Shatter Me

by Tahereh Mafi

Amazon Prices:

Paperback: $10.99

Hardcover: $18.99

Kindle: $10.99 (Available on Kindle Unlimited)

Audible: $27.99 (Not available on Kindle Unlimited) 

Before Reading Facts:

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi was published in 2011 by Harper.

Page Count: 464 pages (paperback) 448 (hardcover) 357 (kindle)

Audiobook length: 09 hrs 12 mins

Chapters: 50

Language: English (also available in the following translations: Dutch, Portuguese, Romanian)

Summary of Book:

“No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she’s finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time–and to find a future with the one boy she thought she’d lost forever. 

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a riveting dystopian world, a thrilling superhero story, and an unforgettable heroine.” -Harper

Author Biography:

“Tahereh Mafi is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Shatter Me series, Furthermore, and Whichwood. She can usually be found overcaffinated and stuck in a book. You can find her online just about anywhere @TaherehMafi or at www.taherehbooks.com” -Harper

Book Review:

Overall Book Rating: ★★★★★ / ★★★★★

I first read Shatter Me last year. I was invited to go to a book event by a friend, and Tahereh Mafi was one of the main authors that was going to be there. My friend recommended I read the Shatter Me series, for I had not heard of the series until the book event. I did so and was amazed. I could not stop at book one. I was very interested in the characters and the world Mafi created. A year after having read the first four books in the series and am awaiting the release of the fifth, I am re-reading the series in preparation for the next book. This re-reading has allowed me an opportunity to reconnect with the characters and to fall in love with this series once again. My re-connection to the series has also allowed me the opportunity to share my thoughts and create this review.

I was very much attracted to the ability Juliette possesses. I found myself extremely interested in her powers and was drawn in by Warner’s antagonizing Juliette. I love the way the characters were written. By far, my favorite characters were James and Kenji. I figured there would be some sort of love triangle and was not really drawn into it. I will admit that I am not one for love triangles. I have actually come to a point where I despise love triangles. However, I did not mind the one presented in this story. When there is a love triangle in a story, what helps me get through it and put up with it are either the plot or any well-written side characters. I guess in a way, I am more of a supporting character lover. I enjoy a good sidekick/side character. James and Kenji made for great side characters. These two characters were very unique to in comparison to the other characters in the story that it allowed me to really enjoy the story in its entirety.

The story itself moves very quickly that if I had the time sit through a full reading/listening of the story, I would have done so. I found myself wanting to know what was going to be on the next paragraph, page, and chapter. Though, Mafi throws us into a world we are unfamiliar with, she does it in such a way that does not confuse the reader. She gives the reader just enough about what is going on as to not confuse or overwhelm the reader. She gives enough of the conflicts going on in the world for the reader to understand what is going on and then moves her characters very effectively that really brings this world to life.

Audible Review:

Narration Rating: ★★★★★ / ★★★★★

Narration by Kate Simses

Simses does an amazing job narrating this story. Her narration made the story interesting. She doesn’t over do the narration or make it boring. I do admit that her narration at 1.0 speed was too slow for me. The best speed for me was 1.50. For those of us who like to multitask and listen on the go, I recommend listening at a 1.75 speed, so one does not miss anything. For those who are listening while reading the book, I found 2.0 and 2.5 speed to be the best speeds. 3.0 and 3.5 speed was too fast for me, and I was missing a lot of what the narrator was saying and had to eventually slow down the narrator’s reading speed. 

Other works by this Author:

Novels

• Furthermore
• Whichwood 
• A Very Large Expanse of Sea

Shatter Me Series

• Shatter Me
• Unravel Me
• Ignite Me
• Restore Me
• Defy Me

Novellas

• Destroy Me
• Fracture Me
• Shadow Me

Novella Collection

• Unite Me