The Shatter Me series revolves around Juliette, a 17-year old that has never known human contact. Any person who comes into contact with her finds themselves getting their life sucked out by her. Thus landing her in an “asylum”. An asylum where she is left alone, no speaking, no touching, no other person. All before Adam Kent is thrown into her cell and her entire world is changed. Everything she has ever known is challenged. The only difference is she no longer needs to face it alone.
“All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.”
― Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me (Juliette)
Shatter Me
The first book in the Shatter Me series is Shatter Me, a fast-paced and easy to comprehend novel. Beginning with many words/sentences scratched out with a thin line. I interpreted this to be a symptom of Juliette’s anxiety. Juliette felt as if she couldn’t trust what she was thinking, and didn’t know if she could believe what she has been taught. As the number of crossed out lines decreases you can tell she’s learning to trust herself. She’s gaining confidence in her beliefs. I think it was a great way to open up a conversation on mental health from trauma victims. When Adam is introduced to the story I was unimpressed even though he was the only one that could touch her. He felt like another Tamlin, you’re only supposed to like him before you realize how terrible he is. Warner, on the other hand, was unlike any other villain I’ve ever read/seen. Who really stood out to me was Kenji. Without his constant support and easy going nature, Juliette would have never gained confidence. He was never scared of her. He honestly wanted to be her friend. All in all the first novel was a decent start. It never wowed me, but I did want to continue the series.
“Please—please get up—and lower your voice—”
“Hell no.”
“Why not?” I’m pleading now.
“Because if I lower my voice, I won’t be able to hear myself speak. And that,” he says, “is my favorite part.”
― Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me (Kenji)
Unravel Me
Unravel Me made me unbelievably happy. The crossed out words eventually disappeared (showing Juliette’s newfound trust in herself). It was finally obvious what a douche Adam was to Juliette, always wanting to save her from herself. He was the opposite of what she needed at that time. Shown by the fact that he felt he had to protect himself from her, which was letting him touch her in the first place. James and Kenji truly made the difference. They showed Juliette she was not to be feared. That she was strong, resilient, and independent. You could see her beginning to come out of her shell and make connections with people. The way the story began to unfold was similar to many dystopian novels but also very different. Rather than fall immediately for the “villain”, she got to know him. Juliette also wanted to take control. She wanted to be in charge, many main characters don’t want this. The support system she gained throughout the novel, as well as her newfound confidence truly changed my view on the series.
“You allow the world to think you’re a heartless murderer,” I tell him. “And you’re not.”
He laughs, once; his eyebrows lifting in surprise. “No,” he says. “I’m afraid I’m just the regular kind of murderer.”
― Tahereh Mafi, Ignite Me (Warner)
Ignite Me
Juliette has finally allowed herself to take control in the third Shatter Me book, Ignite Me. She allows herself to trust in her friends, to pick the man she actually loves, to help people, and then to control her deadly powers. Letting her touch anyone she pleases. It was Juliette who came up with the plan to take over the continent. It was her who killed the Supreme Commander. Juliette came alive in the third book. The whole series never focused on “fixing” her but more on how she didn’t need that. Like most trauma victims she needed a support system, and to trust herself again. I feel like this series has really addressed recovery. It was a beautiful journey. Plus I always shipped Warner and Juliette anyway. They’re a perfect fit.
The Shatter Me series was spectacular in addressing trauma recovery. It was also a story that although was a dystopian basis was a very different topic than what I have seen before. I thoroughly enjoyed the series so far and cannot wait to dive into Restore Me.