The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, pub. 2012, 336 pg.
Rating: 5/5 Stars

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.

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. --Description from cover

If you are the type of person who does not like being emotional, this book probably isn't for you. The Fault in Our Stars is one of the most emotionally draining (and, consequently, utterly amazing) books that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

John Green is a wizard at manipulating feelings -- one second you will be laughing, the next, tears will be streaming down your face. He weaves humor, sadness, pain, and joy into an amazing design that closely echoes life.

All of the main characters in this book are dealing with some form of cancer. This book could easily have been a dark and tragic story of being diagnosed with a terminal illness. It could have focused on what it's like to find out you have cancer and how difficult it is to cope. It could have been sad and hopeless and revolved completely around the illness instead of the characters.

But this book is not defined by cancer. In fact, I would hesitate to say that this book is about cancer at all. Instead, it's about life. It's about knowing that you may not have much time left and doing everything you can to make the best of every day. It's about being a teenager in love and all that entails. It's about friendship and hope and doing the best you can to cope with what life hands to you.

Hazel is feisty and quirky and someone I think I'd be friends with if she were real. She's straightforward about her illness and does everything in her power not to let it restrict her.

Gus is one of my favorite characters of all time. He is quirky and odd and completely lovable. It is impossible not to like him. He's positive about everything and is caring and adorable..

John Green's books may be marketed as Young Adult, but people of all ages can find something to relate to within his pages.All of his books are amazing, and every one is about living life and taking chances.

The Fault in Our Stars will make you laugh and cry and feel more feelings than you thought one person could  possibly contain. It's more than just a book. It's an experience, and it's an experience that everyone should have.

Do you like really emotional books? I love them. I always get so attached to characters that every book is a huge emotional investment for me. Do you do the same thing? Let me know in the comments!