Book review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (Published by HarperTeen, November 15, 2011)

Seventeen-year-old Juliette has been locked away because of a dangerous power she cannot control. When she touches people, she can hurt or even kill them. It seems like forever since she saw or spoke to another person. Meanwhile, the world outside falls apart even more from diseases, food shortages, and environmental changes. An organization called The Reestablishment has taken over with the promise to fix the world, but in reality they only want power.

After what feels like a lifetime alone, Juliette is finally given a companion, Adam. She and Adam were in school together and she always liked him, but hasn't seen him in a long time. Soon, their childhood friendship begins to turn into love. But The Reestablishment has decided it has plans for Juliette, plans that horrify and disgust her. Can Juliette find the strength to finally take control of her own life and fight back?

Shatter Me is a book that is very different from most young adult dystoptian novels, mainly due to the writing, which is really lovely and unique though it ocassionally goes a bit over the top with metaphors. The dystopian setting was a bit generic, but I don't think it took away from the story because it was there to be a background to Juliette's personal conflict. And I just *loved* the romance! I really liked how rather than there just being random love at first sight, Juliette and Adam had known each other as children and had just reunited as young adults. A lot of young adult paranormal romances annoy me because the guy acts like a jerk and the girl loves him anyway, so I really liked that Adam was so sweet, caring, and protective towards Juliette. This book is the first of a trilogy, but thankfully doesn't end with a cliffhanger. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read book two.

Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher.