Yes, I finally decided to read this and learn what the fuss was all about. Now that I have, I’m not sure if I’m as crazy about it. Yes, I did like the story, the plot, and—to an extent—the execution too.

The writing style is clearly intended for the YA audience, specifically the inner dialogues of the FMC. The dystopian edge to the story is actually good, and after reading several of them on a deserted theme, the thought behind the Reestablishment taking over was refreshing—as was their urge to erase everything from the past (a fresh start to unite them all).

I didn’t exactly root for the romance part, but I didn’t hate it either. I’m willing to ship them together for the overall storyline, but I’d love to see more of the antagonist’s perspectives too. It’s a long series, but now that all parts are out, I can commit to reading the whole series.

Shatter Me is definitely a product of the 2012 era of YA titles, and although I didn't think this was remarkable enough to warrant five hundred sequels, I will admit there's something weirdly morish about the story. The writing is mediocre, the world-building is contrived and the romances don't make sense, but it's a great time regardless, and perfect for a thirteen year old's first dystopian teen read.

Although the book itself is of questionable quality, Kate Simses' reading makes it much more enjoyable an experience. She manages to invigorate the lukewarm story with her compelling narration and emotional oomph, giving Juliette a very delicate, feminine voice that complements her frailty. Simses also did a decent job reading for the men; I never found it grating that she deepened her voice for Adam and Warner.

WILL I READ ON? Only in audiobook format.

This book series found its way to me in a rather unexpected way – through Pinterest. The year was 2020. I was searching for new face paint ideas, and somehow, through a specific keyword, the app suggested the cover of the newest book in the Shatter Me series: Imagine Me. I saved the image and kept revisiting it every now and then. And then, five years later, I spotted that familiar cover on NetGalley – curiosity won, and the reading began.

Juliette Ferrars is a 17-year-old girl locked away in the asylum of a dystopian regime called the Reestablishment. No one is allowed to touch her. Or more precisely – she must not touch anyone. Every touch causes unbearable pain, and in the worst-case scenario, death. Her “gift” is considered a curse by most. In a crumbling world ruled by a harsh new order, Juliette is becoming someone no one saw coming. From captivity to confrontation with her past, unexpected alliances, and first love – the core question remains: is she a weapon or a last chance?

I can understand why this series is so loved – the idea is interesting, the world is dystopian, and there’s plenty of action. But… for me, it all felt a bit one-dimensional. Mafi’s writing style is very distinct: fragmented, repetitive, almost poetic. The entire book is written in Juliette’s first-person perspective, pulling the reader into her mind. And while that initially felt fresh, the constant cross-outs and rewordings grew tiring. In the audiobook version, you can literally hear the sound of words being “scratched out.” At first, it was clever. Then… just exhausting. The endless internal monologue and emotional spiral – I get why it’s there, but for me, it was just too much.

There aren’t that many characters in the book. Strangely enough, my favorite was Kenji – I actually wish he had been given even more page time. He’s a real charmer: clever, funny, sharp. Just a fun guy! Adam, on the other hand, felt very "meh," and Juliette… she just didn’t connect with me. She was good and kind, sometimes even inhumanly kind, but her passivity got on my nerves more than it earned my sympathy. I hoped she would fight back, rebel, show some grit – but for most of the book, she felt like a withering flower convinced she’s a monster who deserves everything bad that’s happened to her. Low self-esteem is, of course, an important issue… but it didn’t align with what I had hoped for in this story.

Another bump in the road for me was the romance with Adam. The author tried to explain why they matter to each other, but it just didn’t sound very convincing. Juliette was "always nice" in school, and that’s the foundation of a life-changing romance? Hmm. A bit shaky. On the flip side, Warner caught my attention. Sure, he was presented as the main villain, but there was something magnetic about him. Adam was sweet… but Warner? There was just more spark there. 😉

Overall – it was an okay read. Not bad, but it didn’t quite meet my expectations either. I don’t fully get the overwhelming hype from US fans, but I guess that’s just a matter of taste. The ending gave me Hunger Games vibes – like when Katniss arrives in District 13… Coincidence? Hmm. The cover designs are absolutely stunning (wink-wink!) and I really hope that one day I’ll create a face paint look inspired by them!

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio, for the reading experience!

I have seen so many people talk about this book and was intrigued as I don't normally read this genre. This audio book was hard to listen to due to the scratching sound every 20 seconds or so. Not sure if it was just me or if it happened to others but got very annoying and distracted me from the story. Overall i didn't love it and not sure if i will continue in the series, the narration was good and engaging but unsure about the story and the scratching through out didnt help. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this audiobook.

I loved jumping back into Juliette's world. Having read these books previously, it's fantastic to be able to dive back in and listen to the narrator bring these characters to life.
The story is as intense and fast paced as I remember, it's touching and turbulent as we navigate through Juliette learning about how touch, and how she can become powerful in how she uses this strength to overcome her challenges.

📚 Paige Reviews: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Summary:
A fragile young teenage girl is held captive, locked in a cell by The Reestablishment. Though, Juliette is no ordinary teenager: she is a threat to The Reestablishment's power. A touch from her can kill and one touch is all it takes.


Review:
Firstly, I’d like to preface by saying I think some reviews of Shatter Me are really harsh! A lot of the other reviews I’ve read are either by people who are completely captivated by the story or seem to believe they had to force themselves to finish it. It’s important to remember that this story is being told from the first-person-perspective of a young girl in captivity, so you should expect for her to come across as a bit naive… It's also YA! Some have compared it to ACOTAR which I don't this is a strong comparison. It reminded me much more of Divergent, Mortal Instruments and even X-Men (specifically First Class and Last Stand).

I find Mafi’s writing to be so poetic and emotional (also Kate Simses does a fantastic job narrating Juliette!).

The story itself starts off by throwing you in the deep end. Juliette is held in a cell of what seems to be an institution. We know that she can’t touch others because her touch is fatal but noone seems to know why, or care for that matter. It’s told as though she’s keeping a journal of her stream of consciousness; I loved the use of the strikethrough sound effect to show her self-correcting her own thoughts. You don't find out too much about The Reestablishment but I'm assuming that's because we only know what Juliette knows.

Without giving too much away, I really enjoyed the ending. Adam’s reaction especially… It sets up really well for a follow up book!

#ShatterMe #NetGalley #harpercollinsaudio #taherehmafi #audiobook #divergentseries #dystopian #yanovels #werechasingourtales

Unsure if this is just an issue on my end but I’ve double checked it on 2 devices… there is a scratching sound every 10-15 seconds during chapter 1 & 2 which is incredibly distracting so I was unable to finish this audiobook. The story has hooked me so I’ve gone and purchased a physical copy.

I first read Shatter Me years ago, back when dystopian YA was everywhere—and yet, this book still managed to stand out. Re-listening to it now through the audiobook reminded me exactly why it left such a mark on me the first time.

Kate Simses' narration brings Juliette’s fractured, lyrical voice to life in a way that’s both haunting and intimate. The writing, already so distinctive on the page with its crossed-out thoughts and stream-of-consciousness style, takes on an entirely new dimension in audio. You feel Juliette’s isolation. Her fear. Her slow unraveling, and her even slower rebuilding. It’s raw, emotional, and occasionally unsettling in the best way.

There’s something really special about revisiting a book you already know and love, but experiencing it differently. Through the audiobook, I found myself picking up on emotional nuances I hadn’t before. Moments I glossed over while reading hit harder, and the tension—between Juliette and Adam, between Juliette and the world—felt even more intense with Simses’ performance.

Yes, the story leans heavily into melodrama and poetic prose, but that’s exactly what I loved about it the first time around. Juliette’s voice is supposed to feel chaotic—she’s been through hell, and the writing reflects that. For me, it’s always been one of the series’ biggest strengths.

Coming back to this world in audio just deepened my appreciation for Mafi’s storytelling. It’s not just about the dystopian setting or the romance (though those are still incredibly compelling)—it’s about identity, power, and learning to take up space when you've been told all your life to disappear.

If you've read Shatter Me before, the audiobook is 100% worth the revisit. And if you haven’t? Honestly, this might be the perfect way to start.

Absolutely mesmerizing! The Shatter Me audiobook blew me away. Tahereh Mafi’s writing is poetic, intense, and emotionally raw—every line feels like it was crafted to stab you right in the feels. Kate Simses, the narrator, brings Juliette's inner turmoil to life with such vulnerability and strength that I couldn't stop listening. Her voice captures every whisper, every breakdown, every surge of power with perfect emotion. The story itself is gripping, filled with suspense, romance, and a main character who is both broken and fierce. Highly recommend for anyone who loves dystopian stories with a strong emotional core and a unique writing style. I’m hooked and already diving into the next one!

This is a very good young adult, dystopian type story.
We follow lead character Juliette as she navigates her life, without being able to touch anyone.

She doesn’t want to cause harm, but others see her as a weapon they can manipulate.

I listened to an audio version of this and I really liked the narrator. She really got into character and you could feel the passion she put into it, making the story come to life.

This story is written a little differently, really emphasising how the character is feeling and her mental state. I will be honest that the repetitive nature of some words and phrases did become annoying as the story went on and felt this style didn’t need to be used quite so frequently.

All in all a good story, setting up the scene for further books in this series.
3.5 stars

I was given the audiobook of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review - and I’m so glad I got the chance to finally experience this much-hyped series.

Mafi’s writing style is lyrical, intense, and full of emotion. The stream-of-consciousness narrative and repeated thoughts give us a raw, unfiltered window into Juliette’s fragile psyche. It’s not for everyone, but I found it atmospheric and beautiful, especially when brought to life in the audiobook format. The narrator (Kate Simses) does a brilliant job of capturing Juliette’s vulnerability and growing strength - her voice truly carries the story.

Plot-wise, the pace builds steadily, and while the dystopian world is only lightly sketched in this first book, the tension between the characters, particularly Juliette, Warner, and Adam, keeps the story gripping. Warner is especially compelling, even if deeply unsettling at this point. There’s a lot of potential for character development, and I’m intrigued to see where the series goes.

Overall, Shatter Me is a unique blend of dystopia, romance, and psychological drama with a poetic twist. It won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy emotionally charged narration and a fractured but fascinating protagonist, it’s definitely worth a listen. I can’t wait to continue the series.

Narrated by Kate Simses
Presented by HarperCollins UK Audio

This book is so hyped, so when the audio popped up on NetGalley I had to request.

The audio sucked me in right away - Juliette is this pathetic character with a saccharine sweet voice that somehow conveys naivety and low-key strength at the same time. She's also quite clearly batsh*t insane, as demonstrated by her constant repetition of words and phrases.

So much of the start had me just captivated, listening to her insane ravings. I liked the way this started, but I wish her crazy time in the cell had lasted longer, to be honest.

As the story unravelled, I started to get a little bored, to be honest. I feel like it spent a lot of time working the romance angle and so the world-building got left behind. I ended up not really understanding the setting, so when they were running around towards the end I couldn't really picture what was going on.

It also seemed to drag a bit in the middle, with things that felt a little unnecessary to me. Romance fans may disagree.

A few cool characters get introduced towards the end, but none of the characters were particularly unique to me - they seem very familiar to characters I've met in other YA fantasy. It doesn't make them any less likeable, but it does make them a smidge predictable.

I think my biggest gripe, though, is that Juliette doesn't really do anything. The book is mostly about how she has this power that can kill people and she barely uses it in any kind of context. I feel like it was very under-utilised, though evidently powers will have a bigger role in the sequel.

So I guess in the end I wasn't a huge fan, but I really enjoyed the audio experience. I think if I'd been reading it I'd have skimmed a lot, or maybe even added it to the DNF pile. But I really enjoyed listening to the narrator (even if the characters did start to sound the same as more were introduced) so it ended up being okay. So a bonus star that belongs entirely to the audio.

I think fans of YA romance will probably get more out of this, but the classic dystopian vibe is there so others will likely enjoy the series.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

I love YA dystopian type fantasy, and I loved the narration in this audiobook.

It's a slow burn with lots of adventure & great character development. I'm looking forward to being able to listen to the rest of the series.

A great first book to a series. We slowly see Juliette grow in confidence and in her ability to be loved. She starts off broken but by the end we see someone who starting to have trust in others and herself.

She still has a lot of growth and development to go through but I like the way it was done slowly. I can't stand books where the hero can use all their abilities with no training or with no regrets. This was a refreshing change.

The narrator was amazing. She was clear even on x 2 speed. I will definitely be listening to more by this narrator.

The music and sounds at the be inning do become distorted on the faster listening speed.

I listened to the audio book narrated by Kate Simses, and this was an emotional whirlwind. Simses brought Juliette’s fragile but fierce voice to life perfectly. The poetic writing, the tension, the broken beauty of it all—completely addictive. I couldn’t stop listening.

Absolutely brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending it.

I had been aware of the Shatter Me series and its popularity for a long time but had never previously read it. When an opportunity arose to listen to the audiobook I was intrigued enough to try it. I think I am about 30 years older than the target audience, but I do enjoy YA and dystopian books and I was fascinated with the premise. The writing style was unlike anything I had read before and I thought the author did a good job of writing with a believable teenager’s voice. In particular the way Juliette exaggerates numbers for effect was very reminiscent of many teenagers I have known. I thought the plot was exciting and engaging, and I found the relationships between the characters kept me interested. I think if I had been able to read these books when I was a teenager I would have been hooked and would have devoured the series. As an adult I don’t think my enjoyment was high enough to continue, but it will be a series I recommend to teenage readers. I particularly enjoyed the audiobook of this title and found the narrator to be very believable as Juliette.

I first read Shatter Me a while ago and was immediately captivated, devouring the series back-to-back 🌀. My obsession even led me to buy the special editions—they truly deserve that shelf space 💫📚.

Now, with the upcoming release of Watch Me (April 15, 2025!)—the first book in the spin-off series Shatter Me: The New Republic—I decided to revisit the series through the audiobook format 🎧, and it brought all the feelings back.

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days 🫢.
The last time she did, it was an accident... and The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why her touch is fatal, and honestly, no one seems to care. The world is falling apart—disease, hunger, broken skies 🌫️—and The Reestablishment claimed they were the only hope… so they locked her away.

But now, things are changing. Maybe Juliette isn’t just a danger—they think she might be the weapon they need. But Juliette has to choose: be the weapon… or fight to be something more 💥🛡️.

Revisiting Shatter Me reminded me why I fell so hard for this series. Tahereh Mafi’s writing is unlike anything else, lyrical, chaotic, raw, and emotional 🖋️💔. The angst, the tension, the unraveling of Juliette’s mind—it’s all so intense.

Experiencing the story through the audiobook gave it an entirely new dimension 🎙️ and pulled me back into the broken world I couldn’t stop thinking about.

And now with Watch Me coming, I can’t wait to read more about James Anderson 👀 (Warner’s little brother!), especially as this new era begins. I’m so ready to be destroyed all over again 😭.

Thank you so much to HarperCollins UK Audio, Tahereh Mafi, and NetGalley for the audiobook! This re-read rekindled my obsession, and I’m counting the days until I get my hands on Watch Me ⏳📚.

Shatter Me had me hooked from page one. I was so invested in this character and her journey, her circumstances and the situation she found herself in. I'm still left with a lot of questions but what an interesting and intriguing read this was. It had my full attention. I loved the premise and the bits of the world that were highlighted. The narrator did an amazing job with the various characters. I loved that each had their own distinct voice so there was never any confusion over who was speaking. This was an enjoyable read packed with a bit of action, lots of suspense, a romance, found family and more. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Shatter Me has been on my TBR for a while, and I finally listened to the audiobook. The story itself is a decent YA dystopian with a heavy focus on romance and a unique, almost poetic writing style. The narration by Kate Simses was solid—she captured Juliette’s emotions well, especially the anxiety and intensity of her thoughts. That said, her voice sometimes felt a bit too soft and breathy, which might not be for everyone. If you enjoy dramatic, emotional narration, you’ll probably like it, but if you prefer a more neutral tone, it might take some getting used to. Overall, a good listen, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it back in the Divergent/Hunger Games era. 3 stars!