's some ass-kicking, by the Mary Sue heroine; which is described well. An okay book to occupy my obligatory hour-long lunch break.
Missing is part of a series which I didn’t know until I opened the book. Nonetheless it’s okay. Gaia, the main character who clearly has father issues is tough and cool. Her boyfriend Sam’s life is going downhill but there is Josh, who seems a bit suspicious is helping him along the way.
And then we have Heather who is clearly after her disabled boyfriend’s money. It’s fast paced and has action scenes but this is pretty much the plot.
Not the best of the series so far, but a good foundation book for the next major event in Gaia's life. Ed is a little blinded by love so see just how toxic Heather is. And I only hope he pulls himself together. He is my favorite character in the series. Also, it bugs me is how often the reader is told she is fearless. And it's always in situations that most would feel fear.
I've read this series over ten years ago. But I remember it being very good. For the first 18 books. After that the more it lasted the worst it got. I stopped at book 32. These days I wouldn't give it more than 20.
Back to the good stuff. I found that Gaia was a good strong, pretty but still flawed character. She was special without being annoying. It's just that once the author stopped looking over the shoulder of the ghost writer. Things went down the drain pretty fast.
Last note. The series may be in boxes but I won't be giving them away any time soon. She's a good example of an interesting main character in an interesting premise.
I hate Heather(more now than ever). She is such a bad news for Ed. I can't wait 'til Ed gets together with Gaia again.
With Gaia reuniting with her dad, I miss my own Dad now. I envy her 'cause she get to talk with her dad. She gets to hug him. Or even just shout at him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.