Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2) in The Not-So Austen Bookclub

Sep 12, 2012 Kristen rated it it was amazing

update: Revised rating upon thinking on it overnight 4.5. Err..keep flip flopping between 4.5 and 5

Just finished and I have to give 5 stars because of all the feels this book inspired in me. I see some aspects that I don't love but it was a powerful read and I would never regret reading it and owning it. Such a roller coaster of a book that is so immersive and descriptive just sort of flung my brain around a bit...and I think I liked it.

You can see my full review on my blog, My Friends Are Fict ...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Autumn Doughton added it

Ugh! I hated how this book ended, but overall, I loved the story. It's your typical YA fantasy romance, but there's so much about it that's not typical. Starting with Tahereh Mafi's writing. Her words are almost poetic at times and simply beautiful. She makes me feel the emotions of the story and I love that.

It's the second in the series and I wouldn't recommend starting this without reading Shatter Me first. It's definitely one of those books that you need to read every one in the series. I ass ...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Jessica Brooks rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-haves, dystopian

(This review first appeared on Afterglow Book Reviews.)

Wow. Just.... Wow. I'm so glad I stayed away from spoilers before reading this. There were a couple of unexpected twists that had me sitting up in my bed yelling, "Holy crap"! And, "This is going to be such a good movie--is it going to be a movie?" and "oh my GOSH!!!"

Without giving too much away, UNRAVEL ME picks up with Juliette and Adam (her boyfriend, one of two people in the entire world immune to her deadly touch) and Adam's pal, Kenji, (This review first appeared on Afterglow Book Reviews.)

Wow. Just.... Wow. I'm so glad I stayed away from spoilers before reading this. There were a couple of unexpected twists that had me sitting up in my bed yelling, "Holy crap"! And, "This is going to be such a good movie--is it going to be a movie?" and "oh my GOSH!!!"

Without giving too much away, UNRAVEL ME picks up with Juliette and Adam (her boyfriend, one of two people in the entire world immune to her deadly touch) and Adam's pal, Kenji, in the compound they escaped to at the end of the first book in the trilogy, SHATTER ME (the compound's called Omega Point). Kenji is by far my favorite character out of all of them, now. He's the quick-witted, sarcastic friend everyone wants to knock upside the head, but still loves to pieces.

One of the main points in UNRAVEL ME is Adam and Juliette trying to learn how to deal with/harness their "energy". Adam discovers something about his "energy" that is a big issue in his relationship with Juliette (Issues are constantly coming up in this book. Constantly.) and that's quite the problem. Juliette still isn't sure how to get her strength to work on command, though boy are there some up close and personal strength moments in there!

Another main point is Warner. Now, if you plan on reading this series, I am telling you, you need to read the novella (ebook), DESTROY ME, before reading UNRAVEL ME. I am serious. This is Warner's story, it gives you a window into his brain, his heart and his soul, and not reading it before UNRAVEL ME will only make you want to go read it halfway through UNRAVEL ME to hear more about him, anyway (or kick yourself for not reading it first when you read it after UNRAVEL ME). So, just read it first. I promise you will thank me later.

Regarding sensuality in this book, the heat is turned up even higher than in SHATTER ME. Another... wow. There are moments you really truly did not think would ever happen. There are moments you're wanting something to happen, even though you know you should not be wanting it to happen! I wish I could say more, but I don't want to give it away! (As I was reading/reacting, my 13 year-old asked if she could read it. It's going to have to be a no--obviously others will feel different, but I'm talking hot and steamy Nicholas Sparks-y scenes here, guys.)

Regarding the "holy crap" moments, I am not going to ruin the mystery. But let me just say, Tahereh did a wonderful job of tying something in perfectly to where I almost thought later, "Well of course she would write it that way--it's perfect. Of course!" (And then another, "OH MY GOSH!")

A quick point before I draw this (hopefully really vague but decent) review to a close: for readers who have issues with Tahereh's prose and metaphors, I personally felt that she relaxed on those a little bit. (Or maybe I was just reading over them too quickly to notice!) And honestly, if just feels like Juliette. That's who she is.

Bottom line: if you liked SHATTER ME, you're going to love UNRAVEL ME. If you liked the novella DESTROY ME, you're going to love UNRAVEL ME even more. And, if you're like me, you're definitely going to be rooting for... Warner. ...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Latoya rated it really liked it

Thoughts:
Juliette has escaped whatever fate Warner had for her as a tool for the Reestablishment and now has the chance to be amongst those that understand that she is different. At Omega Point, a portion of the inhabitants have gifts and they all work together to make the operation of the facility run smoothly. Though Juliette has her freedom, she feels more trapped underground with them than she did with Warner. At least then she could see the sky. I think if she becomes any more withdrawn, s Thoughts:
Juliette has escaped whatever fate Warner had for her as a tool for the Reestablishment and now has the chance to be amongst those that understand that she is different. At Omega Point, a portion of the inhabitants have gifts and they all work together to make the operation of the facility run smoothly. Though Juliette has her freedom, she feels more trapped underground with them than she did with Warner. At least then she could see the sky. I think if she becomes any more withdrawn, she will internally combust. She is so focused on the fact that she doesn't want to hurt anyone that she sits balled up in the corner of her room rather than learning to harness her abilities. But it's not all about her; there are other lives at stake. For her to truly understand, it will take something drastic to happen.

Adam is different in this book because he has discovered something he's not ready to cope with, which makes him unable to share it with Juliette. She has her secrets as well, one big one she discovered in the first book. Warner can touch her and she is keeping this from Adam. The thing about secrets, they have a way of coming out and Juliette figures this out the hard way. Does this stop her from keeping more information about Warner that may be crucial to the pending war? No.

Ugh! I can't decide which fella I like better, at the moment it's a tie. Warner surprised me with his emotional depth in this one. He strummed Juliette's heart strings like a pro, thoroughly confusing her more than she already is. Warner is a complex character and I'm starting to like him. Adam seems more unstable emotionally but he is going through a lot that is putting a strain on him. He is scared that he may lose Juliette.

The leading lady, Juliette, in the beginning of this book, seemed the same. She doesn't seem to have grown much outside of her own personal bubble of uncertainty and confusion. She's too afraid to accept herself and the power that has been gifted to her. Juliette is more focused on the harm she can cause instead of the good she can do if she makes the effort to harness her powers. Towards the end, I began to see a glimpse of a new Juliette, sort of like a rebirth...maybe. O Juliette, Juliette! wherefore art thou, Juliette?

My favorite parts of the book are the scenes with Warner and Juliette's notebook. I like her thoughts in the notebook because she sounds more certain of who she is in the world and what she wants. And my second favorite part is when Kenji told Juliette off, priceless. She needed to hear all of it. Unravel Me is full of surprises and action and I loved them as they are unexpected. I look forward to seeing Juliette grow into the fighter that I know is simmering to get out and stop internalizing everything.

Some funny thoughts while I was reading:
"If this girl faint one more time!"
" That boy does not look that good, Dang it's like her brain gets all befuddled around hot boys. Jeez!"
"Well played Warner, you sneaky rascal...I think, I like you."
" Whoo-hoo! Kenji, about time someone told her about herself! High-Five!"
"Finally, Juliette *sigh*, sheesh." ...more

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