I know everybody at this point has read SHATTER ME
How long did it take to write that movie?
I know everybody at this point has read SHATTER ME. I'm probably the 1% of the book blogging community who hasn't yet. I know, I know. I'm SO behind! I've been meaning to read this book for almost a year now. One thing or another happened and this kept getting pushed back on my TBR list. But fear not, my fellow book loving friends. I've come to my senses and have finally fallen into Juliette's world.After being kept in a prison cell for almost an entire year, Juliette is thrown into the hands of the one group of people she despises the most: the new government called The Reestablishment. Warner plans to use Juliette and her ability to kill people with a single touch for his own selfish desires and to make sure that people know their place in his domain. Juliette has no desire to kill anyone and is desperate to get out of her new confinement. Adam, the boy she sort of grew up with, is her only hope. The two of them go on a heart pounding mission to get out and stay safe.What I first noticed about this book was the writing. It was a bit weird and extremely repetitive. Sentences were crossed out and phrases, or just a single word, were repeated a couple of times in a row. I know this was to show we were truly in Juliette's mind and to allow the reader to see how much solitary confinement has affected her, but this stream of consciousness was kind of annoying. I thought it was unnecessary and happened far too often. I know she's been traumatized. Mafi's writing is so poetic, I think the novel would have still made as big an impact without the repetitiveness. Mafi has a way with words that makes you sit back and really just envision what she is writing. The way she describes the weather for example is beautiful and unique.One thing that made me start to really enjoy this book is Juliette. She goes from this fragile--even though she can literally kill someone in an instant--girl to being able to stick up for herself and not be so afraid to show everyone who she is inside. It's amazing what some sunshine and decent clothes does for her. She was so timid in her cell. Now that she is under Warner's control, she lets her feisty attitude start to peek through. She's let people run over her her entire life, she's not going to be someone's pet anymore. She's inspiring.I loved Adam and Juliette's budding romance. From the moment he stepped into the scene, Adam is this gentle and kind person who you can tell just wants to know Juliette. Yes, he may be working for Warner, but you can tell he's completely different from all of the Reestablishment crazies. Mafi did a great job with letting the reader slowly discover their history together. We get the details piece by piece which made me root for them even more. What I loved most was how Juliette reacted to him. You know she is scared because of her abilities but it's heart warming to see her open up to somebody and to learn to trust them. Adam makes her realize she isn't someone to constantly be feared.SHATTER ME, while not the most climactic, is a great start to a series I know will get better with each book. As Juliette starts to come into her own, I can only hope she learns to appreciate who she is and discover she isn't the monster everyone thinks she is. 