Book Review: Shatter Me 

By Tahereh Mafi 

5 Stars 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi is a dystopian novel that immediately pulls you from the very first page. The story starts off with Juliette Ferrars, a girl whose touch is considered deadly and cannot be controlled. Because of her power, she is forced to be locked and isolated for almost a year by the Reestablishment, which is a harsh government that has taken over the collapsed world that they are set in. Her life changes when she meets Adam Kent, someone from her past who remembers her. His arrival sets off a chain of events that pulls Juliette out of her cell and into the world.   

The Reestablishment's leader in her sector, Aaron Warner, wants to use Juliette as a weapon. He ultimately believes that her deadly touch can help him control the population. As Juliette is forced into this new environment, she gradually learns more about her abilities, the world outside her and the people who want to control her. Eventually, tension grows within the story when Adam, who is a character who seems to care about Juliette and Aaron, is obsessed with her abilities.  

One of the strongest elements of this book is the way to author's writing style. Tahereh Mafi uses a combination of crossed-out thoughts, poetic language and intense imagery to show Juliette's unstable mental state. This makes the story more emotional, giving it a style that stands out from other dystopian books. The world outside is dark and controlled by Reestablishment, however they focus mostly on Juliette's inner thoughts and her struggle to understand her growing power.   

The relationships portrayed within the book, especially Adam, Juliette and Aaron, add a lot of emotional depth within the story. Each of them brings different kind of energy into Juliette's life, and the way they interact with her questions who she really is and who she wants to be.   

Overall, Shatter Me is a quick, dramatic and emotional story. It mixes with dystopian action, romance, and personal struggle. This keeps the readers interested throughout the entire book, especially for those who enjoy reading about identity, power, and change. 

Reviewed by Fatima as part of the Teen Reviewer, opens a new window program.

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