Looking For Alaska by John Green

Looking For Alaska By John Green

"Compelling...Brilliant [and] insightful." -Chicago Tribune 

Looking for Alaska is the first young adult novel John Green has published. This novel cannot be merely written off as a typical boy-meets-girl love story, because it isn't. It's more of a story of how love isn't as it seems.

The book starts with Miles Halter mostly known as "Pudge" leaving Florida to attend a school in Alabama. He's introduced by his roommate Chip "The Colonel" Martin to beautiful, mysterious and emotionally confused Alaska Young, and the story progresses, mostly centered on Miles' life at Culver Creek and his growing attachment to Alaska. After hearing Pudge's obsessions with famous last words, Alaska informs him of Simon Balivars final words: "Damn it. How will I ever get out of this labyrinth?" Miles asks her what the labyrinth is and the two make a deal: if Pudge figures out what the labyrinth is, Alaska will arrange sex for him. On his first night at Culver Creek, trouble arises between the Weekend Warriors their enemies.

 Alaska and Pudge grow closer and he begins to fall in love with her, although she insists on keeping their relationship platonic. The Colonel and Alaska decide to pull a series a pranks in a row to intimidate the Warriors. The gang celebrates their victory by drinking and partying at the old barn by the school. During the celebration, Alaska tells her friends about her mother's death from an aneurysm when she was eight years old and Pudge thinks that's why she is emotional an closed off most times. With all this drama in their lives will Pudge be with the girl he likes or does he have to keep on looking for Alaska?

My friend gave me this book as a gift knowing that I love reading. This novel  by John Green is brilliant and suspenseful. Its the perfect read for someone who likes a bit of action, drama and love all in one. The ending shocked me the most, It was so unexpected that I got chills just reading it.  Its a heart breaking story which I don't think I will read again without tearing up. I give this book 5 stars. I absolutely loved it and anyone would love it too. I recommend this book for young adults, ages 14 and up for its language, drug use and sexual references.