Book Review: Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts

Summary:

"When I was little I believed in Jesus and Santa, spontaneous combustion, and the Loch Ness monster. Now I believe in science, statistics, and antibiotics."

So says seventeen-year-old Zac Meier during a long, grueling leukemia treatment in Perth, Australia. A loud blast of Lady Gaga alerts him to the presence of Mia, the angry, not-at-all-stoic cancer patient in the room next door. Once released, the two near-strangers can’t forget each other, even as they desperately try to resume normal lives. The story of their mysterious connection drives this unflinchingly tough, tender novel told in two voices.

Release Date: July 24, 2013

Age Group: YA

Source: School library 

Reviewed by: Madi B

Review:

I was hesitant about his book because it was a cancer book. It would be so hard NOT to compare it to The Fault in Our Stars. And sadly it wasn’t as good. Although I really liked this book.

 

The story starts with Zac: a funny teen quarantined in his hospital room because of his leukemia. He soon “meets” (They didn't talk, or see each other so i’m not sure if this even counts) Mia the not-so-happy cancer patient. Their relationship was never face-to-face and was always via note or Facebook which is not something I liked. I think because of this, I don’t feel like they had as much chemistry as they could have, had their relationship not be just through a keyboard. I also would have liked their relationship to progress a lot faster.

 

But other than that the book was really good. I felt like the author made sure not to glamorize cancer which is something I thought was extremely important. The plot, although slow, was enough to keep me from socializing for a good 12 hours!

 

I really loved Zac. He was really witty, loyal, and down to earth. Mia was a bit irritating to me. She was very obsessed with her image, VERY stubborn, and in my opinion, not good enough for Zac. She was SO impulsive and selfish it really made me mad sometimes. Like I said—NOT deserving of Zac.

 

Overall, I think that because of this book’s plot, it will always be compared to The Fault in Our Stars and sadly I don’t think it’s as good. But, it does have some engaging characters, some REALLY great quotes, and has the ability to make you FEEL for its characters.