Book Review: The Fear Principle by B.A. Chepaitis

I love reading books that draw you in right away. This is one of the reasons I enjoyed reading The Fear Principle by B.A. Chepaitis. I was hugely impressed with the author’s use of language. She comes across as a highly intelligent person. The author did an outstanding job creating a telepathic world which is totally very different from a normal world.

The fast-paced plot compelled me to finish the book in two days. I really liked the main character Jaguar Addams. I especially loved her motto: “See who you are. Be what you see.” The lesson to be learned is we can’t help who we are. Our parents shape who we become. In the case of Jaguar Addams, life threw her a few curve balls. Jaguar must find a way to face her fears.

She works in a futuristic prison system, and her job requires her to help former criminals face their fears telepathically. I thought Jaguar did a great service by helping Clare Rilasco confront her fears.

I disagree, however, with the author’s point of view when she says “Jaguar Addams is one determined woman, who is about to face the most challenging subject of her career, Clare Rilasco, a dangerously disturbed woman who will teach Jaguar the true meaning of fear.”

I thought it was Jaguar that challenged Clare. I did not particularly like Clare. Unlike Jaguar, I thought she was very feeble. But Clare redeemed herself at the end. I thought that was very honorable of Clare. At that point in the story, I gained some respect for her character.

The only thing I did not like were the death scenes. That did not resonate well with me. I do have to give the author credit for making my skin crawl with disgust as she did a good job with these descriptions.