Ava Renner
“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
Book Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Length: 313
Genre: Contemporary Romance, YA, Fiction
My Rating: 3.5/5
My Age Rating: 14+
Content Notes: Swearing, sex(1 small scene), cancer, death, alcoholism, smoking, vomit, emotional themes
“Because you are beautiful. I enjoy looking at beautiful people, and I decided a while ago not to deny myself the simpler pleasures of existence”
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
The fault in Our Stars: Book Synopsis
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, Hazels story is about to be completely rewritten.
Book Review:
Some books grab your attention immediately, pulling you into the story from the very first sentence and making it impossible not to keep reading. The Fault in Our Stars does exactly that. The opening sets the tone perfectly, telling you everything you need to know about the main character at that moment and transporting you straight into her world. It is one of the strongest openings I have read in a long time, and it felt fitting to begin this review by sharing it.
“Late in the winter of my seventeenth year, my mother decided I was depressed, presumably because I rarely left the house, spent quite a lot of time in bed, read the same book over and over, ate infrequently, and devoted quite a bit of time to thinking about death.”
John Green’s writing style is interesting and very distinct. I would describe it as a “jaded teen” style. It is full of angst, teenage sass, and humor. The writing is easy to read, and while it might seem like it could get boring for readers who prefer fast paced, action heavy stories, I personally never felt bored. I have read this book three times now, and I often return to it as an in-between book. It is something I can read quickly without needing to analyze every detail.
In terms of content, there is one brief and mild sex scene, which is easy to skip. There are also some suggestive comments and crude jokes throughout the book. While I wish some of these moments were not included, they do fit with the overall “jaded teen” tone of the book. There is mild profanity throughout, along with a small amount of stronger language.
This book also deals heavily with mature themes, the most obvious being cancer. Both main characters are on their own cancer journeys, and the story does not shy away from the realities that come with that. It explores illness, death, family dynamics, and the physical toll of treatment. Some scenes are difficult to read, but I appreciate that the book offers a realistic look into the life of a teenager living with cancer.
The romance in this story is not fluffy or idealized. It is messy, painful, and real. The relationship is full of challenges, which makes it feel more authentic than many typical romance novels. This book is what I would call a tragic romance. It begins sadly, as the main character is lonely, becomes happy as she falls in love, and then returns to sadness when that love is lost. If you are looking for a light, cheerful romance, this is not the book for you. Consider yourself warned. This story comes with tears and, very likely, a day of emotional recovery afterward.
The ending of this book was very interesting. Without spoiling anything, it felt somewhat abrupt, almost as if there was more that could have been said. While this does fit the tone of the book, I still wish we had spent a little more time with Hazel before the story ended. Honestly, the ending is probably my biggest critique of the book. Aside from the small amount of unnecessary inappropriate content, I found it almost lazy, and though some may disagree, it felt like a half hearted attempt to end the story. That said, it was still a beautiful final chapter, but I think an additional chapter to wrap things up would have made the ending stronger.
Overall, I would recommend The Fault in Our Stars for readers ages 14 and up, as long as they are mature enough to handle a small, skippable sex scene and heavier themes. While it is not the best romance I have ever read, I did enjoy it, and it holds a special place on my bookshelf. If you are looking for an easy read that is angsty, humorous, and emotionally heavy enough to bring tears to your eyes, this book may be for you.
Happy Reading,
Ava
If you want your own copy of “The Fault in Our Stars,” click on this Link
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