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Shatter Me #3
Ignite Me
With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.
408 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2014
12.3k people are currently reading
339k people want to read
About the author
Tahereh Mafi
63books63.5kfollowersTahereh Mafi is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Shatter Me series. She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California with her husband, fellow author Ransom Riggs. She can usually be found over-caffeinated and stuck in a book. Shatter Me is her first series, with television rights optioned by ABC Signature Studios; Furthermore, her first middle grade novel, is on shelves now, and Whichwood, its darker companion, will be on shelves November 14, 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62,588 reviews
February 5, 2014
Spoilers
I knew it. Ugh, what a ridiculous book. I think these YA romances are getting more and more unhealthy, creepy, unrealistic, and silly. The romance in this wasn't just cringey and fucked up, it was also cheesy, predictable, cliched, and nonsensical. The plot and the main characters weren't much better. Why did Juliette even have to end up with anyone? Why couldn't she have told both Adam and Warner to piss off and just enjoyed being a teenager with other interests who dated around before settling down. She didn't need to choose her life partner at age bloody seventeen.
Random, Repetitive, Ranty Thoughts:
-Juliette thinks Adam, Kenji and the rest of Omega Point were killed in the war against the Reesablishment/Anderson/evul government regime. Now she wants revenge not to mention sexy times with psycho Warner.
-There was hardly no action or plot, the majority of the book was spent on Juliette's whining, Warner being all emo, Juliette and Warner moaning about their pwecious feelings for each other, and Adam being a dick. The rest of Ignite Me consisted of Juliette and co coming up with a poorly thought out plan to kill evul leader Anderson and take over the Reestablishment with their x-men like powers. It was all so underwhelming and poorly executed.
-I'm not even Team Adam or Team Warner but the way Mafi twisted things and made 180 character changes so that Warner was the perfect love interest and Adam was the abusive, jealous, bitter psycho ex was beyond infuriating. I HATED Mafi's attempt at manipulating readers to hate one love interest and root for the other, it was insulting and plain lazy writing.
-I rolled my eyes at Warner's 'redemption' and at the attempt at making him seem more like a good guy than a bad guy. The whole thing was pathetic, some examples:
1. Juliette hated that Warner made her torture and possibly kill a toddler� It turned out the whole thing was just a simulation and nothing of the sort happened. And while Warner was enlightening Juliette of this he acted as if she was somehow magically meant to realise that the whole thing had been in her mind.
2. Juliette hated that he forced her to spend time with him and made her wear stupid dresses for him� Apparently, he only did that because he liked spending time with her and wanted her to feel happy.
3. Juliette hated that Warner kept her away from his soldiers and made her feel all alone� Duh, every single one of his soldiers were sex starved would be rapists. Silly Juliette, not realising that.
4. Juliette was disgusted by Warner killing one of his soldiers just because he stole some food� Aw, the poor baby only killed that soldier because he was an abusive wife beating douche.
5. Juliette wasn't happy that Warner read her journal and was generally a creepy monster� Well, Warner admitted that he was a selfish douche so naturally him admitting that made all his previous douchey, pervyness a-okay.
6. Juliette hated that he wanted to use her as a weapon� Well, it turned out he didn't, he was just pretending so he could study her and possibly find a way to save his mummy who had similar powers to Juliette.
-And on top of that Warner had a mean daddy and a sick mummy. So yea, he wasn't an evul, crazy, obsessed fucker at all he was a tortured hero who was doing his best to survive. Ugh.
-It was funny how hurt Warner was when Juliette thought he was an irredeemable wanker. What did he expect? Why would he think that Juliette would give him the benefit of the doubt after all he'd done? He hadn't done anything to earn her trust, loyalty, and friendship. And no, him helping her now and again meant nothing. He only did those things because he fancied her/was obsessed with her, not because he was a good person.
The whole thing was positively stupid, if Warner spent all his time acting like a freaky fuck then of course everyone would think he was a freaky fuck. How did Warner not get that?!
-Warner wasn't a psycho at all, he was just a poor, misunderstood, lonely boy who wanted to be loved. Yea, it was totally cool that he had Juliette imprisoned in his compound, mentally tortured her, watched her go nuts, and tried to force her to kill people. After all, it was all for her own good. Fucker.
-It was ridiculous that Warner got all pissed that Juliette thought badly of him. What did he expect when he acted like a controlling monster, made her believe she killed a toddler, and shot one of his soldiers in front of her?! Why did he get so outraged and righteous about Juliette's opinion of him?! How the hell was she to know that the toddler she thought she killed was just a simulation and that the man he killed was an abusive prick? How could she possibly know those things weren't as they seemed? After everything she witnessed and went through it was only natural that she'd think the worst of him. If he wanted her to think otherwise maybe he should have told her exactly what was what. He had no right to act all hurt and pissed at Juliette's opinion of him.
-I hated Adam's portrayal, I was never a fan of him to begin with but he was always depicted as a decent guy. In this though he turned into a grade A son-of-a-bitch-idiot-fucking-wanker-bitch. He was verbally, physically, and emotionally abusive towards Juliette all because she deigned to choose someone else over him. And he never once apologised for his disgusting behaviour, for some reason he thought he owned Juliette and thought he had a right to abuse her. He was awful.
The thing that annoyed me most was that the Adam in the first two books and the novellas was a good guy � he was calm, reasonable, considerate, and caring but in this he was a completely different person. The 180 change in his character was beyond ridiculous, I didn't buy it, there was no hint of Adam being a cruel, bitter, fucker in the rest of series so him suddenly being like that in this was nothing but manipulative shit just so he could look like the more rubbish love interest.
Why couldn't Adam stay as he was instead of being so threatening and abusive?? Why did his character have to be assassinated just so Warner could look good and he could look like a scumbag in comparison?! Why did the author have to resort to such contrived, lazy, pathetic, poorly written bullshit?! Why couldn't she trust readers to make up their own mind about Adam and Warner instead of spoon feeding us rubbish and trying to force us to feel a certain way?! Ugh, I'm so pissed.
-I rolled my eyes at Juliette banging on about how Warner understood her and how Adam never did. The only reason Warner supposedly knew Juliette better than Adam was because he used to perv on her in her cell, he could sense her emotions with his powers, and because he read her journal full of crazy thoughts. There was no real organic connection or understanding between Warner/Juliette.
-Why the hell did Juliette let Warner take her journal a second time?! It was private, but Warner took it anyway because he wanted to finish reading it and Juliette did nothing about it. WTF?! Why didn't she protest more? If someone stole and read a diary full of my thoughts I would flip the fuck out. Yea, I didn't buy Juliette being all passive and cool about Warner reading her inner most thoughts.
If Warner really loved and respected Juliette then he wouldn't have read her diary and personal ramblings. It was like he was studying her so he could groom her into falling for him. It was sick.
-This whole book was manipulative in how it twisted things to make Warner seem like a good guy and the perfect match for Juliette whilst making Adam come across as a douche who never understood Juliette. I didn't appreciate Warner/Juliette's supposed suitability being shoved in my face, if they were really right for each other then the author wouldn't have needed to bang on about how perfect they were together instead of letting us readers see for ourselves.
-The secondary characters were pretty good. Castle, James, Alia, Lila, and Kenji were all decent characters, I wanted to know more about them instead of reading about insufferable Juliette, Warner, and Adam.
-I didn't like how Juliette was constantly surrounded by guys, she had hardly had no female interactions. And the female secondary characters that were around her had very minor roles. They only spoke rarely and when they did it was just a few sentences here and there. Yea, not impressed.
-WTF was with Warner constantly calling Juliette love and dear, it made him sound like a cross between an old grandma and a pretentious git.
-Was it really necessary for Juliette to call Warner Aaron? It was cringey and dumb.
-Are you kidding me with Juliette ending up being the leader of everything?! She was a clueless, crazy, idiot who was more concerned about her love life than anything else no matter what she claimed. There's no way she could be a great leader, anyone would have been better than her.
-All in all, I LOATHE LOATHE LOATHED this. If the author had written Warner/Juliette as the HEA without resorting to sabotaging Adam's character I might have actually enjoyed it. Sadly, he was just a tool purely used for making Warner look amazing and yea, I'm not impressed with cop outs and lazy writing. I doubt I'll read any of Mafi's future books.
Review before reading:
Ugh, it's so obvious that Juliette will choose psycho Warner because he ignites her or some bullshit. I want Juliette to fuck both Adam and Warner, then dump them, and then shag her way through America. That would be awesomely beautiful.
I knew it. Ugh, what a ridiculous book. I think these YA romances are getting more and more unhealthy, creepy, unrealistic, and silly. The romance in this wasn't just cringey and fucked up, it was also cheesy, predictable, cliched, and nonsensical. The plot and the main characters weren't much better. Why did Juliette even have to end up with anyone? Why couldn't she have told both Adam and Warner to piss off and just enjoyed being a teenager with other interests who dated around before settling down. She didn't need to choose her life partner at age bloody seventeen.
Random, Repetitive, Ranty Thoughts:
-Juliette thinks Adam, Kenji and the rest of Omega Point were killed in the war against the Reesablishment/Anderson/evul government regime. Now she wants revenge not to mention sexy times with psycho Warner.
-There was hardly no action or plot, the majority of the book was spent on Juliette's whining, Warner being all emo, Juliette and Warner moaning about their pwecious feelings for each other, and Adam being a dick. The rest of Ignite Me consisted of Juliette and co coming up with a poorly thought out plan to kill evul leader Anderson and take over the Reestablishment with their x-men like powers. It was all so underwhelming and poorly executed.
-I'm not even Team Adam or Team Warner but the way Mafi twisted things and made 180 character changes so that Warner was the perfect love interest and Adam was the abusive, jealous, bitter psycho ex was beyond infuriating. I HATED Mafi's attempt at manipulating readers to hate one love interest and root for the other, it was insulting and plain lazy writing.
-I rolled my eyes at Warner's 'redemption' and at the attempt at making him seem more like a good guy than a bad guy. The whole thing was pathetic, some examples:
1. Juliette hated that Warner made her torture and possibly kill a toddler� It turned out the whole thing was just a simulation and nothing of the sort happened. And while Warner was enlightening Juliette of this he acted as if she was somehow magically meant to realise that the whole thing had been in her mind.
2. Juliette hated that he forced her to spend time with him and made her wear stupid dresses for him� Apparently, he only did that because he liked spending time with her and wanted her to feel happy.
3. Juliette hated that Warner kept her away from his soldiers and made her feel all alone� Duh, every single one of his soldiers were sex starved would be rapists. Silly Juliette, not realising that.
4. Juliette was disgusted by Warner killing one of his soldiers just because he stole some food� Aw, the poor baby only killed that soldier because he was an abusive wife beating douche.
5. Juliette wasn't happy that Warner read her journal and was generally a creepy monster� Well, Warner admitted that he was a selfish douche so naturally him admitting that made all his previous douchey, pervyness a-okay.
6. Juliette hated that he wanted to use her as a weapon� Well, it turned out he didn't, he was just pretending so he could study her and possibly find a way to save his mummy who had similar powers to Juliette.
-And on top of that Warner had a mean daddy and a sick mummy. So yea, he wasn't an evul, crazy, obsessed fucker at all he was a tortured hero who was doing his best to survive. Ugh.
-It was funny how hurt Warner was when Juliette thought he was an irredeemable wanker. What did he expect? Why would he think that Juliette would give him the benefit of the doubt after all he'd done? He hadn't done anything to earn her trust, loyalty, and friendship. And no, him helping her now and again meant nothing. He only did those things because he fancied her/was obsessed with her, not because he was a good person.
The whole thing was positively stupid, if Warner spent all his time acting like a freaky fuck then of course everyone would think he was a freaky fuck. How did Warner not get that?!
-Warner wasn't a psycho at all, he was just a poor, misunderstood, lonely boy who wanted to be loved. Yea, it was totally cool that he had Juliette imprisoned in his compound, mentally tortured her, watched her go nuts, and tried to force her to kill people. After all, it was all for her own good. Fucker.
-It was ridiculous that Warner got all pissed that Juliette thought badly of him. What did he expect when he acted like a controlling monster, made her believe she killed a toddler, and shot one of his soldiers in front of her?! Why did he get so outraged and righteous about Juliette's opinion of him?! How the hell was she to know that the toddler she thought she killed was just a simulation and that the man he killed was an abusive prick? How could she possibly know those things weren't as they seemed? After everything she witnessed and went through it was only natural that she'd think the worst of him. If he wanted her to think otherwise maybe he should have told her exactly what was what. He had no right to act all hurt and pissed at Juliette's opinion of him.
-I hated Adam's portrayal, I was never a fan of him to begin with but he was always depicted as a decent guy. In this though he turned into a grade A son-of-a-bitch-idiot-fucking-wanker-bitch. He was verbally, physically, and emotionally abusive towards Juliette all because she deigned to choose someone else over him. And he never once apologised for his disgusting behaviour, for some reason he thought he owned Juliette and thought he had a right to abuse her. He was awful.
The thing that annoyed me most was that the Adam in the first two books and the novellas was a good guy � he was calm, reasonable, considerate, and caring but in this he was a completely different person. The 180 change in his character was beyond ridiculous, I didn't buy it, there was no hint of Adam being a cruel, bitter, fucker in the rest of series so him suddenly being like that in this was nothing but manipulative shit just so he could look like the more rubbish love interest.
Why couldn't Adam stay as he was instead of being so threatening and abusive?? Why did his character have to be assassinated just so Warner could look good and he could look like a scumbag in comparison?! Why did the author have to resort to such contrived, lazy, pathetic, poorly written bullshit?! Why couldn't she trust readers to make up their own mind about Adam and Warner instead of spoon feeding us rubbish and trying to force us to feel a certain way?! Ugh, I'm so pissed.
-I rolled my eyes at Juliette banging on about how Warner understood her and how Adam never did. The only reason Warner supposedly knew Juliette better than Adam was because he used to perv on her in her cell, he could sense her emotions with his powers, and because he read her journal full of crazy thoughts. There was no real organic connection or understanding between Warner/Juliette.
-Why the hell did Juliette let Warner take her journal a second time?! It was private, but Warner took it anyway because he wanted to finish reading it and Juliette did nothing about it. WTF?! Why didn't she protest more? If someone stole and read a diary full of my thoughts I would flip the fuck out. Yea, I didn't buy Juliette being all passive and cool about Warner reading her inner most thoughts.
If Warner really loved and respected Juliette then he wouldn't have read her diary and personal ramblings. It was like he was studying her so he could groom her into falling for him. It was sick.
-This whole book was manipulative in how it twisted things to make Warner seem like a good guy and the perfect match for Juliette whilst making Adam come across as a douche who never understood Juliette. I didn't appreciate Warner/Juliette's supposed suitability being shoved in my face, if they were really right for each other then the author wouldn't have needed to bang on about how perfect they were together instead of letting us readers see for ourselves.
-The secondary characters were pretty good. Castle, James, Alia, Lila, and Kenji were all decent characters, I wanted to know more about them instead of reading about insufferable Juliette, Warner, and Adam.
-I didn't like how Juliette was constantly surrounded by guys, she had hardly had no female interactions. And the female secondary characters that were around her had very minor roles. They only spoke rarely and when they did it was just a few sentences here and there. Yea, not impressed.
-WTF was with Warner constantly calling Juliette love and dear, it made him sound like a cross between an old grandma and a pretentious git.
-Was it really necessary for Juliette to call Warner Aaron? It was cringey and dumb.
-Are you kidding me with Juliette ending up being the leader of everything?! She was a clueless, crazy, idiot who was more concerned about her love life than anything else no matter what she claimed. There's no way she could be a great leader, anyone would have been better than her.
-All in all, I LOATHE LOATHE LOATHED this. If the author had written Warner/Juliette as the HEA without resorting to sabotaging Adam's character I might have actually enjoyed it. Sadly, he was just a tool purely used for making Warner look amazing and yea, I'm not impressed with cop outs and lazy writing. I doubt I'll read any of Mafi's future books.
Review before reading:
Ugh, it's so obvious that Juliette will choose psycho Warner because he ignites her or some bullshit. I want Juliette to fuck both Adam and Warner, then dump them, and then shag her way through America. That would be awesomely beautiful.
December 8, 2023
� 5 stars
“the perfect book doesn’t exi-� WRONG the perfect book does exist and it’s this book RIGHT HERE
� i honestly can’t put into words how i felt while reading this bc i’m just overwhelmed with all these emotions rn, like it was a full on roller coaster. i’m going to need at least 5 business days to process this book.
okay, so hear me out, CHAPTER 55
� ܱٳٱ’s growth from the first book to now is PHENOMENAL. from being this shy timid girl to a whole girl boss who doesn’t take shit from anyone anymore, YOU LOVE TO SEE IT. i loved watching her gain more confidence and finally become her own person. she knows who she is and what she wants and is ready to take charge and rule the nation. she finally stands up for herself, more specifically to *cough* ewadam.
i was fully invested in her friendship with kenji—their banter is EVERYTHING, my fav comedic duo 🫶🏼
kenji is carrying this whole series on his mf back
� warner, *sighs dreamily* idk how it’s possible to love him more than i already do. i’m literally on my knees for him. pick me, choose me, love me. i would do anything for aaron warner!! he needs a dog? i can bark. he could run me over with his car and i would drop to my knees, kiss his hands and beg for his forgiveness.
kicking my legs n shit—sir i want YOU.
WHY ARE MY LEGS WIDE OPEN
� his name who shall not be spoken is a certified douche and i just kept hoping he would, excuse me, ✨drop dead� just when you thought his character could not get any worse, BAM he gets 100 times worse. this man is just big ball of possessive rage that needs to seek help. the urge to just punch him in the face.
as aaron warner says he is "some bland, utterly replaceable automaton."
no thoughts, head empty. just the pager scene. NOTHING WILL EVER TOP THIS SCENE. WHEN I TELL YOU I WAS LOSING MY MIND, NOW JUST IMAGINE IF WE GOT IT IN WARNER’S POV!!
“i want you to make a list of all of your favorite things, and i want to be on it.�
“the perfect book doesn’t exi-� WRONG the perfect book does exist and it’s this book RIGHT HERE
� i honestly can’t put into words how i felt while reading this bc i’m just overwhelmed with all these emotions rn, like it was a full on roller coaster. i’m going to need at least 5 business days to process this book.
okay, so hear me out, CHAPTER 55
� ܱٳٱ’s growth from the first book to now is PHENOMENAL. from being this shy timid girl to a whole girl boss who doesn’t take shit from anyone anymore, YOU LOVE TO SEE IT. i loved watching her gain more confidence and finally become her own person. she knows who she is and what she wants and is ready to take charge and rule the nation. she finally stands up for herself, more specifically to *cough* ew
i was fully invested in her friendship with kenji—their banter is EVERYTHING, my fav comedic duo 🫶🏼
kenji is carrying this whole series on his mf back
� warner, *sighs dreamily* idk how it’s possible to love him more than i already do. i’m literally on my knees for him. pick me, choose me, love me. i would do anything for aaron warner!! he needs a dog? i can bark. he could run me over with his car and i would drop to my knees, kiss his hands and beg for his forgiveness.
”you can have anything of mine you want. you can have all of it.�
kicking my legs n shit—sir i want YOU.
”lift your hips for me, love�
WHY ARE MY LEGS WIDE OPEN
� his name who shall not be spoken is a certified douche and i just kept hoping he would, excuse me, ✨drop dead� just when you thought his character could not get any worse, BAM he gets 100 times worse. this man is just big ball of possessive rage that needs to seek help. the urge to just punch him in the face.
as aaron warner says he is "some bland, utterly replaceable automaton."
no thoughts, head empty. just the pager scene. NOTHING WILL EVER TOP THIS SCENE. WHEN I TELL YOU I WAS LOSING MY MIND, NOW JUST IMAGINE IF WE GOT IT IN WARNER’S POV!!
February 22, 2014
Kinda disappointed. I wanted more.
However, Warner, Kenji, and Juliette's emotional maturity almost made up for the things that lacked.
About Warner:
Dear Kenji:
Hey, Juliette:
And Adam:
Edit after cover reveal:
WOWOWOWOWOWOW I can't believe our "Ignite Me" guess was right! Good job Shatter Me fandom.
Original:
Here's an interesting observation: I've noticed that the titles Shatter Me, Destroy Me, and Unravel Me are all referring to the manners of what Juliette does to Warner. In Destroy me Warner said: "That this girl would know exactly how to shatter me." Then he went on and said in Unravel Me: "You destroy me." In addition to that, Juliette, also in Unravel Me, related to the term when thinking about Warner: "I want to unravel him."
So....is it delusional to hope for the seemingly impossible?
However, Warner, Kenji, and Juliette's emotional maturity almost made up for the things that lacked.
About Warner:
Dear Kenji:
Hey, Juliette:
And Adam:
Edit after cover reveal:
WOWOWOWOWOWOW I can't believe our "Ignite Me" guess was right! Good job Shatter Me fandom.
Original:
Here's an interesting observation: I've noticed that the titles Shatter Me, Destroy Me, and Unravel Me are all referring to the manners of what Juliette does to Warner. In Destroy me Warner said: "That this girl would know exactly how to shatter me." Then he went on and said in Unravel Me: "You destroy me." In addition to that, Juliette, also in Unravel Me, related to the term when thinking about Warner: "I want to unravel him."
So....is it delusional to hope for the seemingly impossible?
January 28, 2022
“lift your hips up for me, love� 🤰🏽🤰🏽🤰🏽
that’s it. that’s the review.
that’s it. that’s the review.
November 8, 2022
in conclusion, warner can choke me or whatever
October 31, 2022
the perfect man doesn’t exis- oh hey aaron
July 12, 2023
you give me sexy, damaged man, i give you 5 stars.
August 21, 2023
Sooo much happened at the end! Starting the next book asap
June 15, 2017
This book this book this book was just so PERFECT.
OH GOD, it was everything I wanted and more! It has been a really LONG time since a book left me so happy and warm inside. I'm floating. And I flew through the pages of this book, I finished it in just one day and I couldn't stop. I couldn't get enough.
GOD, Warner. Warner was so beautiful in this book. Every single word he spoke was beautiful and REALLY, every time he was in the pages of this book I was grinning like an idiot, because that is the effect Aaron Warner Anderson has in me. I'm totally in love with this beautiful broken boy. I love the way he always believed in Juliette and how much he loved her and MY HEART IS IN PAIN BECAUSE THE FEELS. We learn so much about Warner in this book and I can't thank Tahereh Mafi enough for that. And for writing such an awesome, badass, interesting and beautiful character. Warner have just made it to the TOP 3 of my book boyfriends, and I have to tell you, is really hard to earn a spot there (yeah I know I'm crazy).
I also really loved the whole development in Juliette's character. She was so PROACTIVE and FEARLESS in this book and I was so so so thrilled for her! I liked this Juliette a lot. She didn't frustrate me at all and I am genuinely happy for all she has achieved :')...
And ah... I highlighted half of the sentences in this book. Tahereh Mafi's writting never ceases to leave completely BREATHLESS. And Kenji, I loved him in this book, too...
Why can't I have more of this trilogy? I want an epilogue and I just want more Warner please.
OH GOD I'm so in love with this book.
OH GOD, it was everything I wanted and more! It has been a really LONG time since a book left me so happy and warm inside. I'm floating. And I flew through the pages of this book, I finished it in just one day and I couldn't stop. I couldn't get enough.
GOD, Warner. Warner was so beautiful in this book. Every single word he spoke was beautiful and REALLY, every time he was in the pages of this book I was grinning like an idiot, because that is the effect Aaron Warner Anderson has in me. I'm totally in love with this beautiful broken boy. I love the way he always believed in Juliette and how much he loved her and MY HEART IS IN PAIN BECAUSE THE FEELS. We learn so much about Warner in this book and I can't thank Tahereh Mafi enough for that. And for writing such an awesome, badass, interesting and beautiful character. Warner have just made it to the TOP 3 of my book boyfriends, and I have to tell you, is really hard to earn a spot there (yeah I know I'm crazy).
I also really loved the whole development in Juliette's character. She was so PROACTIVE and FEARLESS in this book and I was so so so thrilled for her! I liked this Juliette a lot. She didn't frustrate me at all and I am genuinely happy for all she has achieved :')...
And ah... I highlighted half of the sentences in this book. Tahereh Mafi's writting never ceases to leave completely BREATHLESS. And Kenji, I loved him in this book, too...
Why can't I have more of this trilogy? I want an epilogue and I just want more Warner please.
OH GOD I'm so in love with this book.
April 2, 2015
After reading this book, I have one thousand and one thoughts running inside, trying to escape out of my head. And I think it took a while before I processed everything that I have just absorbed. And they were plenty. So many. As a forewarn though Ignite Me was different from what I expected it to be but in some ways all the same. I’m still reeling everything in to be quite honest. But here I go; I’m going to spill my guts right about now:
The Shatter Me series is for me not really a dystopia novel per se. It’s not about the world they were living in but it’s about this girl, namely Juliette, and her personal journey. And that’s why I wasn’t completely surprised when it ended when things normally should be just starting. In a way it feels like it was halted in the middle of the story but I liked how the author ended where things were about to begin. I think it was clever way to end a story making readers think while leaving glimmer of hope for the characters we all fell in love. Although I think that that build-up was stretched-out and it fast-forwarded the last events. In fact, despite the all too many disclosures there were still questions that were left unanswered. Yes, I would have wanted more but then I realized that it’s not about Anderson and the war. The story always led me back to Juliette. It’s not about the result but it was how she got there.
I really loved reading Juliette’s journey; from this timid little girl who only had pen and paper as an emotional outlet to being this brave girl leading a rebellion. And while I do like how strong and confident she was now, I can’t help but still doubt on how fast she transformed to this new persona of hers. I also do think that she isn’t capable of leading. At least not yet as she’s still didn’t feel whole to me. She isn’t ready, that responsibility is too big for her, even for the new Juliette.
Here’s a revelation that shocked me: I cannot hate Adam. I just can’t. From all of the people in there the only person who I find the most transparent and vulnerable was Adam. No, I don’t condemn his actions towards Juliette. But really, can you blame him? He was just speaking his mind. He had his emotions on his sleeves; his reaction to Juliette’s changes was acceptable as it was real. I can’t fault him; the guy had a bruised ego and a broken heart. And those made me see him more. In fact, I actually came to like him now as opposed to the two novels. He was so raw in here, so exposed, that I get to glimpse the real Adam amidst this big brouhaha between him, Juliette and Warner.
Is that my cue to tackle my most favorite part of this book? I think I have said everything I need to say in this . I might tweak it up a bit later on but basically I sort of hit right on the mark. So I don’t think I need to add more. But in the first two books we’ve seen him too closed, expression clipped and emotions contained. But reading about Warner’s vulnerability and struggles were still shocking. So it was delightful to see him, well, happy. I must say the intimate scenes between Warner and Juliette shared were scorching hot. I think I came to a sensory overload. But basically my ship is sailing pretty far to dreamland. I completely and totally satisfied. (You should see my huge grin after those hot scenes. I will never look at a boardroom table the same way ever again. And these honeysuckle soaps, where can I buy them?)
Ah, Kenji. This man is just so awesome beyond words. I couldn’t even count how many times he cracked me up but surprise, surprise when he admitted that he too was broken as everyone else. It also tires him to be this jokester, masking the pain behind his jokes. But I really, really loved his platonic relationship with Juliette. They interact so animatedly, whether they sharing moments on the rooftop or teasing Juliette’s when she kept on ogling Warner while he bench-pressed. It’s not even Warner or Adam who had been there on her mission—it was Kenji. Oh Kenji, you also had me.
I’m bit sad that one of my favorite series had come to an end. It’s always bittersweet to me. Only a few books that got me this overly excited, and definitely this is one of them. I’m still too hang up and I probably will take a while before I completely get these emotions out of my system. I don’t think I will ever be.
***
Plug: My little project called
Pre-Reading Comment #3: (10/17/2013)
“That this girl would know exactly how to shatter me� � Warner (Destroy Me)
Ԩdz destroy me.� � Warner (Unravel Me)
“I want to believe in the boy with a tortured childhood and an abusive father. I want to understand him. I want to unravel him.� � Juliette (Unravel Me)
And there’s Warner’s tattoo: IGNITE
NOW GO FORTH AND FANGIRL!
Pre-Reading Comment #3: (08/08/2013)
Oh sweet baby pandas & all the cute kinds!!! We have a title & cover people: IGNITE ME!!! IGNITE ME!!! So many feels. I'm drowning in joy!!! The title has Warner's name written all over and under!!!
Pre-Reading Comment #2: (06/28/2013)
I just saw the teaser summary of Untitled Me (well, still no title�)
This indicates that:
1. More Warner scenes.
2. More time together: more Warner + Juliette interactions.
3. More Warner.
I’m solid Team Warner. And I approved this plot!
PS. To anyone who doubt if Warner loves Juliette, Ms. Mafi even wrote it in my copy:
*winks*
Pre-Reading Comment #1:
This is going to be a long wait. And Ms. Mafi I'm holding you on these promises:
TEAM 62 (Warner) FOREVER!!!
The Shatter Me series is for me not really a dystopia novel per se. It’s not about the world they were living in but it’s about this girl, namely Juliette, and her personal journey. And that’s why I wasn’t completely surprised when it ended when things normally should be just starting. In a way it feels like it was halted in the middle of the story but I liked how the author ended where things were about to begin. I think it was clever way to end a story making readers think while leaving glimmer of hope for the characters we all fell in love. Although I think that that build-up was stretched-out and it fast-forwarded the last events. In fact, despite the all too many disclosures there were still questions that were left unanswered. Yes, I would have wanted more but then I realized that it’s not about Anderson and the war. The story always led me back to Juliette. It’s not about the result but it was how she got there.
I really loved reading Juliette’s journey; from this timid little girl who only had pen and paper as an emotional outlet to being this brave girl leading a rebellion. And while I do like how strong and confident she was now, I can’t help but still doubt on how fast she transformed to this new persona of hers. I also do think that she isn’t capable of leading. At least not yet as she’s still didn’t feel whole to me. She isn’t ready, that responsibility is too big for her, even for the new Juliette.
Here’s a revelation that shocked me: I cannot hate Adam. I just can’t. From all of the people in there the only person who I find the most transparent and vulnerable was Adam. No, I don’t condemn his actions towards Juliette. But really, can you blame him? He was just speaking his mind. He had his emotions on his sleeves; his reaction to Juliette’s changes was acceptable as it was real. I can’t fault him; the guy had a bruised ego and a broken heart. And those made me see him more. In fact, I actually came to like him now as opposed to the two novels. He was so raw in here, so exposed, that I get to glimpse the real Adam amidst this big brouhaha between him, Juliette and Warner.
Is that my cue to tackle my most favorite part of this book? I think I have said everything I need to say in this . I might tweak it up a bit later on but basically I sort of hit right on the mark. So I don’t think I need to add more. But in the first two books we’ve seen him too closed, expression clipped and emotions contained. But reading about Warner’s vulnerability and struggles were still shocking. So it was delightful to see him, well, happy. I must say the intimate scenes between Warner and Juliette shared were scorching hot. I think I came to a sensory overload. But basically my ship is sailing pretty far to dreamland. I completely and totally satisfied. (You should see my huge grin after those hot scenes. I will never look at a boardroom table the same way ever again. And these honeysuckle soaps, where can I buy them?)
Ah, Kenji. This man is just so awesome beyond words. I couldn’t even count how many times he cracked me up but surprise, surprise when he admitted that he too was broken as everyone else. It also tires him to be this jokester, masking the pain behind his jokes. But I really, really loved his platonic relationship with Juliette. They interact so animatedly, whether they sharing moments on the rooftop or teasing Juliette’s when she kept on ogling Warner while he bench-pressed. It’s not even Warner or Adam who had been there on her mission—it was Kenji. Oh Kenji, you also had me.
I’m bit sad that one of my favorite series had come to an end. It’s always bittersweet to me. Only a few books that got me this overly excited, and definitely this is one of them. I’m still too hang up and I probably will take a while before I completely get these emotions out of my system. I don’t think I will ever be.
***
Plug: My little project called
Pre-Reading Comment #3: (10/17/2013)
“That this girl would know exactly how to shatter me� � Warner (Destroy Me)
Ԩdz destroy me.� � Warner (Unravel Me)
“I want to believe in the boy with a tortured childhood and an abusive father. I want to understand him. I want to unravel him.� � Juliette (Unravel Me)
And there’s Warner’s tattoo: IGNITE
NOW GO FORTH AND FANGIRL!
Pre-Reading Comment #3: (08/08/2013)
Oh sweet baby pandas & all the cute kinds!!! We have a title & cover people: IGNITE ME!!! IGNITE ME!!! So many feels. I'm drowning in joy!!! The title has Warner's name written all over and under!!!
Pre-Reading Comment #2: (06/28/2013)
I just saw the teaser summary of Untitled Me (well, still no title�)
Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she’ll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew�about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam—was wrong.
This indicates that:
1. More Warner scenes.
2. More time together: more Warner + Juliette interactions.
3. More Warner.
I’m solid Team Warner. And I approved this plot!
PS. To anyone who doubt if Warner loves Juliette, Ms. Mafi even wrote it in my copy:
*winks*
Pre-Reading Comment #1:
This is going to be a long wait. And Ms. Mafi I'm holding you on these promises:
TEAM 62 (Warner) FOREVER!!!
May 27, 2022
Reread: I just realized I never wrote a review on goodreads for this book so here we are:
5/5 stars this book is my comfort read.
Juliette is one of my favorite female mc because of her character development and the way she never gave up and continued to grow and grow and become a stronger person. When you compare Juliette from book one to in this book, you can see a massive change in not only the way she talks and thinks about herself but also because of how she is respected by other people.
I relate to a lot of Juliette’s thoughts in book one so I guess she is a very personal character to me and seeing her grow makes my heart warm every single time.
Warner is obviously my book boyfriend and I feel like that already says enough but here we go. I really didn’t like Aaron in book one, not the first time nor any other time I have reread it because coming from Juliette’s perspective, he was a horrible person.
Now he has always has a lot of respect for Juliette and yet again in this book it just shows how much Aaron really cares for her.
The way he starts expressing his feelings towards her make me emotional and honestly jealous because I want someone to talk about me like that.
The chemistry between the two also finally explodes in this book and I mean it’s definitely there.
You can tell that they are a match made in heaven.
Both keep pushing each other to be better:
Aaron keeps pushing Juliette to be comfortable in her skin and understand that her power doesn’t make her something evil or something that everyone should hate and
Juliette keeps pushing Aaron to be a better person not just to her which works (kinda).
You can just tell that their relationship has respect in it and lots of learning and growing together.
Kenji is obviously my platonic soulmate so I can’t forget about him. He brings everything to the table okay:
He is a loyal friend that will stand up for you in any situation and is your partner in crime. He’s funny and loving and even if he doesn’t have any love life advise he sure does have lots of advice for how you can grow as a character and jump over your shadow.
We get a lot more depth for Kenji in this book and find out more about his past and his relationship with everyone else like Castle and Brandon.
Him and Juliette have such a great friendship and I find that they have the perfect balance of a teasing and fun but also caring and loyal friendship.
We get a lot of other characters that make the entire group grow and we are at the beginning of the forming of a found family trope which is my favorite thing of all times.
Now writing wise I do live Tahereh and I still to this day love the crossing out technique she used in her first book and just because she made Juliette a character that I really really like.
Plot wise we are getting quite a lot of actions but also ✨drama� on love island which we all know is super fun. This book has a lot of tension and the story is written at a good pace and the set up for book four is there. Yet again I think the book had enough tension and enough serious moments to make me never feel bored at all and yes there us a slight love triangle in here but as you will find out pretty quickly, you can’t really choose Adam.
Now about Adam. Honestly biggest change in character ever but somehow it all fits together and makes sense especially in correlation to their chemistry.
That’s all that’s my take on my comfort book and yeah BEST LOVE CONFESSION ON THIS PLANET IN HERE LIKE WOW AARON KNOWS HIS WAY WITH WORDS
Had to reread yet again
5/5 stars this book is my comfort read.
Juliette is one of my favorite female mc because of her character development and the way she never gave up and continued to grow and grow and become a stronger person. When you compare Juliette from book one to in this book, you can see a massive change in not only the way she talks and thinks about herself but also because of how she is respected by other people.
I relate to a lot of Juliette’s thoughts in book one so I guess she is a very personal character to me and seeing her grow makes my heart warm every single time.
Warner is obviously my book boyfriend and I feel like that already says enough but here we go. I really didn’t like Aaron in book one, not the first time nor any other time I have reread it because coming from Juliette’s perspective, he was a horrible person.
Now he has always has a lot of respect for Juliette and yet again in this book it just shows how much Aaron really cares for her.
The way he starts expressing his feelings towards her make me emotional and honestly jealous because I want someone to talk about me like that.
The chemistry between the two also finally explodes in this book and I mean it’s definitely there.
You can tell that they are a match made in heaven.
Both keep pushing each other to be better:
Aaron keeps pushing Juliette to be comfortable in her skin and understand that her power doesn’t make her something evil or something that everyone should hate and
Juliette keeps pushing Aaron to be a better person not just to her which works (kinda).
You can just tell that their relationship has respect in it and lots of learning and growing together.
Kenji is obviously my platonic soulmate so I can’t forget about him. He brings everything to the table okay:
He is a loyal friend that will stand up for you in any situation and is your partner in crime. He’s funny and loving and even if he doesn’t have any love life advise he sure does have lots of advice for how you can grow as a character and jump over your shadow.
We get a lot more depth for Kenji in this book and find out more about his past and his relationship with everyone else like Castle and Brandon.
Him and Juliette have such a great friendship and I find that they have the perfect balance of a teasing and fun but also caring and loyal friendship.
We get a lot of other characters that make the entire group grow and we are at the beginning of the forming of a found family trope which is my favorite thing of all times.
Now writing wise I do live Tahereh and I still to this day love the crossing out technique she used in her first book and just because she made Juliette a character that I really really like.
Plot wise we are getting quite a lot of actions but also ✨drama� on love island which we all know is super fun. This book has a lot of tension and the story is written at a good pace and the set up for book four is there. Yet again I think the book had enough tension and enough serious moments to make me never feel bored at all and yes there us a slight love triangle in here but as you will find out pretty quickly, you can’t really choose Adam.
Now about Adam. Honestly biggest change in character ever but somehow it all fits together and makes sense especially in correlation to their chemistry.
That’s all that’s my take on my comfort book and yeah BEST LOVE CONFESSION ON THIS PLANET IN HERE LIKE WOW AARON KNOWS HIS WAY WITH WORDS
Had to reread yet again
November 26, 2022
Kenji carried this series. Everyone else sucks. 0.5 stars.
February 8, 2024
4.5 stars�
Ahhh this was close to perfection. I loved it so much but the ending kind of messed it up for me.
I absolutely adored the relationships and character dynamics in this one. Juliette has gained some confidence and is slowly turning into a badass. Aaron, my love, is perfect. I love how much he loves Juliette. That pager scene will have me swooning for days. In fact, he will have me swooning for days. I liked Kenji the second best. He was absolutely hilarious and straightforward. The man had me laughing so loud and I always admire men who are able to do that. Adam is an idiot. See, he is a jerk but if I look at things from his pov, his hurt makes sense. What doesn't make sense is his reactions to that pain, I can't justify it. Going through something painful doesn't mean you start to take that pain and frustration out on others.
Aaron and Juliette are so perfect together. He cares for her so much and it shows. I liked how Juliette stood up for him a number of times and was there for him throughout. These two compliment each other so brilliantly.
I would have rated it five stars but I was kind of disappointed by that ending. It was underwhelming as the whole book, Juliette was training and the group was planning but the actual action was just for a few short chapters. I wanted more action and less talk. The stakes were high and yet it was all over that easy and quick??
Anyway, am gonna be continuing for my love Aaron 😍
•~•~
So excited for this, have heard all good things. But mostly here for more
for more
for more
Aaron Warner.
Ahhh this was close to perfection. I loved it so much but the ending kind of messed it up for me.
I absolutely adored the relationships and character dynamics in this one. Juliette has gained some confidence and is slowly turning into a badass. Aaron, my love, is perfect. I love how much he loves Juliette. That pager scene will have me swooning for days. In fact, he will have me swooning for days. I liked Kenji the second best. He was absolutely hilarious and straightforward. The man had me laughing so loud and I always admire men who are able to do that. Adam is an idiot. See, he is a jerk but if I look at things from his pov, his hurt makes sense. What doesn't make sense is his reactions to that pain, I can't justify it. Going through something painful doesn't mean you start to take that pain and frustration out on others.
Aaron and Juliette are so perfect together. He cares for her so much and it shows. I liked how Juliette stood up for him a number of times and was there for him throughout. These two compliment each other so brilliantly.
I would have rated it five stars but I was kind of disappointed by that ending. It was underwhelming as the whole book, Juliette was training and the group was planning but the actual action was just for a few short chapters. I wanted more action and less talk. The stakes were high and yet it was all over that easy and quick??
Anyway, am gonna be continuing for my love Aaron 😍
•~•~
So excited for this, have heard all good things. But mostly here for more
for more
for more
Aaron Warner.
July 7, 2018
what in the wattpad hell did i just fcking read
this is a CALL OUT to everyone that loves these books. because i know what you are. you're just horny. because there was um no plot to this book and it astonishes me that this was published.
this lovely book picks up right where the last one left off. jewel is with wingnut jr. and she is continuing to fall for him. what a surprise. she decides she wants to see if any of her pals are alive (since we didn't get to see the fcking battle that was built up to in book 2) after the battle. wow they're alive what a fcking shocker. everyone kumbayas except for adumb duh, because let's demonize the cast off love interest. and of course everyone else sees the light, joins forces with gem stone & wise cracker, and they all defeat evil together.
i seriously made that plot sound workable. it wasn't. but that wasn't even my biggest issue with the book.
i was annoyed af with the love interest situation. as i've said many times, triangles are my favorite shape. but ms. mafi had to ruin that for me. in all fcking aspects.
--------------------------------
first we have wakadoodle "hell's empty and the devil is in my pants" warner. besides his problematic past i was willing to open myself up to loving him. we like a redeemable main character but he turned out to be not so likable. let me count the ways and regale you with some quotes:
- he gas lights the FUCK out of jeweltone and makes himself someone to feel sorry for, ex:
"because i do not have the luxury of philosophizing over scruples when i'm forced to act on basic instinct every day"
"don't ask me questions you already know the answers to. twice i've laid myself bare for you and all it's gotten me was a bullet wound a broken heart"
- he stole her journal that she wrote in at a vulnerable time in her life and quoted it back to her. she didn't like this:
"you think you know me just because you've read my journal- you stupid, prying, privacy-stealing asshole"
in short: regardless of whether he ate mad pussy near the end of this book, he's kind of a fucking psychopath. i don't care if his murders were justified. he is emotionally damaged from his upbringing and needs some seriously therapy before he enters into any sort of relationship. oh yeah and stop stalking women, thank you.
--------------------------------
then we have the lovely adam:
i'll keep this short. but turning adam into an asshole was probably the cheapest move on the part of this author. it would have been so much more satisfying for adam to idk tragically fall on a knife, or accept that jellyjam has a new man or just be really sad idk. but to make him hateable was such a cop out. how an author handles the choice at the end of a love triangle really says a lot about their writing. and making adam into some incel asshole was just cheap. unsurprising, but cheap.
BUT CHANDLER YOU GAVE THIS TRASH 2 STARS WHAT GIVES?????
1. gem of ice actually grew as a character. she stopped sniveling, i didn't see any crossed out words, it was a nice change of pace. that alone really made it bearable to read. i think she was out there wilin a little bit with her "i'm the savior of this dictatorship" but whatever. the plot was trash, i knew it, but at least she was trying to do something about it.
2. the blue balls did evaporate and we did get some fucking. which was necessary given the lead up.
in summary: this was not enjoyable to me. the best part was when juliet was drawn a bath. if you want to read about people fucking go read some smut/romance/chick lit because at least that has a plot.
**
loins on fire; a buddy read with sabrien & kayla
this is a CALL OUT to everyone that loves these books. because i know what you are. you're just horny. because there was um no plot to this book and it astonishes me that this was published.
this lovely book picks up right where the last one left off. jewel is with wingnut jr. and she is continuing to fall for him. what a surprise. she decides she wants to see if any of her pals are alive (since we didn't get to see the fcking battle that was built up to in book 2) after the battle. wow they're alive what a fcking shocker. everyone kumbayas except for adumb duh, because let's demonize the cast off love interest. and of course everyone else sees the light, joins forces with gem stone & wise cracker, and they all defeat evil together.
i seriously made that plot sound workable. it wasn't. but that wasn't even my biggest issue with the book.
i was annoyed af with the love interest situation. as i've said many times, triangles are my favorite shape. but ms. mafi had to ruin that for me. in all fcking aspects.
--------------------------------
first we have wakadoodle "hell's empty and the devil is in my pants" warner. besides his problematic past i was willing to open myself up to loving him. we like a redeemable main character but he turned out to be not so likable. let me count the ways and regale you with some quotes:
- he gas lights the FUCK out of jeweltone and makes himself someone to feel sorry for, ex:
"because i do not have the luxury of philosophizing over scruples when i'm forced to act on basic instinct every day"
"don't ask me questions you already know the answers to. twice i've laid myself bare for you and all it's gotten me was a bullet wound a broken heart"
- he stole her journal that she wrote in at a vulnerable time in her life and quoted it back to her. she didn't like this:
"you think you know me just because you've read my journal- you stupid, prying, privacy-stealing asshole"
in short: regardless of whether he ate mad pussy near the end of this book, he's kind of a fucking psychopath. i don't care if his murders were justified. he is emotionally damaged from his upbringing and needs some seriously therapy before he enters into any sort of relationship. oh yeah and stop stalking women, thank you.
--------------------------------
then we have the lovely adam:
i'll keep this short. but turning adam into an asshole was probably the cheapest move on the part of this author. it would have been so much more satisfying for adam to idk tragically fall on a knife, or accept that jellyjam has a new man or just be really sad idk. but to make him hateable was such a cop out. how an author handles the choice at the end of a love triangle really says a lot about their writing. and making adam into some incel asshole was just cheap. unsurprising, but cheap.
BUT CHANDLER YOU GAVE THIS TRASH 2 STARS WHAT GIVES?????
1. gem of ice actually grew as a character. she stopped sniveling, i didn't see any crossed out words, it was a nice change of pace. that alone really made it bearable to read. i think she was out there wilin a little bit with her "i'm the savior of this dictatorship" but whatever. the plot was trash, i knew it, but at least she was trying to do something about it.
2. the blue balls did evaporate and we did get some fucking. which was necessary given the lead up.
in summary: this was not enjoyable to me. the best part was when juliet was drawn a bath. if you want to read about people fucking go read some smut/romance/chick lit because at least that has a plot.
**
loins on fire; a buddy read with sabrien & kayla
February 2, 2018
”Words, I think, are such unpredictable creatures.
No gun, no sword, no army or king will ever be more powerful than a sentence. Swords may cut and kill, but words will stab and stay, burying themselves in our bones to become corpses we carry into the future, all the time digging and failing to rip their skeletons from our flesh.�
Do you still remember my review of “Unravel me�?
Yes?!
Okay! Then let me tell you something:
“Ignite me� was so much better than the last book!!!!
I don’t know how Tahereh Mafi did it but she killed me!!!! I died about a thousand deaths while I read this book and I have absolutely no clue how I even survived to read this!!! Gosh, that book left me reeling and laughing and gasping and crying and swooning and drooling and I had absolutely no idea what to do with all those feels!!!
I bit my nails, I was desperate, I was hopeful, I wanted to smash the book against a wall - which would have been pretty bad because I read it on my e-reader and I’m quite certain it wouldn’t have survived this special kind of treatment *lol* - I wanted to shake some of the characters, wanted to yell at them, I wanted to laugh with them, I wanted to punch some sense into their heads. (Yeah, Adam it’s you I’m talking about!!!) And most of all I really, really wanted them to be happy and fine!!!
So yeah, I think you get the idea! ;-)
It was an emotional rollercoaster and I actually loved every second of it! *lol*
That said I guess I can finally jump to the actual review! I hope you manage to read until the end. If not: You’ve been brave and I don’t blame you! ;-P
The plot:
"My eyes are filling fast with tears and I blink and blink but the world is a mess and I want to laugh because all I can think is how horrible and beautiful it is, that our eyes blur the truth when we can’t bear to see it."
The book basically starts where “Unravel me� left off. Juliette has been saved by Warner and was brought back to base while she was unconscious. In the first chapter we learn that Omega Point has been destroyed completely and that Warner had no other choice than to smuggle Juliette into his private quarters. Of course our heroine is not happy about the bad new and wants to find out what truly happened and if anyone is still alive. So yeah our golden boy and our lethal girl decide to take a trip to the place where Omega Point used to be and it’s actually there, where the plot thickens and everything gains momentum! ;-) Since I don’t want to spoil you I decided to leave it at that, I’m pretty certain that most of you have already read the entire trilogy though.
So for everyone who’s already read the books and for everyone who doesn’t want to be spoiled:
The character’s section is going to be full, I repeat, full of spoilers!!! So beware my fellow readers! Ye be warned!!! ;-P *lol*
The characters:
Juliette: I loved how self-confident and strong Juliette has become. She’s finally capable of forming her own opinions and she doesn’t take � forgive me my crude choice of words � shit anymore! *lol* The old Juliette would have cowered and accepted the way Adam treated her, the new Juliette kicked ass!!! Quite literally as well! XD I was so proud of her! She finally had the courage to stand up for herself and her beliefs and she didn’t only make her own decisions but also made sure to follow through with them! It was amazing to watch her transformation and I was so glad she finally found herself!!! There was only one thing I didn’t like about her and that was how she let Warner suffer! How dare you Juliette! How dare you to break his wonderful and gentle heart!!!! I mean jeez I know you had to think things through, but seriously!!!! It’s WARNER we’re talking about!!!! That awesome hot guy who’s crazy and madly in love with you!!!! XD Open your freakin eyes!!! *lol* Okay, okay enough of the rant, everything is fine! ;-)
”Or,� I say to him, “I leave, find your father, kill him, and deal with the consequences on my own.�
Warner fights a smile and fails.
He glances down and laughs just a little before looking me right in the eye. He shakes his head.
“What’s so funny?�
“My dear girl.�
“W?�
“I have been waiting for this moment for a long time now.�
"I can’t be that girl anymore.
For so many years I lived in constant terror of myself. Doubt had married my fear and moved into my mind, where it built castles and ruled kingdoms and reigned over me, bowing my will to its whispers until I was little more than an acquiescing peon, too terrified to disobey, too terrified to disagree.
I had been shackled, a prisoner in my own mind.�
”I remember it so well.� I hesitate. “Dying. It was the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced. I couldn’t scream because my lungs were torn apart or full of blood. I don’t know. I just had to lie there, trying to breathe, hoping to drop dead as quickly as possible. And the whole time,� I say, “the whole time I kept thinking about how I’d spent my entire life being a coward, and how it got me nowhere. And I knew that if I had the chance to do it all again, I’d do it differently. I promised myself I’d finally stop being afraid.�
”This isn’t about Adam or Warner,� I tell him. “This is about me and what I want. This is about me finally understanding where I want to be in ten years. Because I’m going to be alive, Kenji. I will be alive in ten years, and I’m going to be happy. I’m going to be strong. And I don’t need anyone to tell me that anymore. I am enough, and I always will be.�
Adam: Well, I think I’ve to take that back. Nothing is fine when it comes to Adam. Adam� that name� I just have to think about him and I become aggressive. Oh man, I seriously have issues with that boy!!! I already wanted to slap some sense into him while I read “Unravel me�, reading about his character in “Ignite me� I was actually tempted to punch him in the face! Gosh!! That stupid, stupid, stubborn, selfish, obnoxious and incorrigible jerk!!! And that’s actually me putting it more than just mildly! I hate him, I loathe him, I want to scratch him with my fingernails! How dare he to be so egoistic and mean!? When I read chapter 27 I was so angry I wanted to slap him in his stupid pretty face!!! Saying that he was happier when he thought Juliette was dead?!!?? I mean seriously!!??? WHAT THE FREAKIN HELL!??!!! Don’t you have any decency?! And then he even has the nerve to throw her out and to keep his relation to Warner a secret? *grrrrrr* I could go on and on about how much I despise him now, but I think I’ll just leave it at that. ADAM is dead to me and the fact he decided to get to know Warner in the end still doesn’t change anything about my opinion! What a stupid fool!!!
”It’s not charity,� I snap. “He cares about me � and I care about him!�
Warner nods, unimpressed. Ԩdz should get a dog, love. I hear they share much the same qualities.�
What do you know about being alive?� he demands. Ԩdz wouldn’t say a word when I first found you. You were afraid of your own shadow. You were so consumed by your grief and guilt that you’d gone almost completely insane � living so far inside your own head that you had no idea what happened to the world while you were gone.�
You don’t even know what you’re saying,� Kenji tells him. Ԩdz’re acting crazy � �
“I was happier,� Adam says, “when I thought she was dead.�
Ԩdz don’t mean that. Don’t say things like that, man. Once you say that kind of shit you can’t take it back –�
“Oh, I mean it,� Adam says. “I really, really mean it.� He finally looks at me. Fists clenched. “Thinking you were dead,� he says to me, “was so much better. It hurt so much less than this.�
“And right now, I can’t say I know what Adam would do if I were dying in front of him. I’m not sure if he would save my life. And that uncertainty alone makes me certain that something wasn’t right between us. Something wasn’t real.
Maybe we both fell in love with the illusion of something more.�
Warner:
He’s standing at the front door, hands shoved casually in his pockets, no fewer than six different guns pointed at his face.�
Oh Warner� *sighs dreamily* With every book I read I loved that boy more and more! He still is awesomeness on two legs and if possible he got even more awesome throughout the book. Gosh, how much I love him!!! I’m Warner trash, I want to have his babies, he’s the perfect man and he’s easily become my no.1 book boyfriend. (Well, truth be told Will and he seem to share that place now. *LOL*) We finally saw more of his vulnerable side and I loved E.V.E.R.Y single S.E.C.O.N.D of it!!! I loved how he came to Juliette rescue when Adam and her had that argument back at Adam’s house and I was so heartbroken when he tried to hide his scars in chapter 32. And good god, I swear when I read chapter 50 it broke my heart into tiny little pieces. I was crying so hard I was even forced to take a break. That chapter literally killed me! I was so overwhelmed by my emotions I could barely breathe. My heart ached so much� that poor lost boy, to read that chapter was pure torture and just to remember it is actually enough to cause me to weep again. *sniff* Warner suffered and hurt so much throughout the entire book and all I wanted to do was to cradle him and to take his pain away. No one deserves to be so miserable and alone and I really hated Adam for hiding his and James’s true identity. If I’m entirely honest I also kind of hated Juliette for being so indecisive and when they finally hit it off I was so happy I grinned the entire time. =))))))
I’ve said it before, love, and I’m sorry I have to say it again, but you do not understand the choices I have to make. You don’t know what I’ve seen and what I’m forced to witness every single day.� He hesitates. “And I wouldn’t want you to. But do not presume to understand my actions,� he says, finally meeting my eyes. “Because if you do, I can assure you you’ll only be met with disappointment. And if you insist on continuing to make assumptions about my character, I’ll advise you only this: assume you will always be wrong.�
“He wasn’t trying to patronize me.
He was enjoying himself.
Aaron Warner Anderson, chief commander and regent of Sector 45, son of the supreme commander of The Reestablishment.
He has a soft spot for fashion.�
”I have no one to impress,� he says. “No one who cares about what happens to me. I’m not in the business of making friends, love. My job is to lead an army, and it’s the only thing I’m good at. No one,� he says, “would be proud of the things I’ve accomplished. My mother doesn’t even know me anymore. My father thinks I’m weak and pathetic. My soldiers want me dead. The world is going to hell. And the conversations I have with you are the longest I’ve ever had.�
Warner takes a hard, shaky breath. “Then what did you say to him?�
Seven seconds die between us.
“Nothing,� I whisper.
Warner stills.
I don’t breathe.
No one speaks for what feels like forever.
“Of course,� Warner finally says. He looks pale, unsteady. Ԩdz said nothing. Of course.�
”The bed is empty.
Warner has collapsed in the corner.
He’s curled into himself, knees pulled up to his chest, arms wrapped around his legs, his head buried in his arms. And he’s shaking.
Tremors are rocking his entire body.
I’ve never, ever seen him look like a child before. Never, not once, not in all the time I’ve known him. But right now, he looks just like a little boy. Scared. Vulnerable. All alone.�
”It’s the only way I know how to exist,� he says. “In a world where there is so much to grieve and so little good to take? I grieve nothing. I take everything.�
I stare into his eyes for what feels like forever.
He leans into my ear. Lowers his voice. “Ignite, my love. Ignite.�
Kenji: I think that boy is the most complex side character I ever had the pleasure to come across. *lol* He’s funny and serious at the same time and he cares so deeply for his friends that it’s sometimes even kind of painful to watch. I loved how he cared about Juliette and how he tried his best to support her. It was pretty obvious that he didn’t agree with her opinion about Warner, yet he still accepted her decision and tried everything possible in order to understand her motives. I really wish there would be more Kenji’s out in the world and I truly hope that Kenji finds true love in the next book. Do you hear me, Mafi? I want Kenji to have a girlfriend in “Restore me�!!! He deserves it, he sooo does!!! XD If you haven’t written a girlfriend for him already, you still got plenty of time to change this!!! ;-) So yeah, do it!!!!! Oh and by the way: That’s an order and no request!!! *LOL*
Ԩdz’re not bothered by all the heavy breathing going on over here?� He makes a haphazard gesture towards us.
I jump away from Adam reflexively.
“No,� James says, crossing his arms. “Are you?�
“Disgust was my general reaction, yeah.�
“I bet you wouldn’t think it was gross if it was you.�
A long pause.
Ԩdz make a good point,� Kenji finally says. “Maybe you should find me a lady in this crappy sector. I’m okay with anyone between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five.� He points at James. “So how about you get on that, thanks.�
“Good for you. I’ll buy you a balloon the minute the world stops shitting on itself.�
“Thank you,� I say, pleased. Ԩdz’re a good teacher.�
“I’m good at everything,� he points out.
“Humble, too.�
“And really good looking.�
I choke on a laugh.
“It just gets really heavy sometimes.� He looks away. “Too heavy. Even for me. And some days I don’t want to laugh,� he says. “I don’t want to be funny. I don’t want to give a shit about anything. Some days I just want to sit on my ass and cry. All day long.� His hands stop moving against the mats. “Is that crazy?� he asks quietly, still not meeting my gaze.
”Who’s Bruce Lee?�
“Who’s Bruce Lee?� Kenji asks, horrified. “Oh my God. We can’t even be friends anymore.�
“Why? Was he a friend of yours?�
Ԩdz know what,� he says, “just stop. Just � I can’t even talk to you right now.�
James: Oh that little boy was just so adorable and I had to laugh so hard whenever he spoke with Warner! Those two brothers had such an awesome chemistry and I loved how open and unprejudiced James was! Unlike Adam he actually saw the good in Warner and I just loved him for it! XD
Warner studies Jame’s face with rapt fascination. He bends down on one knee, meets James at eye level. “And who are you?� he asks.
Everyone in the room is silent, watching.
”Why do you call her ‘love�?� James asks. “I’ve heard you say that before, too. A lot. Are you in love with her? I think Adam’s in love with her. Kenji’s not in love with her, though. I already asked him.�
Warner blinks at him.
“Well?� James asks.
“Well what?�
“Are you in love with her?�
“Are you in love with her?�
“W?� James blushes. “No. She’s like a million years older than me.�
“Would anyone like to take over this conversation?� Warner asks, looking around in the group.
”So, wait � then you’re not the bad guy,� James says all of a sudden. Ԩdz’re on our side, right?�
Warner turns slowly to meet James’s eyes. Says nothing.
“Well?� James asks, impatient. “Aren’t you on our side?�
Warner blinks. Twice. “So it seems,� he says, looking as though he can hardly believe he’s saying it.
Anderson: Thank god he was finally shot and didn’t even get a proper chance to say anything! I swear everything that man ever said revolted me immensely and I’m just glad that it’s over and that no word is ever going to escape his lips again. XD
”And shoot him in the forehead.
Twice.
Once for Adam.
Once for Warner.�
So yeah, I loved the entire book and if there is one thing I didn’t like than it’s just the fact that the trilogy is over and that the ending was too fast. I would have liked to see more of the aftermath and I kind of hoped for some sort of epilogue, but considering the fact that Tahereh Mafi is going to write three other books I don’t feel the urge to complain! *lol*
All told, I highly recommend the “Shatter me� trilogy and if you haven’t read it already you definitely should!!!! ;-)
And last but not least: This was a buddy read with the awesome Megha and I was sooo damn glad I was able to talk about all those feels!!! Thanks a lot! You rock!!! XD
”You know,� he whispers, his lips at my ear, “the whole world will be coming for us now.�
I lean back. Look into his eyes.
“I can’t wait to watch them try.�
No gun, no sword, no army or king will ever be more powerful than a sentence. Swords may cut and kill, but words will stab and stay, burying themselves in our bones to become corpses we carry into the future, all the time digging and failing to rip their skeletons from our flesh.�
Do you still remember my review of “Unravel me�?
Yes?!
Okay! Then let me tell you something:
“Ignite me� was so much better than the last book!!!!
I don’t know how Tahereh Mafi did it but she killed me!!!! I died about a thousand deaths while I read this book and I have absolutely no clue how I even survived to read this!!! Gosh, that book left me reeling and laughing and gasping and crying and swooning and drooling and I had absolutely no idea what to do with all those feels!!!
I bit my nails, I was desperate, I was hopeful, I wanted to smash the book against a wall - which would have been pretty bad because I read it on my e-reader and I’m quite certain it wouldn’t have survived this special kind of treatment *lol* - I wanted to shake some of the characters, wanted to yell at them, I wanted to laugh with them, I wanted to punch some sense into their heads. (Yeah, Adam it’s you I’m talking about!!!) And most of all I really, really wanted them to be happy and fine!!!
So yeah, I think you get the idea! ;-)
It was an emotional rollercoaster and I actually loved every second of it! *lol*
That said I guess I can finally jump to the actual review! I hope you manage to read until the end. If not: You’ve been brave and I don’t blame you! ;-P
The plot:
"My eyes are filling fast with tears and I blink and blink but the world is a mess and I want to laugh because all I can think is how horrible and beautiful it is, that our eyes blur the truth when we can’t bear to see it."
The book basically starts where “Unravel me� left off. Juliette has been saved by Warner and was brought back to base while she was unconscious. In the first chapter we learn that Omega Point has been destroyed completely and that Warner had no other choice than to smuggle Juliette into his private quarters. Of course our heroine is not happy about the bad new and wants to find out what truly happened and if anyone is still alive. So yeah our golden boy and our lethal girl decide to take a trip to the place where Omega Point used to be and it’s actually there, where the plot thickens and everything gains momentum! ;-) Since I don’t want to spoil you I decided to leave it at that, I’m pretty certain that most of you have already read the entire trilogy though.
So for everyone who’s already read the books and for everyone who doesn’t want to be spoiled:
The character’s section is going to be full, I repeat, full of spoilers!!! So beware my fellow readers! Ye be warned!!! ;-P *lol*
The characters:
Juliette: I loved how self-confident and strong Juliette has become. She’s finally capable of forming her own opinions and she doesn’t take � forgive me my crude choice of words � shit anymore! *lol* The old Juliette would have cowered and accepted the way Adam treated her, the new Juliette kicked ass!!! Quite literally as well! XD I was so proud of her! She finally had the courage to stand up for herself and her beliefs and she didn’t only make her own decisions but also made sure to follow through with them! It was amazing to watch her transformation and I was so glad she finally found herself!!! There was only one thing I didn’t like about her and that was how she let Warner suffer! How dare you Juliette! How dare you to break his wonderful and gentle heart!!!! I mean jeez I know you had to think things through, but seriously!!!! It’s WARNER we’re talking about!!!! That awesome hot guy who’s crazy and madly in love with you!!!! XD Open your freakin eyes!!! *lol* Okay, okay enough of the rant, everything is fine! ;-)
”Or,� I say to him, “I leave, find your father, kill him, and deal with the consequences on my own.�
Warner fights a smile and fails.
He glances down and laughs just a little before looking me right in the eye. He shakes his head.
“What’s so funny?�
“My dear girl.�
“W?�
“I have been waiting for this moment for a long time now.�
"I can’t be that girl anymore.
For so many years I lived in constant terror of myself. Doubt had married my fear and moved into my mind, where it built castles and ruled kingdoms and reigned over me, bowing my will to its whispers until I was little more than an acquiescing peon, too terrified to disobey, too terrified to disagree.
I had been shackled, a prisoner in my own mind.�
”I remember it so well.� I hesitate. “Dying. It was the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced. I couldn’t scream because my lungs were torn apart or full of blood. I don’t know. I just had to lie there, trying to breathe, hoping to drop dead as quickly as possible. And the whole time,� I say, “the whole time I kept thinking about how I’d spent my entire life being a coward, and how it got me nowhere. And I knew that if I had the chance to do it all again, I’d do it differently. I promised myself I’d finally stop being afraid.�
”This isn’t about Adam or Warner,� I tell him. “This is about me and what I want. This is about me finally understanding where I want to be in ten years. Because I’m going to be alive, Kenji. I will be alive in ten years, and I’m going to be happy. I’m going to be strong. And I don’t need anyone to tell me that anymore. I am enough, and I always will be.�
Adam: Well, I think I’ve to take that back. Nothing is fine when it comes to Adam. Adam� that name� I just have to think about him and I become aggressive. Oh man, I seriously have issues with that boy!!! I already wanted to slap some sense into him while I read “Unravel me�, reading about his character in “Ignite me� I was actually tempted to punch him in the face! Gosh!! That stupid, stupid, stubborn, selfish, obnoxious and incorrigible jerk!!! And that’s actually me putting it more than just mildly! I hate him, I loathe him, I want to scratch him with my fingernails! How dare he to be so egoistic and mean!? When I read chapter 27 I was so angry I wanted to slap him in his stupid pretty face!!! Saying that he was happier when he thought Juliette was dead?!!?? I mean seriously!!??? WHAT THE FREAKIN HELL!??!!! Don’t you have any decency?! And then he even has the nerve to throw her out and to keep his relation to Warner a secret? *grrrrrr* I could go on and on about how much I despise him now, but I think I’ll just leave it at that. ADAM is dead to me and the fact he decided to get to know Warner in the end still doesn’t change anything about my opinion! What a stupid fool!!!
”It’s not charity,� I snap. “He cares about me � and I care about him!�
Warner nods, unimpressed. Ԩdz should get a dog, love. I hear they share much the same qualities.�
What do you know about being alive?� he demands. Ԩdz wouldn’t say a word when I first found you. You were afraid of your own shadow. You were so consumed by your grief and guilt that you’d gone almost completely insane � living so far inside your own head that you had no idea what happened to the world while you were gone.�
You don’t even know what you’re saying,� Kenji tells him. Ԩdz’re acting crazy � �
“I was happier,� Adam says, “when I thought she was dead.�
Ԩdz don’t mean that. Don’t say things like that, man. Once you say that kind of shit you can’t take it back –�
“Oh, I mean it,� Adam says. “I really, really mean it.� He finally looks at me. Fists clenched. “Thinking you were dead,� he says to me, “was so much better. It hurt so much less than this.�
“And right now, I can’t say I know what Adam would do if I were dying in front of him. I’m not sure if he would save my life. And that uncertainty alone makes me certain that something wasn’t right between us. Something wasn’t real.
Maybe we both fell in love with the illusion of something more.�
Warner:
He’s standing at the front door, hands shoved casually in his pockets, no fewer than six different guns pointed at his face.�
Oh Warner� *sighs dreamily* With every book I read I loved that boy more and more! He still is awesomeness on two legs and if possible he got even more awesome throughout the book. Gosh, how much I love him!!! I’m Warner trash, I want to have his babies, he’s the perfect man and he’s easily become my no.1 book boyfriend. (Well, truth be told Will and he seem to share that place now. *LOL*) We finally saw more of his vulnerable side and I loved E.V.E.R.Y single S.E.C.O.N.D of it!!! I loved how he came to Juliette rescue when Adam and her had that argument back at Adam’s house and I was so heartbroken when he tried to hide his scars in chapter 32. And good god, I swear when I read chapter 50 it broke my heart into tiny little pieces. I was crying so hard I was even forced to take a break. That chapter literally killed me! I was so overwhelmed by my emotions I could barely breathe. My heart ached so much� that poor lost boy, to read that chapter was pure torture and just to remember it is actually enough to cause me to weep again. *sniff* Warner suffered and hurt so much throughout the entire book and all I wanted to do was to cradle him and to take his pain away. No one deserves to be so miserable and alone and I really hated Adam for hiding his and James’s true identity. If I’m entirely honest I also kind of hated Juliette for being so indecisive and when they finally hit it off I was so happy I grinned the entire time. =))))))
I’ve said it before, love, and I’m sorry I have to say it again, but you do not understand the choices I have to make. You don’t know what I’ve seen and what I’m forced to witness every single day.� He hesitates. “And I wouldn’t want you to. But do not presume to understand my actions,� he says, finally meeting my eyes. “Because if you do, I can assure you you’ll only be met with disappointment. And if you insist on continuing to make assumptions about my character, I’ll advise you only this: assume you will always be wrong.�
“He wasn’t trying to patronize me.
He was enjoying himself.
Aaron Warner Anderson, chief commander and regent of Sector 45, son of the supreme commander of The Reestablishment.
He has a soft spot for fashion.�
”I have no one to impress,� he says. “No one who cares about what happens to me. I’m not in the business of making friends, love. My job is to lead an army, and it’s the only thing I’m good at. No one,� he says, “would be proud of the things I’ve accomplished. My mother doesn’t even know me anymore. My father thinks I’m weak and pathetic. My soldiers want me dead. The world is going to hell. And the conversations I have with you are the longest I’ve ever had.�
Warner takes a hard, shaky breath. “Then what did you say to him?�
Seven seconds die between us.
“Nothing,� I whisper.
Warner stills.
I don’t breathe.
No one speaks for what feels like forever.
“Of course,� Warner finally says. He looks pale, unsteady. Ԩdz said nothing. Of course.�
”The bed is empty.
Warner has collapsed in the corner.
He’s curled into himself, knees pulled up to his chest, arms wrapped around his legs, his head buried in his arms. And he’s shaking.
Tremors are rocking his entire body.
I’ve never, ever seen him look like a child before. Never, not once, not in all the time I’ve known him. But right now, he looks just like a little boy. Scared. Vulnerable. All alone.�
”It’s the only way I know how to exist,� he says. “In a world where there is so much to grieve and so little good to take? I grieve nothing. I take everything.�
I stare into his eyes for what feels like forever.
He leans into my ear. Lowers his voice. “Ignite, my love. Ignite.�
Kenji: I think that boy is the most complex side character I ever had the pleasure to come across. *lol* He’s funny and serious at the same time and he cares so deeply for his friends that it’s sometimes even kind of painful to watch. I loved how he cared about Juliette and how he tried his best to support her. It was pretty obvious that he didn’t agree with her opinion about Warner, yet he still accepted her decision and tried everything possible in order to understand her motives. I really wish there would be more Kenji’s out in the world and I truly hope that Kenji finds true love in the next book. Do you hear me, Mafi? I want Kenji to have a girlfriend in “Restore me�!!! He deserves it, he sooo does!!! XD If you haven’t written a girlfriend for him already, you still got plenty of time to change this!!! ;-) So yeah, do it!!!!! Oh and by the way: That’s an order and no request!!! *LOL*
Ԩdz’re not bothered by all the heavy breathing going on over here?� He makes a haphazard gesture towards us.
I jump away from Adam reflexively.
“No,� James says, crossing his arms. “Are you?�
“Disgust was my general reaction, yeah.�
“I bet you wouldn’t think it was gross if it was you.�
A long pause.
Ԩdz make a good point,� Kenji finally says. “Maybe you should find me a lady in this crappy sector. I’m okay with anyone between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five.� He points at James. “So how about you get on that, thanks.�
“Good for you. I’ll buy you a balloon the minute the world stops shitting on itself.�
“Thank you,� I say, pleased. Ԩdz’re a good teacher.�
“I’m good at everything,� he points out.
“Humble, too.�
“And really good looking.�
I choke on a laugh.
“It just gets really heavy sometimes.� He looks away. “Too heavy. Even for me. And some days I don’t want to laugh,� he says. “I don’t want to be funny. I don’t want to give a shit about anything. Some days I just want to sit on my ass and cry. All day long.� His hands stop moving against the mats. “Is that crazy?� he asks quietly, still not meeting my gaze.
”Who’s Bruce Lee?�
“Who’s Bruce Lee?� Kenji asks, horrified. “Oh my God. We can’t even be friends anymore.�
“Why? Was he a friend of yours?�
Ԩdz know what,� he says, “just stop. Just � I can’t even talk to you right now.�
James: Oh that little boy was just so adorable and I had to laugh so hard whenever he spoke with Warner! Those two brothers had such an awesome chemistry and I loved how open and unprejudiced James was! Unlike Adam he actually saw the good in Warner and I just loved him for it! XD
Warner studies Jame’s face with rapt fascination. He bends down on one knee, meets James at eye level. “And who are you?� he asks.
Everyone in the room is silent, watching.
”Why do you call her ‘love�?� James asks. “I’ve heard you say that before, too. A lot. Are you in love with her? I think Adam’s in love with her. Kenji’s not in love with her, though. I already asked him.�
Warner blinks at him.
“Well?� James asks.
“Well what?�
“Are you in love with her?�
“Are you in love with her?�
“W?� James blushes. “No. She’s like a million years older than me.�
“Would anyone like to take over this conversation?� Warner asks, looking around in the group.
”So, wait � then you’re not the bad guy,� James says all of a sudden. Ԩdz’re on our side, right?�
Warner turns slowly to meet James’s eyes. Says nothing.
“Well?� James asks, impatient. “Aren’t you on our side?�
Warner blinks. Twice. “So it seems,� he says, looking as though he can hardly believe he’s saying it.
Anderson: Thank god he was finally shot and didn’t even get a proper chance to say anything! I swear everything that man ever said revolted me immensely and I’m just glad that it’s over and that no word is ever going to escape his lips again. XD
”And shoot him in the forehead.
Twice.
Once for Adam.
Once for Warner.�
So yeah, I loved the entire book and if there is one thing I didn’t like than it’s just the fact that the trilogy is over and that the ending was too fast. I would have liked to see more of the aftermath and I kind of hoped for some sort of epilogue, but considering the fact that Tahereh Mafi is going to write three other books I don’t feel the urge to complain! *lol*
All told, I highly recommend the “Shatter me� trilogy and if you haven’t read it already you definitely should!!!! ;-)
And last but not least: This was a buddy read with the awesome Megha and I was sooo damn glad I was able to talk about all those feels!!! Thanks a lot! You rock!!! XD
”You know,� he whispers, his lips at my ear, “the whole world will be coming for us now.�
I lean back. Look into his eyes.
“I can’t wait to watch them try.�
November 18, 2018
My reviews of the rest of the series:
#1 Shatter Me
#1.5 "Destroy Me"
2. Unravel Me
#2.5 "Fracture Me"
#3 Ignite Me
#4 Restore Me
O.M.G.
I can't even.
I've lost the ability to can.
This book didn't go anywhere that I thought it would, but wow, did I like it! I haven't felt this emotionally attached to characters or a story since I read Clockwork Princess. I devoured this book in a day, and now I don't know what to feel because the series is over.
I don't want to say too much, for fear of spoiling something. But if you want to know what I'm feeling, proceed with caution:
Basically, all the mad love to Tahereh Mafi.
This is an epic conclusion.
All I have left for this review is:
#1 Shatter Me
#1.5 "Destroy Me"
2. Unravel Me
#2.5 "Fracture Me"
#3 Ignite Me
#4 Restore Me
O.M.G.
I can't even.
I've lost the ability to can.
This book didn't go anywhere that I thought it would, but wow, did I like it! I haven't felt this emotionally attached to characters or a story since I read Clockwork Princess. I devoured this book in a day, and now I don't know what to feel because the series is over.
I don't want to say too much, for fear of spoiling something. But if you want to know what I'm feeling, proceed with caution:
Basically, all the mad love to Tahereh Mafi.
This is an epic conclusion.
All I have left for this review is:
May 3, 2020
I swear Juliette has developed so much as a character, it is inspiring to see what a marvelous person she has become. Simply beautiful.
April 17, 2023
did i sacrifice my precious sleep to read this book in one sitting? absolutely.
was it worth it? yes, yes it was.
was it worth it? yes, yes it was.
August 31, 2024
Aaron Warner is so fine.
Read
June 16, 2023REREADING 🥹💗
March 4, 2018
VIEW MY REVIEW:
March 2018
What can I say. This is my favorite book of all time. Nothing brings me more strength than chapter thirty-nine. Nothing brings me more peace than chapter fifty-eight. I will never get over how every single chapter feels like a roller coaster. I will never not have to put this book down to catch my breath, to cry, to bring myself back to the real world. I've written enough essays about how much this series means to me so i'll stop being emo, but Juliette's growth and her resilience in this book is awe-inspiring. And so incredibly relevant and inspiring to my own mental health. When I annotated this book last September, I attacked the pages with blue highlighter to mark my favorite quotes from Juliette about staying strong, and there's one that makes me cry every time I read the book:
I've been here before, I tell myself. I've been lonelier than this, more hopeless than this, more desperate than this. I've been here before and I survived. I can get through this.
Last semester when I had a relapse of my anxiety that was so debilitating I nearly dropped out of school, I would tell this quote to myself. Rereading it after recovering from that point in my life just slammed into me because I'm so grateful for it. I'm going to cry again right now as I'm typing this just remembering how much this book touches the deepest corners of my heart and speaks so true to my own fears and the way my anxiety influences my life. I know Juliette's not real, but if she were, I would want to hug her and never let go. I want to hug this book and never let go.
I truly want to sob every time I remember this isn't the last book in the series anymore. There's 2 days left until Restore Me comes out and I'm so terrified but so, so thrilled. This series has healed me enough to last for a lifetime; I can't wait to see where we go from here.
September 2017
YES I already read this book once this year buT THEN RESTORE ME WAS ANNOUNCED AND DYLAN SENT ME A COPY TO ANNOTATE SO LET ME LIVE!!!!
So 50% of me reading this book was me being like "omg restore me prediction omg easter egg i didn't notice before omg new theory omg restore me foreshadowing," and the other 50% was me roasting warner and how much i still hate the ending of this book. a lot of people accuse me for putting shatter me on a pedestal but i wish i could mail this copy to anyone who says so because half of my annotations in the first half of this book are like "warner can fuck off instead of trying to get her to be in love with him" and "i hate when he does stuff like this." the boy is problematic, but what can i say.
I think this reread really just solidified how much I fucking love this book for Juliette's character growth. I had an entire highlighter color to highlight the quotes and scenes in which Juliette was particularly badass, and there were entire sections that I think are really undiscussed in the fandom that Juliette really shines through on her own. She has an entire conversation with Kenji about, "It's not about Adam or Warner, it's about me and finding my own strength," and I think it's one of the most important parts of the series and an absolute turning point. It makes me want to cry every time I reread the scene that she talks about, "I was locked up in an asylum for 264 days because I made myself a prisoner to my own thoughts and suffering, but I never even contemplated that my own strength could have broken me out of there with my bare hands." It's so sad, but so revolutionary for Juliette's character development. The way that she unendingly fights for her friends and her world, as well as how she is ALWAYS nice and considerate to people no matter the circumstance, is always really inspiring to me. She's such a good person even when she doesn't need to be, and her empathy and compassion is really something I envy.
I really won't be able to stand her suffering in Restore Me because she is such a precious child of mine that I want to protect.
And since this is the fifth time I've reread this and I think you understand the depths of my feelings for it already, I'll go. But EEEEEEEEPPP RESTORE ME
April 2017
This is the first time that I've read this and finished it, clutching it to my chest, thinking, "this book is flawless. there are zero issues. every action has a meticulously cultivated intention behind it. every single one of these characters deserves love and happiness. (except for adam, he can choke.)
when i reread unravel me i was scared that i was losing my passion for this series because it really didn't make me as emotional as it used to but i legit cried during this reread at least 10 times so i guess i just wasn't feelin unravel me at that moment because i was feelin this every goddamn second.
(i also hate rereading these because it makes me realize that half the fanfictions i have written are super out of character and i have so much wrong info that i forgot about. but oh well.)
March 2015
2nd reread (idk why i didn't re-review this after i reread it the first time)
what can i even say. it gets better every time i reread it, every time i notice new small details. (did you know delalieu has a mustache??????)
i can still point out its flaws and i still am really frustrated with the ending but at this point, i know this book so well that i can see it like it's a freakin movie. it's insane. i love juliette so so so so so so so so so so so so so much, holy shiitake mushrooms. okay. i don't know how to pull myself out of this slump coming on. jeez.
January 2014
I'm filming a review but it will not be up until a couple days after the release date
but guys, prepare yourselves.
anything feelings you had about anything are probably gonna do a 180.
August 2013
I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IGNITE ME AND THE EYELASHES WOULD BE FLAMES
BUT THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER
even though i hate the color orange BUT THAT'S OKAY OH MY GODS THIS IS MORE THAN FANTASTIC
BUT
warner. why would she. warner. shes just making it seem like. warner.
i don't like this. i do like it but i dont like it
ja feel?
June 2013
WE HAVE A DESCRIPTION ADFHJASKHFLASJDHFLSDIAHFKIDUSHAFLIDAH
okay but you can totally tell that she and warner are gonna be together a lot, so it becomes clear that all the questions she's answered about there being a lot of intimate scenes proves it'll all be with warner unless adam becomes a third wheel which might suck even more.
BUT I NEEEEED THIS BOOK :(
April 2013
I haven't read Unravel Me yet but i'm already excited about this one. Don't judge me.
March 2018
What can I say. This is my favorite book of all time. Nothing brings me more strength than chapter thirty-nine. Nothing brings me more peace than chapter fifty-eight. I will never get over how every single chapter feels like a roller coaster. I will never not have to put this book down to catch my breath, to cry, to bring myself back to the real world. I've written enough essays about how much this series means to me so i'll stop being emo, but Juliette's growth and her resilience in this book is awe-inspiring. And so incredibly relevant and inspiring to my own mental health. When I annotated this book last September, I attacked the pages with blue highlighter to mark my favorite quotes from Juliette about staying strong, and there's one that makes me cry every time I read the book:
I've been here before, I tell myself. I've been lonelier than this, more hopeless than this, more desperate than this. I've been here before and I survived. I can get through this.
Last semester when I had a relapse of my anxiety that was so debilitating I nearly dropped out of school, I would tell this quote to myself. Rereading it after recovering from that point in my life just slammed into me because I'm so grateful for it. I'm going to cry again right now as I'm typing this just remembering how much this book touches the deepest corners of my heart and speaks so true to my own fears and the way my anxiety influences my life. I know Juliette's not real, but if she were, I would want to hug her and never let go. I want to hug this book and never let go.
I truly want to sob every time I remember this isn't the last book in the series anymore. There's 2 days left until Restore Me comes out and I'm so terrified but so, so thrilled. This series has healed me enough to last for a lifetime; I can't wait to see where we go from here.
September 2017
YES I already read this book once this year buT THEN RESTORE ME WAS ANNOUNCED AND DYLAN SENT ME A COPY TO ANNOTATE SO LET ME LIVE!!!!
So 50% of me reading this book was me being like "omg restore me prediction omg easter egg i didn't notice before omg new theory omg restore me foreshadowing," and the other 50% was me roasting warner and how much i still hate the ending of this book. a lot of people accuse me for putting shatter me on a pedestal but i wish i could mail this copy to anyone who says so because half of my annotations in the first half of this book are like "warner can fuck off instead of trying to get her to be in love with him" and "i hate when he does stuff like this." the boy is problematic, but what can i say.
I think this reread really just solidified how much I fucking love this book for Juliette's character growth. I had an entire highlighter color to highlight the quotes and scenes in which Juliette was particularly badass, and there were entire sections that I think are really undiscussed in the fandom that Juliette really shines through on her own. She has an entire conversation with Kenji about, "It's not about Adam or Warner, it's about me and finding my own strength," and I think it's one of the most important parts of the series and an absolute turning point. It makes me want to cry every time I reread the scene that she talks about, "I was locked up in an asylum for 264 days because I made myself a prisoner to my own thoughts and suffering, but I never even contemplated that my own strength could have broken me out of there with my bare hands." It's so sad, but so revolutionary for Juliette's character development. The way that she unendingly fights for her friends and her world, as well as how she is ALWAYS nice and considerate to people no matter the circumstance, is always really inspiring to me. She's such a good person even when she doesn't need to be, and her empathy and compassion is really something I envy.
I really won't be able to stand her suffering in Restore Me because she is such a precious child of mine that I want to protect.
And since this is the fifth time I've reread this and I think you understand the depths of my feelings for it already, I'll go. But EEEEEEEEPPP RESTORE ME
April 2017
This is the first time that I've read this and finished it, clutching it to my chest, thinking, "this book is flawless. there are zero issues. every action has a meticulously cultivated intention behind it. every single one of these characters deserves love and happiness. (except for adam, he can choke.)
when i reread unravel me i was scared that i was losing my passion for this series because it really didn't make me as emotional as it used to but i legit cried during this reread at least 10 times so i guess i just wasn't feelin unravel me at that moment because i was feelin this every goddamn second.
(i also hate rereading these because it makes me realize that half the fanfictions i have written are super out of character and i have so much wrong info that i forgot about. but oh well.)
March 2015
2nd reread (idk why i didn't re-review this after i reread it the first time)
what can i even say. it gets better every time i reread it, every time i notice new small details. (did you know delalieu has a mustache??????)
i can still point out its flaws and i still am really frustrated with the ending but at this point, i know this book so well that i can see it like it's a freakin movie. it's insane. i love juliette so so so so so so so so so so so so so much, holy shiitake mushrooms. okay. i don't know how to pull myself out of this slump coming on. jeez.
January 2014
I'm filming a review but it will not be up until a couple days after the release date
but guys, prepare yourselves.
anything feelings you had about anything are probably gonna do a 180.
August 2013
I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IGNITE ME AND THE EYELASHES WOULD BE FLAMES
BUT THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER
even though i hate the color orange BUT THAT'S OKAY OH MY GODS THIS IS MORE THAN FANTASTIC
BUT
warner. why would she. warner. shes just making it seem like. warner.
i don't like this. i do like it but i dont like it
ja feel?
June 2013
WE HAVE A DESCRIPTION ADFHJASKHFLASJDHFLSDIAHFKIDUSHAFLIDAH
okay but you can totally tell that she and warner are gonna be together a lot, so it becomes clear that all the questions she's answered about there being a lot of intimate scenes proves it'll all be with warner unless adam becomes a third wheel which might suck even more.
BUT I NEEEEED THIS BOOK :(
April 2013
I haven't read Unravel Me yet but i'm already excited about this one. Don't judge me.
June 9, 2023
I am so sad this series has ended.
BUT IT WAS SO GOOOOODODODODODODOODODODODOD. It's impossible to write anything without spoilers, so please just read the series if you haven't.
I want a certain character to have a spin off series... just sayin.
BUT IT WAS SO GOOOOODODODODODODOODODODODOD. It's impossible to write anything without spoilers, so please just read the series if you haven't.
I want a certain character to have a spin off series... just sayin.
November 13, 2023
you know my dumb ass paid 32 dollars for these books? i could have had two lunches at panera for $32.
i think it’s well established by now that i don’t like these books. why i keep reading them? i don’t know� i mean, if you didn’t already know i have a tendency to hyperfixate, i guess now you do.
the characters.
i can’t wait for these people to learn about darwinism.
specifically juliette.
did she get better in the last 2/3-3/4? sure.
but when she looked me dead in the eye (metaphorically) and said she’s going to be the one to rule the world? that will forever be a permanent part of my hell loop because be fucking for real. i would rather have the old white men running the world than her, and that’s really saying something.
on even a vaguely realistic level—what the actual fuck. this bitch couldn’t name a country outside of the usa. SHE CAN’T EVEN HAVE A CONVERSATION. both of which, ironically enough, are also like any of the other old white men running the world, but still.
i have such a hard time feeling sorry for her. it’s more a feeling of wanting to punch her teeth in.
and aaron.
well, about aaron, actually, i have to announce that i came up with a set of daily affirmations!
basically, you have to sit down and put on one of those �24 hours of zen meditation lofi music� videos on youtube and look at yourself in the mirror and say any combination of the below:
“aaron warner might be hot, but he’s also like, so emotionally constipated.�
“aaron warner shoots people through the head like it’s just another tuesday.�
“aaron warner let “the love of his life� think she tortured a child. so, yeah.�
“aaron warner has the tattoo of a thirty-something year old woman who definitely wore a black fedora on pinterest in 2014.�
“aaron warner ran an anti-humanitarian, fascist, authoritarian, world-ending organization.�
and, most importantly,
“aaron warner is a spoiled little nepo baby. and that’s not hot.�
if that doesn’t give you the ick, you’re immune and i’m not sure whether to be scared of you or just impressed. you’re welcome!
and now, what everyone’s been waiting for: adam.
THATS IT?!? that’s all he did? you’re fucking kidding me.
to be honest, at the end, i was 100% expecting it to be him and not that random blonde guy (iykyk, i’m trying not to spoil).
but that’s really it? imo it was 100% valid. i would say WAY worse to juliette. words hurt, yeah, but did she not have it coming? if my girlfriend got with the guy that made my and everyone else’s lives ACTUAL HELL, i would lose it, are you kidding??
anyways. #freeadam.
the writing�
was better, i guess. i’m not going to give it 5 stars because the writing is drastically better than the first book but still shit compared to literally any other book.
the plot.
well, i can confidently say both me and the book itself have absolutely lost the plot.
was there one to begin with? debatable.
but either way its nowhere in sight anymore.
and that’s okay, because neither will i be.
that’s it, folks, i’m calling it.
i wanted to be a cute booksta tahereh mafi lover so bad, but que sera sera, i’m sure eventually the world will be able to move on.
i think it’s well established by now that i don’t like these books. why i keep reading them? i don’t know� i mean, if you didn’t already know i have a tendency to hyperfixate, i guess now you do.
the characters.
i can’t wait for these people to learn about darwinism.
specifically juliette.
did she get better in the last 2/3-3/4? sure.
but when she looked me dead in the eye (metaphorically) and said she’s going to be the one to rule the world? that will forever be a permanent part of my hell loop because be fucking for real. i would rather have the old white men running the world than her, and that’s really saying something.
on even a vaguely realistic level—what the actual fuck. this bitch couldn’t name a country outside of the usa. SHE CAN’T EVEN HAVE A CONVERSATION. both of which, ironically enough, are also like any of the other old white men running the world, but still.
i have such a hard time feeling sorry for her. it’s more a feeling of wanting to punch her teeth in.
and aaron.
well, about aaron, actually, i have to announce that i came up with a set of daily affirmations!
basically, you have to sit down and put on one of those �24 hours of zen meditation lofi music� videos on youtube and look at yourself in the mirror and say any combination of the below:
“aaron warner might be hot, but he’s also like, so emotionally constipated.�
“aaron warner shoots people through the head like it’s just another tuesday.�
“aaron warner let “the love of his life� think she tortured a child. so, yeah.�
“aaron warner has the tattoo of a thirty-something year old woman who definitely wore a black fedora on pinterest in 2014.�
“aaron warner ran an anti-humanitarian, fascist, authoritarian, world-ending organization.�
and, most importantly,
“aaron warner is a spoiled little nepo baby. and that’s not hot.�
if that doesn’t give you the ick, you’re immune and i’m not sure whether to be scared of you or just impressed. you’re welcome!
and now, what everyone’s been waiting for: adam.
THATS IT?!? that’s all he did? you’re fucking kidding me.
to be honest, at the end, i was 100% expecting it to be him and not that random blonde guy (iykyk, i’m trying not to spoil).
but that’s really it? imo it was 100% valid. i would say WAY worse to juliette. words hurt, yeah, but did she not have it coming? if my girlfriend got with the guy that made my and everyone else’s lives ACTUAL HELL, i would lose it, are you kidding??
anyways. #freeadam.
the writing�
was better, i guess. i’m not going to give it 5 stars because the writing is drastically better than the first book but still shit compared to literally any other book.
the plot.
well, i can confidently say both me and the book itself have absolutely lost the plot.
was there one to begin with? debatable.
but either way its nowhere in sight anymore.
and that’s okay, because neither will i be.
that’s it, folks, i’m calling it.
i wanted to be a cute booksta tahereh mafi lover so bad, but que sera sera, i’m sure eventually the world will be able to move on.
March 17, 2025
5 stars
I get it. I FINALLY GET THE HYPE of this series and the amazing characters in it. From book two, I knew it would become one of my favourites. This is a freaking masterpiece for me, and I definitely want more of this series—more of Aaron, Kenji, and Juliette.
There is romance, drama, tension, war, love, friendship, freedom, the found family thing, character development, and so much more in this one, and I ate that shit up. This book is utter perfection. There were so many parts that had me gasping, screaming, and giggling, and it was all worth it.
Aaron Warner is everything—so perfect, even with his flaws and the things he did. I’ve always been intrigued by his character from the very first book, but in this one, I’m deeply in love with him—the way he loves Juliette and would do anything for her. And that PAGER SCENE—The way I screamed at that part. This man even has a soft spot for fashion. He’s always so vulnerable when he’s with Juliette, but he finally told her why he did those things to her and how he fell in love with her. He shared everything—his past, his future, and his most feared thoughts, and Juliette accepted him exactly as he was. She never wanted to change him.
“Lift your hips for me, love.�
Iconic.
He thinks he’s a monster, and I will kill those who made him feel like that. He’s been through hell, and what happened to his mother was truly heartbreaking. He didn’t deserve this cruel world. Aaron found his happiness in this book—with Juliette and James. I loved Aaron and James� interactions, even though they were about random things. And most importantly—AARON WARNER BLUSHED in this book. He really can be sweet and adorable when he wants to.
“In a world where there is so much to grieve and so little good to take? I grieve nothing. I take everything.�
Juliette Ferrars is the “Touch him and you die.� girl. I loved how she went from this timid little girl who hated herself because of her lethal touch to a powerful and brave young woman who knows what she wants from life and is ready to take over the Reestablishment. Although the transition felt a bit rushed for me, I think that’s okay—at least for me. She’s so much more confident and strong now, leading a rebellion. She finally mastered her powers, and I’m so proud of her. I’m also glad she took her time to accept her feelings for Aaron—not because he was the only one who could endure her touch, but because she truly loves him. It made their relationship so much stronger and more mature. I loved her monologues, and the way this book had so many moments that symbolised her growth.
“I am no longer afraid of fear, and I will not let it rule me. Fear will learn to fear me.�
Kenji Kishimoto! If you have a friend like him in real life, you’re winning at life. He is the best character in this book. He’s so selfless, caring, and sweet, and I just can’t help but want to hug him so badly right now. He’s always ready to help his friends, yet he hides his own emotions because he doesn’t want to burden them. He turns everything into a joke, and it broke me when he admitted that he’s just as broken as everyone else and tired of living like that. He has such a pure soul, and in my eyes, he can do no wrong. I’m so glad he has Juliette as his best friend—at least now, he can share his thoughts with her. Their interactions were so wholesome, adorable, and heartwarming. I also loved their banter and Kenji’s weird references. I loved Kenji and Juliette’s friendship—how they helped each other and stood by one another. It was just beautiful because they both deserved that bond in every aspect.
Ԩdz’ll fight with me?� I ask him, hardly breathing. “Fight back with me? Even if it’s with Warner?�
Kenji smiles, looks up at the sky. “Hell yeah,� he says.
?�
“I’m here for you, kid. That’s what friends are for.�
Aaron and Juliette are love. They truly became friends in this one, and I just love them so much—they are soulmates for sure. One of my favourite scenes from this book was when Kenji and Juliette spent the night on the terrace, talking about everything from friendship to lost dreams—it was just beautiful. The other one was when Juliette confessed her love for Aaron. Well, that scene was hot as hell and exquisite.
I also loved the fact that there was character development, whether it was Kenji or Aaron—especially Aaron Warner and Juliette. But hell, not Adam. His character just sucks. He was portrayed as this asshole ex-boyfriend who couldn’t get over the fact that Juliette left him for the boy he considered his enemy. And he fucking said these stupid, infuriating things to Juliette—I just wanted to punch him in the face and then kick him because Adam and his mouth were so fucking irritating in this book.
I can’t wait for Winston and Brendan to be a thing! I mean, they are sometimes so cute and adorable together, and they need to be a couple in the next book.
The writing in this book was poetic, riveting, eloquent, and amusing. I mean, the way Tahereh Mafi writes her books is something truly enchanting, and I just can’t help but fall in love with her writing style and characters. She describes everything so beautifully—whether it’s world-building, her characters� inner thoughts, or the intimate scenes. There may be long narrations and many inner monologues, but I just can’t help but love every bit of it. The world-building and everything else were perfectly laid out.
The ending had me gasping and screaming—I loved every bit of it. I thought it would be a massive war, but things happened very quickly in the end. But the cliffhanger? I just can’t wait to start the next book and see how Juliette and Aaron are going to take over the Reestablishment. This is going to be so interesting now.
So far, I’m loving this series so much, and I can’t wait to unravel everything else in the next books. I really hope they’re as good as this one. Ignite Me is the best book in the series for me, and I just know I’ll be a sobbing mess once I finish reading all of them.
“Ignite, my love. Ignite.�
I get it. I FINALLY GET THE HYPE of this series and the amazing characters in it. From book two, I knew it would become one of my favourites. This is a freaking masterpiece for me, and I definitely want more of this series—more of Aaron, Kenji, and Juliette.
There is romance, drama, tension, war, love, friendship, freedom, the found family thing, character development, and so much more in this one, and I ate that shit up. This book is utter perfection. There were so many parts that had me gasping, screaming, and giggling, and it was all worth it.
“And we are quotation marks, inverted and upside down, clinging to one another at the end of this life sentence. Trapped by lives we did not choose.�
Aaron Warner is everything—so perfect, even with his flaws and the things he did. I’ve always been intrigued by his character from the very first book, but in this one, I’m deeply in love with him—the way he loves Juliette and would do anything for her. And that PAGER SCENE—The way I screamed at that part. This man even has a soft spot for fashion. He’s always so vulnerable when he’s with Juliette, but he finally told her why he did those things to her and how he fell in love with her. He shared everything—his past, his future, and his most feared thoughts, and Juliette accepted him exactly as he was. She never wanted to change him.
“Lift your hips for me, love.�
Iconic.
He thinks he’s a monster, and I will kill those who made him feel like that. He’s been through hell, and what happened to his mother was truly heartbreaking. He didn’t deserve this cruel world. Aaron found his happiness in this book—with Juliette and James. I loved Aaron and James� interactions, even though they were about random things. And most importantly—AARON WARNER BLUSHED in this book. He really can be sweet and adorable when he wants to.
“In a world where there is so much to grieve and so little good to take? I grieve nothing. I take everything.�
Juliette Ferrars is the “Touch him and you die.� girl. I loved how she went from this timid little girl who hated herself because of her lethal touch to a powerful and brave young woman who knows what she wants from life and is ready to take over the Reestablishment. Although the transition felt a bit rushed for me, I think that’s okay—at least for me. She’s so much more confident and strong now, leading a rebellion. She finally mastered her powers, and I’m so proud of her. I’m also glad she took her time to accept her feelings for Aaron—not because he was the only one who could endure her touch, but because she truly loves him. It made their relationship so much stronger and more mature. I loved her monologues, and the way this book had so many moments that symbolised her growth.
“I am no longer afraid of fear, and I will not let it rule me. Fear will learn to fear me.�
Kenji Kishimoto! If you have a friend like him in real life, you’re winning at life. He is the best character in this book. He’s so selfless, caring, and sweet, and I just can’t help but want to hug him so badly right now. He’s always ready to help his friends, yet he hides his own emotions because he doesn’t want to burden them. He turns everything into a joke, and it broke me when he admitted that he’s just as broken as everyone else and tired of living like that. He has such a pure soul, and in my eyes, he can do no wrong. I’m so glad he has Juliette as his best friend—at least now, he can share his thoughts with her. Their interactions were so wholesome, adorable, and heartwarming. I also loved their banter and Kenji’s weird references. I loved Kenji and Juliette’s friendship—how they helped each other and stood by one another. It was just beautiful because they both deserved that bond in every aspect.
Ԩdz’ll fight with me?� I ask him, hardly breathing. “Fight back with me? Even if it’s with Warner?�
Kenji smiles, looks up at the sky. “Hell yeah,� he says.
?�
“I’m here for you, kid. That’s what friends are for.�
Aaron and Juliette are love. They truly became friends in this one, and I just love them so much—they are soulmates for sure. One of my favourite scenes from this book was when Kenji and Juliette spent the night on the terrace, talking about everything from friendship to lost dreams—it was just beautiful. The other one was when Juliette confessed her love for Aaron. Well, that scene was hot as hell and exquisite.
“I like the way I feel about myself when I’m with him,� I say quietly. “Warner thinks I’m strong and smart and capable and he actually values my opinion. He makes me feel like his equal—like I can accomplish just as much as he can, and more. And if I do something incredible, he’s not even surprised. He expects it. He doesn’t treat me like I’m some fragile little girl who needs to be protected all the time.�
I also loved the fact that there was character development, whether it was Kenji or Aaron—especially Aaron Warner and Juliette. But hell, not Adam. His character just sucks. He was portrayed as this asshole ex-boyfriend who couldn’t get over the fact that Juliette left him for the boy he considered his enemy. And he fucking said these stupid, infuriating things to Juliette—I just wanted to punch him in the face and then kick him because Adam and his mouth were so fucking irritating in this book.
I can’t wait for Winston and Brendan to be a thing! I mean, they are sometimes so cute and adorable together, and they need to be a couple in the next book.
The writing in this book was poetic, riveting, eloquent, and amusing. I mean, the way Tahereh Mafi writes her books is something truly enchanting, and I just can’t help but fall in love with her writing style and characters. She describes everything so beautifully—whether it’s world-building, her characters� inner thoughts, or the intimate scenes. There may be long narrations and many inner monologues, but I just can’t help but love every bit of it. The world-building and everything else were perfectly laid out.
“Words, I think, are such unpredictable creatures. No gun, no sword, no army or king will ever be more powerful than a sentence. Swords may cut and kill, but words will stab and stay, burying themselves in our bones to become corpses we carry into the future, all the time digging and failing to rip.�
The ending had me gasping and screaming—I loved every bit of it. I thought it would be a massive war, but things happened very quickly in the end. But the cliffhanger? I just can’t wait to start the next book and see how Juliette and Aaron are going to take over the Reestablishment. This is going to be so interesting now.
So far, I’m loving this series so much, and I can’t wait to unravel everything else in the next books. I really hope they’re as good as this one. Ignite Me is the best book in the series for me, and I just know I’ll be a sobbing mess once I finish reading all of them.
December 1, 2020
"It's like a soap opera." Ian nods. "But with worse acting."
I couldn't have said it any better. That's what this book actually is.
It's been a while since I read a dystopian book. I read the first 2 back in 2015 and while I wasn't hard to please then, I still didn't like them. The writing style annoyed me, the characters irritated me, and the books bored me. Not much has changed since.
So this is the final book in the trilogy (yeah yeah, I know we have extra books now but it's something recent). Normally, you expect the last book to be action packed with and an actual resolution. This one was neither. It took Juliette 350 pages to decide if she wants Warner or Adam. Don't get me wrong, she knew she didn't want Adam but, but does she truly love Warner?
I'm not sure if this a bad or a good thing but the characters we met in the first 2 books are not the same.
➺Juliette is not the same girl, she's more confident and she thinks she's the one who should lead the rebellion and not anyone else.
� Warner is the angel now. All his actions are lamely excused. It was all to make her better *snorts*
� Adam is suddenly the jealous obsessed boyfriend. The used to be nice is now suddenly awful. How else can Juliette choose between the boys? One of them should be obviously bad.
� Kenji, the only decent character, is now kissing "J"'s ass.
A 17 yo barely educated suddenly wants to lead a nation. A teenager who has 0 experience in politics or how governments work. She can't even decide who she really loves, how is she supposed to make judgments affecting the whole nation? I'm sure her country will prosper. After the death of all their peers, she blames them for not wanting to fight back anymore. Yeah, right. Suddenly she's the superhero. She only needs a cape now.
The author was obviously trying to make us love Warner by justifying his actions "because he wanted to help her". All he ever did, was for her benefit. What about torturing Adam? We never get an excuse for this behavior. You know why? Because there is none. When Juliette is wary of him, he's shocked. How can she act like this? After all, he did everything for her. He was trying to help. No, he didn't lock her for over 200 days and isolated her from any human contact (you know pervert soldiers), no he didn't make her go through hellish experiences (stimulation, of course), and he didn't look like an obsessed psycho (whom I very much preferred). He's just a misunderstood person who doesn't give a shit what others think about him, oh poor boy. He tells her sweet things thinking what he's doing is right which is not.
Then there’s Adam is acting all crazy and calling Juliette and Warner for their shit so he's the bad guy (he overreacted too much). I've been across many love-triangles but this one is surely one of the worst because the author is forcing us to love a used to be psycho character by making him a martyr of his own society (daddy used to beat him) and the one who is supposed to be a saint became an asshole. No logic here. I didn't even like Adam but here am I, defending him. Some authors subtly manipulate their readers
Kenji my sweet funny boy is NOT funny anymore and being a loyal puppet to Juliette, the understanding best friend. Oh, please *eye roll* The other minor characters Ian, Sarah, James, etc... were better than the MCs. Too bad they didn't get much attention.
This book is pure drama and the action part (it can be summed up in 20 pages out of 400) was too easy. Suddenly Juliette is so strong and Warner too. Perfect, right? They're the ultimate couple, after all. They can now keep everything under control. This trilogy could've been summed up in 1 book without all this angst bullshit. I read 400 pages in less than 4 hours which is a record for me but not so much because I was skipping sometimes paragraphs while understanding everything BECAUSE NOTHING WAS GOING ON. I did not fall under Warner's charms nor admired Juliette's growth. The book is a romance set in a very simple dystopian world.
Many things in this book made me cringe:
- Warner's sweet talk.
- Kenji's obsession with Juliette
- WARNER USING THE WORD LOVE. Oh, the cringe. It was used over 50 times... This made cringe so hard that I was trying to find any possible way to avoid reading the sentences in which he says love.
While the list of my the eye roll moments is infinite, here are some worth mentioning:
- Juliette's power enlightening moments.
- Warner justifying badly his actions.
- Juliette-trying-to-be-badass moments.
- the romance.
-The overly dramatic writing style.
The ending was so abrupt, so fast, so illogical. I can see why she's making a sequel but isn't including an epilogue better? Three more books, seriously? I bet they'll be mostly romance. Like Ignite me. A theme like this one was barely handled 3 books. I can't imagine how much adding 3 will make it drag.
I honestly had no interest in reading this book but my friend had the paperback and I don't read printed copies so often... Plus I only have one book left which is not much, I don't like to leave series unfinished when I can read it all. I had -93501230713092 expectations and I knew I'll hate this book, it did help honestly. For an instance, I was considering giving it 2 stars but then again, that's mostly the physical book playing charms on me (I find it harder to give them a low rating than ebooks). I am not sure I will read the new book when it comes out, we'll see. However, I know I won't be reading any of Mafi's other work.
April 1, 2025
THIS IS ACTUALLY ONE OF MY FAVOURITE FUCKING BOOK OF ALL TIME LIKE WORDS CANNOT EXPLAIN HOW MUCH I LIKE THIS.
Juliette's character growth? PEAK.
Aaron Warner? At his best.
Shaming of Adam the trashcan? SLAPPED.
Romance was romancing. The characters were serving. The revenge was revenging. The chapters were chaptering. Every single page that i flipped had me climbing my walls and screaming and throwing my book 10 feet away because the excitement i felt was so strong it physically hurt and i could feel a tingling in legs from all the adrenaline rush.
(spoilers ahead: this is actually just me raving about this book and my reaction to evetything that was going on in it and not a review so beware)
� OKAY so this was me when i started reading this:
� and then just half page in and we are BLESSED with this line:
� A++, 10/10, smash, would bang at the spot.
� Although atp i realized that this could mean that Kenji is dead and ngl if he was dead i would've joined J by ripping the fabrics of this world.
� and then Aaron told her THAT HE WANTED TO JOIN HER GODDDDDDDDDASFJDSBGDSBFJBDSHFBJSABFSGUYGJHFBSDB dang.
� I'M LOOKING FOR A MAN IN SECTOR 45, BENCH PRESS, 5'9'', GREEN EYES.
� and then he explained to her why he did what he did in book 1, but he actually doesn't need to because i trusted him from page 1, dw baby <3
� and then J HAD A BREAKDOWN AND AARON COMFORTED HER and he tells her:
� Juliette your ass is so lucky, you have no idea. Flour boy Adam got nothing on my man.
� and then they started fighting? dude? why? stop. get married.
� and then Aaron is like:
OH MY GOD PLS I JUST WANT TO GIVE HIM THE BIGGEST HUG IN THIS ENTIRE WORLD T_T AARON WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME, MY HEART WAS HURTING.
� and then we got the ICONIC QUOTE:
� but Tahereh didn't just stop there. noooooo.
� she gave us one banging quote after the other.
�
� i think my heart stopped beating for a minute there. yeah.
� bye
� i died dead
� i was deceased (and am now speaking from the dead)
� and then they left the base aND KENJI CAME, BYE I GOT WAS SHAKING AND SCREAMING, EVERY PAGE HAD ME DOING CARTWHEELS IN MY HOUSE. I WAS SHAKING MY MUM AND SMILING SO BIG.
� and then Kenji was there gaahgdhsdvsj KENJI BABY I MISSED YOU.
� and then we went to Adam's house.
� naur naur naur
� lord give me patience
� he was still alive
� and EVERYONE WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE HER <33333
� and then YAYYYYYY we lived in adam's house
� ad*m tested my patience
� dumbass threw so many tantrums.
� BUT NO WORRIES BECAUSE MY POOKIE BEAR WAS BACK
� AND THEN JULIETTE WAS DEFENDING HIM GRAHHHHH KADAHHJDAJABJ SLAY BITCH SLAY PERIOD. TAKE THAT ADAM.
� i'm not joking i love them so much together they are actually my everything, i wake up thinking about them every single day.
� AND THEN ADAM WAS HAVING TANTRUMS INFRONT OF WARNER STOP THAT SHIT WAS SO EMBARRASING
� fucking clown
� i CRIED from second hand embarrasment
� and then he started fighting with J but J absolutely annihilated the man, slay girl slayyyyyy
� and then Adam tried to punch Aaron bahahahaha bro really thought
� Aaron calling Adam an idiot is my roman empire.
� and then we got J and Kenji friendship crumbs I LOVE THEM AS A DUO SM
KENJI PLS I WILL CRY
� and then Adam was back ughhhh
�
� god i hate him sm
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� sabdjasbkdfjbbbbbbbbbbbbbfasjdgjsgdfhsejmnsdfmdasjaaarrrrroroooonnnnnnnnwwwwaaaarrrrnnnnneeeeerrbeehgbfrsjvbmf
� it's my religion
�
�
� people died
� AND THEN HE DID WHAT SHE ASKED I REPEAT HE DID WHAT SHE ASKED HDAGSJDGASDBAS
� AND THEN SHE TOLD HIM SHE THINKS HE IS A GOOD PERSON AND I CRIED AGAIN
� and then she sneaked into his office and saw his scars
� i can't do this anymore
� he was trying to put medicine on his scars
�
� tears and more tears
� AARON PLS STOP
�
� J telling him he's basically photoshopped bye
�
� please that conversation broke me
� he makes me so sad, Aaron why do you do this to me
�
� i'm crying sm rn
� it physically hurts
� and then they wouldn't even talk anymore and it was awkward
� KENJI ALSO CAME BACK Y'ALL DBSBHDABJBJ
� and then we saw Aaron working out hmmasjknksndkskns
� We also saw him in a towel a few chapters later hmsskksssksksds
�
� jhbsjzdbjfbdzfbs pls i love them
� and then Adam was back
� WE GOT A WARNER AND JAMES INTERACTION TOO KSSKWLHADSEJFMN
� and we found out that hIS RING IS THE ONLY GIFT FROM HIS MOTHER
� HOW MANY MORE TIMES CAN I CRY
� what am i supposed to do with my life
� HE THEN VISITED HIS MOTHER
� and we found out that his mom died
� no
� Tahereh HOW COULD YOU I TRUSTED YOU I'M CRYING FUCK
� we found out that J can turn off her powers and she just hugged Kenji
� I'M NOT OKAY
� CHAPTER 55
� in which SHE TOLD AARON SHE LOVES HIM BYE
� and they KISSED
� LYHFML
� GAHAHAHHDUISHDKSHDK
� Taherah Mafi after writing "Lift your hips for me, love" :
� OH. MY. GOD.
� I ASCENDED TO HEAVEN.
� and then THEY WOKE UP NEXT MORNING TOGETHER
� THEY ARE PERFECT, THEY ARE ADORABLE
� THEY ARE MY EVERYTHING
� and they made her a new suit
� AARON
�
� skjskjjdnksdnkzs
� and then she took over the world
� girlboss
�
� Alexa play Skyfall by Adele.
� this book is my everything
Juliette's character growth? PEAK.
Aaron Warner? At his best.
Shaming of Adam the trashcan? SLAPPED.
Romance was romancing. The characters were serving. The revenge was revenging. The chapters were chaptering. Every single page that i flipped had me climbing my walls and screaming and throwing my book 10 feet away because the excitement i felt was so strong it physically hurt and i could feel a tingling in legs from all the adrenaline rush.
(spoilers ahead: this is actually just me raving about this book and my reaction to evetything that was going on in it and not a review so beware)
� OKAY so this was me when i started reading this:
� and then just half page in and we are BLESSED with this line:
"I notice he’s wearing a white button-down, half untucked into his curiously unrumpled black slacks. His shirtsleeves are folded, pushed up past his elbows."FOLDED SHIRTSLEEVES I REPEAT FOLDED SHIRTSLEEVES. I'm folded dude.
� A++, 10/10, smash, would bang at the spot.
� Although atp i realized that this could mean that Kenji is dead and ngl if he was dead i would've joined J by ripping the fabrics of this world.
� and then Aaron told her THAT HE WANTED TO JOIN HER GODDDDDDDDDASFJDSBGDSBFJBDSHFBJSABFSGUYGJHFBSDB dang.
� I'M LOOKING FOR A MAN IN SECTOR 45, BENCH PRESS, 5'9'', GREEN EYES.
� and then he explained to her why he did what he did in book 1, but he actually doesn't need to because i trusted him from page 1, dw baby <3
� and then J HAD A BREAKDOWN AND AARON COMFORTED HER and he tells her:
“I won’t let go until you’re ready,� he tells me. “Don’t worry. Take your time.�STOP PLEASE STOP THIS IS TOO MUCH.
� Juliette your ass is so lucky, you have no idea. Flour boy Adam got nothing on my man.
� and then they started fighting? dude? why? stop. get married.
� and then Aaron is like:
“Don’t torture me,� he says, meeting my eyes again. “It’s a cruel thing to do, even to someone like me.�
OH MY GOD PLS I JUST WANT TO GIVE HIM THE BIGGEST HUG IN THIS ENTIRE WORLD T_T AARON WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME, MY HEART WAS HURTING.
� and then we got the ICONIC QUOTE:
Ԩdz should get a dog, love. I hear they share much the same qualities.�BAHAAAHA ADAM IS A DOG, I LOVE AARON. purr, slay, yass.
� but Tahereh didn't just stop there. noooooo.
� she gave us one banging quote after the other.
�
Ԩdz want me and it’s killing you. You deserve so much more than charity. You deserve to live. You deserve to be alive. Come back to life, love. I’ll be here when you wake up.�
� i think my heart stopped beating for a minute there. yeah.
� bye
� i died dead
� i was deceased (and am now speaking from the dead)
� and then they left the base aND KENJI CAME, BYE I GOT WAS SHAKING AND SCREAMING, EVERY PAGE HAD ME DOING CARTWHEELS IN MY HOUSE. I WAS SHAKING MY MUM AND SMILING SO BIG.
� and then Kenji was there gaahgdhsdvsj KENJI BABY I MISSED YOU.
� and then we went to Adam's house.
� naur naur naur
� lord give me patience
� he was still alive
� and EVERYONE WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE HER <33333
� and then YAYYYYYY we lived in adam's house
� ad*m tested my patience
� dumbass threw so many tantrums.
� BUT NO WORRIES BECAUSE MY POOKIE BEAR WAS BACK
� AND THEN JULIETTE WAS DEFENDING HIM GRAHHHHH KADAHHJDAJABJ SLAY BITCH SLAY PERIOD. TAKE THAT ADAM.
� i'm not joking i love them so much together they are actually my everything, i wake up thinking about them every single day.
� AND THEN ADAM WAS HAVING TANTRUMS INFRONT OF WARNER STOP THAT SHIT WAS SO EMBARRASING
� fucking clown
� i CRIED from second hand embarrasment
� and then he started fighting with J but J absolutely annihilated the man, slay girl slayyyyyy
� and then Adam tried to punch Aaron bahahahaha bro really thought
Adam’s fist is frozen only inches from Warner’s face. It’s caught in Warner’s hand.
Adam is shocked into silence, his whole body shaking from the unspent energy. Warner leans into his brother’s face, whispers, Ԩdz really don’t want to fight me, you idiot,� and hurls Adam’s fist back with so much force that Adam flies backward, catching himself just before hitting the floor.
� Aaron calling Adam an idiot is my roman empire.
� and then we got J and Kenji friendship crumbs I LOVE THEM AS A DUO SM
“I’m here for you, kid. That’s what friends are for.�
KENJI PLS I WILL CRY
� and then Adam was back ughhhh
�
“I was happier,� Adam says, “when I thought she was dead.�
� god i hate him sm
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� THE PAGER SCENE
� sabdjasbkdfjbbbbbbbbbbbbbfasjdgjsgdfhsejmnsdfmdasjaaarrrrroroooonnnnnnnnwwwwaaaarrrrnnnnneeeeerrbeehgbfrsjvbmf
� it's my religion
�
“Are you okay?� he’s saying. “God—are you okay? What happened? Are you all right?�
He’s here.
He’s here and all I want to do is fall apart but I don’t.
�
“Do you want me to leave?� Warner asks.
“No,� I say too quickly. “No.�
Warner leans back, just a little. “Tell me what you want,� he says desperately. “Tell me what to do,� he says, “and I’ll do it.�
� people died
� AND THEN HE DID WHAT SHE ASKED I REPEAT HE DID WHAT SHE ASKED HDAGSJDGASDBAS
I turn on Warner, chest heaving, fists clenched. “Give them what they want. I don’t care what it is,� I say to him. “Please, you have to negotiate. You have to make this work. I need him. I need my friends.�
Warner looks at me for a long time.
“Please,� I whisper.
� AND THEN SHE TOLD HIM SHE THINKS HE IS A GOOD PERSON AND I CRIED AGAIN
� and then she sneaked into his office and saw his scars
� i can't do this anymore
� he was trying to put medicine on his scars
�
“I don’t want you to be repulsed by me�
� tears and more tears
� AARON PLS STOP
�
Ԩdz’re perfect,� I tell him, so overcome I forget myself. “All of you. Your entire body. Proportionally. Symmetrically. You’re absurdly, mathematically perfect. It doesn’t even make sense that a person could look like you,� I say, shaking my head. “I can’t believe you would ever say something like that—�
� J telling him he's basically photoshopped bye
�
“I thought you could sense feelings,� I say to him. “I thought mine would be so obvious to you.�
“I can’t always think clearly,� he says, frustrated, rubbing his face, his forehead. “Especially when my emotions are involved. I can’t always be objective—and sometimes I make assumptions,� he says, “that aren’t true—and I don’t—I just don’t trust my own judgment anymore. Because I’ve done that,� he says, “and it’s backfired. So terribly.�
� please that conversation broke me
� he makes me so sad, Aaron why do you do this to me
�
“Why don’t you understand?� He looks up at me and his eyes are so full of pain and devastation it actually takes my breath away.
My hands are shaking. “Understand what�?�
“I love you.�
He breaks.
His voice. His back. His knees. His face.
He breaks.
He has to hold on to the side of his desk. He can’t meet my eyes. “I love you,� he says, his words harsh and soft all at once. “I love you and it isn’t enough�
� i'm crying sm rn
� it physically hurts
� and then they wouldn't even talk anymore and it was awkward
� KENJI ALSO CAME BACK Y'ALL DBSBHDABJBJ
� and then we saw Aaron working out hmmasjknksndkskns
Which means right now, I’m watching him bench-press three hundred and fifteen pounds. Three forty-five-pound plates on each side of what Kenji told me is called an Olympic bar, which weighs an additional forty-five pounds. I can’t stop staring. I don’t think I’ve ever been more attracted to him in all the time I’ve known him.
� We also saw him in a towel a few chapters later hmsskksssksksds
�
Ԩdz’re not attracted to him?�
“I’m attracted to you.�
“I’m serious,� he says.
“So am I.�
� jhbsjzdbjfbdzfbs pls i love them
� and then Adam was back
� WE GOT A WARNER AND JAMES INTERACTION TOO KSSKWLHADSEJFMN
� and we found out that hIS RING IS THE ONLY GIFT FROM HIS MOTHER
� HOW MANY MORE TIMES CAN I CRY
� what am i supposed to do with my life
� HE THEN VISITED HIS MOTHER
� and we found out that his mom died
� no
� Tahereh HOW COULD YOU I TRUSTED YOU I'M CRYING FUCK
� we found out that J can turn off her powers and she just hugged Kenji
� I'M NOT OKAY
� CHAPTER 55
� in which SHE TOLD AARON SHE LOVES HIM BYE
� and they KISSED
� LYHFML
� GAHAHAHHDUISHDKSHDK
� Taherah Mafi after writing "Lift your hips for me, love" :
� OH. MY. GOD.
� I ASCENDED TO HEAVEN.
� and then THEY WOKE UP NEXT MORNING TOGETHER
� THEY ARE PERFECT, THEY ARE ADORABLE
� THEY ARE MY EVERYTHING
� and they made her a new suit
� AARON
�
“How easy is it to take this thing off?�
� skjskjjdnksdnkzs
� and then she took over the world
� girlboss
�
Ԩdz know,� he whispers, his lips at my ear, “the whole world will be coming for us now.�
I lean back. Look into his eyes.
“I can’t wait to watch them try.�
� Alexa play Skyfall by Adele.
� this book is my everything
November 28, 2022
reread: still waiting for my don’t worry darling fantasy to come true. (ifykyk)
I’m all for the feminist life but when it comes to Aaron Warner I will become a 1950’s housewife and let him run me over with his car<3
I’m all for the feminist life but when it comes to Aaron Warner I will become a 1950’s housewife and let him run me over with his car<3
February 6, 2024
⁀� Reread #1: (Feb 2024)
�:*:･ﾟ5/5 �
Ever since i started my shatter me reread in January, I've been anticipating rereading this one. It was hands down my fav of the series the first time, so i just knew i was gonna to eat it up 🤭🤭 And ofc i was right- this reread was literally SO MUCH FUN 😩😩💘💘
I just love these series and these characters so so much!! 🥹🥹 Tahereh Mafi's writing is literally so bingeable and addictive- i seriously wanna know what drug she laces her books with 👀 This one definitely didn't have a huge plot, but it focused on the romance and that was exactly what i wanted it to focus on 😌😌✋️
These characters just feel like family to me and i'm so glad to be back with them 🥹🫂
� Juliette: her character development in this series is actually insane!! 🫢🫢 like seriously, how did the whiny annoying girl from book 1 go to the badass, amazing mc in this book?! i genuinely love her sm and seeing how far she's come, i'm so proud of her 🫂🫂 she kicked ass in this book and we 👏 love 👏 to👏 see 👏 it 👏
� Aaron Warner: i feel like i never shut up about this man, but it's for A REASON. He is THE STANDARD 😩😩✋️ everything he did and said in this book had me swooning, giggling and kicking my feet, running laps around my room 🤭🤭🦋🦋 the way he loves and wants to protect juliette, but not hold her back and help her grow into her full potential?! STOP 😫and i will genuinely never get over "lift your hips for me, love"- SCREAMINGGG ❤️🔥❤️�
� Kenji: aahh he is literally such an amazing side character?! 🤭🤭 if i wasn't embarrassingly in love with aaron warner, he would be my fav character of the series. his humour just always makes everything better and the way he's super funny and entertaining and still has depth?! YES KENJI I LOVE U 🥹🥹💓💓
� Adam: excuse me a moment, i just need to go grab my knife and STAB ADAM WITH IT 😃🔪 every time he opened his mouth, i was ready to commit violence 🥰 i will never understand why tahereh mafi didn't have aaron toss him off a cliff or something 😤😤
The romance in this book is just something else tho!! 🤭🤭🦋🦋 Like, the number of scenes that had me screaming out loud was insanee 😫😫✋️ Warnette is my everything and the pager scene and lyhfml will forever live rent free in my head. amen 😌😌
Overall, this review is super long and rambly for no reason but i just love this series way more than i probably should!! Juliette, warner and kenji my babies 🥹🥹 I can't wait to continue my reread of the series bc i'm literally having the best time!! 💘💘 Aaron warner supremacy 😌✋️
Bottom line: READ THE SHATTER ME SERIES 🔪
� 2024 Challenge: Book 19 of 115 �
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Time to continue my reread of this series 🤭🤭💘💘 this was my fav the first time so I just KNOW I'm gonna eat it up 😌✋️
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Original review: (Feb 2023)
No no no no this was TOO GOOD!! 😍😍😍 This book has imprinted itself onto my brain and I CANNOT stop thinking about it. How is it this perfect?! 🤌🤌
“Ignite, my love. Ignite.�
I'm not gonna bother with a synopsis since it's the third book, so let's just get right in.
🚨 Possible spoilers in terms of romance. This series is so big you'll probably already know who ends up with who but if you miraculously don't, I wouldn't advise reading this review 🚨
Starting with the characters! Ahhh I LOVE this group of characters!! They were good in the first 2 books, but I feel like I really fell in love with them in here 😍😍✨✨
➡️ Juliette:
Wow what happened to the whiny girl from Book 1?! She was such a great protagonist in here!! She really grew into her powers and became such a strong FMC- and I was HERE 👏 FOR 👏 IT 👏 Also, seeing her romance blossom and her friendship with Kenji grow was so great. If I'd told my past self reading Shatter Me that I'd grow to love her, I wouldn't have believed it, but her character growth is sooo good 🤩🤩
➡️ Warner:
Ahhhhh here he is, my favourite hot psychopath 😏😏
When I finished Unravel Me, I didn't think he could get better, but he DID!! 🤭🤭 I'm so obsessed it's actually unhealthy. He was even more hot in here and I still love that morally grey streak of his 🔥🔥 Literally the dream guy. If my partner doesn't treat me like Warner treats Juliette, I don't want him �
Also, I took a while to get used to him being called Aaron, but now I love it 😍😍
➡️ Kenji:
Kenji is just amazing 😍😍 I will never get tired of his jokes and Shatter Me just wouldn't be Shatter Me without him. His friendship with Juliette is precious and I love their dynamic. Kenji is just amazing. I now understand why y'all love him sm 💗💗
➡️ Adam:
Excuse me a minute I just need to go punch a wall BECAUSE I AM SO MAD AT ADAM 🤬🤬
He really irritated me in Unravel Me, but I HATED him in here!!! 😤😤 The way he treated Juliette made me want to throw something and I was completely with Warner when he said he would've liked to kill Adam. Thank GOODNESS he and Juliette aren't a thing anymore bc then I would've gone mad. Like, Adam needs to go die. AARRRGHHH 😡😡
Overall love these characters. Warner, Juliette and Kenji are unmatched. Adam, however, could mysteriously disappear from the series and i would say a big thank you to Tahereh Mafi 🤫
“And we are quotation marks, inverted and upside down, clinging to one another at the end of this life sentence. Trapped by lives we did not choose.�
Next, the writing!! I'm really starting to like Tahereh Mafi's writing style! It feels very smooth and polished now and is SO easy to read. Reading these books literally gives me sm serotonin, I can't even explain it 🤭🤭
“Do you never get exhausted being so wholly unbearable? You have as much charisma as the rotting innards of unidentified roadkill.� ~ HAHAHAHA true
The plot- umm, there actually wasn't that much of a plot. It did come in towards the end, but most of the book was taken up by character development and � romance � Which was PERFECT, bc that's the best part of the series hehehehehe. I doubt this'll satisfy you if you want something super plot-heavy but if you're mostly here for Warnette (like me), you'll eat it up 🤌🤌
“It's not charity," I snap. "He cares about me--and I care about him!"
Warner nods, unimpressed. "You should get a dog, love. I hear they share much the same qualities.� ~ ����🤣
Lastly, the romance. Basically the thing we all care about the most. But for good reason bc the romance in this series is ELITE!!! 😩😩🤌🤌 Like, I loved it in Unravel Me but in here it was just INCREDIBLE. The quotes, the tension, the prolonged eye contact, their interactions- I ATE IT UP 🤭🤭 I must've looked so weird just giggling all the time and screaming when I was reading this book. IT WAS AMAZINGG AAAAHHHH 😩😩❤❤ Warnette is THE power couple and I love them together sm. The way Warner treats Juliette had me swooning every second page and Juliette's thoughts about Warner made me scream. They are PERFECT for each other 😍😍
CHAPTER 55 WAS AN EXPERIENCE Y'ALL 🔥🔥
Enjoy some of the AMAZING Warnette quotes:
“His hands are holding my cheeks, and he pulls back just to look me in the eye and his chest is heaving and he says, "I think," he says, "my heart is going to explode," and I wish, more than ever, that I knew how to capture moments like these and revisit them forever.
Because this.
This is everything.� ~ They are perfect for each other 🥺🥺❤❤
“Can you hear my heart? I want to ask him.
I want you to make a list of all your favorite things, and I want to be on it.� ~ 🤭🤭
“I do want you," I say to him, my voice shaking. "I want you so much it scares me.� ~ FINALLY!!
“Lift your hips for me, love.� ~ the BEST quote!! 😍😍🔥🔥
Overall, OBSESSED!! 😍😍😍 I expected great things, but it still smashed my expectations through the roof. Every bit of hype this series get is fully deserved.
� Cool writing
� Fast-paced story
� Entertainment
� WARNER
� WARNETTE
1 star for Juliette character develop + 1 star for Kenji + 1 star for WARNER + 1 star for the entertainment + 1 star for 'lift your hips for me, love' = an easy 5 stars
“Aaron Warner Anderson, chief commander and regent of Sector 45, son of the supreme commander of The Reestablishment.
He has a soft spot for fashion.� ~ can he get any more perfect?!
~ BEYOND 5 stars
｡･:*:･ﾟ�,｡･:*:･ﾟ�
Shatter Me series:
1. Shatter Me- ★★★☆�
2. Unravel Me- ★★★★� �
3. Ignite Me- BEYOND ★★★★� ❤�
4. Restore Me- ★★★★�
5. Defy Me- tbr
6. Imagine Me- tbr
� - favourites
😘- amazing romance
｡･:*:･ﾟ�,｡･:*:･ﾟ�
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To everyone who told me how good this book is, how good the romance is- YOU WERE RIGHT 👏👏🥳🥳
The Warner content in here- OMG 😩😩🤌🤌
RTC!
�:*:･ﾟ5/5 �
Ever since i started my shatter me reread in January, I've been anticipating rereading this one. It was hands down my fav of the series the first time, so i just knew i was gonna to eat it up 🤭🤭 And ofc i was right- this reread was literally SO MUCH FUN 😩😩💘💘
I just love these series and these characters so so much!! 🥹🥹 Tahereh Mafi's writing is literally so bingeable and addictive- i seriously wanna know what drug she laces her books with 👀 This one definitely didn't have a huge plot, but it focused on the romance and that was exactly what i wanted it to focus on 😌😌✋️
These characters just feel like family to me and i'm so glad to be back with them 🥹🫂
� Juliette: her character development in this series is actually insane!! 🫢🫢 like seriously, how did the whiny annoying girl from book 1 go to the badass, amazing mc in this book?! i genuinely love her sm and seeing how far she's come, i'm so proud of her 🫂🫂 she kicked ass in this book and we 👏 love 👏 to👏 see 👏 it 👏
� Aaron Warner: i feel like i never shut up about this man, but it's for A REASON. He is THE STANDARD 😩😩✋️ everything he did and said in this book had me swooning, giggling and kicking my feet, running laps around my room 🤭🤭🦋🦋 the way he loves and wants to protect juliette, but not hold her back and help her grow into her full potential?! STOP 😫and i will genuinely never get over "lift your hips for me, love"- SCREAMINGGG ❤️🔥❤️�
� Kenji: aahh he is literally such an amazing side character?! 🤭🤭 if i wasn't embarrassingly in love with aaron warner, he would be my fav character of the series. his humour just always makes everything better and the way he's super funny and entertaining and still has depth?! YES KENJI I LOVE U 🥹🥹💓💓
� Adam: excuse me a moment, i just need to go grab my knife and STAB ADAM WITH IT 😃🔪 every time he opened his mouth, i was ready to commit violence 🥰 i will never understand why tahereh mafi didn't have aaron toss him off a cliff or something 😤😤
The romance in this book is just something else tho!! 🤭🤭🦋🦋 Like, the number of scenes that had me screaming out loud was insanee 😫😫✋️ Warnette is my everything and the pager scene and lyhfml will forever live rent free in my head. amen 😌😌
Overall, this review is super long and rambly for no reason but i just love this series way more than i probably should!! Juliette, warner and kenji my babies 🥹🥹 I can't wait to continue my reread of the series bc i'm literally having the best time!! 💘💘 Aaron warner supremacy 😌✋️
Bottom line: READ THE SHATTER ME SERIES 🔪
� 2024 Challenge: Book 19 of 115 �
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Time to continue my reread of this series 🤭🤭💘💘 this was my fav the first time so I just KNOW I'm gonna eat it up 😌✋️
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Original review: (Feb 2023)
No no no no this was TOO GOOD!! 😍😍😍 This book has imprinted itself onto my brain and I CANNOT stop thinking about it. How is it this perfect?! 🤌🤌
“Ignite, my love. Ignite.�
I'm not gonna bother with a synopsis since it's the third book, so let's just get right in.
🚨 Possible spoilers in terms of romance. This series is so big you'll probably already know who ends up with who but if you miraculously don't, I wouldn't advise reading this review 🚨
Starting with the characters! Ahhh I LOVE this group of characters!! They were good in the first 2 books, but I feel like I really fell in love with them in here 😍😍✨✨
➡️ Juliette:
Wow what happened to the whiny girl from Book 1?! She was such a great protagonist in here!! She really grew into her powers and became such a strong FMC- and I was HERE 👏 FOR 👏 IT 👏 Also, seeing her romance blossom and her friendship with Kenji grow was so great. If I'd told my past self reading Shatter Me that I'd grow to love her, I wouldn't have believed it, but her character growth is sooo good 🤩🤩
➡️ Warner:
Ahhhhh here he is, my favourite hot psychopath 😏😏
When I finished Unravel Me, I didn't think he could get better, but he DID!! 🤭🤭 I'm so obsessed it's actually unhealthy. He was even more hot in here and I still love that morally grey streak of his 🔥🔥 Literally the dream guy. If my partner doesn't treat me like Warner treats Juliette, I don't want him �
Also, I took a while to get used to him being called Aaron, but now I love it 😍😍
➡️ Kenji:
Kenji is just amazing 😍😍 I will never get tired of his jokes and Shatter Me just wouldn't be Shatter Me without him. His friendship with Juliette is precious and I love their dynamic. Kenji is just amazing. I now understand why y'all love him sm 💗💗
➡️ Adam:
Excuse me a minute I just need to go punch a wall BECAUSE I AM SO MAD AT ADAM 🤬🤬
He really irritated me in Unravel Me, but I HATED him in here!!! 😤😤 The way he treated Juliette made me want to throw something and I was completely with Warner when he said he would've liked to kill Adam. Thank GOODNESS he and Juliette aren't a thing anymore bc then I would've gone mad. Like, Adam needs to go die. AARRRGHHH 😡😡
Overall love these characters. Warner, Juliette and Kenji are unmatched. Adam, however, could mysteriously disappear from the series and i would say a big thank you to Tahereh Mafi 🤫
“And we are quotation marks, inverted and upside down, clinging to one another at the end of this life sentence. Trapped by lives we did not choose.�
Next, the writing!! I'm really starting to like Tahereh Mafi's writing style! It feels very smooth and polished now and is SO easy to read. Reading these books literally gives me sm serotonin, I can't even explain it 🤭🤭
“Do you never get exhausted being so wholly unbearable? You have as much charisma as the rotting innards of unidentified roadkill.� ~ HAHAHAHA true
The plot- umm, there actually wasn't that much of a plot. It did come in towards the end, but most of the book was taken up by character development and � romance � Which was PERFECT, bc that's the best part of the series hehehehehe. I doubt this'll satisfy you if you want something super plot-heavy but if you're mostly here for Warnette (like me), you'll eat it up 🤌🤌
“It's not charity," I snap. "He cares about me--and I care about him!"
Warner nods, unimpressed. "You should get a dog, love. I hear they share much the same qualities.� ~ ����🤣
Lastly, the romance. Basically the thing we all care about the most. But for good reason bc the romance in this series is ELITE!!! 😩😩🤌🤌 Like, I loved it in Unravel Me but in here it was just INCREDIBLE. The quotes, the tension, the prolonged eye contact, their interactions- I ATE IT UP 🤭🤭 I must've looked so weird just giggling all the time and screaming when I was reading this book. IT WAS AMAZINGG AAAAHHHH 😩😩❤❤ Warnette is THE power couple and I love them together sm. The way Warner treats Juliette had me swooning every second page and Juliette's thoughts about Warner made me scream. They are PERFECT for each other 😍😍
CHAPTER 55 WAS AN EXPERIENCE Y'ALL 🔥🔥
Enjoy some of the AMAZING Warnette quotes:
“His hands are holding my cheeks, and he pulls back just to look me in the eye and his chest is heaving and he says, "I think," he says, "my heart is going to explode," and I wish, more than ever, that I knew how to capture moments like these and revisit them forever.
Because this.
This is everything.� ~ They are perfect for each other 🥺🥺❤❤
“Can you hear my heart? I want to ask him.
I want you to make a list of all your favorite things, and I want to be on it.� ~ 🤭🤭
“I do want you," I say to him, my voice shaking. "I want you so much it scares me.� ~ FINALLY!!
“Lift your hips for me, love.� ~ the BEST quote!! 😍😍🔥🔥
Overall, OBSESSED!! 😍😍😍 I expected great things, but it still smashed my expectations through the roof. Every bit of hype this series get is fully deserved.
� Cool writing
� Fast-paced story
� Entertainment
� WARNER
� WARNETTE
1 star for Juliette character develop + 1 star for Kenji + 1 star for WARNER + 1 star for the entertainment + 1 star for 'lift your hips for me, love' = an easy 5 stars
“Aaron Warner Anderson, chief commander and regent of Sector 45, son of the supreme commander of The Reestablishment.
He has a soft spot for fashion.� ~ can he get any more perfect?!
~ BEYOND 5 stars
｡･:*:･ﾟ�,｡･:*:･ﾟ�
Shatter Me series:
1. Shatter Me- ★★★☆�
2. Unravel Me- ★★★★� �
3. Ignite Me- BEYOND ★★★★� ❤�
4. Restore Me- ★★★★�
5. Defy Me- tbr
6. Imagine Me- tbr
� - favourites
😘- amazing romance
｡･:*:･ﾟ�,｡･:*:･ﾟ�
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To everyone who told me how good this book is, how good the romance is- YOU WERE RIGHT 👏👏🥳🥳
The Warner content in here- OMG 😩😩🤌🤌
RTC!
January 15, 2025
aaron warner!!!
i get it now. chapter 55 can live in my head rent free forever.
and a round of applause for our girl juliette actually experiencing some growth, strength, and courage. i genuinely liked who she became in this book. we love to see our girl evolve, change, and become a stronger person.
kenji was great, as always.
i was going to originally stop here and just read the original trilogy. but no� i can’t. i must binge read the rest.
i can see why this is the favorite of the series for so many people. 💕
i get it now. chapter 55 can live in my head rent free forever.
and a round of applause for our girl juliette actually experiencing some growth, strength, and courage. i genuinely liked who she became in this book. we love to see our girl evolve, change, and become a stronger person.
kenji was great, as always.
i was going to originally stop here and just read the original trilogy. but no� i can’t. i must binge read the rest.
i can see why this is the favorite of the series for so many people. 💕
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