Shatter Me is the first book in Tahereh Mafi’s bestselling dystopian series. While there are six main novels, there are actually eleven books total if you include the five novellas, which are told from different characters’ perspectives.
This series has an intense, dramatic, and sometimes emotional tone, with a cast of characters that all feel unique and memorable.
The story follows 17-year-old Juliette Ferrars, a girl whose touch is deadly. Because she can accidentally kill people with physical contact, she has spent much of her life isolated from society and feared by everyone around her.
The world of Shatter Me is controlled by a powerful government called The Reestablishment. When Juliette is suddenly taken from isolation, she becomes the target of Warner, a ruthless leader who wants to use her abilities as a weapon. At the same time, she reconnects with Adam Kent, a boy she knew from childhood, and begins discovering the truth about her powers, her identity, and her role in fighting back against the government.
I really enjoyed reading Shatter Me (especially since it had been sitting on my TBR for almost a year). Tahereh Mafi created a world that feels surprisingly believable, even though it’s dystopian. Some parts honestly felt a little too realistic.
One of my favorite things about this book was Juliette’s narration. Reading from her perspective made it easy to understand exactly how she was feeling. I could actually picture her emotions and reactions, which created a deep connection between me and the characters.
Because Juliette has been isolated for so long, she experiences much of the world almost as if it’s new. As she observes her surroundings, readers learn alongside her, making it easier to imagine the setting and understand the world.
The characters are another huge strength of this series. Everyone has their own personality, motivations, and flaws. Most of the characters are dynamic and change throughout the story, which made them feel realistic and interesting.
There were moments when the story felt repetitive, but I eventually realized that much of that repetition was intentional. It reflects Juliette’s mental state and helps develop her character.
Shatter Me is perfect for readers who enjoy dystopian fiction, science fiction, and romance. While romance plays a role in the story, it isn’t the main focus. The book also falls under the sci-fi genre because of the characters’ special abilities and the advanced technology used by The Reestablishment.
đ Recommended for ages 14+
This book contains:
- Violence (including shootings, injuries, mild torture, and starvation)
- Mild language and profanity
- Romantic and sexual references (most scenes fade to black)
- Dark themes such as imprisonment, isolation, abandonment, and self-harm
đ Similar authors:
- Lauren Roberts (Powerless)
- Emily Suvada (This Mortal Coil)
- Stephanie Garber (Caraval)
â Rating: 4/5 stars
I thought Shatter Me had an exciting setup, amazing characters, and a fascinating world. My only issue was that the first book felt more like the beginning of a much larger story than a complete story on its own. Because of how it ends, I definitely wouldn’t recommend reading it as a standalone.
Overall, I really enjoyed it because it was fast-paced, easy to read, and never felt too wordy. Plus, the chapters are short, which made it incredibly easy to keep turning pages.
Shatter Me series (after book one) by Tahereh Mafi:
