Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1) in And So It Begins Reading Challenge

Nov 26, 2011 Anasheh Satoorian rated it really liked it

My Thoughts: I FINALLY was able to read this book after having it keep getting pushed back and back on my TBR! Even though I had been wanting to read this book ever since I first saw the cover. That being the original cover. I have to admit I'm not a fan of the new ones. But I am glad I waited to read it, because now I can read the second book in the series Unravel Me right after :)

What I Liked: I have to admit that at first I was kind of put off on how the book started.l It just seemed like jus ...more

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Sep 17, 2011 Christy rated it it was amazing

Loved it. Tahereh's writing style is very unique but it works! ...more

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Mar 01, 2011 Nicole rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, dystopian, arc, signed-by-the-author

You can check out this review and many others on my blog, The Reader's Antidote

There are honestly no words to describe how much I loved this book. I know, coming from a book blogger that doesn't sound like a good thing considering I received this book specifically for review. But it was really just that amazing and is up there as one of my favorite dystopians. It had been on my wish list for a while, so when I came back from a Michael Grant signing (also a HarperTeen author), well you can imagin You can check out this review and many others on my blog, The Reader's Antidote

There are honestly no words to describe how much I loved this book. I know, coming from a book blogger that doesn't sound like a good thing considering I received this book specifically for review. But it was really just that amazing and is up there as one of my favorite dystopians. It had been on my wish list for a while, so when I came back from a Michael Grant signing (also a HarperTeen author), well you can imagine my surprise and happiness when I opened the package from the publisher. And the cover is beautiful, so sparkly! Immediately, you're drawn in. And then the first line: I've been locked up for 264 days. By then, you're so gone it doesn't even matter if you have two tests and three papers due the next day. You're going to finish Shatter Me whether you want to or not.

Mafi has a beautiful way of writing. her descriptive imagery at every turn is uncanny and really it's what made this book. The story is wonderful and the plot is nearly flawless, but the language is what did it for me. I think that's why modern retellings of Shakespeare never work because most of the language is cut out. I've heard word that they've already auctioned rights off for this one, and to be honest I hope they don't end up going through with it. It'll lose its potency. And that's a compliment.

Juliette was a very likeable character. As in all dystopians, the main character is always a little rough around the edges. It's even more difficult for Juliette though because she hasn't had any human interaction for almost a year. And who walks in? A boy. A boy that she remembers distinctly, but doesn't think that he remembers her. How wrong she is. But this isn't your everyday dystopian. Oh no. The reason Juliette is locked up in the first place is because she killed someone just by touching them. When the tagline mentions that it's like Hunger Games and X-Men combined, it couldn't be more accurate. Wait, an accurate tagline? No way, you say? You'll have to read to find out!

And the cover is also very fitting. Juliette actually does end up wearing dresses eventually and her hands are placed behind her back because she's not supposed to touch anyone. And as we all know, I'm a cover whore so I loved it the moment I held it in my hands. I want the rest of the series right now! Get your own two hands on a copy of this one as soon as possible. You won't regret it. ...more

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Mar 09, 2011 Ezmirelda rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011, paranormal, dystopian, can-t-wait

AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! & ADDICTIVE!

Review to come.

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Apr 25, 2011 A rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, autographed, dystopia

Review on RNSL: http://t.co/PZpvLMYU

I was very excited to meet Tahereh Mafi and pick up a copy of Shatter Me at the SCIBA 2011 Author Feast. Even more excited to read it, except for all the interference to my reading time caused by school. When I finally had a chance to curl up on a cloudy day and read it, my excitement waned a little, I have to confess.

The book starts out really well with a strong writing style and inventive strikethroughs. Unfortunately, as the story of Juliette starts rolling ...more

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Jun 20, 2011 CrystalBookSnob rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, arc-i-own, reviewd

When I first started reading Shatter Me, I had a very difficult time getting accustomed to the author's writing style. It's a little bit choppy and weird and I had to concentrate more than I usually would. But once I got into it, it started to flow a lot better and more quickly.

As it turns out, I feel that the odd writing style fits the book and the main character's personality perfectly. Juliette was in solitary confinement for almost a year and, to the best of my abilities, I could imagine th When I first started reading Shatter Me, I had a very difficult time getting accustomed to the author's writing style. It's a little bit choppy and weird and I had to concentrate more than I usually would. But once I got into it, it started to flow a lot better and more quickly.

As it turns out, I feel that the odd writing style fits the book and the main character's personality perfectly. Juliette was in solitary confinement for almost a year and, to the best of my abilities, I could imagine that it would be a shock to someone's system for another person to be suddenly thrust into her life. I felt that her emotions and state of mind were conveyed very well through the writing style.

One of Shatter Me's main theme is Juliette's internal struggle between what the world thinks she is and who she believes herself to be. Her society believes her to be a monster who kills people with just the touch of her hand, which is true, but her intentions are always honest and pure. Juliette's internal struggle is also seen through the author's writing style. Phrases are scratched out and replaced with more controlled phrases; ones that won't get her into trouble. "It's a home, a center for troubled youth, for neglected children from broken families, a safe house for the psychological disturbed. It's a prison." It's also a way to show how she struggles with her feelings for Adam. "He sits down next to me and leans against the wall. His shoulders are so close too close never close enough."

I am so intrigued by the world that Tahereh Mafi has created. A world that is dying because of what humans have done to it. In the beginning she weaves such a web of mystery and deceit, that I was questioning Adam's loyalty to Juliette and wondering what his true intentions were. I was constantly guessing and curious to know what was around the next corner.

Shatter Me is one of those books makes me want to read as many dystopian books as I can. It was so good and I can't wait to discover what's in store for Juliette and Adam. ...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Kam Brooksmoore rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopia, read-in-2013, fantasy, favorites, young-adult

Shatter Me was an AMAZING book about a 17 year old girl who can kill someone with just a touch, and she thinks herself a monster because of this. This story sort of reminds me of Rogue from X-Men, because she could also kill people with a touch and thought she was a monster. This was a great read and I recommend this to everyone who likes dystopian fiction and AWESOME superheroes!!!

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