I was disappointed in this book, especially since John Green is an author I've been meaning to read for some time now. He writes Young Adult novels (Looking for Alaska [wherein "Alaska" is a girl's name], An Abundance of Katherines, to name a couple) and is both a popular and critical success. This is the first of his books that I've read, and I wish now that I'd started with one of his earlier ones.In a nutshell, this novel bored me. If I were a teenager (the novel's primary audience) reading this book, it's doubtful that I would have finished it. Green failed to make me care.There were some interesting ideas sprinkled throughout (not that many of them, though), and some of the dialogue was entertaining (very much soon-to-be-dated teenspeak, as is often the case in YA lit), but I only actually liked one of the characters--Radar--and he wasn't the protagonist. Ouch.Mr. Green just didn't tell much of a story here, nor did he do any of the things that make me forgive a lack of story (experimenting with form; relating incredibly real characters, either likeable or not; achieving transcendent language/description; getting across startling or important ideas--none of these).I will, out of a sense of professional duty and based on the recommendations of people I trust, try one more of John Green's books--probably Looking for Alaska. But this heavily-marketed, much-heralded waste of dead trees? Don't bother. I only gave it two stars because of Radar.

I think John Green's books are just never going to be my thing.He's really intelligent and a solid writer, but something about the way he writes "quirky" girls and the same general formula has just gotten really old for me. Most of his characters annoy me and everything just seems unrealistic. So my 1 star rating is for my DNF and complete lack of interest... not for the quality of the book. Like I think a ton of people will love this book and already do, so I'll just leave it with: I'm out.My blog | Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram

2.5 StarsBasically a kid who's very desperate for a prom date.Plot Rundown:Typical unpopular boy with an ordinary boring as bread life.Suddenly super cool unattainable popular pretty girl/childhood crush Margo Roth Beagleman(or whatever her Margmazing name is), breaks into his house and wants to hang out. They go do a bunch of pranks on people who Magnificent Margo, thinks have done her wrong. Mysterious Margo then disappears, because, I don't know, her life's fake or something. Our kid with his equally dull friends go on a road trip to find Mystical Margo. (Oh and + the decent/bad friend of the lost girl??) You know that basic song that goes: You know I'd walk a thousand miles, if I could just see you tonight *(que piano)*. Just imagine that, but a guy taking it to another level.So I understand what John Green was trying to do:I love that message, it's great. What I didn't like were the dull characters, especially the main one. He definitely was obsessed with Margo and the way it played out on the pages was annoying. I don't want to hear about how amazing someone is in every single chapter. I didn't even like Margo, she just seemed to think herself as above everyone. In my opinion leaving and letting people think you commit suicide is a pretty indecent thing to do. Even if you think your life is a lie, have the common decency to tell people you're leaving. This was probably a good demonstration of how we sometimes think of life as a game. It isn't about being the most mysterious or having more adventures than someone else, it's about being authentic. Be who you are and don't expect others to be the same.Another thing I'd like to mention is that there's certainly consequences to just disappearing or breaking in. I don't know if I'd even recommend this to a younger audience since I sincerely wouldn't want anyone taking pointers from Margo. One thing I have to mention is that John Green knows how to write. He can certainly create memorable/inspirational quotes. His characters have never been for me, but the philosophical aspect is always interesting. My only little complaint is that having so many deep quotes/metaphors, can take away.Having a couple really highlights the story and makes you go:But having one in every chapter, is more like:A quick reminder for anyone and especially young readers, is that wanting to project yourself as something doesn't make you become that. If you desire to make yourself seem like a mystery, it doesn't mean you're a mystery. You're a person and it's wrong for even you to see yourself as something less or more than that. It's amazing to have adventures, it just doesn't define you.Only you can. I've learned that once you stop seeing things the way other people do, you'll learn how to open your eyes to your own perspective.Overall thoughts:I appreciate the message of the story, just not the plot in general. (Cara appreciation, shout out to her for having great eyebrows) P.S. What's your favourite John Green novel?