Tears

Fearless #15

by Francine Pascal

Gaia returns to New York. She’s living with her father, she’s with Sam, and she’s even hanging out with Ed again. But Ed has a secret—one that’s tearing him apart.Meanwhile, an imprisoned Loki receives word that Gaia is back in the States. Overwhelmed with rage, he vows to escape to exact revenge on Tom—and to take Gaia back forever.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Teen, Suspense, Romance, Mystery

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2001

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Merary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just because I want to do something different I'm going to write the reviews in a Friends episode format. Enjoy!

The One With Secrets Kept Away From Gaia

Now that Gaia Moore came back from France, everything is supposed to be back to normal. Wrong! Sam Moon is being threaten by an unknown caller, and Josh is suddenly acting very weird. He can't tell Gaia this because then he will be in danger. Meanwhile, Ed Fargo is dying to admit that he can walk to Gaia, even though Heather Gannis doesn't want him to say anything about it, because then she won't receive any money. Two people, two HUGE secrets, and a very pissed off Gaia.

Yeah, I didn't like this one that much. I hope that it isn't turning worse because I really want to finish this series. Gaia breaks up with Sam because she was very tired of his lies, by the way. Let's see how long that lasts. Oh, and Ed finally tells Gaia his secret. Heather will not be happy about this.

[Lucie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Improvement on the last book, which was bizarre, but Gaia's character has pretty much been a let down in this one too. She's gone from being bad-ass to kinda of needy and pathetic, all in a brow-raising instant. So much for strong female role models. Also, what's with Sam? The only thing the guy seems to have going for him is good looks and chess ability - happy spins in the genetic lottery, not things that should warrant the kind of mindless infatuation he receives. Seriously, there's nothing honest, brave, or admirable about the guy, he's like a soggy lettuce leaf, can't think why I fancied him as a kid! Yay for Ed though, he and Heather are definitely my favourite (still living) characters.

[OnePageAway · Rating 1 out of 5]

Summary: Josh orders Sam to deliver packages to people as it's revealed Josh has malicious intentions, Ed is making good progress with walking but has to keep it a secret for Heather's sake, Gaia and Tom spend time together before Tom is forced off to do another agency mission, Heather is still dealing with financial problems, Loki escapes prison, and the book ends with Gaia crying over her father leaving her again.

Tears is ever so mediocre, yet still so bad in every other way possible. It's not like I'll stop anytime soon, however.

1) The forged chemistry lab sign-in sheet did work, but had the detectives actually question the teacher that Sam supposedly had class with, it would render the sheet worthless regardless if Sam really was innocent about Mike's murder.

2) I'm getting so frustrated at having Sam wimping out on telling his accusations to Josh. All this bad communication between characters is really mind blowing to be honest.

3) Gaia mentions that she and Sam barely started dating when he starts "standing her up". Keep in mind, Gaia desires sex with him even when they finally begun a relationship together.

4) I admittedly felt warm inside when Ed first began gaining control of his legs. It was the only feel good moment thus far.

5) Gaia assumes shoplifting happens when she wears a dress despite that the shoplifting was going to take place whether or not Gaia tried on something ridiculous.

6) "He knew that a relationship with the opposite sex was all about building trust."

You could say that about any kind of relationship whatsoever whether it's straight or not. This should also be common sense.

7) Why does every new character in Fearless have to be evil or die eventually? Couldn't Josh finally avert the cliche and actually be one of Sam's close friends that is more than happy to help him with his problems regardless if it the way he solves them are less than moral? Why did you have to make him work for Loki?

8) Has there been one complicated classic that Gaia hasn't read when she was a freaking kid?

9) So far the only thing meaningful in Fearless is how it can teach people new words in different languages. On the other hand it also teaches how to not write YA literature.

10) If Tom sensed something was wrong with Gaia, why didn't he bother asking her what was on her mind? It could have better strengthened their daughter-father bond and would resolve issues quicker.

11) With all the sugar Gaia's consuming I wonder how she hasn't gained weight or any other health problems. Krispy Kreme aren't THAT healthy to ingest multiple times a week. Or is avoiding health issues one of Gaia's many Mary Sue abilities?

12) Gaia deserved to get shat on by a pigeon.

13) Gaia deems positive pregnancy test to be "all things bad". For starters, she doesn't know any lives of the women who take pregnancy tests. Maybe more than a few of females who get positive results from their tests actually DO desire children, you ever think of that?

14) Why would Gaia go ahead and insult handicapped people right in front of Ed? True, it was to get his attention but she didn't have to result to something so scumbaggy.

15) The scene where Loki escapes jail was entirely idiotic (in fact, the jailing facility as a whole counts). Just some questions:
- Why weren't there better security such as cameras in each of the jail cells/hallways?
- If Loki is so dangerous, why couldn't he be put in a more secure cell in the first place? I honestly think Loki is a perfect fit for solitary confinement.
- Why couldn't Loki be shipped off to a more high security prison like ADX Florence?
- If there were guards on constant watch, I don't think Loki would be able to get away with his escape attempt.
- That woman should have been fired for helping a prisoner escape AND giving gifts to prisoners without them being examined first. Why hasn't anyone reported her behavior?
- And yes, since this claims to be a high security prison, I would expect the prison staff to thoroughly inspect the packages sent to prisoners. Letters, for the most part, are fine for them to receive but the matches and kerosene would have been confiscated on the spot. Loki wouldn't have escaped if that was the case but I guess this jail is poorly run.
- I think a jail this poorly run should be investigated.
- Honestly this escape scene was so irritating and stupid.

16) Tom thinks the agency he works for is blackmailing him with his daughter's life for him to cooperate with him. I disagree, as the dangerous missions would badly injure Gaia and they're supposedly top secret anyway so family members shouldn't be let in to help the agents anyway. Also, it's Tom's job so he if he's had to unexpectedly leave many times before he shouldn't really be complaining.

17) Guess who's so noble and heroic that they still won't bother to help Heather with her money problem? If you guessed Gaia, you are absolutely correct.

18) Gaia runs out of the house after being devastated that her father left her again with the water in the bathtub still running. It's always nice to see Gaia wasting water/leaving it to overflow for the sake of emotional drama.

19) Why would Loki hire some random crooks to kidnap Gaia? He's seen Gaia in combat before, he should have hired someone more trained like Mr. Xi's assassin. He's only angry because he's unwilling to acknowledge his dumb mistake.

This one of the most idiotic Fearless books I've read so far...

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam just has issues! He really needs to figure out what is right and what is wrong. Gaia has given him enough chances.

[Haneen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam is lying pathetic wimp . That's all I can say

[anolinde · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.5.

[Christy Roberts · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is nothing besides Ed walking in this that is remotely happy or good. Everything that Gaia had gotten falls apart before the book is over.

Loki escapes, Tom is forced to leave the US or they will kill him right there in the car. He couldn't even tell Gaia bye in person. This is so messed up and wrong.

I knew Josh was evil and he is. He's also the reason Sam is in some deep mess and now not with Gaia. Which I am at point don't care about that. Gaia needs to get some happy for sure in her life. It seriously sucks.

Heather still horrible person that's for dang sure what she demanding is just vindictive.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHY CAN’T GAIA BE HAPPY AND THRIVING FOR ONCE

[Christina Mages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Loved it

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francine Pascal really knows how to pull someone into her stories. In this Fearless novel, Gaia feels isolated from the two main guys in her life: Sam and Ed. Both are avioding her and keeping secrets.

[Ash Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

can't wait to read this one. such an appealing title

[Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's such a cool book now I'm reading #21: Blind!!

Can't wait!! :-)