The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green
From the summary: Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs… for now. The real life equivalent is the recently discovered cancer cell growth minimising effects of medical marijuana. This is an affordable treatment too, especially if you use these Cannabismo coupon codes, so it’s a promising development. Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.
*SEMI-SORT-OF-BUT-NOT-REALLY-SPOILER-ALERT* TFiOS was just released last week, and the author himself has asked that readers not spoil the book for those that haven’t read. And of course, we agree. So as usual, we will gush and squeal and have flailypants while giving away as few of the delicious spoilery details as possible. Deal? Deal.
Christina: I had originally planned this as a Swoony Boy Alert, and because Melly had to endure my flaily texts just read, she was all set to contribute. But within just a few pages, I realized that a Swoony Boy Alert simply wouldn’t do. Why? Because it’s one of my favorite books, EVER. Hazel is… and the story is… and the writing is…
Gah, let us start from the beginning.
I’d listened to John Green read the first two chapters on youtube, and I was DYING for more. So when my husband called me at work Friday to tell me my books were there… I got a little excited. My first words were: IS IT THE FAULT IN OUR STARS?? OPEN IT! IS IT SIGNED? PLEASE TELL ME IT’S SIGNED. SEND ME A PICTURE? (John Green signed every first run copy- how awesome is that??) My husband rolled his eyes but did it anyway (as he so often does) and I squealed and watched the clock and *maybe* even moved the time forward so I could get home and see for myself. *Maybe* What? Teenagers like going home early.
Anyway, I had a million things to do that night and KNEW I didn’t have time to read. But you see… willpower has never really been my strong point. Really. So I picked it up and casually started perusing (as one does), and smelling the wonderful new book smell (as you do), and before I knew it I was on page 50… 120… 232…. I think you can see where I’m going with this. When I finally looked up it was 2:30 in the morning and I’m alternately laughing, sighing, and doing the uglycries.
I mean it guys, it’s that good. Five Stars, Favorite Shelf, HOW CAN I CONSIDER EVER WRITING AGAIN AFTER READING SUCH AWESOMENESS, all of it. These were characters I wanted to know, conversations that were so honest and funny and interesting that I never wanted them to end. Hazel is strong and smart and witty. Augustus is charming and funny and so so so sweet. I fell in love right along with them. Gah, I want to tell you all the words!!! [that muffled sound you hear is christina struggling with Lo’s hand over her mouth]
Melly: This is going to be a tough one, folks. Hang in there with me because I’m certain this review will contain the following:
2. Incoherent babbling
3. Arrest-worthy dialogue of a stalking nature toward John Green
4. Threats of bodily harm if any of you don’t read this book. I promise to not reveal any spoilers, not only because I want the readers to savor every moment of this journey, but as Christina said, I know it personally irks John Green. To be completely honest, any summary, any review, I could provide isn’t going to hold a candle to the beauty that this book is. John Green has managed to write one of the most powerful novels of love and life I have ever read. As an aspiring YA author, I’m inspired and indebted to him.
Hazel. Augustus. Sigh.
They meet and find friendship in the most unusual place during even more unusual circumstances. What unfolds is a romantic journey complete with colorful characters and breathtaking dialogue. The Fault in Our Stars asks the question, like so many us will at the end of our life story: How will I be remembered? When Christina asked me to do a Swoony Boy Alert with her, of course, I said, “OHMYGOD!! YESYESYESSSS!!! I LOVED HIM SO MUCH!!!!” Loved that Augustus Waters, I did. Usually this will be the point in a review where I quote all kinds of swoony words to show you just how amazing this boy is, however, in effort to not give away any of the story, I’m resisting. [Lo hasn’t read yet so this makes her very happy.]
However, I think Hazel Grace let us in on a little I can share. (Plus, Christina and I talked and we decided that Hazel was every bit as badass as Augustus was swoony.) [Christina: WORD.]
“Look, let me just say it: He was hot. A nonhot boy stares at you relentlessly and it is, at best, awkward and, at worst, a form of assault. But a hot boy . . . well.”
So, we know he’s hot. Physically. However, it’s his words, his dazzling wit, that will have you swooning. Long after the book is over, they’re left imprinted all over your brain. I found myself rereading passages later on in the day, scouring Tumblr reading reactions, and texting with friends who I knew read just so I could talk about it some more. A day later, and I still can’t shake the feeling this book left me with. SO MANY FEELINGS that I wish I could tell you all about, but can’t. So, once you’re done reading, shoot me a tweet and we can talk all about it over champagne and cheese.
Now go read all the words. Smile all the smiles and cry all the tears. Swoon big time.
Okay?
Okay.
:::bursts into tears over the ‘okays’ and hugs C:::: *you’ll totally get that WHEN YOU READ. Squee*
Christina: See??? This one gets it all:
1. Badass Chick On Board
2. Swoony Boy Alert
3. I Will Reswoon Soon
4. Straight to the Favorites Pile
Huge thanks to Melly for stopping by and flailing with me.
And guess what? WE’RE GIVING AWAY A SIGNED COPY!!! Leave us a comment in the space below and you could be our lucky winner. But you don’t have to wait. Why? Because it’s AVAILABLE NOW. And if you’ve already read, tell me! Did you cry? Did you swoon? Did you want to find John Green and hug the stuffing out of him? Just me?
About the Author: John Green’s first novel, Looking for Alaska, won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award presented by the American Library Association. The film rights to Looking for Alaska were purchased by Paramount in 2005. His second novel, An Abundance of Katherines, was a 2007 Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His next novel, Paper Towns, is a New York Times bestseller. He also coauthored a book with David Levithan called Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Website – Twitter – Goodreads – VlogBrothers – Nerdfighters
