December 26, 2012

Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me Tahereh Mafi book cover
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Series: Shatter Me #1
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication: November 15, 2011
Source/Format: Won from Tara || Hardcover

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. Her touch is fatal, and she was locked up for a murder she didn't intend to commit by the Reestablishment. As the world outside her window continues to crumble, the Reestablishment suddenly changes its mind - perhaps Juliette could be of use after all. She only has one choice to make now: will she be their weapon or will she be a warrior?

This book is just amazing. Seriously, Shatter Me totally rocked my world with just how awesome it is.  So many elements makes this book incredible - the unique writing style, a slightly unstable but still relatable main character, the sizzling romance (and I'm firmly on one camp at this moment!) and the plot that grips you by the hands and refuses to let go. I'm grasping at straws trying to find the words to express how much I enjoyed this book, because such a wonderfully written book deserves an equally well-written review.

One of the first things that readers discover going into this novel is how the writing style is different from anything you will ever encounter. Though it takes a while to get used to, this stream of consciousness style mirrors the way Juliette thinks. This allows the reader to feel more involved in the story, as well as being an easy way to understand and identify with Juliette and her plight. Plus, it's definitely a change from what would normally be encountered in books, which is utterly refreshing.

Juliette is certainly an interesting main character, because even though she's the narrator of this novel and her thoughts are generally coherent, there's still something... off about them. Her thinking was most likely warped by the years she spent enduring scrutiny, loneliness and imprisonment, and it is scary to see how she is pretty much scarred for life because of these things. It made me so sad to thinking of how lonely and unlovable and monstrous she felt. However, it is not hard to deduce that she is intelligent, good-hearted, kind and brave in the face of danger - all things that help her as the stakes escalate in her world. And it is a revelation to see how she starts to blossom when she falls in love...

When it comes to the romance in this book, I am firmly on Adam's side. I loved his character so much! His kindness, sweetness and remarkably intelligent actions won me over. The patience with which he reached out to Juliette, and how their relationship began was just so good. I love it when a relationship has history, which theirs does, and I was definitely rooting for them! Plus, some of the things he said were just swoon-worthy and did indescribable things to my heart.

This is not to say that I hate Warner or anything. I'm actually incredibly interested in finding out more about him, and what his real story is. Though he was definitely intimidating and slightly scary, there was something about him that felt vulnerable. I'm certainly hoping this gets explored further as the series progresses!

As for the story, well, it's incredible! The world is in chaos, and the Reestablishment is supposedly going to make things better... but, surprise surprise, things are just getting worse. The soldiers are basically trying to make sure that the representatives of the Reestablishment are in full power of their sectors, which means disposing of anyone who gets in the way. While the situation is certainly depicted as hopeless in the beginning, there is certainly a bit of hope to be found as the book comes to a close... and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this saga.

I cannot believe that I waited this long to read Shatter Me, as I loved it just as much as I thought I would. I find it utterly inspiring in its uniqueness, and am totally going to go and fangirl over Tahereh Mafi and her writing now. This book comes with the highest of recommendations from me, because everything about it - the world, the plot, the characters, the romance - is just so spot on.

34 Comments:

  1. This book is definitely one of my favorite reads this year. I loved it SO MUCH. Juliette is such an intriguing main character and I couldn't help but feel sad for her. I don't really get the love triangle thing though, because Adam and Juliette are so sweet together. Can't wait for Unravel Me!!

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    1. TEAM ADAM, for the win! (At least, until I read Destroy Me, which apparently might sway me to the other team?)

      I loved this book, and I'm SO glad that Cass (nicely) made me read it! It's an incredibly written story.

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  2. LOVE LOVE LOVE Shatter Me! So glad you finally read it! And I totally agree about the writing. It is so different than anything else out there. It is beyond beautiful and the emotions just ooze off of the page. Mafi is brilliant. Before Unravel Me comes out you must read Destroy Me! Novella all from Warner's point of view...it's pretty amazing, can't lie. And your choice for romantic interest for Juliette may change.... :) Happy Reading! Can't wait for Unravel Me!!

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    1. I do have the novella, but I haven't read it yet! I'm going to read it soon though, and we'll see if it convinces me to jump ship to the other team.

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  3. I've certainly heard a lot of great things about this one, and I've seen it on many "favorites" lists. I really need to get this one moved up the list! Great review. Thanks!

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    1. What makes it so good to me is how unique the writing style is. It's certainly something that takes a bit of getting used to, but once you get into the reading groove, the pages just fly by!

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  4. So glad that you loved Shatter Me! Absolutely LOVED this book and all the characters. I'm totally with you about being curious about Warner. Now I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Unravel Me!

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    1. ME TOO! Have you read the novella? Apparently, it might convince me to jump ship to Team Warner...

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  5. I've heard so many good things about this one and I've been thinking about picking it up for a while, so this review was really the push I needed to go to BN today and grab it ^_^

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    1. Teehee, I am so glad you bought it! I'm pretty sure you'll find it interesting, especially the way it's written!

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  6. I actually really loved Warner-he was so charismatic and popped off the page. I can't wait to learn more about him!

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    1. I think he's an interesting "bad guy" and I'm sensing there's definitely a lot more to him than meets the eye...

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  7. Well the good thing about waiting this long to read Shatter Me is that you won't have to wait too terribly long for Unravel Me! Warner is quickly becoming one of my favorite villains!

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    1. That is indeed a very big advantage of having read Shatter Me so late in the game - Unravel Me is out soon! I do like Warner as a character, and can't wait to find out more about him!

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  8. Wow, another rave review for this book - I really am beginning to wonder why I have waited SO long to read it!

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    1. I hope you get to read it soon! It's definitely one of my newest favorite novels, and I'm dying for the sequel.

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  9. YES! I'm basically just nodding along to EVERYTHING you said in your review! I so loved the writing style, it did take some getting used to, but it was beautiful and amazing and mindblowingly good! And I'm firmly Team Adam as well, that boy is just swoonworthy *squeas*.
    I can't wait for Unravel Me!

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    1. YES TO TEAM ADAM! I totally think he and Juliette are made for each other.

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  10. It made me SO happy to see this review from you!! Yayyyy Alexa!!! I'm so glad you loved it. Told you I wouldn't steer you wrong! NEXT UPPP: Delirium. A world where love is strictly forbidden? COME ON. You have to be intrigued ;)

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    1. You were totally right to recommend this to me because I LOVED IT (as you can see). And Delirium will be happening very, very soon!

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  11. Yay I'm so glad you finally read this! I agreed with just about everything you wrote, lol. I'm completely Team Adam and I loved all the interactions between him and Juliette. I also really enjoyed the writing style as well. It was a unique and refreshing way to represent Juliette's thoughts. I read this last year when it first came out so it feels like I've been waiting FOREVER for Unravel Me. I can't wait!

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    1. I'm excited for Unravel Me! And yay, Team Adam for the win! I really hope they stay together :)

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  12. I'm so glad you liked this one Alexa! Great review!

    I read Destroy Me and Unravel Me recently and after finishing them, I started Shatter Me again (this time by audio & print together). I'm now firmly back on my original team and WOW the audio is incredible. I cannot believe how wonderfully the narrator does Juliette's voice, thoughts, and emotions and the strikethroughs are even interesting. (I'll be doing a blog post soon. I'm almost finished with it.)

    YAY for this series!! It's solidly in place among my top favorites now, especially after Destroy Me and Unravel Me. What Tahereh Mafi does with her story and her writing is just incredible.

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    1. (I made it sound like I left Team Adam, but I didn't. Bad me!)

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    2. YAY TEAM ADAM! Haha, I love how many Team Adam people commented on this post ;) I'm so excited for Unravel Me and I really need to get on reading Destroy Me.

      Can't wait to see your thoughts on the audiobook!

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  13. Haven't read Shatter Me but heard lots of good things about it! I really want to read it because you said the writing style is good and refreshing. Sounds like a good read!

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    1. I highly recommend it. It's very different from most of the stuff out there, but in a really good way!

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  14. Welcome to the club! This book is SO GOOD.
    You may think you're team Adam. But just wait until the next one...mwahahahhahahhaahahaha.

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    1. My first official Team Warner comment, lol. I am on the Team Adam boat right now, but a lot of people are saying I may change my mind after reading Destroy Me...

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  15. I still haven't read this one! But everyone who HAS read it, who I know, has loved it!! I really must jump on the Shatter Me bandwagon and start reading it soon. :)

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    1. You should definitely read it! It goes by quicker than I expected, and I think it's quite unique!

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  16. I picked this up several times and was never interested in reading it. I was so put off by all the crossed out words. HOWEVER, I finally decided to give it another shot when I saw it at the library and I'm so glad I did. You're so right on when you talk about it taking a while to get used to the writing style and narrator, but once you do....oh my! I could not put this down and am now CRAVINGGGG Unravel Me.

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  17. I've been wanting to read this for AGES. Hopefully it's worth the wait.

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