The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Review)

When a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Get your affairs settled, pets walked, food made, fave shows set up on DVR, because once you begin reading you will NOT want to stop, for anything.  
I have heard mixed things about John's other books (Looking for Alaska & Paper Towns) so when presented with the opportunity to read this I have to admit I was NOT expecting such a phenomenal novel. 
As with all new books I get, I skimmed a few pages, unlike the OTHER books I did NOT stop "skimming" until it was 430am! 


I wish I could emotionally detach & look at this book & review it constructively. This story will do everything to your emotions, BUT make them detached. 
  
Hazel & Augustus are teenagers, obviously destined to be lovers & best friends, and meant to die long before they normally should. 
A cruel twist of fate drags them together. The Cancer Kids Support Group. 


Before you think this will be a dreary & sad book bout cancer & kids that die from it, please think again. While cancer is in their lives it has not taken them over. We are not bored to tears with medical lingo & incessant chatter of chemo & it's side effects. 
A few medical conversations take place, but they add to the story not control it. 


As we live through their eyes & become immersed in their story we cheer for them. We know there will be no unrealistic "OMG THEY FOUND A CURE FOR THIS RARE CANCER" moments & I respect the author for not insulting our intelligence by even leading us to think it is possible. 


We want Hazel & Augustus & their friend Isaac to live the best life they can, while their health allows it. 
We want to support them & be there for them. That's all we can realistically do. 


Isaac is a mutual friend, also from Cancer Kids Support Group. His story line adds depth to the overall story. He shows us how these kids act when a "cure" for cancer doesn't always mean a stereotypical happy ending & how sometimes sacrifices must be made to save a life. 


It's easy to see how friendships forged under these circumstances are so strong & true, as fleeting as they may be. They truly learn to take it one day at a time & to appreciate ALL life has to offer. From a sunrise to petting a kitten to playing a video game with your best friends. 


Hazel is taken on a vacation with Augustus that changes her life in so many ways it makes you dizzy with emotion. 


I was introduced to what seemed to be a strong supporting character & his role was chopped to hell. Peter Van Houten, the alcoholic author they went to Amsterdam to visit. His role confused me a bit. I understood where John Green went, at the end of the story, but Peter Van Houten could of been a stronger, stable, side character. He was such an integral part of the story & was kinda wishy washy when it came down to it. 


The other small gripe I had was that these young kids had "Dawson's Creek" syndrome. Sometimes they spoke a bit too mature for even bright 16 & 17 year old kids. 


Despite a few small "fly in the ointment" type annoyances this novel had me engrossed from beginning to end. 


Hazel & Augustus (Isaac's too) parents were simply awesome. They were what you would imagine a family in their position to be like. Staying strong together in front of their child & crying like helpless babies together behind closed doors, waking up & doing it all again. I liked that, I liked seeing they were human & felt the stress & helplessness & unfairness of it all. It was real. Too real. 


This novel will definitely invoke strong emotions in us all. We will rage at the cruelty of cancer yet be glad for every single moment of happiness Hazel, Gus, & Isaac have. Together & apart. Isaac was a supporting character but he really struck a chord with me. I keep mentioning him because IMHO he WAS the strongest of them all. 
We think we know where each character will end up, but we don't. John Green has truly crafted a story that will play itself out in your memory long after you close the book. 
"The Fault in Our Stars starts with cancer & ends with life"

Alice in Wonderland & Dracula as a PURSE?!

Alice in Wonderland 85$

     came upon these quite by accident, just stalking round the blog o' sphere a few minutes ago & BAMMO! I saw these beauties & the drooling & I must have's began! 
The price may be a bit high BUT look at them! We pay more than 85$ for UGGS & these are def not "UGG" to look at! 
They would make awesome gifts for that special Best Bookish Friend (or me ;) , daughter, loved one, yourself even. 
They are classic & timeless. 
These are the 2 I loved, but there are more to chose from. 
Which book would you love to see made into one of these purses? 
A few books I cn think of are: Twilight, Hunger Games, Wither & Fever, Fallen, Everneath, The Space Between, etc.etc. 
I JUST started my new job & after my laptop repair is paid for (need a new hard drive & operating system) I am DEF savin for AIW or Dracula :) I better hurry, these are one of a kinds. 
Please lemme know which ones u loved & must have or if they didn't float your boat.
I cant wait to hear what u guys think..


                                                                                                                   

Dracula Purse 65$

I.M.M.

IMM hosted by The Story Siren


 

Another awesome week has come to an end my friends. My blog has a few new book-a-licious follower *u all rock!* but not many comments *sniffles* on my posts. *sniffles, again* 

OH YEAH! Scholastic sent me the official "we accept you" email! I can request their books to review for my lil ol' blog :) 

My slice of bookish blog heaven just got that much brighter. U rock Scholastic. 

Without further adu:

Books Sent to me & Books Bought:

BOUGHT:

 (I got this last Wednesday & was told I got it early, it isn't due to hit shelf's until the 31st. Thank you "Stop & Shop" for your snaffu)

LENOBIA'S VOW (HON NOVELLA) PC & KRISTEN CAST

Author/Publisher Sent

TOUCH OF FATE CHRISTINE AMSDEN

E-BOOKS:

(no pics just links w/the deets)

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS:JOHN GREEN

(I am sayin JUST this, pretty frickin rad so far)

FALLEN IN LOVE BY LAUREN KATE A FALLEN NOVEL IN STORIES

(cover is gorg, need an excuse to read the first 3 in series, now I gots it!)

EARLY RELEASE FOR BAD BEHAVIOR BY KEVIN HOPSON

(short story sent 2 me by author it kinda rocked)

THIS IS NOT A TEST BY COURTNEY SUMMERS

(oh yeah! oh yeah! zombies! zombies! in effect ya'll! *fist pump accompanied by a silly but hip dance*)

So there we have it friends, I can't wait to see what you all got (so I can drool over & be jealous of your awesum book scores) 

Have an awesum week & leave dem comments on my posts throughout the week & I shall do the same :) 

GIVEAWAYS*GIVEAWAYS* SEE GIVEAWAYS TAB (TOP OF PAGE) FOR GIVEAWAYS. THANX

Pic I took w/my Acer Iconia a500 tablet. I <3 this pic :)

Everneath by Brodi Ashton Tour & Review

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . .

Cover: This cover is absolutely gawgeous! The red dress swirling in the wind & how the wisps of fabric turn into plumes of smoke on the ends is fabulousity. 
I love how she is walking through smoke clouds too. Sheer genius. 
It tells me nada about the book BEFORE I read it BUT after reading it I can see how it applies. 3 outta 4 stars.

REVIEW: I signed on for this tour quite late & was grateful when I was accepted. Hollow Tours is to thank for today's review & stop btw. 
I was afraid the back & forth storytelling would spin me round & round. 
LUCKILY I WAS WRONG!
Becks waking up after 100 years in Everneath (6 months in our time), after being fed on by an "Emotional Vampire" named Cole, the entire time was indeed rare. 
Normally humans do not survive such an ordeal so intact. 
Upon waking from her century/6 month long "Soul Colonic" she was blessedly intact (for the most part) much remained hidden, lost, or a mystery soon to be uncovered.
She was sent back home after refusing Cole's invite to remain by his side & become like him. 
The only caveat was she had to use the next 6 months to say goodbye. She was doomed to return to "The Tunnels" until her demise. 
Cole has other plans for her however. 
Her sudden re-appearance was not one filled with tears & joyful homecoming hugs from her friends & the love she left behind, Jack.
It was met with disdain & suspicion & cruel rumors. 
Not only was she a truly changed young lady she had MUCH to make up for in a short amount of time. 
While the story revolves around Becks & Jack & Cole, Becks family & friends play strong supporting roles.
I do wish I could have seen more of her family repped however. As a family unit they went through so much & their story really added the "potatoes" to the overall "meat" of the story. It would of been nice to hear more from the sidelines. 
Many keep referencing a Greek Myth when reviewing this, Persephone & Hades. 
I quickly re read the cliff notes of it & must agree, I see it's STRONG influences in Everneath. 
Becks does NOT want to be like Cole. It would be the easy way out, rule as  Queen VS the alternative: "The Tunnels". To many it would be a no brainer. 
Becks impresses me with this. She wants to hang onto humanity despite the rather dyer circumstances she is about to face. 
She sadly had to learn the hard way. I thought I would be faced with a cry baby/whoa is me type but I was not. 
She took responsibility for her actions & worked like an adult to rectify her situation. 
She went through a "mourning period" where it seemed she was resigned to her fate & life was as it was. I was glad she grew a pair & got over it. 
As for being Team Cole or Team Jack..Hmmmm..IDK. Yet. 
I won't lie, I was not drawn into & head over heels by the end of Chapter 1. It did take me a few chappys to get into the heart of the story. 


The writing was beautiful & flowed well. The jumps between the time periods were smooth transitions & not choppy messes. 
The characters were human (well..) & FLAWED. Yes. FINALLY. REAL PEOPLE. Luv em! 
IF she had returned home to flowers and balloons and a freaking party I would of chucked the book out the window! I would of deleted it actually, not chucked my tablet out the window. errr...


Overall, despite a rough start I got into this decadent little gem.  I will be stalking for the follow up & praying it is not too far behind. 

out of