Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: 11.15.2011
Pages: 342
Genre: Paranormal, Action, Dystopian
Series: Yes (Shatter Me #1)
Source: ARC swap
Rating: A+
Summary (from Goodreads):
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.
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.
Review:
I typically hesitate when reading books that have been hyped up as much as this one. It seems Shatter Me is all anyone in the YA blogosphere can talk about, and I usually always feel let down when I get to it. I can say, though, with 100% certainty that this book does indeed live up to all the hype and rave reviews. In her electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi has set the bar for dystopian novels and paranormal novels alike. With only a few months left in the year (I know, right?!), this will probably go down as my favorite pick of 2011.
Juliette is incredible. Not only are her gifts astounding, but after being constantly beaten down by society and her family for years, she still hasn’t let their hatred of the different ruin her. She’s beautiful and an exceptional heroine that refuses to admit defeat. I love how broken her perception is. Mafi tells her story in almost fragmented sentences that gradually build into these perfect passages that let the reader know exactly how Juliette is feeling. And don’t even get me started on the imagery used inside the book. It has been years since a writer was able to touch me so thoroughly with words and descriptions. Mafi has this incredible gift of piecing words together. I am awed by her abilities.
The romance between Juliette and Adam had me hooked from their first meeting. Adam is, simply put, the ideal guy. He’s loyal, protective, caring, and sexy as hell. What more could a girl ask for? Their scenes sizzle on the pages, and their connection is visceral. I could not get enough of these two.
I almost went into this book expecting disappointment. Surely it couldn’t be that amazing, but I was happily proved wrong on so many levels. I have never been so giddy to have my preconceptions of a book shattered. Anything Tahereh Mafi writes I will gratefully read. She’s an amazing storyteller and has a huge career ahead of her. Pre-order this book now.
Buy: Amazon
Ahh, I can't wait to read it!! I won an ARC but it hasn't arrived. =( I'm so excited for this one. Hype really scares me, but I have a feeling I will really enjoy it, just based on who I've seen the really rave reviews from.
ReplyDeleteYour review has definitely assured me that I NEED to get this book. Thanks for the awesome review!
ReplyDeleteYou brought back all the things I loved about Shatter Me in your review. It was a great book. It wasn't a favorite of mine, but it was memorable. Still, great review and I have every confidence the next book in the series will be even better.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this lived up to all the hype! I love paranormal and dystopian, and I can't wait to read a novel that incorporates both genres.
ReplyDeleteSo excited to hear that the book lived up to the hype!! I hate when that doesn't happen. **Now anxiously waits for my copy**
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I've been wanting to read this book for some time now but I wont be able to buy it soon.. It sounds really great and it's on my to-read list...
ReplyDeleteI'm exactly the same as you - I've seen this book hyped up so much that, though I'm intrigued by it, I've started to feel wary of it. Most YA titles that garner so much hype just don't do it for me, but I just read the very hyped Divergent, which I really enjoyed and I see that you gave it a glowing review too, so I'm going to trust you on this one and take the plunge buying this book! =D
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing so much about it, I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI have been hearing a lot about this book. Looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteThe hype surrounding this book had made me skeptical as well-- I tend to be disappointed by the 'YA book of the moment', but your review has me convinced I should give it a chance. Glad you enjoyed it. :)
ReplyDeleteI ordered this a book maybe a week ago, so now I can't wait to read it! Thanks for the review, hopefully the book will arrive soon :)
ReplyDeleteWow, your fav. pic of 2011. There have been so many promising books released this year and I gotta say, I must move this up on my TBR. Sounds amazing and I really enjoyed your review
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous! Glad you liked it. This is my most anticipated read of the Fall. Gotta have it. Love the cover!
ReplyDeletei love the cover of this and it's in my to read pile. after this A+ review, i'm really looking forward to reading this!
ReplyDeleteI cant not wait to read this book! I tried to get my hands on a review copy but with no luck. Thanks for the awesome review!
ReplyDeleteAh, great review! This is high on my list to read!
ReplyDeleteKelsey d
This book has been on my shelf for a VERY long time. I'm convinced that its time to start reading it!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the book trailer? IT's AWESOME! I've posted it on my blog:
http://ireadtoescape.blogspot.com/
Girl you are so lucky!! You had the chance to read an ARC!! I'm waiting my copy from Amazon! T.T I can't wait to read it!!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this one! Thanks for the review, I'm going to read it now!
ReplyDeleteI've heard & read so much about this book, but didn't consider reading it, until now. Your rating & review has made me want to read this. Going on my TBR list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read this book and I really enjoyed your review. I am so glad that the book lives up to the hype! I hope I get to read it soon. From what you wrote the main character is interesting and the romance sounds great! Yeah!
ReplyDelete~Jess
http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/
Great review! I felt the same waaayyy!! I was totally in love with this book and I couldn't get over with it. Lol.
ReplyDeleteI was sort of hesitant because of the excitement over it too. It did meet all of my expectations and maybe even surpassed it. I actually am on Team Warner! I was on Team Adam, but after reading some teasers for Unravel me, I can't help but be Team Warner (you'll understand after you read it). Great review though!
ReplyDeleteAgain, I've had this book on my shelf for months. I've read reviews about how great it is and all. I've always take it out, then put it back. I guess it hasn't really grabbed my attention. Though I might start it after I'm done with the book I am reading now. Thanks for the great review:)
ReplyDeleteI have finally read this book and I totally loved it! *_*
ReplyDeleteI haven`t started the series but I`m looking forward to.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! :)