~Can't Wait Wednesday~ Restore Me (Shatter Me #4)

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings. Waiting on Wednesday has been don for some time so I am switching it up for now!  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Restore Me (Shatter Me #4) by Tahereh Mafi

Out:  3/6

From Goodreads:

                Juliette Ferrars thought she’d won.  She took over Sector 45,was named the new Supreme Commander, and now has Warner by her side.  But she’s still the girl with the ability to kill with a single touch—and now she’s got the whole world in the palm of her hand.  When tragedy hits, who will she become?  Will she be able to control the power she wields and use it for good?

Why I’m Waiting:

                I’m curious to see what happens after the “happily ever after” type end.  She had it all but it was at the end of a huge war and lots of loss and devastation on both sides.  I’m curious to see how she has managed to build on that and make changes to the world. 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.  Also don't forget my giveaway for a SIGNED copy of Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu is open until 2/2 so check it out here.  My friend Bogdana is also hosting a giveaway for a SIGNED copy of Batman:  Nightwalker from the same event on her page Bogdana the Booknerd.

Ignite Me and my imagination a Shatter Me conclusion

                Okay so this is the end of the Shatter Me series and my reviews on it.  I'll discuss the last novella Fracture Me and the final book Ignite Me.   You know the drill there will be spoilers for the previous books in the series so read at your own risk of being spoiled. 

                Fracture Me is the second novella in the series that takes place during the end and just after book two Unravel Me.  We get to see things from Adam's perspective.  We see the battle and the aftermath.  Adam isn't in the best place emotionally.  He's reeling from his breakup and trying to make do with everything else happening. When he nearly loses the person who means more to him than even Juliette he is a mess.  He has to find a way to keep moving on.

                Now we move onto Ignite Me, a heart-stopping finale.  Omega Point is gone.  Juliette doesn't know if any of her friends are left alive.  She was nearly a goner herself.  But now she has to trust Warner, the one who saved her, and who she never thought she could really trust.  But he promises to help her master her power and save their world, even if he wants more than that. 

               

Basically everything I loved in the previous books is still things to enjoy in this one.  It keeps building the characters and developing their stories.  Secrets come out and powers are focused.  There is action and political power games/struggle.  It's a full package.

                 My love for Kenji only grew as you see just how important he is to her and their friendship is tested a time or two.  The emotional drama meter is through the roof, there is some serious tension happening in the book.  Mainly between Juliette, Warner, and Adam.  I've talked about the triangle of sorts in the series and this was the final part.  It was never a real triangle.  She and Adam broke up, not because of Warner but because of other issues in the previous book, and she didn't run right to Warner to get with him.  She took time to herself not knowing what her heart was saying.  I love this.  Take some me time to get your head clear and don't rebound.  This, for me at least, makes both relationships seem complete.  We also as a result get to know a lot more about Warner and our suspicions are confirmed on a few things as well, or at least mine were.  I'll talk a little more about that in a bit once I move to spoilers.

                The conclusion of the series met my expectations.  I was expecting some bad ass action scenes using a combination of powers and good old fashioned human means.  You get some good military plotting and strategy and such and the powerful feeling of going against a corrupt government.  The David verses Goliath feeling.  I was not disappointed.  I was on the edge of my seat at some points, those intense scenes that as you get into them everyone and their mother wants to suddenly distract you and you strangle them in your mind so you can finish.  Yep that happened.  Now I just need to talk about things that will involve some spoilers because this was the end and I need to talk about it.  If you haven't finished the series skip ahead to the bottom and share your thoughts on the series thus far.  What do you think of the Juliette/Warner/Adam situation or whatever else is on your mind in the comments below. 

*****SPOILERS*****

All the covers are so PRETTY!

                For those of you who have finished this series, or those who don't care if some of the major things are spoiled for you (weirdos) let's discuss shall we.  I said I would have to bring up the relationship drama again so here goes.  I've made it clear I was anti-Warner in the first book, I was so upset at the prospect of him being a love interest to her.  However, I did soften overtime and not just to his character as a whole once he was developed more and away from his normally perfect routine/act he plays but also as Juliette grew and changed.  I could see that she was growing and Adam was still in love with the helpless and broken Juliette.  I still loved him but he wasn't right for her as she came more into herself.  Then Adam lashed out proving he wasn’t the guy I fell for in the first book any longer.  He was the perfect guy in book one.  He was just what book one Juliette, nearly broken and terrified of her own shadow, needed.  Not so much for the Juliette she became.  He helped her and she will always love him but they grew apart.  Just like I don’t think her and Warner ever would have worked if she hadn’t loved Adam first.    

               

                Adam got the short end here, I felt more for him before he went and made her touch Kenji.  His actions are that of a hurt person and I get that, minus trying to hurt Kenji, no one can do that.  Even in the heat of battle he was busting jokes about Bruce Lee.  He helped her become confident in her own beauty and showed her that she can be loved.  Warner grew as a person and he knew he screwed up but he admitted it and apologized for the unnecessary pain and explained the other areas that he didn't apologize for.  I liked that.  He didn't change completely.  He warned her not to try and change him, and their relationship helped them both grow and change yes but in a way that is substantial and done for oneself not for another.  In my opinion that is why it works.  In the end it worked out and I have to wait to admit defeat when my book buddy finally finishes the books (she hasn’t started Unravel Me yet) and her warm spot for Warner and our back and forth before I moved ahead of her.  I’m going to happily eat my words and admit she was right.  You were right Bo.  I did warm to him. 

                The ending.  There was also the battle at the end and the take down of Warner and Adams evil daddy.  Yep that sicko had to go.  I really enjoyed how they pulled everyone to come together.  It was an amazing standoff at the end.  And the way it ends…it left it open for more in the series, in this world if Tahereh Mafi decided to do more.  It was satisfying but also left you able and wanting a bit more. 

Rating: 5 Stars

                That is it.  An entire series knocked out.  I'm still catching up on some amazing books but that just means more reviews for you all.  I'm working on some giveaways and such to make everything more interactive.  So please share your thoughts in the comments below.  Tell me what you thought of the series.  What couple did you ship?  Did you swap sides like me?  What book/series do you think I should start next?  Thanks for reading.  

Unravel Me...further into the series

                First I want to say thank you for the questions submitted.  I am working with her on the interview and hope to have it finished up and ready in the next week or so.  In the meantime as promised I’m finishing up my reviews of the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi.  Today I’ll be discussing the he first novella Destroy Me and the second book in the trilogy UnravelMe.  There will be spoilers for the first book in this right from the start, it’s a sequel so no way to avoid them really. That being said read at your own risk.

                We left Juliette after the escape from the Reestablishment.  She’s free from their sick plan to use her as a weapon and free to love Adam.  But she still has her very lethal touch.  That is something she can’t escape.  Much like Warner, he wants her now more than ever.  She’s haunted by her past and the uncertainty of her future but it becomes clear she will have some possibly life changing choices to make. 

                So…Destroy Me.  It was a short little story.  At first I didn’t like it.  I was so annoyed having a feeling where it was going and none too happy with that option.  You see it focuses on Warner and it helps to soften him up.  It allows the reader to believe he may not be as much of a monster as we believe.  Me, I had only finished Shatter Me less than an hour prior to reading this and warming up to Warner was not something I wanted.  I was totally in love with Adam and I liked thinking Warner was the heartless monster.  I didn’t want there to be any chance that given we learned Warner can also touch her and after their little session where she used that to disarm him and shoot him.  Yes I knew this was possibly leading to a love triangle with two men able to touch her.  That is one of the somewhat convenient and fishy parts that the two guys who can touch her are her prospective love interests.  I referred to in the last review but didn’t want to say it outright and ruin any surprise. 

 

                So we learn Warner has some ulterior motives and also has a heart of sorts.  The idea of a love triangle seemed a bit off at first for me.  I hated Warner for everything he did.  I liked that you grow to slowly learn about him and his actions and it’s not suddenly ‘oh I suddenly like him’ after all the evil things he did but I was completely still on team Adam.  My reading buddy, who hasn’t yet read books two or three yet, knows just how unhappy I was with the prospect.  She got an ear full that’s for sure.  One of the downsides of marathon reading a series is that you don’t get a rest between them to mellow out, you’re feels for the characters stay super charged.

                That being said my feelings for the characters and story were steady.  And one thing that only increased as I read this book…my adoration for Kenji.  He is such a great character.  He is both smart and strong but also the comedic relief when needed.  He could be serious or busting jokes with everyone.  He was central to the story as it progressed.  He gave Juliette crap about her guy drama but was there for her at the same time giving her honest advice and being a shoulder for her to lean on, through her protective suit of course since he’s a friend and we don’t want to torture or kill him.  It was interesting meeting all the new faces at Omega Point and watching Juliette develop into her own skin.  She still has a ways to go but it’s a gradual process. The different talents that people have and how they have been working to fight the Reestablishment and survive thus far.  I couldn’t help but enjoy them all and the way they adapted to the world. 

Where Shatter Me was a fight to escape type arch, Unravel Me takes the reader along for the fight to live and be free as a people.  Things are a bit grander.  There was a lot going on in the book but I don’t want to give away too much and ruin it.  So from here on out I’m tossing up the spoiler warning just to be safe.  So if you haven’t continued on in the series yet then be warned.  Finish reading and come back.  Until them skip to the bottom and share your thoughts of the series thus far and speculate on what you think will happen.  I rated Unravel Me a strong 5 Stars.

*****SPOILERS*****

               

Saw this on Pinterest and had to share!

                Just one small part really for spoilers.  The development of the triangle could, like many, go either way.  Love it or hate it.  I fell on the side of enjoyment given the progression.  Warner didn’t magically get off the hook for all the horrible things he had done.  Juliette didn’t magically decide she wanted him over Adam or both.  Adam and Juliette are what causes the biggest issues for themselves.  She doesn’t break up with one for the other, she has some conflicted feelings sure but she also is trying to focus on more important things.  Things progressed in a semi-natural way.  Semi because let’s face it she has powers and the whole war and dystopian aspect doesn’t leave a lot of room for natural relationship drama to unfold.  She and Adam had issues that had nothing to do with Warner.  She was growing into a different person.  She was becoming stronger and more confident but he had fallen for her when she was his damsel in distress. 

Warner then got to explain and some of his actions didn’t seem AS bad.  He genuinely cared for her and it became clear.  She didn’t want to hurt anyone but she also couldn’t fight that he had a good side and there was a connection between them.    The main difference between Adam and Warner is that Warner didn’t want her to sit around and be safe he wanted her to be strong and push her limits to gain power and control to keep herself safe.  He went about it completely the wrong way but still.  I grew to root for him.  Yes shocking I know.

                And that ending!!!!!  I’m just glad I had the next book waiting for me at home and didn’t have to wait a year to know what happened.  That was insane.  It also made any reservations I had about changing teams fall away.

*****END SPOILERS*****

                So there we have it.  I’m finishing up my review of the last novella and the final book in this trilogy.  I plan to post Monday if all goes well, i.e. my internet doesn’t protest against me again.  Leave me a comment below telling me your thoughts on the series this far!

Let's talk Shatter Me

Look isn't it so pretty

               At the start of the year I completed a series I had been hearing about for a while but had put off.  My reasons are not story related but simple book nerd problems.  The covers changed by the time I heard of them so I had to wait for them all to be in paperback so they could match.  Plus the last one was about out so I figured why read them then have to wait so close to the end?  So I waited and marathoned them.  Yep this is the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi.  I read them all, Shatter Me, Unravel Me, Ignite Me, and the two novellas Destroy Me, and Fracture Me (novellas also available in a bind up called Unite Me).  I’ve went back and forth on doing a group/series review but I find I can’t do that without the whole thing being super vague or one big spoiler so I’ve decided to break them up. 

                Today I’ll be discussing only Shatter Me the first book and what brings us into the story and world.  The reader follows Juliette, a girl who is not quite normal.  She hasn’t touched anyone in 264 days and that was an accident that was branded murder.  The Reestablishment is the government and have branded her a murderer and locked her away because her touch is fatal.  As long as she doesn’t kill anyone else in the looney bin no one cares, they have more to worry about with the world falling down around them than a 17 year-old girl.  The Reestablishment said they had a way to fix the world when they took power but now with so many dead the survivors are whispering war and The Reestablishment has changed its mind to help.  Juliette could be more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body and just maybe she is what is needed.  But she’ll have to make a choice to be a weapon or be a warrior. 

                I have to point out the cover, the redesigned cover, is beautiful.  I have a thing with eyeballs, when hurt they make mine water but when done beautifully and artistically they are fascinating.  Also I love the added feature of the bird image in the iris very subtle but it carries through with the other books.  Totally superficial but let’s be honest we all love a pretty cover.

                Shatter Me does have more to offer than a pretty cover.  I found the plot to be gripping and intense.  I also immediately felt for Juliette.  To have a lethal touch and be unable to touch or be touched without killing someone, she reminded me of Rogue from X-men, which I adore so points there as well.  That would be a harsh way of life.  This book did take a little bit for me to adjust to it style wise, there is a lot of strike through.  I wasn’t accustomed to it but once I acclimated to it, it became part of Juliette and helped it fly by.  Also if this is something that bothers you stick with it because it lessens through the story as our main character grows into herself.  She no longer needs to cross out or retract her own thoughts as much. 

The original isn't bad but I like to match!

               

                This story has a lot going for it and interesting characters.  Some things are left vague and unexplained but as we know what she knows and she’s been locked up for a while it’s part of the story.  You want to know more and that’s important.  Oh and some of the characters be it love them or hate them.  Juliette like I said I related to some of her pain and isolation and felt for her.  I wanted to see her take charge of her own life.  She is strong.  Even if she doesn’t know it or is afraid of it and not just physically with her power but mentally and emotionally.  To go through what she has to this point and still keep her head is amazing.  Her love interest, Adam, at first leaves you unsure who and what he wants but as you read you see their connection and he is able to give her the one thing she’s never been able to have with another person, physical contact without the overwhelming dread of killing or hurting someone.  Warner, the young leader ruthlessly ruling his section with an iron fist and no heart.  He is obsessed with Juliette and the weapon she can become.  Oh how I hate him.  The vile things we see him do are just….yes horrid.  Then we have Kenji.  I ADORE Kenji.  He is hilarious and sarcastic even when he's in serious pain.

                The romance between our characters is sweet.  It's a first love and totally new and amazing because for Juliette she has never even hoped she'd be able to have this.  Add his soft and sweet way with her and their shared past and you have some cute first love.  You root for them and hope they don't get caught or get in trouble, or at least I did. 

                I enjoyed this book and gave it 5 stars for being different and captivating.  There were some parts that I found to have a lot of coincidence happening in them.  Some luck of the draw and hard to believe this just happened naturally, but not enough that it detracted from my reading experience.  By a certain point in the book, which I won't say directly because I don't want to ruin anything, but yeah it cleared up any doubts I had about some future story line paths.  That part had me fuming as one of my book buddies can attest. Still I enjoyed the story and I liked where things were going overall with the world, the powers, and the rebellion.

Rating:  5 Stars

                What did you think of Shatter Me?  What was your favorite part?  Also I am getting the chance to interview Sarah Negovetich, author of Rite of Rejection which I reviewed here.  I've opened up for questions to add to the interview on my Twitter page (@Evilous88) and on here.  If you have any questions and post them on my Twitter or in the comments I'll try and ask them.  I'll also be hosting a giveaway then as well, I'll post more on dates when I have them so stay turned.  Next I plan to finish reviewing this series. 

                Thanks for checking in.  Don't forget to take a moment to comment please J