The Fault In Our Stars - A Review

To all who are reading this,

Another review for you! Today, I review a book which essentially broke my heart, made me cry and think until I gave myself a headache. 

I give you, The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. This is a standalone book, published by Dutton Books.

Blurb
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.

Now, I had heard good things about the author. He is a bestseller on Amazon, Waterstones and generally the world. He is stalked by millions of fans on the social networks Twitter and Tumblr, where he regularly interacts with his fans. The cover I found interesting, but I didn't feel it was my type of book, so I pushed it aside and read others.

It was only when I was recommended the book by a dear friend that I decided I would. Using a gift card from Waterstones, I picked it up the last time I went to town. I made sure it was the original cover, read the blurb, discovered it was Young Adult, and into the shopping bag it went. It was a few weeks before I picked it up - I battled my way through some library books and a vampire novel I had kept meaning to read, but once I started, I could not put it down. And I mean that - the book even went in my handbag to the shops! Now, I read fast, but it never detracts from the feeling and the emotional rollercoaster that I went on. 

Hazel Grace Lancaster, our heroine, is a wonderful person. She is witty and clever. She is taking college classes, can drive and enjoys literature. A lot. Her favourite book is An Imperial Afflection by Peter Van Houghton, which is about a young woman Anna, battling with cancer. Something Hazel knows all too well. Suffering from thyroid cancer with metastasis in her lungs, Hazel uses a machine to help her breathing and takes regular doses of a drug called Phalanxifor. She is a strong character and we see the world through her rational eyes as she goes about her day to day, and later, unexpected life.

She meets her match in Augustus 'Gus' Waters, a young man in remission. Gus suffered from osteosarcoma, and as a result has a prosthetic leg. Yet he remains a typical boy - he likes films such as V For Vendetta, playing video games with his friends and reading about heroic types who wield large guns and kill lots of people. He has deep philosophies and keeps a packet of cigarettes with him, even though he doesn't smoke.

Issac, a supporting character, introduces the two. Issac has lost one eye to cancer, and is due to have the other removed, making him blind. He is witty, but hurts from the physical and emotional pain that he suffers. He is a great addition.

Whilst there is an instant connection between Hazel and Gus, she pushes him aside, not wanting to start a relationship, should anything happen to her. This doesn't stop them though. A gorgeously crafted whirlwind of a romance ensues and we fall in love with Hazel and Gus, cheering on their love and hoping against hope that nothing awful and dramatic happens so that they are separated.

I can't spoil anything, in fact, I won't. I'll have to say read this when you get a chance. Have tissues and a warm, comforting drink, because you will need them. It's a beautiful love story and I believe that some of the profits from this should go towards various cancer charities.

You can find John Green in the following places:

Twitter
Tumblr

Yours, with eternal ink,

Zoe

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Currently reading: The Swedish Girl by Alex Gray