Book Review: The Adoration of Jenna Fox

TITLE: The Adoration of Jenna Fox
PART IN SERIES: standalone
AUTHOR: Mary E. Pearson
PUBLISHED: 2008
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: Science Fiction, drama,
PREMISE: Jenna is told she is Jenna Fox yet she doesn't remember anything before the accident and coma she was told she was in that she wasn't supposed to have survived...
MY REVIEW: Some of you may or may not recall a movie Steven Speilberg did back in the nineties called A.I. If you don't, this is not a movie reccomend (really, avoid the movie at all costs, it's in no way as interesting as it sounds in the summary). This book reminds me a lot of the questions asked in that movie. But whereas that movie bored me to tears, this book is actually interesting and thought provoking and reminds me about why I don't give up on the YA genre despite the Twilights and the Cliques that are popular nowadays.
Casual readers and teens probably won't look twice at this book which is a shame because it's well written, has suspense, and is an interesting look at what the future may or may not bring in terms of science, healthcare, ethics, even school. There were interesting characters aside from Jenna and the story progressed naturally. But because it's not all action and romance it's probably overlooked in favor of the fluffier stuff. Sigh.
My only annoyance is the present tence style is used yet again (but written well and I see why it's used...just it's not my preference) and why did they feel the need put in discussion questions? I hate it when publishers put in discussion questions at the back of the book. It's like they're saying "well, you're probably not intelligent enough to catch all the ideas thrown around in the book so I'll just provide the questions for you." Again, this isn't really anything that takes away from the story, it's just a personal grievance. I also would have appreciated a less abrupt feeling ending and I felt like some stuff could have been explored more (more background on minor characters like Ethan and Allys for instance would have been nice). But other that that, the book is wonderful. So please, if you're willing give this book a chance. It's well worth the time.
WHO SHOULD READ: anyone inclined to pick it up
MY RATING: Four and a half out of Five mechanical robots

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