Shatter Me By Tahereh Mafi

Title: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Ships launched: 865

Pages: 352

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Dystopian, Pararomance 

Synopsis: 

    Juliette is seventeen years old hasn't spoken to or touched anyone in 264 days. Whenever she touches someone, they suffer and eventually die if she holds on long enough. She was imprisoned for murder by the Re-establishment, an organization who is dedicated to rebuilding the polluted, barren Earth on the surface. Food and animals are scarce, the sky is incredibly polluted, and diseases run rampant. No one knows why Juliette's touch is so harmful, but she is small compared to the larger problems of the world. Everything changes when after months and months of isolation; a boy is put into her cell with her. She has no idea what her jailers' angle is, but she is determined to keep to herself and keep him safe. He isn't what he appears to be and she has to choose whether she will be a weapon for someone else to wield or a self-sufficient warrior.

    Oh my God, I LOVED this book. After I finished reading it, I stared at my ceiling for five minutes in awe. Written in a beautiful prose, Shatter Me takes dystopian novels to a whole new, earth-shattering level. With an unparalleled protagonist whose immense power could decide life or death, the novel blew me out of the water with its overpowering story of a girl who cannot be touched. 

    The author's prose takes awhile to get used too, but if readers keep an open mind, they will surely enjoy the book. The novel is packed with action and keeps readers on their toes. Juliette is a tortured soul, isolated from the rest of the world and, longing to be a free bird. As she slowly evolves and realizes she is stronger than she thinks, she begins a passionate romance with Adam, the boy she once knew. Their relationship brings them to new heights as they fight to stay alive and together. 

The novel had another character that piqued my interest. Warner, the villain in the gripping novel made a lasting impact with his malevolence yet sometimes he seemed almost likable. Some people may not enjoy the book because of the author's prose but if readers try to get used too the unique writing style, they will love this book. That being said the novel was amazing, but some elements of the plot did not quite click and I felt like the dystopian world created was not fully explained. Overall, Shatter Me will shock you.