Book Review: Shatter Me

By Tahereh Mafi 

4 Stars 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi follows Juliette, a girl whose touch is deadly. Literally. She can’t touch anyone without harming them, and because of that, she’s been locked away for most of her life. When the story starts, she’s isolated, confused, and completely alone. But then things begin to change, and she gets pulled into a world where people either fear her, want to use her, or actually try to understand her. It’s clear that Juliette has to figure out who she can trust while also trying to understand her own power. The story mixes dystopia, romance, and mystery in a way that keeps you turning pages.  

What I liked most about this book is how emotional it feels. You really feel her fear, her loneliness, and eventually her strength. I also liked how the romance is built up slowly instead of rushing it. It makes the relationships feel more real.  

If I had to mention a downside, I’d say that I’m not a fan of the writing style because of the crossed-out lines, and LOTS of repetition, LONG comparisons of everything that is observed by Juliet, which shows how intense her thoughts are. The author writes in a very raw and expressive way, so you’re inside Juliette’s mind the whole time. Some people may feel uncomfortable from how close you feel to the main character, but that’s what makes the reading experience feel real. Through time, eventually you’ll get used to it; it actually adds to the story instead of taking away from it.  

It’s a really powerful and investing book, but I wouldn’t say it’s my top favourite. If you’re into stories full of twists, strong emotions and going deep into the characters’ thoughts, then this is the book for you! 

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

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