Let me pose a question, how long has it been since Francine Pascal has hung out in New York City? I ask this because of something that has irked me in the series, in particular in Fearless #13. Sam Moon, the apple of Gaia's eye --- or perhaps we should say the cruller in her Krispie Kreme box --- fantasizes that he and G could one day share a "cheap one bedroom in the East Village." As a current New Yorker, let me just say that such an apartment does not exist. If it did I'd be living there. I've noticed quite a bit of this Alphabet City bashing, and although years ago it was considered rather seedy, it is now lined with boutiques, bars, and restaurants.

Having vented my Manhattan-centric complaint, I will move on.

BAD, the 13th book of Pascal's latest blonde heroine series, takes a new and unexpected turn --- Gaia is happy. You remember Gaia, the girl born without the fear gene and whose mother was shot in front of her, not to mention her best friend, and most recently, her foster mother. Why is Gaia happy? It all comes down to a boy of course, a certain cruller of a boy. After reaching across miles of misunderstandings, evil conniving, and heaps of bad luck, Gaia and Sam are finally a couple. Knowing the series --- this is not Sweet Valley --- I'm sure their trouble is far from over, but for a few blissful moments Gaia can actually be a normal teenage girl and get all tingly about making out with her crush.

Before the two hormonally charged teens can get too chummy, new problems arise. Sam's friend Mike, whom Ella injected with dangerous amounts of heroin, is hanging on precariously in the hospital; and Loki, Gaia's evil uncle --- her father's twin --- who she thinks is actually a decent guy named Oliver, is scheming to get Gaia to come with him to Germany. In the meantime, Gaia's over-stressed father defies CIA orders and races around the city trying to protect his daughter.

The final chapter of this harrowing story is one of the best cliffhangers yet --- is the man Gaia gets on the plane with Loki, or her father disguising himself as Loki? I have my theories, but you'll have to read the book to come up with your own. Despite the rather lame side story about Gaia's friend Ed and ultra annoying diva Heather, this latest Fearless book has potential to bring the series to an exciting climax. Just don't believe all the hype about NYC.

--- Reviewed by Dakota King