Book Review: Learning Fear

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Learning Fear     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
B. A. Chepaitis
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction   Telepathy
Series: Jaguar Adams # 3
Ace, Jan 2000, $6.50, 304 pp.

History declared the wave of murders “The Killing Times”, a period when over ten million people became victims of ruthless serial killings. Because of the mass slayings, rulers of earth knew the prison system failed. To rectify the problems, the Planetoid System was established Outer space prisons were established to deal with hardcore cases by using psychic treatment.

Jaguar is the best Teacher on Planetoid 12 even though the governing board thinks she is a maverick and out of control. To teach her a lesson, they transfer her to New York State University where she is to teach a course and uncover any anti-empathic movements on the campus. However, an unknown entity tries to enter her mind so Jaguar decides to track down the intruder although she places her life in jeopardy.

The imaginative and colorful LEARNING FEAR centers on psychic powers being a scientifically proven, quantifiable form of energy. The mixing of elements from suspense and romance wrapped inside a science fiction thriller makes for cross genre appeal. Though the heroine has been through hell and back, she retains her feisty independence. Anyone who reads B.A. Chepaitus’ novel will want to attain the two previous stories in this series (see THE FEAR PRINCIPLE and THE FEAR OF GOD) because this is SF at its realistic best.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner