The Probability of Miracles

The Probability of Miracles
Wendy Wunder
357 pages
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: library
★★★★☆

You can read the Goodreads summary here.

I inadvertently read two YA cancer novels in the past two weeks, The Probability of Miracles and The Fault in Our Stars.  They were both great novels, but you'll have to excuse me if I seem a little depressed because cancer is inherently depressing.

The Probability of Miracles follows the story of Campell who has been fighting cancer for seven years.  In a last-ditch attempt to save her, her mother takes her and her sister to Promise, Maine, where miracles have been said to happen.

The first thing I noticed and loved about this book: Cam's family lives near Walt Disney World and they all work at the Polynesian Resort.  At the beginning and towards the end of the novel there are forays into Disney World that made me want to go there.  I thought the whole Disney thing really balanced well with Cam's illness, even if some of the Disney fun seemed way out there.  As far as I know, no one is allowed to stay in that fancy suite in Cinderella's Castle, even for Make-A-Wish.

I also liked the concept of Promise, Maine - where no bad can happen.  It was an interesting concept was threaded throughout the novel without making the novel the least bit paranormal; it was definitely a contemporary novel, but the idea of Promise, there's just something magical about that.  Of course, that's not all sunshine and rainbows when the idea of Promise makes you afraid to leave Promise, a la Asher, Cam's love interest.

Four stars!  Highly recommend, though maybe take a lesson from me and space out your cancer novels a bit.  I know I have another one coming up soon from NetGalley... whoops.  If this is becoming a trend in YA lit, it's an awfully depressing one.