Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi

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.