Thursday, March 14, 2013

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1)
Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war– and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Publishes in US: November 15th 2011 by Harper
Genre: YA dystopia
Source: library
Series? Yes, the 1st of Shatter Me series, 1.5 novella is Destroy Me, 2nd is Unravel Me, 2.5 novella is untitled Dec 13th 2013, and 3rd untitled releases Feb 2014

Buy it: Barnes & Noble   Amazon    IndieBound    BookDepository.com

Find Tahereh online: site   twitter   facebook  blog   book trailer

  
    The writing style is very unique and it almost deterred me. It is journal style, almost prose, but not quite, but I am glad that I stuck with it because I was soon enamored by Juliette  The prison that she is in, and the mysteries of her past quickly had me soaking it in and flipping through the pages, annoyed any time the outside world interrupted. 
    Soon enough, another character, Adam is introduced, and there is also questions that arise about his character. Did she know him in the past? Does he just look like someone she knew? Is her fear from something she did, or is it something he did to her? But we also see glimpses of his softer side through the tough exterior, and that makes him appealing to me. 
    When Warner comes on the scene, I don't know what to think of him, because I had read some reviews that talked about Team Warner vs Team Adam and I kept waiting for what made people attracted to him. Then I also saw peeks of his pain and what he has been through, and the similarities he had to Juliette, but then some of the things that he did made me second guess anything I though I saw. 
    But about half way through some things come up to make me question Adam! So, Mafi has a talent for twists, and making me on the edge of my seat questioning motives, and what was the real or pretended front for the characters. 
    As of right now I am going to have to claim team Adam, he is sexy, sweet, and there is a history with them, and a connection. 
    The world building was okay for me. We learn about it through Adam because Juliette was there for the beginning of the change, but was mostly locked up for it. It is a dark and chilling world. 
    I couldn't believe some of the developments and how Shatter Me left off. 
    I loved every moment, and couldn't wait for the next book. I was mad at my library and wanted Unravel Me to be in my hands the moment I closed the book.  
Video review: 

Bottom Line: Great start, fresh voice, and awesome premise that was executed beautifully.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Weapon or warrior? 

56 comments:

  1. Wasn't this good?.?. I am with ya about Warner, I liked him and can't wait to see more of all three of them in the next books. Wonderful review. :)


    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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    1. I am 2/3 through with unravel me and get it a little more

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  2. I can't say that I'm Team Warner but I definitely found him more charismatic and interesting than Adam. Also more deranged, which is why I'm not supporting him. I'm very interested to read the sequel as that seems to change a lot of things.

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  3. I'm Team Adam after only reading this first book. I thought Warner was a great character, villain, but never saw him as a love interest. It wasn't until reviews came out for Unravel Me that Team Warner really blew up. I'm kinda nervous to read it. Great review! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

    ~Sara @ Forever 17 Books

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  4. *bounces* I love Mafi's lyrical writing style and ability to create characters that steal your heart. I cannot stress enough how much I recommend that you read the novella Destroy Me before you begin Unravel Me..it blew my mind.

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    1. I didn't, but I am going to read Destroy Me before I finish (2/3 way now) Unravel

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  6. GREAT review! I just recently got a hold of this one myself, I held out for so long because of the writing style (like you mentioned) I'm glad you were able to enjoy this one after all! It gives me hope haha

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    1. It really stands out at first, but I also connected with J right away, but by the end I was used to it, and it wasn't as prevalent

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  7. I have Shatter Me and Destroy Me on my shelves just waiting for me to get to. I have read other reviews as well and am curious about the Adam vs. Warren sides. I'm also curious about Mafi's style and what I'll think about it. Wonderful review :D Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven

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    1. You should soon. I am loving them, but almost wish I would have waited until the final was out because I wouldn't have to wait.

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  8. People seem to love or hate this book. I was somewhere in the middle. I absolutely loved the writing style, which I know turns a lot of people off, but was less enamored with the plot. Mostly because I thought Adam was boring and Warren was really interesting. I still want to read the next book since Warren plays a bigger role.

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    1. I don't think I have seen many negative reviews, but maybe I have since I read most of the reviews before I read the book.

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  9. It seems quite a few authors are changing writing styles, but they can always be fun to read! Glad you stuck with this one and enjoyed it! :)

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  10. Love this series! The next book is just as good. There's not much character development for Adam, but Warner's past is revealed and it made his actions in the first book much more understandable.

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    1. I am getting that now but it was hard to swallow esp since I knew team warner existed in the 1st.

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  11. I really liked this one and I thought that Unravel Me is even better, and I actually changed teams's because of the second book, so glad you enjoyed it!

    Kristin @ Young Adult Book Haven

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  12. I couldn't really get into the book when I first got my hands on it last year. Maybe I'll give it another try some day.

    Weapon or warrior? I think it depends on the choice of the individual - it's like you could make a knife be a useful tool or you could make it as a harmful weapon - I think ultimately we endure the consequence of our choice.

    Loved what you shared. Thank you, Brandi :)

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  13. I think you and I both are the last people to read this one! I just bought it this week so I will be reading it soon. Nice review.
    Jess@FueledbyFiction

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    1. Def seemed like it, sorry to have left you alone!

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  14. I can't believe I haven't read this series either. I am very curious about the writing style, even though it wasn't your favorite aspect. Not thrilled about a love triangle but I can overlook it for a good read.

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  15. I've heard some great things about this book. I really do want to read it soon. Glad it was a winner for you.

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  16. The strike-throughs almost made me but the books down, but I ended up really liking it!

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  17. This is one that I wanted to get read this month but I'm not sure I'm going to get round to again! Glad you enjoyed it, I've read great things about it from other people too. Hope your library has the next book available soon!

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  18. I love that you loved this! It's one of my all time favorites and I simply adore Tahereh's writing.
    Honestly, Unravel Me is even better, but make sure to read Destroy me, Warner's novella first.
    beautiful review.

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  19. Yeah, I think Team Adam didn't really come into place until Destroy Me, there wasn't really anything appealing about Warner until the novella. I also liked the unique way it was written, it took some getting used to at first but I ended up loving it.

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    1. Yeah, it is nice when there is something to break the mold

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  20. Now you've got to read the novella (I'm usually not a fan of those, but it explains the whole Team Warner thing) and Unravel Me!!

    Jen @ YA Romantics

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    1. Thanks girl, I am but already have read 2/3 of Unravel me

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  21. Team Adam! Woo! The writing here took me a little while to warm to, too, but I loved it by the end. It was very different to what I had come across before. I'm glad you enjoyed this, Brandi. Great review. :)

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    1. I don't think anything will be able to change my mind, but I guess we shall see

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  22. She does throw some twists in there, doesn't she?! I love when they really catch you off guard. Make sure you read the novella from Warner's POV, it makes it easier to understand him. I'm glad you loved this too!

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  24. Team Adam all the way!! They say that after you read Unravel Me, we'll change to team Warner, I hope not, I don't like him lol. I want to read it already, I want to see what makes them change their mind and what happens next. This book was awesome, hopefully the second one is just as good if not better.

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  25. I heard so many great things about this book, we even have it in French but I think I prefer this cover. I really need to try it too.

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  26. I am Team Adam! I just don't know what any sees in Warner. He's a monster!! And I say warrior! I have Unravel Me but haven't had a couple of hours to devour it yet. I have avoided all reviews of it! Great review of Shatter ME! I loved it!!

    Heather

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  27. Great review! Can't believe I still haven't gotten around to reading this - need to immediately :P

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  28. Yay! You liked it. I really enjoyed it as well!! I am curious about Warner's character development in Unravel Me. I don't know that I am a team (because in Shatter Me, there didn't really seem to be a need for it), but we'll see.

    Great review,

    Sara @ Just Another Story

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  29. Isn't it great when the author keeps you guessing about the characters' motivation? I read half of this book while it was a free read on Epic Reads. I love Tahereh's knack for metaphors and will definitely buy my own copy soon.

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  30. It's great that you enjoyed this! I did find the writing style a bit difficult, and I didn't really like this book in the end, but it was an interesting idea!

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  31. With Shatter Me sitting on my shelf, I really hope to start this series soon. I'm really looking forward to meeting Adam and Warner :) Great review and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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  32. Like Kimba said, READ DESTROY ME! You'll get Warner, and it's an excellent novella.

    Shatter Me's writing style threw me off at first with the cross outs, but once I got into the story I loved it, and hated Warner, until I read Destroy Me! I have Unravel Me, but haven't had a chance to give it a go, yet!

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  33. I have yet to read this one, but I am bit conflicted as to how I would like the writing, if I would like it or deter me. Glad you liked it overall!

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  34. Yay! So glad you enjoyed this. I was totally Team Adam after book one too, but after reading Destroy Me and Unravel Me I switched over to Warner. I'm interested to see what you think after reading Unravel Me. :-) Awesome review!

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  35. I'm so glad you liked this too! I LOVED Shatter Me! When I read it, I was Team Warner too, but you MUST read both Destroy Me and Unravel Me. I'd love to know what you think of those! As for your question... Hmmm... Weapon or warrior? Damn! I dunno. Weapon maybe? :P Amazing review, Brandi! :)

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

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    1. Ah sorry, when I read Shatter Me, I was Team *ADAM as well, but things changed and I'm now (very proudly, I must say) Team Warner! ;)

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  36. 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!

    Marlene Detierro (Tony Lama Boot)

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