Shatter Me: Review
Genre: Dystopian, Paranormal, Young Adult
Review:
Juliette has spent the last 264 days locked in a cell for accidentally killing a young boy. Her touch is lethal, painfully draining the life from anyone she touches. Because of this, her parents hated her, people feared her and kids at school picked on her. Juliette thought life outside the prison cell was bad enough, but it’s worse where she is now. In the world outside, food is limited, animals are almost extinct, people are starving and birds can no longer be seen flying in the sky. The Reestablishment regime has taken over, planning to rebuild the world. They plan to do away with everything from the world before – essentially wiping out history – starting fresh, creating a new language and a new way of living.
When Adam is locked up with Juliette, he looks familiar to her for some reason, but she can’t quite remember why. Her mind isn’t the same since they put her away. The more time she spends with Adam, the more she trusts him, and eventually she realizes how she knows him, but does he remember her?
When Juliette and Adam are forcefully taken from their cell, Juliette learns that the Reestablishment has plans for her. They want to use her as a weapon to aid them in ridding the world of anyone who fights back against them. But, Juliette isn’t easily swayed. She won’t be a killer. She will fight back, and in the process she will learn her powers are much stronger than she realized.
I tore through this book in a day. The prose is lyrical and hypnotizing, though the similes and metaphors tend to run wild at times. Ms. Mafi gives Juliette a very distinct voice which makes the novel even more captivating. I loved the mix of dystopia, romance and paranormal elements, and I loved the characters. Juliette’s fear, mistrust and mental anguish are perfectly balanced with her need to be loved and understood. Adam is the perfect romantic lead and I really liked the relationship he and Juliette have. I can’t wait for the next book!
