The Fault in Our Stars

John Green is back with his new book The Fault in Our Stars, which has risen up the book charts and been described by Time Magazine as being 'damn near genius'.

The Fault in Our Stars focuses on the life of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a teenager living with thyroid cancer and who is 'post-miracle'. At sixteen, after being diagnosed with depression, (which she sees as a side-effect of dying), Hazel starts attending a weekly support group which features a rotating membership. It is at this support group that she meets Augustus Waters, a seventeen year old boy in remission from osteosarcoma.

The two soon develop a strong friendship as they talk about books and oblivion, with Augustus being a fan of the companion novels of a favourite game while Hazel continuously rereads Peter van Houten's An Imperial Affliction, books that both teenagers come to enjoy.

The book has been heavily anticipated, with thousands of Nerdfighters pre-ordering it as early as July, a feat that caused it to reach the top of the Amazon book list as well as pushing the publication date forward to January.

The Fault in Our Stars may be about people living with cancer, but the characters are not defined by their illness. Green creates extremely believable and likeable characters who are able to be heartbreaking and hilarious, often in the space of a few pages. It is critically acclaimed and has been enjoyed by many, and is a book I would happily recommend.