Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Review Rewind: Shatter Me (AKA an ode to ADAM)

by Tahereh Mafi

Read: November 2011
Publisher: Harper/Harper Collins
Source: Purchased book
Category: YA - Dystopian

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.

Tahereh Mafi’s writing is an art form. Her style is utterly unique and her descriptions and endless metaphors are meant to be savored. I even loved the strike outs. However, I read one reviewer who thought that the writing was so beautiful that it distracted from the story, and I could see how that could happen. I definitely agree that at times I wanted to pay attention to how Juliette is saying something, instead of what she is saying. I don’t know if that’s really a criticism on my part, but it definitely lends to multiple readings – one for plot/content, one for admiring the way Mafi writes. 

I loved Juliette. She is someone who has not had an easy life. She has been shunned by her parents and everyone she’s ever met because of what she can do. She can’t touch anyone without hurting them (can you even imagine that?). And yet she has an overwhelming goodness about her. She doesn’t want to harm others. I really enjoyed watching Juliette begin to open up and accept who she is, finding strength within herself. I also can’t mention Juliette’s goodness without talking about Adam. Oh I LOVED Adam. After being treated like a plague for her entire life, Juliette finally has someone who will stand up for her. Someone who will do practically anything to make sure she’s safe. Everyone needs a champion and that is what Adam is for Juliette. 

And then there’s Warner. He’s an excellent VILLAIN. He’s wonderfully complex and delightfully psychotic. At times I felt sorry for him, and at times I wanted to shoot him in the head. He also made me love Adam more: for being the opposite of Warner. Though Warner does get Juliette in a way, he doesn’t understand her nature. Adam sees Juliette’s desire to love and save mankind despite what has been done to her, while Warner sees her as a tool for power and gain. He also has an unhealthy obsession with Juliette. Warner is smart, completely unpredictable and never to be underestimated

The first and second halves of the book are very different from each other. The first half is very internal. When the novel begins, Juliette has been locked in solitary confinement for 264 days. She hasn’t seen or spoken to anyone in that entire time. She also has a curse/gift that she doesn’t understand and that she fears – along with everyone she’s ever met. Although still dangerous, there is more humor and life in the second half of the book. The introduction of James and Kenji do a lot to ease tension. I LOVED both of them. They also bring out another side of Adam from the beginning of the book where he spends his time as either an unemotional soldier or emotional support for Juliette. The transformation that Juliette begins to make throughout the latter part of the story as she starts to stand up for – and accept – herself is beautiful to watch. 

Juliette’s journey throughout the novel is well thought out and realistic for her circumstances. I mean, can you even imagine never being able to touch anyone? Parents who are disgusted by you? Being in solitary confinement for almost a year? Her insecurities and confusion, the fact that she second guesses herself are all very reasonable, as is her fascination and naïveté in her relationship with Adam. I totally get it. 

I actually really liked the direction that the story takes at the end; and I am looking forward to finding out much more the next book. 


Rating: 5 Stars
Love Triangle Factor: None*

*I wrote this review before all the Unravel Me buzz started. I have since clued into the fact that a love triangle is probably coming. And I want to take this moment to profess my undying love for ADAM. You all know how I feel about love triangles (especially ones that start mid series), so I am VERY wary about this. And also a bit sad, because I LOVED Shatter Me and Adam and Juliette so much. Honestly, I had a major temper tantrum when I became aware of this possibility. BUT I have not read the second book in the series, so I cannot say anything for certain.


16 comments:

  1. TEAM ADAM, forever and always.

    Warner is creeptastic. He is a GREAT VILLAIN, though, you're right. I don't know how I will handle it if he becomes part of a triangle. I am shunning the novella until further notice because he is such a creeptastic person. I'm serious. He makes my SKIN CRAWL. He's my #3 Villain ever. (Yep, that's right, I just presented a number. You love it.)

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    1. I'm glad we're on the same page about Adam. Thank you for being my emotional support through this trying time ;).

      And I agree with everything you said about Warner. Fantastic VILLAIN. NOT a love interest. I DO love that you gave him a number. I want to know #1 and 2. Does anyone from Knife make that list?

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    2. Actually yes! Also someone from the Chemical Garden Trilogy (WIther, Fever Sever) which I am totally gonna talk to you about. I love that you are so patient with me.

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    3. Actually yes! Also someone from the Chemical Garden Trilogy (WIther, Fever Sever) which I am totally gonna talk to you about. I love that you are so patient with me.

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    4. Oh my goodness! Maybe commenting from my phone isn't such a good idea. It left my comment twice on Adam's blog too. Hmm. That could get annoying. (That's actually what I thought you meant when you tweeted me about it!)

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  2. And that is why I love you friendie! ; ) Team Edward, always and forever!
    I kinda want to read this now...thanks!

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    1. This is why we are friends. We are loyal to our choices. Not like those fickle people. I have this book! You are welcome to borrow. It is a tad steamy though. We can discuss. Also, Jen read it (and I think Kathleen did as well).

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  3. I keep seeing such wonderful reviews of this one creeping up and I'm convinced that I have to go back and give this another try. It seems too good to have DNFed and for a book to earn this much love from you definitely means a looot. Wonderful review, Lauren! I hope you enjoy the sequel just as much, despite the love triangle!

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    1. I know I read your review, but I can't remember why you didn't like this book. It does have some issues with world building, and I know that's something that is important to you. Perhaps you had trouble with that? And I'm not sure what to say if you didn't like the language. I've found people either love it, or it irritates them greatly. How far did you get in this? Because I'm also curious to see how you liked the direction of the end. Readers had differing opinions of that as well. I think this is a book that I just LOVED irrationally. And nothing will change that. HOWEVER, I'm VERY nervous about the sequel. But I don't know when I'll get a chance to read it.

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  4. Great review! I'll admit that what I most enjoyed about this book was the beautiful language. But, as you said, I do think the language can also be a bit of a distraction from other aspects. I haven't read the Destroy Me novella from Warner's POV and I'm not sure if I'm aware of the Unravel Me love triangle buzz. I really hope Mafi doesn't take the love triangle route either. It's fine for Warner to like Juliette but I for one would need a ton of convincing as to how Juliette would suddenly start to like Warner. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

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    1. Yes. The language is spectacular! I feel exactly the same about Warner. I have a feeling that's why a novella from his perspective has been published. But I haven't read it either, so I really comment on it. I will keep my fingers crossed that the series will stay triangle free!

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  5. Isn't it awesome how many layers this book has in terms of writing? And maybe it is just me, but Juliette kind of reminds me of Quintana. All broken and abused.

    I loved this book too. Totally lived up to the hype. And, as of now, I am rooting for Adam and Juliette for sure. BUT. I would be a liar if I didn't say that Warner doesn't intrigue me. I haven't read Destroy Me yet (need to) but I'm sure after doing that I'm going to be even more into Warner. I think I'm going to be a little torn. Even when I know one is better than the other, and even when I know that there is wrong choice and a right choice, I can't help it. Sometimes the bad boy wins me over in the end:) We shall see...

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    1. You WOULD like Warner. I don't think we can be friends anymore. HA. Just kidding. You need to preview Destroy Me for me. I think it was probably written to soften us up to Warner. I'm not sure I want to be softened to him. It's been a year and I'm still angry at him.

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    2. Also, YES. I can definitely see a connection to Quintana. In brokenness, difficulty trusting others and a will to survive. Plus being trapped in something she longs to escape from. Great point!

      The writing...I just love it. I look forward to your review on this one.

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  6. So, believe it or not i STILL havent read these books.
    WHY? Well, honestly, I dont know. I guess because I just havent had the chance.

    Anyways, FANTASTIC review!
    I too, CANNOT STAND love triangles. :(
    Hopefully it wont be too bad in the next book.

    BTW- I am now following you via GFC!
    When you get the chance, please hop on over to my BLOG, and if you like what you see, than maybe you can follow me back! :)

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    1. This is a great book! I definitely recommend it. I followed you back via GFC. I'm always happy to find other people who don't like triangles.

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