The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

What makes us human? How far would you go to save your child? What is ethically and morally right and wrong? These are heavy questions that the author will make the reader ponder long after the last page has been turned.

Jenna Fox has just woken up from over a year-long coma. She doesn't remember anything, but has fragments of memory that she is slowly trying to piece together. There are people there that say they are her parents, and another woman that is her grandmother. Left with the video disks of her life, she starts to watch and ponder "Who is Jenna Fox?"

There has been an accident, but no one will talk to her about the details. As she slowly heals, Jenna questions everything and starts to fill in gaps. After a little while of recovery, she pushes to go to school and begins to attend a local charter school. There she meets an odd assortment of classmates.

Alice has medical issues of her own, and starts to explain the federal ethics board to Jenna. Each person is allotted 100 lifetime points to be used for medical reasons. Alice has prosthetic limbs and explains that limb replacement is relatively low on the point scale. Other procedures would be worth much more. Dane is a neighbor but something seems off with him. When Jenna looks in his eyes, he seems empty. And then there is Ethan. He's hiding a dark secret of his own.

As Jenna discovers the world around her, the secrets and mysteries that are her life slowly start to be revealed. Remembering what Alice has explained about the lifetime points, Jenna comes to realize that there are even deeper secrets about her that she must uncover. Her parents have moved her from Boston to California. Is it to protect her from those that were involved with the accident? Or does it have more far-reaching medical and ethical implications?

Without wanting to give away the plot twists and hidden mysteries of the story, I will tell you that the issues Ms. Pearson raises will cause you to ponder how far science should be allowed to explore. As Jenna tries to discover, the reader will also be forced to wonder how much of us do we need to keep us truly human? Ms. Pearson makes the reader question if it's truly the flesh and blood that makes us human, or if there is something further inside that gives us our identity. Comparing the
lack of emotion that Dane has with Jenna's unwavering questioning of everything, it shows the reader that things are not always black and white. The majority of us live in the gray area that is between the two extremes.

Read THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX to find out what it means to sacrifice everything for love and how to really be human.

12 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

The Adoration Of Jenna Fox By: Mary E. Pearson

The Adoration of Jenna Fox
By: Mary E. Pearson


There was an accident, an accident that had changed everything for Jenna Fox. In Mary E. Pearson's The Adoration of Jenna Fox, Jenna Fox grew up like any other only child. Her parents adored her and would do anything for her. Maybe even something illegal.

In this book you get to be inside Jenna's head as she is learning to cope with the new life she has been given after her accident and how she deals with all this new information. You get to be right there with her and hear everything she hears and see everything she sees and think the way she thinks.

After Jenna's accident her parents felt it was necessary to move Jenna from their home and life in Boston to somewhere in southern California. Jenna's mother Claire and her grandmother Lily dropped everything and moved without really telling anyone were they were going and why they were moving.

The grandmother, Lily, in this book is very interesting but fascinating. She starts out not liking the "new" Jenna and ignoring her and not wanting to have anything to do with Jenna. But as Jenna starts to become more and more Jenna again, Lily opens up and is the one that is really there for Jenna. And Lily doesn't hold or hide anything from Jenna like others do. She tells Jenna everything like it is.

I enjoyed The Adoration of Jenna Fox a lot. I love being inside Jenna's head; a thing that Jenna always thought about was why she has memories of things that don't seem very important memories. She would always try and piece them together. She once said "A bit for someone here. A bit there. And sometimes they don't add up to anything whole. " (231).

As Jenna moves on from her accident, she learns more and more about what is important in life and what can just be left behind. I would really encourage anyone to read this book if you are looking for an easier book that makes you think ahead to what is going to happen next and try and figure out what else her parents are trying to hide from her, Jenna Fox.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox By: Mary E. Pearson

The Adoration of Jenna Fox
By: Mary E. Pearson

Waking up after 18-month-long coma, 17-year-old Jenna Fox has no recollection of anything, not even her name. She feels no love for her mother and father; after all, she doesn't even remember them. Why should she love strangers? She is reminded of her past through her parents' verbal stories and home movies they provide her. Jenna doesn't feel comfortable in her body, which doesn't seem to work just right. Her hands don't intertwine together smoothly, and her classmates point out her awkward gait. Jenna wants to fit in again. She aspires to be the Jenna her parents knew and cherished. It is difficult, though, when all she can remember is bits and pieces of her life before the accident that sent her into a never-ending coma, most of which are insignificant. She wonders why she can't eat normal food, and why her grandmother no longer loves her. She wonders why she lives in California when her dad and her old house are still in Boston. She makes desperate cries in the middle of the night to anyone who will listen, "Tell me who I am" (29). With so much to take in so quickly, Jenna feels overloaded with information in an attempt to find out the answer to the most important question: Who is Jenna Fox?

Taking place in the future, this science fiction novel explores the implications of today's medicine in the eventual future. In addition, innovative technologies advance medicine to new heights, some of which may cross the line.

In my opinion, Mary E. Pearson did an excellent job crafting The Adoration of Jenna Fox. The chapters allow for the reader to easily follow the story, and each chapter smoothly transitions into the next. The storyline itself is one of a kind and keeps you gripped from beginning to end. The book contained no boring sections because every paragraph, every line, and every sentence was a piece of the puzzle I, as the reader, needed to figure out exactly who Jenna Fox is.

While reading this book, expect to be surprised. You are taken along the journey with Jenna, and only find out what she finds out. This format provides for a captivating, page flipping book that grips you to the end. Whether you enjoy mystery/science fiction or simply enjoy reading, Mary E. Pearson's The Adoration of Jenna Fox is a sure winner.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

One of the best sci-fi books ever!

The Adoration of Jenna Fox and it's sequel are two very detailed and mind-blowing books. Everyone should read these books, because they have a special way of capturing the reader's attention. These books change the way you think! (in a good way)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Surprised me.

I found myself strangely enthralled with this little story: the characters, the mystery of it all, the real feeling that seeps from every word. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Makes You Think!

Although, this is not the most in depth story it is worth reading. The idea behind the plot is extremely thought provoking. What lengths would you go to as a parent to save your child? Technology is changing the world.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Must Read

I was thoroughly impressed with this book. As soon as I started reading it I could not put it down. This story captures the reader and brings them along on this uncertain journey with Jenna Fox. This book is captivating and something like I have never read before. Mary E. Pearson does an excellent job of explaining, in detail, every thought or feeling of the "new" Jenna Fox. As the story begins Jenna does not know who she is and can not remember anything from before the accident. As the story goes we are caught up with characters and rooting for Jenna to find out the truth of her mysterious new life. The reader will not want this book to end because of the relationship developed with Jenna. As a first time reader of Pearson, I can honestly say she has caught my attention with this thrilling and mysterious novel.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Really, really liked this book!

Just know this.. After finishing this book, I went out and bought two more by the same author. Interesting and intriguing read.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

amazing

this book is pure genius. it keeps the reader guessing as long as jenna does. it's like the reader is on the journey with her. plus this novel brings up great philosophical questions like how far will you go to save someone? for those who like science fiction or even reluctant readers of sci-fi will enjoy this book.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

How far would you go to save your child? What makes you,you? These are the things Jenna Fox has to learn...again. She wasn't supposed to survive the accident... but she did. Jenna's life turns upside-down when she wakes up from a year long coma in the so-called state of California that her parents moved her to from Boston during the coma so she can stay away from tne people that were involved. Jenna's dad isn't helping very much to here when he goes on a business trip back to Boston while Jenna is recovering with her mother, and Lily, which supposovly is her grandmother. But Jenna knows Lily, wait Grandma, doesnt like her. But mom says she is still in shock and has to recover herself, but Jenna isn't sure. When Jenna goes back to school she meets others with problems of their own. Jenna realizes that she is human, and what makes you human is whats inside of you and nothing can change that. You must read this book, it is very heart-warming story about Jenna's road to recovery. I loved it!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Best book ever!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Gorgeously Stunning

The Adoration of Jenna Fox is a stunning futuristic story about a girl who went, mysteriously, into a coma for one whole year. Now, Mother (at least that what Jenna calls the women) makes her watch their home videos of what the old Jenna Fox was like... But, as Jenna learns more and more, The old Jenna Fox isn't someone she wants to be. As she makes new friends (and enemies) Jenna ventures out into the unknown. She has questions, too. Who was she? What were her likes? Dislikes? Why can't she taste? And why is there a blue goo underneath her skin?? Pearson is a smart, funny, and lovable writer... I will never forget this book! The Adoration of Jenna Fox is Gorgeously Stunning!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good book, especially paired with Frankenstein

I liked this YA take on Frankenstein, one of my favorite books. It asks some good questions about humanity and what parents have a right to determine. I enjoyed the book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Didn't Care For

The Adoration of Jenna Fox was like a book of poems. Nail-biting, but when you get the information you want, you are still not satisfied. The plot was trippy, not spot-on.

Jenna Fox seems to know more than she tells the reader. She holds in her inner emotions. Like when the author describes how she feels about school, the author just writes what she WANTS to happen at school.

This book was also a little TOO pushy. The author obviously put little thought on how her emotions would affect the book. She wanted teens to actually LIKE it, but trust me, LIKE is not the right word.

I also didn't like how the author made the setting "realistic" and "sci-fi"-ish. It messed up the whole plot. Boston? WHERE WAS Boston? No description or memory on the place Jenna longed to be.....

It is also very childish. Goody-Two-Shoes "dies" of being a rebel??? Just stupid and not well thought out.

The book also should have talked more about her life before the biogel. The videos were SOOOO short, hardly even a chapter.

Overall, The Adoration of Jenna Fox was okay. If you want to read it, go to the library and get it. Do NOT waste your money.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

4 out of 5 stars

Many years into the future, biotechnology is illegal and if it stays that way, Jenna won't know what to do. One day Jenna Fox wakes up and doesn't know who she is. Someone says she is her mother, someone says he is her father. All Jenna has to look at is old home movies. Slowly, Jenna starts to figure out about her past and knows that she can't get it back; she can't fix her mistakes. She wants to begin anew and be a different Jenna but . she can't. Is someone holding her back? The voices in her head say Hurry. Hurry, Jenna. Why does she have to hurry?

The Adoration of Jenna Fox was . different. It was very emotional and I almost cried at times, but it was odd. The ideas that are brought up in the book are totally unique and everything connects with one another: the settings, the characters, and the emotions are all part of the story. Author Mary E. Pearson transported me to a different century entirely, one that doesn't even exist yet. Many feelings are repeated within the book, which I think was definitely needed to get the point across. All together, this book was unique, interesting, odd, and wacky but I still don't know if I like it. One thing is for sure, though. You won't forget it.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A bit long

Short and sweet is a good thing.

Really good!

I actually read this about three years ago in my high scool's book club, and I thoughr is quite good. And I'm super picky about what I read.

Omg

This is an amazing book

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

This book is the best book i've read since the Hunger Games!

Sooooo Good

I absoutly adore this book but its written a little confusingly