Meet New Books
Book Cover

The Fault in Our Stars

Save:
Find on Amazon

Who Would Like This Book:

If you want a raw, funny-sad rollercoaster, this one’s for you. John Green takes on love, illness, and all those huge life questions - without sugarcoating or getting too heavy-handed. Hazel and Gus are quick-witted and relatable, making you laugh one page and ugly cry the next. Anyone who likes thoughtful YA, quirky characters, tearjerkers, or stories that dig into real-life tough stuff (while still cracking jokes!) will eat this up. Perfect for older teens and adults who want a deep but totally readable experience.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If super-intelligent, hyper-verbal teens aren’t your jam, you may find the dialogue unrealistic or a bit pretentious. Some felt the book was emotionally manipulative - like it’s trying too hard to make you cry. People who dislike stories centered on sickness or tragedy, or who just want an upbeat romance, might want to steer clear. Also, if you're over the hype or want your fiction with a strong dose of realism rather than metaphors, this might not be your cup of tea.

A beautifully written, heart-tugging YA novel that’s both clever and devastating - a must-read for anyone who likes their love stories real, funny, and a little bit messy.

About:

"The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green follows the story of Hazel, a teenager battling terminal cancer who meets Augustus at a support group, leading to a deep and poignant romance. The book delves into themes of life, love, friendship, and death, offering a unique perspective on facing mortality with humor and grace. Green's writing style is described as witty, emotionally captivating, and realistic, portraying teenage characters dealing with philosophical issues and existential questions in a relatable manner.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, each showcasing their own struggles, making them relatable and engaging to the reader.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by sharp, witty dialogue and poetic prose, capturing complex emotions and making the characters feel real.

Plot/Storyline:

The novel centers on Hazel and Augustus, two teens with cancer who find love and companionship while navigating the complexities of life and impending death.

Setting:

The novel mainly takes place in Indianapolis, with key scenes in Amsterdam, enhancing the themes of exploration and connection.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and engaging, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully without feeling overwhelmed.
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 infreq...

Notes:

The book follows two teenagers, Hazel and Augustus, who meet at a cancer support group.
Hazel has terminal thyroid cancer and has been living with it for years, while Augustus is a survivor of osteosarcoma, who lost a leg.
The story explores themes of love, mortality, and the impact of cancer on young people.
Hazel is introspective and deeply philosophical, often questioning the meaning of life and her own existence.
Humor is a significant element in the book, creating a balance between sadness and joy.
Augustus brings a sense of hope and adventure to Hazel's life, encouraging her to embrace her circumstances.
The title refers to a line from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, implying destiny and the nature of human existence.
An Imperial Affliction is a fictional book within the novel that sparks Hazel and Augustus's obsession and serves as a metaphor for their struggles.
The characters reflect real teenage struggles, despite facing the extraordinary challenge of cancer, making them relatable.
The book received critical acclaim and became a bestseller, resonating with a wide audience, especially young adults.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of terminal illness, cancer, death, and emotional distress.

Has Romance?

The romance between Hazel and Augustus is a central aspect of the story and is portrayed as deep and significant.

From The Publisher:

Hazel Lancaster's mom thinks she's depressed. And Hazel agrees. But as far as the 16-year-old sees it, her depression is a mere side effect of dying from the stage IV cancer she's been battling for years.

Still, Hazel's worried parents believe that if their daughter joins a support group, her depression will lift. She'll socialize, make new friends, and share her experiences with kids who know exactly what she's feeling. Turns out, Hazel's parents are right. Hazel's mood elevates the minute she meets Augustus Waters, a hot 17-year-old with "a touch of osteosarcoma" (bone cancer).

Their connection is immediate. They get each other. Augustus even understands Hazel's need to meet the author of her favorite book, a beautiful story about life and death with a maddeningly ambiguous ending. Can Augustus help Hazel find answers and meaning before it's too late?

Despite its serious subject matter, this well-narrated work offers a hopeful message about love, faith, and renewal.

2010
336 pages

Ratings (755)

Incredible (111)
Loved It (290)
Liked It (187)
It Was OK (110)
Did Not Like (42)
Hated It (15)

Reader Stats (1160):

Read It (822)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (117)
Did Not Finish (16)
Not Interested (204)

25 comment(s)

Hated It
2 weeks

Sorry, but no...

 
Loved It
1 month

Took me years to read this book, and regardless of being able to predict what was happening, it still hurt my heart. I still felt so much sadness.

 
Incredible
1 month

My soul hurts.

 
Incredible
2 months

This is a very emotional book. I absolutely loved the story line.

 
Loved It
2 months

So, a while ago, I was so immensely attached to this book that I begged my mum to take me to the cinema to see the movie, to which she proceeded to do the we have ‘the fault in our stars’ at home routine, but that never had anything to compare to ‘some infinities are bigger than other infinities’.

 
Incredible
4 months

I’ve had this book since the movie came out (throwback to peak Tumblr-core days), and it was the first novel I ever bought and actually read—well, almost read.

Every year, I’ve been rereading it up to the part where Hazel and Gus start dating... and then I’d nope out because I knew the emotional damage that was coming. Like, why suffer when I can pretend they live happily ever after?

But today? Today I finally finished it. All the way to the end. And yeah, I’m not okay. Absolutely wrecked. Crying in lowercase. It was beautiful and painful and somehow still funny in the middle of the heartbreak. John Green, you chaotic genius.

This book has lived rent-free in my heart for years, and now it’s officially paid off the mortgage with my tears. 5 stars, forever and always.

 
Hated It
7 months

to cringy

 
Loved It
8 months

Captivating and beautifully written. All the reviews about it being painfully sad are true, but it is worth it, well worth it.

 
Loved It
9 months

I cried... that's all I have to say.

 
Loved It
10 months

Loved this - beautiful story even through the pain, for me it lived up to the hype!

 
More Comments...

About the Author:

John Green is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of books including Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars, and Turtles All the Way Down. His books have received many accolades, including a Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and an Edgar Award. John has twice…

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.