Review "Shatter Me" Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1)

Tahereh Mafi

Publication Date: November 15, 2011

Publisher: Harper Teen

ARC 342 pgs

Goodreads

Summary:

     Shatter Me is the first book by Tahereh Mafi. Juliette lives in a world that is falling apart. The world that these characters live in is barren and broken. People are deperate and the basic necessities are no longer to be found. People are just trying to survive and unfortunately many do not. The Reestablishment has taken over and promised to make everything better. Juliette is just another person suffering in a damaged and dangerous world. She has spent the last year of her life in a cell alone with no form of human interaction. But when Juliette gets a new cell mate her life takes an unexpected turn. We are also introduced to Adam and Warner. Two men with extremely different ideas as to what Juliette should do with her life. Juliette's touch is lethal and many believe she is a monster. Could her touch be more than a hindrance could it actually be an asset? Some believe that she can be used as a weapon but it's up to Juliette to decide what she will become.

Review:
      I have to say I really loved this novel. First off the writing was beautiful, different, and engaging. The writing style was so original that it kept me inside of Juliette's head throughout the book. Because of the writing I was able to get a sense of Juliette's isolation. It's hard to imagine what Juliette's life has been like. Because her touch is lethal she has not had simple things like comforting hugs or basically any form of contact that involves touch. You are able to read what she says but also what she is thinking, and at times the two are at odds. Sometimes her thoughts are chaotic which shows trough in the writing. Though she has spent most of her life alone her emotions and feelings come through as we get to know her.  Readers are able to get inside her head as she deals with the complexities of life under the Reestablishment. We get a sense of the other characters Adam and Warner through their interactions with Juliette.

     Along with the writing the world that Tahereh Mafi created was haunting. The world we know no longer exists. There is hardly any food or water, and most animals have died off due to disease. The land is no longer green and lush and the weather has become extremely unpredictable. The world has fallen apart but despite the madness there is still hope. Though Juliette has spent most of her time alone, she still has hope that a better future awaits her.

If you are thinking about reading Shatter Me, you should. It is a very memorable and beautiful novel and I am looking forward to learning more about these characters and this world.

Cover:

     I like the cover of Shatter Me. The main character is dressed in a pretty gown and her stance shows that she has power. Plus it is reflective and shiny. Great cover. I am interested to see what the next cover will look