Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me is a thrilling and emotionally charged dystopian novel that offers readers an intense journey through a world where the protagonist’s very touch is lethal. The story is set in a bleak future where society is crumbling under the rule of a totalitarian regime, and Juliette Ferrars, the 17-year-old girl at the heart of the narrative, is a weapon to be feared.
The novel opens with Juliette imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit — her touch can kill, a curse that has isolated her from society. She’s lived in solitary confinement for almost a year, with only her thoughts and a blank journal to keep her company. Her mind is the only place she can escape to, and Mafi’s writing vividly reflects Juliette’s inner turmoil. Her thought process is fragmented, filled with striking metaphors, and sometimes broken sentences, which makes the narrative feel raw and deeply personal.
One of the most compelling aspects of Shatter Me is Mafi’s writing style. The fragmented, sometimes poetic prose mirrors Juliette’s fractured state of mind. Each page bursts with emotion, allowing readers to connect with the character’s isolation, fear, and longing. The style may initially be jarring for some, but it serves as an immersive and effective way to communicate Juliette’s mental landscape.
Shatter Me is the first book in an 11-part series, primarily targeted at young adult readers, though it is an engaging read for anyone aged 15 and older.
-Wendy, Temora Library
