The Probability of Miracles Review & Giveaway

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The Probability Of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Release Date:  December 8, 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 336

Format: ARC
Source: Swapped
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2011 Reading Challenge, 2011 Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon 

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

A debut novel from an immensely talented new writer, The Probability of Miracles crackles with wit, romance and humor and will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn of the page..

I have had this book on my TBR list for quite some time. I mean, just look at that gorgeous cover! It looked so optimistic, and full of life, that when I finally got a copy I was a little concerned given the premise of the book.

The Probability of Miracles is about a girl named Cam who has spent years fighting the odds. Her parents divorced, her father died, and she was diagnosed with cancer, all at a very young age! It's of no wonder that Cam is a bit of a pesamist! Okay maybe a bit of a pesamist is an understatement here.

Cam soon learns from her doctor, that the cancer has become so wide spread throughout her body, there is nothing more he, or anyone else can do for her. Not even a medical trial can help her now. Fighting tooth and nail for her daughter, Cam's mother Alicia, packs Cam and her younger sister Perry up and heads off in search of Promise, Maine. A place known for miraculous things, if anything can cure Cam, a summer spent in Promise can! But will a summer spent in Promise be just what the doctor ordered?

Given the premise of this book, I was concerned that it would be a dark and depressing read. You would think given the fact that the main character dying of cancer, and is sarcastic to boot on top of that, that it would be. But I found The Probability of Miracles to be far from it! See, miracles do happen! I actually found myself laughing, and chuckling to myself throughout the entire story. Wendy's style of writing and the way she wrote the character, Cam, reminded me so much of the movie Juno. One of my favorite movies! So if your a fan of Juno, the movie and the character, like me, then you'll love this book.

One major complaint about this book that I heard was the ever present  reference by the characters in the book, to Cam's cancer. Well, as someone who has lived in a family where someone is seriously ill, let me tell you, yes it does consume your life and change it in every way possible! A normal life, just is not possible, and whether you want it to or not, everything changes. How you live your life, where you go, what you do, even what you eat! So while some people may think they mention Cambell's being sick with cancer a lot, well, sorry to say that is true to life! You can't run and escape from something like that, it is a part of who you are! Ever present, always there staring you in the face.

I also loved how this book showcased what life is like for the entire family when one person in the family  is ill. Many times, other family members tend to take a back seat because they don't seem as important, even though they are as important as ever!

Wendy Wunder ( yes, that is her real name) delivered an incredible debut novel, tackling some serious issues with the grace and ease of a seasoned vetarin! This book had me laughing and crying ( in a good way, I promise!) all at the same time! Full of life, laughter, first love, adventure and the love of family. I fell in love with  The Probability of Miracles and can't wait to read more from the very  talented Wendy Wunder!

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