The Adoration of Jenna Fox (Jenna Fox Chronicles #1)

"The Adoration of Jenna Fox" is the story of a teenager who wakes up from a coma without any memories of who she is or what happened. Her parents are clearly keeping something from her and don't want to explain the truth. Eventually, she figures it out for herself, as she becomes more and more herself with more personality.

The beginning was really exciting and I was anticipating the secrets/sci-fi relationships. One of my first guesses was the truth, so I wasn't terribly surprised. I won't say exactly so as not to include spoilers, but around then it started to seem very slow. The mysteries were mostly gone and it was unclear how to proceed from there. I'm on the fence about the book as a whole, maybe because I've read some really exciting/surprising books recently.

The romance was OK, nothing special, but kind of believable. I mean, they are teenagers... Overall, I think it was alright- well written and all- but I won't be continuing with the series.

This is a brief, thought-provoking piece of science fiction. It makes readers think about the nature of humanity, the limitations of science, human rights. That definitely wasn’t the sort of novel I expected to find here, and I’m not actually sure what point Pearson was trying to make. There was a point–of that I’m sure. I couldn’t really tell which side of the scientific advancement argument the author was on. But, in any case there was a definite something missing from the book as a whole. It was thought-provoking, sure, but I’m uncertain if the questions raised were ever satisfactorily answered. A bit of an ambiguous conclusion.

I've heard some amazing things about this book, but I'm not going to lie, it didn't blow me away or anything. That's not to say it was bad either, it just wasn't one of the best books I've ever read. Okay, okay I'll stop being all weird and confusing and just get on with the review.

The format was definitely different and interesting. I enjoyed the new experience. Instead of solid, concrete chapters there were little breaks throughout chapter-like things. It made it feel even more like I was in Jenna's head going through this process of remembering with her. The process itself was great too. It took a little bit for me to get completely pulled in but I finally did and it made me feel for Jenna all the more.

Jenna was a really easy character to identify with. Not because it's likely that I would be in that situation in my lifetime but something about her just demanded attention. I found myself just wanting to root for her and tell off all the people who were making her life difficult. I enjoyed watching her journey of discovering herself as well.

My big gripe about this book was Ethan. Now there's nothing inherently wrong with him as a character but I do take issue with his and Jenna's relationship. It was barely in the story and didn't really seem of any importance to me. It seemed like this weird add-on that was only there to serve the purpose of acting as a catalyst. To make up for this unnecessary addition though, the ending was seriously awesome, in my opinion. Awesome doesn't even really seem like the right word...maybe pretty?

Final thoughts: This was a quick read that anyone could easily get into. Jenna is an easy character to connect with and makes the story all the more enjoyable. If you're looking for a quick mystery this is definitely a good option.

Although The Adoration of Jenna Fox is technically a dystopia, its main focus is more on Jenna's personal struggle with identity than on the society's problems. The futuristic society presented is a terrifyingly realistic one where medical advances have made terrible and amazing things possible. It questions what medicine may be able to do and how much we should do.

The plot advances in longer chapters of dialogue and paragraphs of description. These chapters are enjoyable and capture the reader's attention, despite Jenna's somewhat distant narration. The short chapters, generally of less than a page in duration, interspersed with the other, struck me as largely (ironic) pretentious, overdramatic and unnecessary. While the story overall does a good job of bringing ethical questions to the fore and making the reader think, these chapters hit the reader over the head with the issues. Pearson should have more faith in the reader's ability to figure some of the issues and questions out themselves.

Despite this weakness, I really did enjoy reading the book. It is quite short and likely exciting enough to hold the attention of reluctant readers. Dystopia readers will want to check this out, as will folks with an interest in ethical questions.

Reader reviewed by Mia b Ensin

The Adoration of Jenna Fox is a some what misleading book. You can read the back and the first chapters and still have no idea you were reading a science fiction novel. I'm really not a big fan of sci-fi but once I started the book, I figured I might as well finish it-- its the kind of story you need to continue reading, because its somewhat confusing, and you just want to clear everything up in the end. 

Reader reviewed by Beth Revis

THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX is a lovely science fiction that reads like a thriller. This is a great book for people who don't like science fiction and who are more focused on reading about characters and plot than science.

I enjoyed the way the author, Mary Pearson, uses science like JK Rowling uses magic: it's not explained, it's just there and it works. The main character's understanding of the "how" of the science is limited (and therefore, so is the readers), but nevertheless, this just meant that the science didn't get in the way of the plot. It's not important HOW everything happened--what's important in this story is WHY it happened...and how it effects all of the characters.

Another thing I felt was really well done in this book is the secondary characters. None of them were cliched sketches of high schoolers. Each secondary character was unique in and of himself, and each one seemed to have a story hidden within.

My only quibble with the story is the end. It was a bit abrupt for me--the epilogue chapter felt out of sync with the rest of the book, and I would have preferred either to be left hanging, or to have a more thorough explaination of the characters' futures. Then again, I'm rarely a fan of epilogues....

Reader reviewed by Suzanne

Wierd from the beginning. Jenna Fox wakes up from a coma with little memory of what happened before "the accidend" as her parents refer to it. As she grows up in this new neighborhood, makes friends at her special school and with the neighbor through the woods, she uncovers the nasty truth and fights for what's right.

Reader reviewed by Amy Ward

Terrifying yet intriguing.  Those are my first thoughts after reading The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson.  The basic premise:  Jenna Fox, age 17, wakes up after being in a coma for one year.  She has to relearn everything, walking, talking, thinking, etc.  But something is off.  What secret are her parents hiding from her? 

And that secret is HUGE!  As I read, I got glimpses of the truth.  And that's how the book reads, teasing and tormenting each moment.  I felt Jenna's pain, confusion, and finally horror as she realized what happened to her.  Pearson is an excellent storyteller, revealing all things in her own time.  I know this review is secretive but I don't want to give too much away!  It's better going into it not knowing much!  It makes the reveal that much more exciting and revolting!  Definitely pick up this book and read it! 

Reader reviewed by Amanda D

I really don't enjoy reading at all, but I LOVED this book. I finished it in a few hours, only stopping to use the restroom. This story starts off with Jenna waking up from a year-long coma caused by an accident. You get to go on a journey with Jenna as she discovers her past, present, and more importantly, her future. She learns that she can't take back what's already happened and that she can only compromise with her situation. And if you think waking up from a coma and learning about a year that has passed you by, then read The Adoration of Jenna Fox and find out the biggest shock of all that kept Jenna alive through her traumatic experience.

Reader reviewed by Natalie

Jenna fox is a girl who survived a brutal acident.Doctors don't know why and neither does Jenna.The doctors say she should of died and Jenna knows it too.Trying to find out who the real Jenna fox is. With the help of her new friends and the people who love her Jenna Fox is about to fid out who she is and who she wants to be.
 The adoration of Jenna Fox was one of the best books i'ev ever read i would recomend this to anbody. this book has romance,sci fi,and finding ones true self.