Wednesday 28 March 2012

Booknut's HAB (Heroines with A Backbone) Choice for the Month:

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Rating: 5




“I spent my life folded between the pages of books. 


In the absence of human relationships I formed bonds with paper characters. 


I lived love and loss through stories threaded in history; I experienced adolescence by association. 


My world is one interwoven web of words, stringing limb to limb, bone to sinew, thoughts and images all together. 


I am a being comprised of letters, a character created by sentences, a figment of imagination formed through fiction.”  - Shatter Me


Quick Review:


A 17-year old lies awake in a dirty cramped cell, keeping count of the days. 264 of them...they blend and meld together in her head. Nothing seems real. She doesn't even feel alive. Locked up by the Reestablishment, she doesn't know whether to feel sorrowful or grateful - sorrowful that she's been basically left to rot in a cell, accused of murder and grateful because in her cell, she doesn't have to face the chaos that the world has become.


Her name is Juliette. Her touch is lethal. And she is alone.


Then one day the Reestablishment decides to use her 'gift' - they decide to use her to put an end to the chaos and war, even if it means breaking her strong will. They'll use anything - and anyone - to get to her. Juliette has to make the hardest decision ever. To be the weapon they want her to be, or to be the one who leads the oppressed to freedom. But can Juliette put her past and her past wrongdoings behind her in order to come to terms with herself and her abilities in time?


A thrilling Dystopian novel, Shatter Me presents readers with a strong independent heroine,  who is far from perfect but understands human value and that no one should have to live in fear of death, of the world they live in, of the people in charge, or, in fear of themselves.


My opinion: 


From the first page, I was hooked.


I loved this novel to bits - the characters were vivid, the wording woven with the utmost skill so as to paint a picture so clear the reader has no trouble immersing themselves in Juliette's world. When Juliette describes her state of mind in that cell, her thought process and her emotions become yours, so skilful is the narration. 


The characters: Adam, Juliette and Kenji are my faves! Kenji is especially gorgeous with his whole "I look better when I'm cleaned up" comment - which Juliette dismisses with a laugh. But then, when he cleans up, he's so cute!!! I love the characters, their sense of humour, their loyalty, their history and their demons plus how they strive to fight them.


The whole concept of Juliette's touch being lethal was amazing. It brings to mind the Genesis song "Invisible Touch" ("She seems to have an invisible touch...she takes control and slowly tears you apart")! It is cool and engaging how she battles to be normal despite her ability and how she doesn't let what she can do go to her head.


I like how the characters have flaws. It makes them alot more human and relatable. 


All in all I loved it! Definitely a must read for all you bookworms!



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