Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.
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.
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Publishes in US: January 10th 2012 by Dutton Books
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: library
Series? No.

Buy it:  Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound BookDepository.com

Find John online: site   twitter   facebook

 
   Who knew that depressing and funny could be woven together so seamlessly and beautifully? Well, I didn't quite realize it until I started reading this awesome book by John Green. Hazel has this dry humor that I love, and Augustus is witty and blunt--it really does make for a sweet combo.
   I really flew through this one and loved most everything about it. I enjoyed how sweet relationship between Hazel and Gus, plus their friendship with Isaac. The conversations were so realistic, and made me laugh. Both Hazel and Gus' parents were every kind of amazing and involved. I loved the side quest with the author Houten. He was hateful and disappointing but inspiring somehow all at the same time. The characters are amazingly flawed and maybe that is what made me love it. 
   It was very down at times but that made it all the more realistic... It is about kids dying and fighting cancer, and cancer sucks. And let's face it, life sucks sometimes too. And Green embraces that through his writing. 
   I really don't have a lot to add except that it is powerful and I recommend it. There are so many glowing reviews, well deserved. 
Bottom Line: Deliciously heart wrenching and hilarious.

Books similar to The Fault in Our Stars:  anything Lurlene McDaniel, Girl Next Door by CastrovillaGirl Saves Boy by Steph BoweRadiate by Marley Gibson, Anthem for Jackson Dawes by Celia Bryce (links go to my review)

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you could fall in love with someone who has cancer?

32 comments:

  1. I have been meaning to read this one forever, but I am scared. I am not ready to have my heart ripped into bits! Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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  2. Ah, I was wondering if you were going to review this. I own an ecopy but have yet to read it because I have no idea how I will react. Sounds very bittersweet.

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  3. I haven't read this, for the same reasons as Teresa. I'm just not emotionally and mentally ready. Great review, Brandi!

    And yes, I could fall in love w/someone with cancer.

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  4. I know I have to read this one day but I know it's going to make me cry. lol.

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  5. I know this book is very nice and I would definitely read this.

    Regards,
    Kopi Luwak

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  6. So excited for this! I have TFiOS sitting on my shelf right now, and it's taking all my self-control NOT to read it, because I've heard so much about Augustus and Hazel, and everyone seems to have loved it so much. Glad you enjoyed this, too! I really do need to shove my ARCs aside and pick up a book I know will be good. :)

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  7. I have to try this one one day

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  8. Wow! Sounds like a great book. To have funny and depressing stuff successfully rolled into one book must make it awesome! Great review

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  9. This book made me cry harder than any book I can remember. Ugly cry too, like gut wrenching sobs. But it was incredible. I'm glad you loved it too!

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  10. This has been on my TBR for the longest, but I feel like I have to really be in the mood for a good cry before I tacklet it. Great review!

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  11. This is one of those emotion filled one that I have been avoiding for a while now. It does sounds really good. Maybe soon. Great review. I am glad you enjoyed it.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  12. Hearing lots of good things about this one, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  13. Yep, still got this sitting on my shelf, staring me in the face to read it. So many people have been been telling me to read it, but I think I just need to find the right time. Great review!

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  14. I have never read a Green book but I am glad he injected humor into this tough subject.

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  15. I really enjoyed realistically flawed characters as well. It does sound depressing and it should giving the content, but I'm glad there's a little humor mixed in. Are you looking to see the movie when it's out? Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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  16. Oh, win you loved it! I'm so hesitant to read this. The pressure is high since so many people love this book, but I think I'm going to give it a try in the Fall :-)

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  17. Although I own a copy of the book, I've been in avoidance mode - I guess I wasn't sure if I'd want to dive into something bitter yet beautiful? Glad to see that you loved it :)

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  18. It's really hard to say a bad thing about this book - even with all the hype. I know what you mean about funny and depressing. I loved how fully formed the characters were.

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  19. I heard so many great things about this one, I'm curious to read it!

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  20. I know a lot of people who love this series, but I just have stayed away from it. Yes, I know one day I'll read it, but I'm just a chicken because I know I'll be crying so hard with this book. I hate to cry. LOL

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  21. I'm glad you loved this; it's a favorite of mine. John Green is great at mixing sad and funny and it's amazing. I don't mind sad, realistic novels...but I do love some humor sometimes too.

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  22. I couldn't stand this book! The dialogue was too... worked for teenagers. I was really into the story at the beginning but then I just lost interest. However, the scene of Gus in the car almost made me cry.

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  23. I just haven't read this because I think it'd tear me apart and I don't know if I could handle it! That being said, it does sound like a great book. Maybe one day I'll dare to pick it up...

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  24. I can't tell you how happy I'm that you enjoyed this book. It is a really amazing read. :)

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  25. This book was the best book that I had read in 2012 and I haven't read anything in 2013 that has surpassed it. It moved me in a way that I can't even describe. I am glad that you liked this one and that it also moved you as well. The humour in this book is what makes it what it is.

    Great review Brandi!

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  26. I'll admit that I don't read many contemporaries anymore but I've been wanting to get into the genre again. Reading your review for this book convinced me that if I ever get out of my contemporary slump, this will be one of the first ones I pick up. The characters sound so memorable and honestly I love a writer who can embrace the ups AND downs of life in a way John Green seems to be able to. Lovely review :)

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  27. I LOVED this book! It's one of my all time favorites! Can I fall in love with someone who has cancer... I guess the answer is yes, cause I fell in love with both the main characters.

    Awesome review Brandi! Glad you liked it as much as I did!

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  28. I LOVED this book! It's one of my all time favorites! Can I fall in love with someone who has cancer... I guess the answer is yes, cause I fell in love with both the main characters.

    Awesome review Brandi! Glad you liked it as much as I did!

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  29. I felt the same way! I'm glad I finally read it :)

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  30. Completely agree. I adored this book even though it broke my heart.

    Sarah

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  31. Sigh. Amazing review sweetie. <3 This is one of the best books. I just loved it so much :D Glad you did too :) Just so heartbreaking and funny, too :D
    Thank you for commenting on my mailbox. <3
    Love, Carina @ Carina's Books

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  32. Green has a wonderful way of capturing the mindset of certain types of teenagers that feels timeless. The Fault In Our Stars is worth the read. Just bring a tissue.

    Marlene Detierro (Ptarmigan Alaska)

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