Title: Ignite Me Author: Tahereh Mafi Series: Shatter Me, book #3 Publisher: HarperCollins Publication Date: February 4, 2014 Source: purchased Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love".
Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.
In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel Unravel Me blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.
This year I’ve been all about finishing series books. Jess and I have been conquering this pretty good through our buddy reads. I was a little nervous going into this one with all the bad buzz going around. Turns out I had no reason to be.
You see, I’m not a team person. I don’t get wrapped up like that. Granted, I have opinions, and of course there is always a person I want the main character to end up with, but… none of that truly matters to me as long as the main character is happy. If the story is great, who cares!
Some people do though, and get really heated over it. That is just not me.
I really enjoyed it. So many series endings have been blah for me, but not this one. I think it ended perfectly. I wasn’t Juliette’s biggest fan in Unravel Me, I thought she was a total whine bag. She really comes into her own in Iginite Me, and I loved seeing her grow as a person. She’s strong and confident and finally going after what she wants. What’s good for her! And I cheered!
Kenji was by far my favorite character. He cracked me up, great comic relief. There are some tough moment between Julliette, Adam, and Warner… Kenji’s humor always lightened the mood.
Oh the steamy scenes… chapter 55. Wow. I think it was 55. I should have bookmarked it. So hot. I won’t mention the parties involved but it was just perfect.
Everything wrapped up well, but I almost feel like more books can be written and I kinda hope this happens. I will be the first in line to buy them.
About the author:
Tahereh Mafi is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the SHATTER ME series. She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California, where she drinks too much caffeine and finds the weather to be just a little too perfect for her taste.
When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts. SHATTER ME is her first novel.
Foreign rights have sold in 25+ territories to-date and film rights have been optioned by 20th Century Fox.
Her work is represented by Jodi Reamer of Writers House, LLC.
Title: Ignite Me Author: Tahereh Mafi Narrator: Kate Simses Series: Shatter Me, book #3 Length: 9 hrs 50 mins Publisher: Harper Audio Publication Date: February 4, 2014 Source: purchased Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love".
Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.
In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel Unravel Me blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.
This would be a very difficult book to review without the use of spoilers, so I've separated my spoilery thoughts below for those who haven't read this book yet. Also, I have a feeling that this book will be very polarizing, that there are going to be a lot of unhappy fans but a lot of ecstatic ones, as well. I, for one, am very pleased with this final book in the Shatter Me series. Finally...a series finale that I can say that about!
First off, I still can't disassociate Kate Simses as the voice of Cassia in the Matched audiobook series. So, hearing her here as Juliette -- and in the previous books -- makes it hard to separate the two stories at times. Maybe that voice fit Juliette in the beginning, but she got to be quite fierce throughout the series, and with the innocent, child-like qualities of Simses voice, it was hard to vocalize the change in the character. I do love how she brought Kenji to life, though. I didn't get his appeal the first time I read Shatter Me, but after hearing his witty repartee, I found myself wishing for more of this character.
Second, I didn't read Adam's novella. I'd heard that it hinted at what's to come in Ignite Me, and I wanted to be surprised, I wanted to love this book as much as Unravel Me, so I refrained from picking up Fracture Me. Also, I'm just not an Adam fan. Haven't been from day one. Even in the first book, I found myself shipping Warner and Juliette...and that's when we knew little to nothing about Warner. Knowing what I know now, I would have pushed even harder for these two to end up together.
Despite that/in spite of that/because of that -- take your pick -- I found this ending really satisfying, which is kind of weird considering that it's pretty close to one of those endings that's all tied up in a pretty package with a bow and everything. I'm usually not a fan of those, but this ending wasn't entirely picture-perfect, so maybe that's why I find it so tolerable in this case. There were places in the story where the plot crawled at a snail's pace. The book was loaded with relationship melodrama. And the ending did feel a bit rushed. But I don't even care. This book was equal parts emotionally trying and rewarding, and I felt so relieved --triumphant? complacent? weightless? -- when it was over. And that's all I'm really asking for...when a series has to end, can't you just make me feel better about that fact?
Okay, now for all of the things I can't say without risk of totally spoiling things...
Oh, you poor Team Adam fans...you are not going to like who your boy becomes in this book, and I'm not just saying that because of what these changes result in. In Ignite Me, Adam becomes brooding -- though Kenji's always said he was moody as hell. He is selfish and hurtful and just plain not worthy of Juliette. Not anymore, if he ever was. I found the revelations Juliette has about their relationship to be refreshing. Aren't we all always saying that you rarely end up with your first love, that you both grow as people and fall out of love, making it hard to remain together in the end? That's exactly what happened with Adam and Juliette.
Some may say that Adam's transition to complete douche-nozzle is a complete 180 for this character, that they don't know him in this book, but considering I was never a fan of Adam's to begin with, I think I saw glimpses of this boy before. He's impulsive and somewhat irrational, and he's the son of Anderson. And just as there are shades of their father in Warner, there are in Adam, as well.
Warner and Juliette are were both kind of crazy-pants. They've both lived in isolation for most of their lives, never having a true friend or even anyone to really talk to. They may have had their differences in the beginning, but when the truth about Warner's real plans comes out, they realize they have a lot more in common than it seemed. And yet, they don't immediately fall into each other, despite what Adam may believe.
I kind of loathe that the romantic elements became the main focus of this trilogy, but at the same time, this is one of the few times that I've enjoyed a love triangle and applauded the way it worked itself out. This is how Boundless should have gone, even if it did piss off a lot of fans. People change, relationships mature, and sometimes they end. That's the way life goes.
I was a bit unhappy with the way Juliette projected her feelings onto Adam, though. It's one thing for her to admit that she is no longer in love with him, but it's another to assume that he feels the same way, especially when he's claimed no such thing. However, I did appreciate that she and Warner didn't try to parade whatever was happening between them around in front of Adam. He didn't deserve that, but also, nothing was happening for the longest, so there wasn't anything to parade around.
But when things did finally heat up, when Juliette was finally ready to admit her feelings...wowsers! Chapter 55. SO HOTT! That is all.
That isn't even half of what I want to say about this book, but it's enough for now. Feel free to get ranty or excited in the comments, just please remember that not everyone has read the book yet, so mark SPOILERS carefully.
GIF it to me straight:
SHATTER ME trivia: the eyes on the novella covers are closed bc they're not told from Juliette's POV, and she can't see what's happening.
— Tahereh Mafi (@TaherehMafi) October 31, 2013
About the author:
Tahereh Mafi is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the SHATTER ME series. She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California, where she drinks too much caffeine and finds the weather to be just a little too perfect for her taste.
When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts. SHATTER ME is her first novel.
Foreign rights have sold in 25+ territories to-date and film rights have been optioned by 20th Century Fox.
Her work is represented by Jodi Reamer of Writers House, LLC.
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
Title: Ignite Me Author: Tahereh Mafi Series:Shatter Me, book #3
Publisher: HarperTeen Publication Date: February 4, 2014
The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love."
Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew--about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam--was wrong.
In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.
Again, I'm positive this will be a popular pick this week. I don't care. I absolutely love this cover. And Juliette's going to discover things that are going to change her perceptions of both Warner AND Adam? Woohoo! #TeamWarner all the way!!! I do so love the redeemable villain. ;0)
Now that you know what I'm dying to read, what are you waiting on this week? Feel free to share it in the comments or leave a link so I can stop by!
Title: Unravel Me Author: Tahereh Mafi Narrator: Kate Simses Series: Shatter Me, book #2 Publisher: Harper Audio Publication Date: February 5, 2013 Source: purchased Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.
This book slayed me. I was by no means expecting a HEA with this being only the second book in the series, but Tahereh Mafi tore my heart to shreds, after getting it pumping so hard it nearly flew out of my chest, of course. A middle book usually goes one of two ways for me: it can either be a big book of boring history and info-dumping making me reconsider reading the rest of the series, or it can be so action-packed and intense that I don't know up from down when I've finished, leaving me salivating for the next book so I can breathe again. I don't really think I need to tell you which category Unravel Me falls in.
I'll be honest, I hadn't quite felt the connection to the characters I was looking for in Shatter Me. I just didn't get to know them as well as I would have liked, despite being constantly inside Juliette's head. I never quite fully shipped Juliette and Adam as a couple either because I never felt their connection to each other, but I'm probably the only one who feels that way. Which made it all the more easy for Warner and his novella to sway me to the dark side.
Let's just get this over with and all agree to disagree. Warner is evil. I know this. But in my heart of hearts, I still feel like he has the capacity to be better. He's fallen in love with Juliette, after all, and whether she believes it or not, she is the essence of all that is good and pure in a world gone mad. His ability to love her, the fact that he cares so much for his mother, and his cruel upbringing...all these factors suggest to me that he CAN change. He might not, but the opportunity is there, and I believe, despite his desire to be loved for who he is, that his love for Juliette just might be the push he needs. Granted, after certain revelations in Unravel Me, this is going to prove more difficult than ever.
The swooning over Chapter 62? All worth it. It is evident in every word he speaks, every touch, every gesture, that this man loves Juliette. I could totally ship this romance, if he deems himself worthy to change for her. I'm not sure everyone else will be so willing to let bygones be bygones, but I'm willing to overlook things if a person has truly changed. “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” -- Alexander Pope (An Essay on Criticism)
But fear not, all you Adam fans. He's present in Unravel Me in heavy doses, and we learn a lot about him in this book. I can't say the things I learned endeared him to me, but I understand him better. However, I actually preferred his roommate in this installment. I didn't really get Kenji's appeal in the first book -- just seemed like a major jackass to me -- but you get a better sense of his character in Unravel Me. The smartassery is still ever-present, but it's paralleled by his work ethic and sense of duty. He is truly a candidate for best supporting character.
I can't really say that I learned all that much about the actual world of the Shatter Me series, other than Warner's father -- who is even more of an egotistical jerk than Warner appeared to be in the first installment -- was one of the founders of the Reestablishment and is therefore to blame for the state of the world as it currently stands. Instead, Unravel Me sets itself up more as a character study, rather than doing any world-building. But considering I connected with the characters on every level this time around, I think that was a brilliant decision. I now feel completely at one with this story and the characters. Including all of their awesome -- or not so awesome -- superpowers.
I knew I wouldn't immediately have the time to spend with this story that I would have liked, so I nabbed the audio from Audible. Admittedly, I wasn't the biggest fan of Kate Simses narration on the Matched series because she sounded almost childlike. (But maybe I should attribute that to the writing and not the actual narration?) I had forgotten she narrated Shatter Me, so I had a mini panic attack when I saw that she was the narrator for Unravel Me,after I'd already purchased the audiobook, but I shouldn't have fretted. She superbly portrays all of Juliette's emotions and fervor. Simses does an excellent job narrating all of the dialogue, actually. And the strike-throughs were hardly even noticeable this time around. They really sounded like thoughts Juliette wished she hadn't had. I need to check the finished copy, though...maybe the strike-throughs weren't as prevalent this time around? Either way, the audio was wrought with emotion, and I think I might actually prefer the audio to my own reading in this case. No joke.
Unravel Me was a spectacular follow-up to Shatter Me, full of non-stop action and dynamic characters and BIG REVEALS. Not to mention some swoony, swoony romantic scenes. I was already anticipating this sequel, but after my re-listen of Shatter Me, I was dying for this book. And it did not disappoint!
Favorite Quotes: (um, the whole book?)
“I'm not interested in waiting around and risking the who-knows and the what-ifs and the huge regrets. I want to feel all of it....” “Sticks and stones keep breaking my bones but these words, these words will kill me.” “Yeah, bro.” Kenji puts his utensils down. “You are moody. It’s always ‘Shut up, Kenji.’ ‘Go to sleep, Kenji.’ ‘No one wants to see you naked, Kenji.’ When I know for a fact that there are thousands of people who would love to see me naked—” “I want so many things,” he whispers. “I want your mind. Your strength. I want to be worth your time.” His fingers graze the hem of my top and he says “I want this up.” He tugs on the waist of my pants and says “I want these down.” He touches the tips of his fingers to the sides of my body and says, “I want to feel your skin on fire. I want to feel your heart racing next to mine and I want to know it’s racing because of me, because you want me. Because you never,” he says, he breathes, “never want me to stop. I want every second. Every inch of you. I want all of it.” “I am nothing more than the consequence of catastrophe.” “Because if I lower my voice, I won’t be able to hear myself speak. And that,” he says, “is my favorite part.” “Please don’t shoot me for this.” “It's hot rain and humid days and broken thermostats. It's screaming and raging steam engines and wanting to take your clothes off just to feel a breeze. It's the kind of kiss that makes you realize oxygen is overrated.”
Title: Destroy Me Author: Tahereh Mafi Series: Shatter Me #1.5 - novella from Warner's POV Publisher: HarperCollins Publication Date: October 2, 2012 Source: purchased Purchase:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45. In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . . Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow. Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.
I'm going to keep this review short and sweet...just like the story. Okay, well, not just like the story, but you know what I mean. I love novellas because of the insight they provide into a particular character's mind, one that maybe wasn't the main focus of the original book but left you intrigued nonetheless. And the insight I got into Warner's character in Destroy Me captivated me more than I already was...which is saying a lot because his character was my favorite aspect of Shatter Me.
First of all, I loved seeing Warner's reaction after finding and reading Juliette's journal, his acknowledgement that they were even more alike than he's originally believed, what with the abusive parents and loneliness. But as he's discovering more about Juliette, he's also discovering things he didn't know about himself. He has the capacity to love and to feel empathy...and it all scares him but fascinates him all the same.
Poor Warner, misunderstood villain that he is, thinks he might be going crazy after what he's suffered and lost since the events that occurred at the end of the first book. His abrasive father just might push him over the edge. But through it all, Warner becomes even more self-aware than he already was. Half-way through this novella, he's describing the lethal killing machine that he has trained to become, and in almost the same breath, he's declaring himself a coward.
It pained me to read some of the passages, as it becomes evident that Warner is only doing as he's expected in an attempt to appease his over-bearing father. But I really enjoyed this novella and can't wait to get back to the Shatter Me world when Unravel Me releases early next year. For those of you who are eagerly anticipating the sequel, as well, I definitely suggest picking this one up...unless you're a Team Adam fan. Just sayin'...Warner is not very happy with Adam Kent at this point.
My favorite part? Warner's own admission that he loves long baths. Me, too! =D
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
Title: Unravel Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Series: 2nd [full] book in the Shatter Me series
Publisher: HarperTeen/HarperCollins
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
tick, tick, tick, tick, tick it's almost time for war.
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.
Why I'm waiting: If you'll remember back to a few weeks ago, I was already waiting on Destroy Me, the short story told from Warner's POV, but then Jennifer from Some Like It Paranormal had to go and post this teaser. I'm still swooning! I was never really a fan of Adam's, but I have to admit Warner's character really intrigued me. He's one of those villainous hot guys who gives you an inkling that they just might have some good in them yet. Not that I don't fall for the evil-doers from time to time, but I do like it when they start questioning themselves. ;0)
I can't wait to get my hands on this book! And I'll definitely be picking up that novella as soon as it's released in October, even if it does make me yearn for Unravel Me that much more. I know...I'm a glutton for punishment. :P
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
Title: Destroy Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Series: Shatter Me #1.5, bonus story
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October 2, 2012
Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.
In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .
Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.
Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.
Why I'm waiting: Warner. Plain and simple. He was the most fascinating character from Shatter Me, and though he is the crazy villain hell-bent on making Juliette his, I'd like to see more of him. A lot more of him. As in, he should have his own book, not just a novella. But I'll take what I can get.
And this should ease the wait until Unravel Me releases in February. Yes, February. I thought waiting a year in between books was brutal, but anything more than a year is just unspeakable. Hence the short story in between releases. I suppose, anyway.
So, what are you waiting on this week? Do you have a very long wait, or will your suffering come to an end soon? :P
Oh, and I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!!! And be sure to check out the Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop...it ends tomorrow at midnight!!!
Title: Shatter Me Author: Tahereh Mafi Series: Shatter Me Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins Publication Date: November 15, 2011 Source: purchased Links:Amazon | Goodreads Rating:
From Goodreads: 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. In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.
Review:
I read Shatter Me as a buddy read, and both the buddy and I had plowed through this novel within the span of two days. The pacing was quick and the suspense aplenty. The gorgeous cover grabbed my attention but the beautiful writing kept it.
I really liked the use of the strike-through throughout the book. I like what each strike-through represented to me: that society could try to dictate what she was and her place in the world but she still had free will, still had a choice in the matter. The writing was exceptional, as was the imagery. At times, the prose was a little verbose where it could have been more succinct and still had the same effect, and at other times, the simplicity of the descriptions was somehow more effectual in achieving the desired result.
Juliette is likeable enough, and her character is familiar, as well, but there’s something about her that makes her stand out. Maybe it’s because she’s so down-trodden from the onset of the novel, and most heroines in this type of book seem to hit the ground running, meaning they show little weakness in the beginning, but the reader gets glimpses of it throughout the novel. In Shatter Me, our protagonist has all but given up when we first meet her. She’s not expecting much from life after having been thrown in prison for a crime she did not mean to commit. But she’s given a chance to change that, and then her character really shines through. She just has to come to terms with her power.
The romance in this novel was a little different. They hadn’t just met, as in so many insta-love stories, which is a definite plus. Juliette didn’t immediately show a fondness for Adam, though she did let herself remember her feelings for the boy she once knew. I wasn’t as big a fan of Adam’s as I had expected to be, either. I actually found myself hoping that maybe Warner was a better match for Juliette. But I do tend to find the hot villains attractive. That lit bit up there in the summary about “intoxicating villainy”…yeah, that’s probably the best way to describe it. Warner was dangerous and sexy, whereas Adam was beautiful and good. I should be drawn to Adam’s character, but I find myself hoping that Warner will turn out not to be as bad as he seems. Though, from what we discover in this first novel, that seems unlikely.
I loved the superhero-angle the book decidedly took toward the end. I know what others are comparing Shatter Me to – it’s actually right up there in the summary – and that’s a pretty apt comparison. Despite the similarities, though, Tahereh Mafi has created a world of her own for our heroine, one in disrepair and in need of saving. This novel reads more like a superhero dystopian than the comic books I read as a kid, so don’t let that comparison sway you from checking out this book.
I know the concept of the girl in the beautiful dress has been overdone on covers, but even so, I still love them. Regardless of whether they have anything to do with the story inside the book, I can't get enough of these gorgeous covers!
Also, the Shade series by Jeri Smith-Ready gets a makeover:
What do you think? I haven't had a chance to pick up this series yet, but I think I'm a fan of the original cover art. This kind of reminds me of the cover re-do for Andrea Cremer's Nightshade series, and I'm also not a fan of that makeover. Oh, well...nothing I can do about it, right?
And, last but not least, the trailer for Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me has been released:
I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
Monday, June 16, 2014
Review: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Series: Shatter Me, book #3
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
This year I’ve been all about finishing series books. Jess and I have been conquering this pretty good through our buddy reads. I was a little nervous going into this one with all the bad buzz going around. Turns out I had no reason to be.
You see, I’m not a team person. I don’t get wrapped up like that. Granted, I have opinions, and of course there is always a person I want the main character to end up with, but… none of that truly matters to me as long as the main character is happy. If the story is great, who cares!
Some people do though, and get really heated over it. That is just not me.
I really enjoyed it. So many series endings have been blah for me, but not this one. I think it ended perfectly. I wasn’t Juliette’s biggest fan in Unravel Me, I thought she was a total whine bag. She really comes into her own in Iginite Me, and I loved seeing her grow as a person. She’s strong and confident and finally going after what she wants. What’s good for her! And I cheered!
Kenji was by far my favorite character. He cracked me up, great comic relief. There are some tough moment between Julliette, Adam, and Warner… Kenji’s humor always lightened the mood.
Oh the steamy scenes… chapter 55. Wow. I think it was 55. I should have bookmarked it. So hot. I won’t mention the parties involved but it was just perfect.
Everything wrapped up well, but I almost feel like more books can be written and I kinda hope this happens. I will be the first in line to buy them.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
{Audiobook} Review: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Narrator: Kate Simses
Series: Shatter Me, book #3
Length: 9 hrs 50 mins
Publisher: Harper Audio
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
This would be a very difficult book to review without the use of spoilers, so I've separated my spoilery thoughts below for those who haven't read this book yet. Also, I have a feeling that this book will be very polarizing, that there are going to be a lot of unhappy fans but a lot of ecstatic ones, as well. I, for one, am very pleased with this final book in the Shatter Me series. Finally...a series finale that I can say that about!
First off, I still can't disassociate Kate Simses as the voice of Cassia in the Matched audiobook series. So, hearing her here as Juliette -- and in the previous books -- makes it hard to separate the two stories at times. Maybe that voice fit Juliette in the beginning, but she got to be quite fierce throughout the series, and with the innocent, child-like qualities of Simses voice, it was hard to vocalize the change in the character. I do love how she brought Kenji to life, though. I didn't get his appeal the first time I read Shatter Me, but after hearing his witty repartee, I found myself wishing for more of this character.
Second, I didn't read Adam's novella. I'd heard that it hinted at what's to come in Ignite Me, and I wanted to be surprised, I wanted to love this book as much as Unravel Me, so I refrained from picking up Fracture Me. Also, I'm just not an Adam fan. Haven't been from day one. Even in the first book, I found myself shipping Warner and Juliette...and that's when we knew little to nothing about Warner. Knowing what I know now, I would have pushed even harder for these two to end up together.
Despite that/in spite of that/because of that -- take your pick -- I found this ending really satisfying, which is kind of weird considering that it's pretty close to one of those endings that's all tied up in a pretty package with a bow and everything. I'm usually not a fan of those, but this ending wasn't entirely picture-perfect, so maybe that's why I find it so tolerable in this case. There were places in the story where the plot crawled at a snail's pace. The book was loaded with relationship melodrama. And the ending did feel a bit rushed. But I don't even care. This book was equal parts emotionally trying and rewarding, and I felt so relieved --triumphant? complacent? weightless? -- when it was over. And that's all I'm really asking for...when a series has to end, can't you just make me feel better about that fact?
Okay, now for all of the things I can't say without
risk oftotally spoiling things...Some may say that Adam's transition to complete douche-nozzle is a complete 180 for this character, that they don't know him in this book, but considering I was never a fan of Adam's to begin with, I think I saw glimpses of this boy before. He's impulsive and somewhat irrational, and he's the son of Anderson. And just as there are shades of their father in Warner, there are in Adam, as well.
Warner and Juliette
arewere both kind of crazy-pants. They've both lived in isolation for most of their lives, never having a true friend or even anyone to really talk to. They may have had their differences in the beginning, but when the truth about Warner's real plans comes out, they realize they have a lot more in common than it seemed. And yet, they don't immediately fall into each other, despite what Adam may believe.I kind of loathe that the romantic elements became the main focus of this trilogy, but at the same time, this is one of the few times that I've enjoyed a love triangle and applauded the way it worked itself out. This is how Boundless should have gone, even if it did piss off a lot of fans. People change, relationships mature, and sometimes they end. That's the way life goes.
I was a bit unhappy with the way Juliette projected her feelings onto Adam, though. It's one thing for her to admit that she is no longer in love with him, but it's another to assume that he feels the same way, especially when he's claimed no such thing. However, I did appreciate that she and Warner didn't try to parade whatever was happening between them around in front of Adam. He didn't deserve that, but also, nothing was happening for the longest, so there wasn't anything to parade around.
But when things did finally heat up, when Juliette was finally ready to admit her feelings...wowsers! Chapter 55. SO HOTT! That is all.
That isn't even half of what I want to say about this book, but it's enough for now. Feel free to get ranty or excited in the comments, just please remember that not everyone has read the book yet, so mark SPOILERS carefully.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Waiting on Wednesday: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Series: Shatter Me, book #3
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew--about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam--was wrong.
In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.
Again, I'm positive this will be a popular pick this week. I don't care. I absolutely love this cover. And Juliette's going to discover things that are going to change her perceptions of both Warner AND Adam? Woohoo! #TeamWarner all the way!!! I do so love the redeemable villain. ;0)
Thursday, February 14, 2013
{Audiobook} Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Narrator: Kate Simses
Series: Shatter Me, book #2
Publisher: Harper Audio
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.
This book slayed me. I was by no means expecting a HEA with this being only the second book in the series, but Tahereh Mafi tore my heart to shreds, after getting it pumping so hard it nearly flew out of my chest, of course. A middle book usually goes one of two ways for me: it can either be a big book of boring history and info-dumping making me reconsider reading the rest of the series, or it can be so action-packed and intense that I don't know up from down when I've finished, leaving me salivating for the next book so I can breathe again. I don't really think I need to tell you which category Unravel Me falls in.
I'll be honest, I hadn't quite felt the connection to the characters I was looking for in Shatter Me. I just didn't get to know them as well as I would have liked, despite being constantly inside Juliette's head. I never quite fully shipped Juliette and Adam as a couple either because I never felt their connection to each other, but I'm probably the only one who feels that way. Which made it all the more easy for Warner and his novella to sway me to the dark side.
Let's just get this over with and all agree to disagree. Warner is evil. I know this. But in my heart of hearts, I still feel like he has the capacity to be better. He's fallen in love with Juliette, after all, and whether she believes it or not, she is the essence of all that is good and pure in a world gone mad. His ability to love her, the fact that he cares so much for his mother, and his cruel upbringing...all these factors suggest to me that he CAN change. He might not, but the opportunity is there, and I believe, despite his desire to be loved for who he is, that his love for Juliette just might be the push he needs. Granted, after certain revelations in Unravel Me, this is going to prove more difficult than ever.
The swooning over Chapter 62? All worth it. It is evident in every word he speaks, every touch, every gesture, that this man loves Juliette. I could totally ship this romance, if he deems himself worthy to change for her. I'm not sure everyone else will be so willing to let bygones be bygones, but I'm willing to overlook things if a person has truly changed. “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” -- Alexander Pope (An Essay on Criticism)
But fear not, all you Adam fans. He's present in Unravel Me in heavy doses, and we learn a lot about him in this book. I can't say the things I learned endeared him to me, but I understand him better. However, I actually preferred his roommate in this installment. I didn't really get Kenji's appeal in the first book -- just seemed like a major jackass to me -- but you get a better sense of his character in Unravel Me. The smartassery is still ever-present, but it's paralleled by his work ethic and sense of duty. He is truly a candidate for best supporting character.
I can't really say that I learned all that much about the actual world of the Shatter Me series, other than Warner's father -- who is even more of an egotistical jerk than Warner appeared to be in the first installment -- was one of the founders of the Reestablishment and is therefore to blame for the state of the world as it currently stands. Instead, Unravel Me sets itself up more as a character study, rather than doing any world-building. But considering I connected with the characters on every level this time around, I think that was a brilliant decision. I now feel completely at one with this story and the characters. Including all of their awesome -- or not so awesome -- superpowers.
I knew I wouldn't immediately have the time to spend with this story that I would have liked, so I nabbed the audio from Audible. Admittedly, I wasn't the biggest fan of Kate Simses narration on the Matched series because she sounded almost childlike. (But maybe I should attribute that to the writing and not the actual narration?) I had forgotten she narrated Shatter Me, so I had a mini panic attack when I saw that she was the narrator for Unravel Me, after I'd already purchased the audiobook, but I shouldn't have fretted. She superbly portrays all of Juliette's emotions and fervor. Simses does an excellent job narrating all of the dialogue, actually. And the strike-throughs were hardly even noticeable this time around. They really sounded like thoughts Juliette wished she hadn't had. I need to check the finished copy, though...maybe the strike-throughs weren't as prevalent this time around? Either way, the audio was wrought with emotion, and I think I might actually prefer the audio to my own reading in this case. No joke.
Unravel Me was a spectacular follow-up to Shatter Me, full of non-stop action and dynamic characters and BIG REVEALS. Not to mention some swoony, swoony romantic scenes. I was already anticipating this sequel, but after my re-listen of Shatter Me, I was dying for this book. And it did not disappoint!
Favorite Quotes: (um, the whole book?)
“I'm not interested in waiting around and risking the who-knows and the what-ifs and the huge regrets. I want to feel all of it....”
“Sticks and stones keep breaking my bones but these words, these words will kill me.”
“Yeah, bro.” Kenji puts his utensils down. “You are moody. It’s always ‘Shut up, Kenji.’ ‘Go to sleep, Kenji.’ ‘No one wants to see you naked, Kenji.’ When I know for a fact that there are thousands of people who would love to see me naked—”
“I want so many things,” he whispers. “I want your mind. Your strength. I want to be worth your time.” His fingers graze the hem of my top and he says “I want this up.” He tugs on the waist of my pants and says “I want these down.” He touches the tips of his fingers to the sides of my body and says, “I want to feel your skin on fire. I want to feel your heart racing next to mine and I want to know it’s racing because of me, because you want me. Because you never,” he says, he breathes, “never want me to stop. I want every second. Every inch of you. I want all of it.”
“I am nothing more than the consequence of catastrophe.”
“Because if I lower my voice, I won’t be able to hear myself speak. And that,” he says, “is my favorite part.”
“Please don’t shoot me for this.”
“It's hot rain and humid days and broken thermostats. It's screaming and raging steam engines and wanting to take your clothes off just to feel a breeze. It's the kind of kiss that makes you realize oxygen is overrated.”
Rating:
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Series: Shatter Me #1.5 - novella from Warner's POV
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October 2, 2012
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .
Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.
Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.
I'm going to keep this review short and sweet...just like the story. Okay, well, not just like the story, but you know what I mean. I love novellas because of the insight they provide into a particular character's mind, one that maybe wasn't the main focus of the original book but left you intrigued nonetheless. And the insight I got into Warner's character in Destroy Me captivated me more than I already was...which is saying a lot because his character was my favorite aspect of Shatter Me.
First of all, I loved seeing Warner's reaction after finding and reading Juliette's journal, his acknowledgement that they were even more alike than he's originally believed, what with the abusive parents and loneliness. But as he's discovering more about Juliette, he's also discovering things he didn't know about himself. He has the capacity to love and to feel empathy...and it all scares him but fascinates him all the same.
Poor Warner, misunderstood villain that he is, thinks he might be going crazy after what he's suffered and lost since the events that occurred at the end of the first book. His abrasive father just might push him over the edge. But through it all, Warner becomes even more self-aware than he already was. Half-way through this novella, he's describing the lethal killing machine that he has trained to become, and in almost the same breath, he's declaring himself a coward.
It pained me to read some of the passages, as it becomes evident that Warner is only doing as he's expected in an attempt to appease his over-bearing father. But I really enjoyed this novella and can't wait to get back to the Shatter Me world when Unravel Me releases early next year. For those of you who are eagerly anticipating the sequel, as well, I definitely suggest picking this one up...unless you're a Team Adam fan. Just sayin'...Warner is not very happy with Adam Kent at this point.
My favorite part? Warner's own admission that he loves long baths. Me, too! =D
Rating:
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
it's almost
time for war.
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.
Why I'm waiting: If you'll remember back to a few weeks ago, I was already waiting on Destroy Me, the short story told from Warner's POV, but then Jennifer from Some Like It Paranormal had to go and post this teaser. I'm still swooning! I was never really a fan of Adam's, but I have to admit Warner's character really intrigued me. He's one of those villainous hot guys who gives you an inkling that they just might have some good in them yet. Not that I don't fall for the evil-doers from time to time, but I do like it when they start questioning themselves. ;0)
I can't wait to get my hands on this book! And I'll definitely be picking up that novella as soon as it's released in October, even if it does make me yearn for Unravel Me that much more. I know...I'm a glutton for punishment. :P
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .
Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.
Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.
Why I'm waiting: Warner. Plain and simple. He was the most fascinating character from Shatter Me, and though he is the crazy villain hell-bent on making Juliette his, I'd like to see more of him. A lot more of him. As in, he should have his own book, not just a novella. But I'll take what I can get.
And this should ease the wait until Unravel Me releases in February. Yes, February. I thought waiting a year in between books was brutal, but anything more than a year is just unspeakable. Hence the short story in between releases. I suppose, anyway.
So, what are you waiting on this week? Do you have a very long wait, or will your suffering come to an end soon? :P
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Series: Shatter Me
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Publication Date: November 15, 2011
Source: purchased
Links: Amazon | Goodreads
Rating:
From Goodreads:
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.
In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.
I read Shatter Me as a buddy read, and both the buddy and I had plowed through this novel within the span of two days. The pacing was quick and the suspense aplenty. The gorgeous cover grabbed my attention but the beautiful writing kept it.
I really liked the use of the strike-through throughout the book. I like what each strike-through represented to me: that society could try to dictate what she was and her place in the world but she still had free will, still had a choice in the matter. The writing was exceptional, as was the imagery. At times, the prose was a little verbose where it could have been more succinct and still had the same effect, and at other times, the simplicity of the descriptions was somehow more effectual in achieving the desired result.
Juliette is likeable enough, and her character is familiar, as well, but there’s something about her that makes her stand out. Maybe it’s because she’s so down-trodden from the onset of the novel, and most heroines in this type of book seem to hit the ground running, meaning they show little weakness in the beginning, but the reader gets glimpses of it throughout the novel. In Shatter Me, our protagonist has all but given up when we first meet her. She’s not expecting much from life after having been thrown in prison for a crime she did not mean to commit. But she’s given a chance to change that, and then her character really shines through. She just has to come to terms with her power.
The romance in this novel was a little different. They hadn’t just met, as in so many insta-love stories, which is a definite plus. Juliette didn’t immediately show a fondness for Adam, though she did let herself remember her feelings for the boy she once knew. I wasn’t as big a fan of Adam’s as I had expected to be, either. I actually found myself hoping that maybe Warner was a better match for Juliette. But I do tend to find the hot villains attractive. That lit bit up there in the summary about “intoxicating villainy”…yeah, that’s probably the best way to describe it. Warner was dangerous and sexy, whereas Adam was beautiful and good. I should be drawn to Adam’s character, but I find myself hoping that Warner will turn out not to be as bad as he seems. Though, from what we discover in this first novel, that seems unlikely.
I loved the superhero-angle the book decidedly took toward the end. I know what others are comparing Shatter Me to – it’s actually right up there in the summary – and that’s a pretty apt comparison. Despite the similarities, though, Tahereh Mafi has created a world of her own for our heroine, one in disrepair and in need of saving. This novel reads more like a superhero dystopian than the comic books I read as a kid, so don’t let that comparison sway you from checking out this book.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Uncovered - 11/8/11
I know the concept of the girl in the beautiful dress has been overdone on covers, but even so, I still love them. Regardless of whether they have anything to do with the story inside the book, I can't get enough of these gorgeous covers!
Also, the Shade series by Jeri Smith-Ready gets a makeover:
And, last but not least, the trailer for Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me has been released:
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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