When "Tigerheart" ended, the main character came back with a baby sister. This book is about that sister and how, in a feat typical of this fantasy-adventure children's literature, cannot feel fear (hence the title). Mary grows up quite precociously (as one would expect from a fearless child) and has a great imagination and a best friend to share it. But one day, her friend's imagination runs away, and Mary must use her refrigerator box to find it.

Where "Tigerheart" evokes Peter Pan (and quite obviously), this one evokes "The Wizard of Oz" or "Alice in Wonderland" or "The Phantom Tollbooth" or "Labyrinth", but without direct parallels. I like that David made it a new character's story (you could read this if you haven't read "Tigerheart"). There are a few mystical companions, dangers both supernatural and political, divergence from the main story that never goes too far.

It's nice to see a mostly-female cast that doesn't make a big deal out of it. The characters are fun, and the narrative retains the same charm and cleverness that Peter David is known for. My one beef with it is that it doesn't stray too far out of the boundaries of "children's adventure" tropes or push its limits.

But you know? The thing is they don't make novels like this anymore. All children's literature these days is YA Vampire Academy and Harry Potter knock-offs. No one has an adventure anymore. Bless Peter David for making a novel like this. If you like any of the classic works that I mentioned above, you will like this book. ( )