Shatter Me Review

Monday, October 31, 2011

Title: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: November 15, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 342
Source: Publisher

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.
Juliette has a gift she cannot control. Perhaps it's more of a curse. She's been sequestered in a tiny cell with no hope for the outside world again for 264 days. But before she was imprisoned for her formidable power, she watched the world crumble and decay. She watched people dying, the world withering and wasting and worst of all, she felt the true force of worldwide panic. The Reestablishment stepped in then, and they promised a solution. She doesn't know the extent of the solution, but she knows something's off. When Juliette is finally given a cellmate, Adam, he sets a off a chain reaction of events that will propel Juliette towards her destiny and to the epicenter of the Reestablishment. Then perhaps, Juliette will understand the true depth of her power.

In a world of dystopian fiction, it's rare to say that a book sets itself apart because, let's be honest here, there are so many twists and variations on the original that it's hard to find something truly new. Shatter Me is remarkable in the sense that, yes, it borrows some of our most beloved comic book ideas, but it spins them into an entirely new maze with an ending so drastic and intense that its sure to sway many a reader. Tahereh Mafi has crafted a cunningly dark dystopian novel in Shatter Me that gives the reader of heroine to love, a cause to believe in and a world we want nothing more than to put back together. Rich and evocative, Shatter Me is intense and enthralling from start to finish.

Shatter Me, to be honest, defied my expectations. I think that my expectations were so high for it that I almost expected it to fall short, if that makes sense in any way, shape or form. Juliette, as a protagonist, was brilliant. She was a perfect blend of power and strength with hints of vulnerability that allowed the reader access to the very core of her humanity. Then, let's add Adam to the mix. It's hard to describe a male love interest without becoming a true fangirl, but let me tell you that he is not only the embodiment of utter sexiness, but he's pure power, and compassion and brute strength in one being, making him an entirely dynamic and riveting three-dimensional character. I also have to note that the villain in the book was equally fleshed-out and engrossing. Wa they heinous and evil? Of course, but the writing of Shatter Me allowed us to see what made him tick, giving an insider look into a dark and twisted mind. Most of all though, I have to say that the writing of Shatter Me was breathtaking. Truly, the words the author uses are so much more than just words. They're poetry, and they spin a riveting story that's mesmerizing not only in plot but in prose. The only downfall in that is that the writing is so pretty, it's hard to separate the writing from the story, in a sense. The beauty adds depth, but the writing is a treat, in and of itself.

Overall, Shatter Me was a fantastic addition to my growing dystopian collection. While some people don't love the cover and others are scared it won't live up to the hype - trust me. It's awesome. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all those who enjoy YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian novels.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

21 comments:

  1. So glad to hear that it lives up to all the hype! Juliette sounds amazing, Adam sounds hot, and the writing sounds truly gorgeous. Can't wait to read this one!

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  2. Great review! I am pining for this book! :) I've heard so many good things about this and you just made me want to read it bad! I'll just have to wait impatiently. Hahas...thanks for the review!

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  3. Wow as often as I read the summary I was not really aware that this was dystopian. Now that I am and after reading your glowing review, I have to get this one. I love that you found Adam to be so fascinating, and am curious about the comic book reference you made too. Fantastic review.

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  4. You're review is as stunning as this book was! You summed up so many of my feelings perfectly, it was like I was reading my own thoughts spelled out for me. Adam = new book boyfriend. Loved him:) I did wish we got a little more info about the world, but given that it's only book one, I feel like I just need to be patient and I'll get more in the next books.

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  5. So good to hear it lives up to the hype! Beautiful review. I can't wait to read it now!

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  6. YAY! Awesome review! I think this book is beyond awesome!

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  7. So good to hear it lives up to the hype! I hate when I've been let down and/or feel as if I'm the only one who didn't like the book (i.e. Divergent). Awesome review. I can't wait to read it now!

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  8. I'm so glad you liked this one, Melissa. It's the words that make it all it is, I think. I've just written my review for it and I don't think it even comes close to your well-written one!

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  9. Yay! I completely agree, Melissa. Tahereh's writing is stunning, and Shatter Me was SO engaging! And omg, Adam. *swoon*

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  10. Sounds excellent! I'm not a fan of dystopias but I occasionally put aside my dislike when a book is really good. This sounds like one of those occasions. I particularly like that the villain is well drawn. It's nice to see a non-cardboard villain.

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  11. I love your review! I'm so glad it lives up to what I got to read of it on ShatterDay. Harper Teen released the first 25 chapters, one an hour a few Saturdays ago and I read them. Then B&N had chapter 26! That was the mind blower chapter! I must have this book! I love the dress. I think it looks a lot like her power. (And they actually make the dress at a shop on Etsy).

    Thank you for letting me know it lives up to those chapters I read. I agree that the prose is beautiful and almost makes you forget the plot.
    And Adam...and I don't really care for Dystopians but this one is a must!!! You are preaching to the choir here.

    Heather

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  12. I just do not know. Something in me tells me this is not my kind of dystopia

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  13. Wowowow! I can't wait to dive into this one! You're right--it's so hard to find books in this genre that stand out from the crowd (not that I don't like the crowd). And when a main character is strong, I love a touch of vulnerability. Awesome!

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  14. I can't wait to read this! I'm glad hear that it holds up to all the raving reviews.

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  15. Totally agree! You did a much better job then I did in expressing your thoughts though! The writing was my favorite part of the story but I also loved that the characters were so fleshed out, including the villain. And I loved how different it all was. Can't wait for the next one!

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  16. I've been looking forward to reading this one! This book caught my attention since I first read the synopsis. I can't imagine not being able to touch anyone. It would be horrible!

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  17. I loved the cover. Partly because she looks so pissed off. I always love a pissed off heroin! :D

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  18. Everyone's loving Shatter Me! Can't wait to read it. Great review :)

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  19. Hey there guys!

    Just to clarify, the dress isn't made on a shop on Etsy. It is made and sold via my website as the original designer and creator. You can purchase the dress from myself on Etsy, but I don't personally recommend it.

    www.alexlondondesign.com under "shop"


    -Alex London

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  20. This one is on my pile. I have read great things about it and it just sounds awesome... somethimg different, I really hope to be able to read it soon ^^

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