Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1)
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.
I’ve said it before; I’m not a big fan of dystopias. I do have a few favorites but for the most part I try to stay away from them. There’s just something about them that is so…depressing. I’ve had my eye on Shatter Me even before it was released but it somehow kept getting away from me. When the covers were changed, I might have had a little fit and I decided I didn’t want to read them anymore. One, I wasn’t a fan of the new covers (the eyes creeped me out although they are growing on me). And two, I HATE when publishers change covers. I know it’s silly since the author has no say in it but I’m weird that way. I kept seeing all these AMAZING reviews of Unravel Me and when I read Jennifer’s review from @Some Like It Paranormal, I knew I just had to read it. I had to find out for myself what the fuss was about for these Adam and Warner characters. I was expecting to like it; I was not expecting to be so blown away by it!
Juliette’s touch is lethal. Nobody understands her or wants her, her own parents even sent her to a prison-like place where she hasn’t had contact with anyone in almost a year. Until the day when Adam is assigned as her cell mate. From the beginning, there is something about Adam that draws Juliette towards him. And it’s not the typical: I just met you and I’m in love with you kind of thing. Juliette is almost positive that she knows Adam from somewhere. Just when they start getting close, they are sent away to a top secret military base where Warner plans to use Juliette as a weapon. Suddenly Juliette is torn between the guy who is determined to protect her and show her how to accept herself and the guy who is determined to rule with her by his side and who encourages her to embrace her lethal touch.
I’m so happy that I was clueless to the fact that this is a dystopia or else I most likely wouldn’t have read it. I don’t care what genre this book is, it’s freaking beautiful! The writing! Ah, I fell completely in LOVE with Tahereh’s beautiful and lyrical style of writing. The way we got to see Juliette’s thoughts, especially when they are scratched out just goes to show how confused and lost Juliette is. She made me connect with Juliette, Adam and Warner on so many levels that I didn’t want the book to end. I can tell that this is going to be one of those very well written love triangles, one that I will have a hard time picking a team. Although I am leaning towards Adam, every time I got a glimpse of Warner and his vulnerable side I found myself rooting for him too. In the end I was left feeling conflicted. On one hand, I wish I would have read this book as soon as it came out. On the other hand, I’m glad I waited this long because that means I only have to wait a few weeks for Unravel Me. I can’t wait to read Unravel Me and Warner’s novella, Destroy Me. I have a feeling I will be stitching teams back and forth on this series. My only teeny-tiny complaint was that the end started to drag for me a little bit and started feeling to dystopyish for me, you know, where they are on the run from the bad guys and everything goes wrong. Regardless, Shatter Me was a beautiful and unforgettable read for me.
Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from Shatter Me:
- All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.
- I only know now that the scientists are wrong.
The world is flat.
I know because I was tossed right off the edge and I’ve been trying to hold on for 17 years. I’ve been trying to climb back up for 17 years but it’s nearly impossible to beat gravity when no one is willing to give you a hand.
- “You can’t touch me,” I whisper. I’m lying, is what I don’t tell him. He can touch me, is what I’ll never tell him. Please touch me, is what I want to tell him.
- Adam stares at me so long I begin to blush. He tips my chin up so I meet his eyes. Blue blue blue boring into me. His voice is deep, steady. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh.”
-He’s so excruciatingly correct I don’t know how to respond except with the truth. My smile is tucked into a straight line. “Laughter comes from living.” I shrug, try to sound indifferent. “I’ve never really been alive before.”
Tahereh Mafi is a girl. She’s 24. She writes books and reads books and drinks way too much coffee. SHATTER ME is her first novel, and the first of a trilogy, coming from Harper/HarperCollins on November 15, 2011. Film rights have been optioned by 20th Century Fox.
Her work is represented by Jodi Reamer of Writers House, LLC.
Andrea @The Bookish Babes
I loved Shatter Me, but I’m not a big fan of dystopians either. It was gorgeous. BUT, I hate, hate, hate the new covers. And that the publisher changed them mid series. I can’t make myself continue right now.
Great review, sweetie! Wasn’t Kenji the best?
Jeannette
I was pleasantly surprised by this one too! I’d heard that people have a love/hate relationship with Mafi’s writing style, but I was all on the love side. If you’re locked up with only yourself for company, of course you’d be super-reflective and borderline cray cray. The way Juliette settled into more “normal” thinking near the end was seamless – her journey from disturbed to empowered was one of the main reasons I enjoyed reading this one so much. Can’t wait for the next one!
Janeal Falor
This was a good one. Not a fan of the cover change either though. Why do they do that? The first cover was so gorgeous. Regardless, I’m super excited to read the squeal!
Henrietta @ Leisure Reads
It seems like Juliette has to make many tough choices in the book. For some reason, I couldn’t get into reading this one. I still have my copy, so maybe I’ll give it another try. Thanks for sharing the non-spoiler quotes, Nereyda
Amy
Shatter Me was amazing!! I can’t wait to read Unravel Me! I am getting it Thursday at the Dark Days event so I am sure that will be my Friday read!! I am so glad you liked this one even though it’s not typically a genre you read!! Fab review chick!!
Jennifer Messerschmidt
YAY! So glad you enjoyed it! I like dystopians although I agree they are depressing so I haven’t been reading as many of them lately. I would say this one is a good mix of things. Warner is a very intriguing characters but I didn’t really like him until Unravel Me and then he turned me into goo for him. Adam is such a sweetie though! My heart is torn! I love the writing style, so descriptive and lyrical. It is so unique and I love that.
Ellen
This is one series I haven’t started yet, but have had my eye on for quite a while. Loved the review. I am a huge dystopia fan, so I know if you loved it I will to. I have been so hooked on contemporary lately, especially the NA kind, I have been reading more of that.
Shane
oh my gosh i’ve been wanting to read this book for so long. great review and glad you liked it.
Breakfast at Cindi's
I keep hearing great things about this book !
xo,
Cindi
Breakfast at Cindi’s
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
The writing is definitely what made me fall in love with this book. I’m so glad you gave it a chance and loved it too!
Tabitha
It’s a dystopian?! UH. That’s sealed it for me. I’m going to go and buy a copy. Well I was planning on doing it already, but now that I know it’s a dystopian… well I’ve moved it up on my list!
Great review!!