A Girl Called Fearless

April 15, 2014
In a darkly patriarchal dystopian future America, one girl finds the strength to fight for both love and revolution. A mere 10 years ago, Scarpanol, a hormone used in American beef, spread cancer in 50 million women, wiping out generations like wildfire. Now, the Paternalist Movement controls the government, and teen girls are sold as wives under Contracts. Sixteen-year-old Avie Reveare lives a sequestered life under the care of her father, the CEO of Biocure Technologies, and her watchful bodyguard, while sneaking longing glances at her former best friend, student-turned-activist Yates. But it isn't long before Avie's sold for $50 million to Jessop Hawkins, a major supporter of the Paternalist Movement rich enough to save her father's company from ruin. When Avie realizes her true feelings for Yates, it isn't long before she's spurred to flee to Canada, the only nearby country that welcomes girls breaking their Contracts. But the roads toward freedom are neither smooth nor short. Linka weaves a believable, disturbing dystopian future and never shies from violence or tragedy. Avie evolves into a bold protagonist at a brisk but authentic pace. Though Yates isn't very compelling, the romance quickly takes a back seat, letting the revolution and the tense escape plot shine. A deftly plotted portrait of the evolution of a teenage girl into a dystopian heroine. (Dystopian romance. 14-18)

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May 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-Los Angeles, just a bit in the future, is a distressing place for females. Most adult women have died from side effects of hormone-laden beef, and the Paternalists may soon win political majority, passing even harsher "protective" measures to encourage child bearing and domesticity. Avie Reveare and her friends at Masterson Academy have become experts at eye blinks, bribes, stitch code, and other creative means to avoid security detection as they practice independence under the direction of their teacher, Ms. A. Meanwhile, they see college recruitment posters replaced by recipe cards, and discuss who might be sold into a marriage contract, and at what price. The best girls are auctioned through Sotheby's and Christie's-verified virgins who will honor and obey. Avie, aided by her childhood friend (now romantic interest) Yates, decides to head for Canada when her financially desperate father contracts her to a man twice her age. All the popular dystopian elements are in place: overbearing government, tech-savvy friend, thwarted love, a "makeover" where plain girls are made attractive to men, physically challenging situations, and small amounts of gun play. The short chapters keep the action moving in this solid selection, best for readers who enjoy plot-driven stories.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2014
Grades 9-12 After a synthetic hormone in beef has killed 50 million women in the U.S., girls are overly protected by a political group known as the Paternalists, who sell girls to the highest bidder in marriage contracts. Avie dreams of attending college, but when her father sells her to an aspiring politician, Avie is given a choice: be trapped in a controlling marriage or try to run for the Canadian border. Her lifelong crush, Yates, encourages her to run, but her every move is watched. As Avie uncovers deeper secrets about the Paternalist movement, her quest becomes not only about her own freedom but the freedom of all girls. The concept is fascinating and could lead to good discussions of women's rights, but the plot itself has quite a few holes and the world building is lacking. Avie spends the first half of the book repetitively plotting her escape, but once she is on the run, the story truly engages. Teens should be willing to overlook the flaws and root for this strong female to win her independence.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)