Book Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me is a dystopian and fantasy book series written by Tahereh Mafi. Juliette Ferrahs is broken, alone, and torched by her abilities and lethal touch - locked up in asylums for a crime that was not her fault. 

The Reestablishment has full control over the world and plans to turn her into a weapon - to use her to hurt and kill the remaining people in a fractured world. But will she let them take her or will she fight against the institution that ruined her world?

The book is written from Juliette's perspective as if we are reading her journal about her thoughts, feelings and past traumatic experiences that have led her into the asylum. However, there are a lot of lines crossed out which makes it hard to read at times. But they gradually get less annoying as the book progresses. One thing I appreciate about the book is the beautiful metaphors and similes that describe the dystopian setting. Juliette was voiced so believably that her character was brought to life, allowing readers to feel a deeper connection to her. 

At the beginning of the book, we are introduced to Adam, the love interest. I love how Taheref made their relationship based on a previous meeting in their earlier childhood because when they reconnected I could feel the love and closeness they have for each other, not to mention how protective they are of each other. It is also interesting to see their different characteristics; Juliette is gentle and kind and Adam is passionate yet calm. Together their strengths will help them overcome the turbulence and corruption of The Reestablishment. 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

The so-called villain of the book, Warner, is introduced in the middle of the plot. Warner is a broken person. We don't know much about him, apart from the fact his dad is from The Reestablishment and Warner can do whatever he wants without any repercussions. He has an obsessive fascination with Juliette before he even lays his emerald-green eyes on her. The fascination with Juliette comes off in two ways, one of these ways being his captivating mind and astonishing power that she can use to change the world but she just doesn't know it yet. Warner wants to dominate the world with Juliette by his side but he is going to have to try a lot harder to convince Juliette. We also meet Kenji - he’s quite the character. The two words I would use to describe him are charismatic and witty. Somehow he can make a terrible situation into a light-hearted joke and constantly has a comeback to anyone attacking his personality. He is a really fun character to have as a sort of sidekick and in the ending chapters when a secret of his was revealed, I was totally taken aback - in a good way. 

Toward the end of the book, we meet the Omega Point, an anti-reestablishment organisation, made up of special individuals who hold their own powers like Juliette. I was amazed a place like this existed and so was Juliette. I think she could belong here with people who have felt the exact way she is feeling. 

Overall I felt the book satisfied my craving for a dystopian story and it gave us a romance full of love and healing. We see Juliette in a different light when she joins the Omega Point as she is surrounded by people who have special abilities like her. She has to test out the power within her to assess how strong she is and how to keep her power from hurting those she loves. Needless to say, I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to see what is in store for Juliette in the next book.