I’d been hearing a lot of buzz about this book lately. I was a little apprehensive to read it because I was never really a fan of “young adult” books, but I feel the themes in this book transcended this categorization.

A review on the back of the book labels it “compulsively readable,” which is the best way for me to describe it. I don’t remember the last time I tore through a book that quickly. The story is about Hazel, a 16-year-old stage IV thyroid cancer survivor who just keeps holding on thanks to her miracle (fictional) drug. She grudgingly attends a support group where she meets Augustus Waters, and the two form a rare relationship. They begin bonding over books, and Hazel’s favorite, the fictional “An Imperial Affliction,” becomes what drives this novel’s plot. I don’t want to give any more of the story away. Suffice it to say, tears were shed—it was a powerful story.

My only beef with The Fault in Our Stars was the characters’ quirkiness. I’m not a fan of excessive quirkiness in characters (in books, movies, or TV) because I find it a bit unrealistic, but that’s just me. Their common personalities are a driving force in the plot, so it works here. I highly recommend this novel if you’re looking for a quick, unique, and moving read—I believe it’s in the works to become a movie, too.

Availability: USMAI
Review Submitted by: Jordan Gaines, Alum ’11
Rating:  Highly Recommended