The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (5 stars)

About The Fault in Our Stars
(from GoodReads)

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Added from Amazon:

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Review

Hazel is too often defined by her cancer, but that all changes the day she meets Augustus Waters. He wants to get to know her outside of her illness, and he offers an otherwise unrealistic potential for her life--regardless of how long she gets. Above that, he offers the chance for love.

Before I began reading, I knew tears would be inevitable; but I had no clue just how emotionally raw I would feel page after page. At one point, I started ear-marking pages where I felt a strong emotional reaction. Halfway through, I stopped. One, because I had turned down most edges. Two, because I was too overwhelmed to take the time.

When Hazel overhears her mom saying "I won't be a mom anymore" (pg 117, hardcover) about the possibility of losing her daughter, I had to lay the book down. The tears were blinding. But there were many more moments where my heart literally hurt from the emotions this book made me feel. All I wanted was for Hazel to have a few moments of joy, to live her life unencumbered by cancer. 

But beyond my raw emotional reaction... John Green has an amazing way with words. At first, I thought the "young adult" kids' language was unrealistic. With each page, the language grew on me. It defined Hazel and Augustus. These kids faced typical young adult issues in the most atypical way--defining themselves under circumstances most adults couldn't handle. 

As if all of that wasn't enough, the story took a turn I was never expecting. The Fault in Our Stars is an emotional, surprising, mature, and fearless tale. It's a story I will never forget.

I can only hope the movie does it justice.

Rating: 5 stars

About the Author
(from Amazon)

John Green is a New York Times bestselling author who has received numerous awards, including both the Printz Medal and a Printz Honor. John is also the cocreator (with his brother, Hank) of the popular video blog Brotherhood 2.0, which has been watched more than 30 million times by Nerdfighter fans all over the globe. John Green lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.