I am an unabashedly fangirl of John Green. His debut, Looking for Alaska, was my first reintroduction to today's YA literature and I haven't looked back since. Green has an uncanny ability to write about teens for teens. There is not an ounce of condescension and his characters are smart, funny, and adorkable. His latest book, The Fault in Our Stars, have crossed over to adults and it is perhaps an answer to the "What's all this hype about John Green?" question. I haven't seen the movie trailer for The Fault in Our Stars, mostly because I'm afraid I'd start crying and won't stop, but I will definitely be armed with boxes of tissues when I do see it. Here is my lame attempt to review this brilliant, critically acclaimed, and one of my favorite books from 2013.

Description: 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.

Review: It's about a year since I read The Fault in Our Stars and the characters still resonate with me. Like many readers, I was hesitate in reading this book not because it wasn't going to be good but I wasn't emotionally ready to take on this journey. I want to tell you to not be afraid to pick this amazing book up. While, yes it's about teens who have cancer, but it's so much more.
  The Fault in Our Stars has a great combination of light and dark moments. Most of you already know the gist of the story so I'm not going to waste time rehashing it to you. I will say that Hazel and Gus are memorable characters who are incredibly vivid, intelligent, wise beyond their years, and extremely witty. Some reviewers believe that Hazel and Gus don't ring true as teens, but I would disagree. Both are forced to grow up and accept their mortality, which makes them less focused on trivial matters. Hazel and Gus are star-crossed lovers without the melodrama of a paranormal romance. There are no battles to be fought or creatures to defeat, but a race against time to live their lives to the fullest even if it might cause them pain. Their relationship grows slowly from attraction to intelligent conversations to finally making their hearts open to love and accepting the possibility that they can be torn apart if one of them falls ill. Whether intentional or not, but I saw the reflection of my reluctance to pick this book up in their journey.
  The Fault in Our Stars is an achingly beautiful story about life and loss. It will make you laugh, even at dark moments, cry, and make you wish that the world is a "wish-granting factory". Intelligent vocabulary, generous references to literature, and witty cultural commentary make this a delight to read. There are so many quotes that I loved in this book that I'm afraid if I started highlighting them, I'd highlight the entire book.  The next time someone asks me why I read YA, I'll hand them this book and tell them to talk to me afterwards.

Rating: 5 stars

Words of Caution: Strong language, a small fade to black sex scene, and mature themes. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gaven Extence, The Sky is Everwhere by Jandy Nelson