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kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Realistic fictional romance for 14+ teens and revolves around two teen cancer patients in a hospital in Perth, Australia.
Thanks to A.J. Betts, NetGalley, and Text Publishing for providing this ARC for me to cry over and hope. I know it’s fiction, but oh, I do want to know how things come out.
Zac & Mia won the Text Prize for YA and Children’s Writing in 2012, and I can certainly understand why!
My Take
Wow, Betts sucked me in behind the scenes in this cancer ward. She made me feel Zac's frustration with all the medical restrictions and how much time he's spent in this bed, all without telling me. It does make you laugh as he recites the routine of new patients coming in, the routine of the floor, heck, Zac's practically got all the patient dialog down before they say it, lol. Five words, just five, and oh man, if that isn't a show that describes and tells us so very much about this guy: "I'm a human light bulb." You have to laugh through the tears.
It's not just the hospital that Betts makes us feel t'home at. It's Zac's farm and his family as well. It's cozy, laidback. Worried. Hopeful. You want things to turn out well for this family.
Zac is such a sweetheart, so goodhearted and patient, that you can't help but fall in love with him, and it sucks you in deeper as the story goes along. I cracked up about Helga; Zac does find humor in the oddest things. B movies, cereal lookalikes, practical survival tips like grilled cheese with catsup and mouthwash. It's roo poo golf! We sure learn more than I want to know about the concerns a leukemia patient has, poor kid. And his mum is so patient. She's so amazing in her cheerfulness and attempts to keep Zac from boredom.
There's such a camaraderie between some of the patients and the nurse on the floor. And I can certainly understand how they'd be pulled together in a common cause. It does seem unfair that only the children's ward gets all the pretty colors and access to all the fun visitors while Zac gets access to the Internet and obsesses over the numbers. He knows 'em all with respect to death, remission, chances of all sorts, including Cam's chances of not coming back. And Cam is such a cheerful upbeat guy. He wants Zac to come surfing. He's got the board all picked out for him.
Mum cracked me up with her request that Zac "friend" her — she's only got 14 friends! Then there's Mia with all her friends, ones she's lyin' to. Hmmm, it is a curious question. What does happen to a dead person's Facebook page? And Betts has a poetic way of asking.
It's Zac who promises Mia she'll be okay. He encourages her and peps her up, a woman, a girl really, who doesn't want to hear it. Mia is so angry at everyone. There's all this suspense, avoidance with Mia who runs away from home. Rejection, anger, hate.
It's really hard to like Mia. She's mean, nasty, demanding, selfish, and on the run all the time whether it's metaphysical, mental, emotional, or physical. All the worth she thinks she has is her beauty. Enough so she doesn't believe Zac. Enough that she begins to think her mother loves her.
It's also a truth of symptoms. Putting off that doctor's visit because it seems so minor. Then the big fake-out…it's enough to make you cry.
All Zac wants, what he dreams of, is being left alone, not reminded of his cancer. He also wants to keep Mia's spirits up. No matter what. Even if it takes a Make-a-Wish.
The Story
Whoever’s come into Room 2 is not following the standard practice, and it has Zac curiouser than a cat in front of a mousehole. He also is worried about not letting on how interested he is to his mum. God knows there are enough embarrassing topics his mum wants to discuss.
Mia is not bored enough. Nope, she’s angry at her cancer and furious with her mother.
The Characters
The cricket and football playing Zac Meier, a.k.a., Helga, has leukemia and is in for a second round of treatment. Mum, known as Wendy to the grown-ups, the Unofficial Welcoming Committee of the oncology ward, is with him 24/7, and Zac is always coming up with errands for her to give himself some space. Bec is his oldest and pregnant sister, and she works on their farm, The Good Olive! Olive Oil and Petting Farm, with their dad, Greg, and Evan. Anton is her partner, only he's not on the farm right now. Aunty Trish lives in Perth and is a survivor herself. J.R. is Zac's Jack Russell. Daisy is the old alpaca.
Mia Phillips is the new girl who's heading into year 12 next year, and she's training for a Diploma of Beauty Therapy. Shay (Brandon is her boyfriend) and Chloe are two of her girlfriends; Erin and Fee are additions. Rhys Granger is her boyfriend, for a while anyway. Ross is her mother's current boyfriend. Chris was Mia's dad; it's a trip down memory lane when Mia and her mother head down to The Good Olive!
Cam is an electrician who surfs. He's also relapsed with his tumor.
Nina and Veronica, she has the big hands, are the nurses on his floor. Dr. Aneta is his doctor. Patrick is the psychologist.
Sienna Chapman, Clare Hill, Alex, Matt, Rick, and some of his classmates. Macka is his coach.
The Cover
The cover is a very pale yellow background with an outline shape of an eye with an orange iris, a black pupil, and orange daisy petals surround it with a few beginning to come away. The title is at the top while the author’s name is smaller and at the bottom.
The title is basic and to the point, for the story revolves around Zac & Mia.
Thanks to A.J. Betts, NetGalley, and Text Publishing for providing this ARC for me to cry over and hope. I know it’s fiction, but oh, I do want to know how things come out.
Zac & Mia won the Text Prize for YA and Children’s Writing in 2012, and I can certainly understand why!
My Take
Wow, Betts sucked me in behind the scenes in this cancer ward. She made me feel Zac's frustration with all the medical restrictions and how much time he's spent in this bed, all without telling me. It does make you laugh as he recites the routine of new patients coming in, the routine of the floor, heck, Zac's practically got all the patient dialog down before they say it, lol. Five words, just five, and oh man, if that isn't a show that describes and tells us so very much about this guy: "I'm a human light bulb." You have to laugh through the tears.
It's not just the hospital that Betts makes us feel t'home at. It's Zac's farm and his family as well. It's cozy, laidback. Worried. Hopeful. You want things to turn out well for this family.
Zac is such a sweetheart, so goodhearted and patient, that you can't help but fall in love with him, and it sucks you in deeper as the story goes along. I cracked up about Helga; Zac does find humor in the oddest things. B movies, cereal lookalikes, practical survival tips like grilled cheese with catsup and mouthwash. It's roo poo golf! We sure learn more than I want to know about the concerns a leukemia patient has, poor kid. And his mum is so patient. She's so amazing in her cheerfulness and attempts to keep Zac from boredom.
"'If I were a breakfast cereal, which one would I be?'
'In personality or appearance?' She doesn't miss a beat.
'Either.'
'Lately? Verging on a Fruit Loop.'"
There's such a camaraderie between some of the patients and the nurse on the floor. And I can certainly understand how they'd be pulled together in a common cause. It does seem unfair that only the children's ward gets all the pretty colors and access to all the fun visitors while Zac gets access to the Internet and obsesses over the numbers. He knows 'em all with respect to death, remission, chances of all sorts, including Cam's chances of not coming back. And Cam is such a cheerful upbeat guy. He wants Zac to come surfing. He's got the board all picked out for him.
Mum cracked me up with her request that Zac "friend" her — she's only got 14 friends! Then there's Mia with all her friends, ones she's lyin' to. Hmmm, it is a curious question. What does happen to a dead person's Facebook page? And Betts has a poetic way of asking.
It's Zac who promises Mia she'll be okay. He encourages her and peps her up, a woman, a girl really, who doesn't want to hear it. Mia is so angry at everyone. There's all this suspense, avoidance with Mia who runs away from home. Rejection, anger, hate.
It's really hard to like Mia. She's mean, nasty, demanding, selfish, and on the run all the time whether it's metaphysical, mental, emotional, or physical. All the worth she thinks she has is her beauty. Enough so she doesn't believe Zac. Enough that she begins to think her mother loves her.
Zac does note however that "Mia's got a knack for keeping me in the surprising, glaring present. Exactly where I'm supposed to be."
It's also a truth of symptoms. Putting off that doctor's visit because it seems so minor. Then the big fake-out…it's enough to make you cry.
All Zac wants, what he dreams of, is being left alone, not reminded of his cancer. He also wants to keep Mia's spirits up. No matter what. Even if it takes a Make-a-Wish.
"I'm the least brave of everyone. I never signed up for this war. Leukemia conscripted me, the fucker."
The Story
Whoever’s come into Room 2 is not following the standard practice, and it has Zac curiouser than a cat in front of a mousehole. He also is worried about not letting on how interested he is to his mum. God knows there are enough embarrassing topics his mum wants to discuss.
Mia is not bored enough. Nope, she’s angry at her cancer and furious with her mother.
The Characters
The cricket and football playing Zac Meier, a.k.a., Helga, has leukemia and is in for a second round of treatment. Mum, known as Wendy to the grown-ups, the Unofficial Welcoming Committee of the oncology ward, is with him 24/7, and Zac is always coming up with errands for her to give himself some space. Bec is his oldest and pregnant sister, and she works on their farm, The Good Olive! Olive Oil and Petting Farm, with their dad, Greg, and Evan. Anton is her partner, only he's not on the farm right now. Aunty Trish lives in Perth and is a survivor herself. J.R. is Zac's Jack Russell. Daisy is the old alpaca.
Mia Phillips is the new girl who's heading into year 12 next year, and she's training for a Diploma of Beauty Therapy. Shay (Brandon is her boyfriend) and Chloe are two of her girlfriends; Erin and Fee are additions. Rhys Granger is her boyfriend, for a while anyway. Ross is her mother's current boyfriend. Chris was Mia's dad; it's a trip down memory lane when Mia and her mother head down to The Good Olive!
Cam is an electrician who surfs. He's also relapsed with his tumor.
Nina and Veronica, she has the big hands, are the nurses on his floor. Dr. Aneta is his doctor. Patrick is the psychologist.
Sienna Chapman, Clare Hill, Alex, Matt, Rick, and some of his classmates. Macka is his coach.
The Cover
The cover is a very pale yellow background with an outline shape of an eye with an orange iris, a black pupil, and orange daisy petals surround it with a few beginning to come away. The title is at the top while the author’s name is smaller and at the bottom.
The title is basic and to the point, for the story revolves around Zac & Mia.
groovyjenni's review against another edition
1.0
Mia was just way too unlikable for me to even enjoy this book unfortunately.
callistabanks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
This was a very cute story. It was however just another "teens with cancer" sort of story. I did love the characters and the way they both supported each other and how their friendship grew. There were definitely a few tears shed as I read this book, specifically when you read their thoughts and feelings about what they're going through.
One thing I loved about this book though was how it was written. It was split into three parts, "Zac", "And" and "Mia". In part 1: Zac, you're in his perspective, in part 2: And, you're in both the perspectives and it alternates, and in part 3: Mia, you're in Mia's perspective. I thought this was a very clever way of writing the book and sharing their stories and it especially helped with the way the story flowed and with the characters growth.
One thing I loved about this book though was how it was written. It was split into three parts, "Zac", "And" and "Mia". In part 1: Zac, you're in his perspective, in part 2: And, you're in both the perspectives and it alternates, and in part 3: Mia, you're in Mia's perspective. I thought this was a very clever way of writing the book and sharing their stories and it especially helped with the way the story flowed and with the characters growth.
kirsten_s's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mehsi's review against another edition
3.0
Short review:
Zac and Mia was a book that at times made my blood crawl, and at other times I just wanted to cry.
There are 3 parts, the first is by Zac, the second is by both of the characters and the last is all Mia.
I must say, I preferred Zac over Mia. Mia, I know she has it tough and all, but sorry, she was a very unlikeable character through 66% of the book. I am sure, girl that getting your foot cut off and all is bad, and I can imagine it shocks you to no end. But sorry, you are rude, horrible and a total bitch. You have no respect for Zac, no respect for your friends or your mom. She is also an idiot, running away? On that leg? While you need treatment? I also disliked how she acted against Zac. Zac, who tried to live life the best way he could, knowing he might die any day, but wasn't a total prick or mean.
I loved, adored and also cried for Zac. He was very likeable, and I was just cheering for him through most of the book.
I loved the fact that we switch POVs, however I would have preferred a whole Zac book instead.
The topic/setting in this book is one that hits close home, so a lot of things mentioned were things I understand, things I know about.
All in all a great book, however, if Mia was featured less, or what I would prefer, her to be less bitchy, I might have rated it higher.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Zac and Mia was a book that at times made my blood crawl, and at other times I just wanted to cry.
There are 3 parts, the first is by Zac, the second is by both of the characters and the last is all Mia.
I must say, I preferred Zac over Mia. Mia, I know she has it tough and all, but sorry, she was a very unlikeable character through 66% of the book. I am sure, girl that getting your foot cut off and all is bad, and I can imagine it shocks you to no end. But sorry, you are rude, horrible and a total bitch. You have no respect for Zac, no respect for your friends or your mom. She is also an idiot, running away? On that leg? While you need treatment? I also disliked how she acted against Zac. Zac, who tried to live life the best way he could, knowing he might die any day, but wasn't a total prick or mean.
I loved, adored and also cried for Zac. He was very likeable, and I was just cheering for him through most of the book.
I loved the fact that we switch POVs, however I would have preferred a whole Zac book instead.
The topic/setting in this book is one that hits close home, so a lot of things mentioned were things I understand, things I know about.
All in all a great book, however, if Mia was featured less, or what I would prefer, her to be less bitchy, I might have rated it higher.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
deepower7's review against another edition
3.0
That teensy little detail revealed at the end is the sweetest thing.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I just finished this one and I'm crying right now...this book was real, amazingly real, confronting in a way, talking about luck and happiness in a new way and I hope that one day I'm ready to feel it like this too...