Fearless

by Raima Larter

Father Mike Albertino, worn down by financial problems in his old parish and relentless terrorist bombings in his city, is overwhelmed by his own inability to help terrified people. In the midst of all this chaos, he encounters Jenna, a young woman about his age who, inexplicably, cannot feel fear. Mike and Jenna become friends and through this friendship discover the mysterious causes of her disorder. This novel explores themes of faith, how we know what is real and what is not, and the myriad ways frightened people cope in our increasingly fear-filled world.

354 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2019

About the author

Raima Larter is a writer and scientist. A former college professor and government scientist, she is the author of numerous short stories, three novels, and the popular science book, "Spiritual Insights from the New Science: Complex Systems and Life," published by World Scientific in 2021. Her newest novel is "The Kiss Catastrophe," published in 2024. Raima's first novel, "Fearless," was published by New Meridian Arts Press in February, 2019. Her second novel, "Belle o' the Waters" was published by Mascot Books in April, 2019. Her short stories have been nominated for awards, including the Pushcart Prize. Raima authors the blog, Complexity Simplified, covering topics from science to religion and spirituality and also contributes articles about scientific discoveries to the American Institute of Physics website and other online publications. She has two short story collections, “The Gate of Heaven and Other Story Worlds,” published in 2012, and "Motherhood and Other Magical Realms," published in 2022.

Reviews

[Melba Hopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally "fell' into the plot immediately and had trouble putting the book down, and when I did, I got back to it as soon as possible. It was fascinating to watch (and I love the book's front cover, both title and image!) as the two protagonists' stories begin in parallel and then quickly merge as they struggle through the mysteries of their unique, yet in some ways common, doubts and fears. Melba H.

[Tara Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fearless is an intriguing read, combining science fiction and contemplation of faith in times of strife. Larter’s tale centers on two compelling main characters: Father Mike, a priest hiding his doubts about the path he’s chosen as he attempts to keep his crumbling church and dwindling congregation together, and Jenna, a young woman trying to piece together how and why she can’t access memories of the previous few years of her life. These two questions—will Mike leave the priesthood, and what secrets are locked inside Jenna’s mind—kept me turning the pages. The science fiction aspect of the book begins to emerge halfway through, and is accessible enough not to lose readers who don’t normally read in the genre. Larter keeps the plot moving forward with vivid, clear description, bringing us into the sights, sounds and scents of a tight-knit neighborhood whose residents are grappling with inexplicable eruptions of violence and tests of faith.

[Margaret Rodenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two heroes of this modern-day twisty story—a young priest with shaky faith and a young woman who can’t feel fear—face several mysteries and challenges together. You immediately become invested in their lives, because each has unique, interesting problems and complicated backstories.

I really liked that the plot didn’t follow the obvious paths. There are several good mysteries involving science, spirituality, and even current events. As events intersect, they present new challenges to the characters, keeping them (and the reader) on their toes in a highly satisfying way. The crisp writing propels the story forward to its surprising finish. It’s the kind of novel you’ll buzz through quickly, then plan to read again.

[Karen Grajales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I attended the author’s reading of this novel, and was intrigued enough to buy a copy of her book. Several years later, I finally read it, and enjoyed every page. It’s well crafted and never strains to answer the central questions of the novel. A satisfying read.