Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Reading Level: Ages 14 and up

Hardcover: 480 Pages

Release Date: February 5, 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins

Narration: First Person: Juliette

Genre: Dystopian/Superpowers
Challenge: Dystopian Reading Challenge

 

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Shatter Me Series:

Book One: Shatter Me

Book 1.5: Destroy Me

Book Two: Unravel Me

Book Three: Untitled

 

Author's

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Goodreads Synopsis:

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it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

My Review:

 

I literally just finished reading Unravel Me five minutes ago and.........I'm not sure if I'm being slower than usual tonight or just not catching on to some major concept, but the ending left me a bit perplexed. I'm glad that Juliette has finally pulled her big girl panties up and got over being afraid of herself and what others might think of her, but has she finally gone off her rocker? Did she end up losing herself along the way? And now I will express my inner turmoil via cute puppy gif. xD

Tahereh's writing style has always been the most unique aspect of her work. Her dramatic choice of words and inspiring metaphors were interesting to read, since authors don't usually utilize this method of writing. I loved it in Shatter Me, the comparisons between Juliette's slack grip on sanity and the devastation of the outside world made everything seem that more bleak and depressing, which I'm guessing was what the author intended. It was like I could imagine myself in the bloodthirsty and desperate world she lived in and understand why nature turned in on itself.

 

However, when I began Unravel Me, her wording felt awkward and stilted while her metaphors felt facepalm worthy. Despite the fact that I was no longer looking forward to continuing the novel, I held on and forced myself to keep going. And little by little, I got used to Tahereh's writing style and the poetic similes and philosophical sayings she incorporated into her story. I have no doubt that many people will find her words inspirational and epic, but I also have no doubt in my mind that many people won't fancy Tahereh's unusual writing style.

 

Juliette was an interesting character. I have not yet fully determined whether or not I like her or am annoyed at her "Woe is Me" behavior. On one hand, I feel bad for her, because she's been unfairly put through so many burdensome situations. Situations that no seventeen year old should have to face. She's spent her whole life being called a monster, an abnormality, something not deemed worthy enough for human life. I mean come on, even her parents wanted to send her to a institution for the insane instead of jail just because they wanted her treated like a rabid animal rather than a human being who's made a few mistakes in her life. How freaking messed up is that?

 

But on the other hand, I just wanted to smack her and tell her to wake up. The world does not revolve on you nor does it stop spinning and wait with bated breath to catch your next move. The past is done. Let go of it. Actually, I think Kenji did a pretty great job in telling her off, in his own special way of course. xD She spent the majority of her time crying and rocking herself to sleep. I really wish that the girl we all knew and loved in Shatter Me would come back to life. The girl who kept her head held high even when she was scared and refused water and food even though she was barely getting by. Where is that girl? The girl with the iron will?

 

And then we have the love triangle. Shocker. No offense to all of you avid Team Adam or Team Warner fans out there, but I really didn't feel anything for either guy. The romance between them seemed very lukewarm to me. Adam is pretty straightforward about what he wants. Warner.....is a little bit more complex. Even though he's done so many unforgivable things in his lifetime, he doesn't find any joy in doing what he does. He's just so messed up inside. All he's ever known is death, destruction and pain....until Juliette pops into his life that is.

 

Even though I disliked Warner from the beginning, I never vehemently hated him; Like a why don't you jump off a cliff because you irritate me so much kind of hate. I've always known, and dreaded, the inevitable love triangle that was going to form somewhere down the road. I guess I understand why Juliette feels a undeniable attraction to Warner. They both know what it feels like to be blamed for things out of their control, to be blamed for crimes they haven't even committed. To feel this everlasting loneliness that dwells in both of their hearts. I've warmed up to Warner's character a little bit since Shatter Me. Mostly because of that one scene with the stray dog. It was so adorable and heart-touching! I can't help but feel intrigued by the intricateness of his character. Who is he really?

 

I never felt compelled to continue reading Unravel Me. To be honest, I found it mediocre and slightly boring. If I find myself really enjoying a book, I have a hard time putting it down, but with Unravel Me, I had a hard time picking it up. There wasn't that much action since the majority of the story took place underground where they trained and prepared for the upcoming war with the notorious Reestablishment. It was all very predictable, with the exception of one or two major plot twists.

 

Overall, Unravel Me left me with a bland taste in my mouth. Didn't hate it, didn't love it. However, it was a major let down after enjoying Shatter Me so much. I have no doubt that many fans of this series will have a blast reading Unravel Me, but sadly I just didn't feel the same way. Will I be reading the last installment? Probably. Will I be anticipating it? Not really.

 

Heroine- 2.5/5

Romance- 3/5

Action- 2.5/5

Comedy- 3/5 Those three stars are all for Kenji. xD

Overall- 3/5

Toxic by Jus Accardo

Reading Level: Ages 15 and up
Paperback: 400 pages
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: Superpowers

Denazen Series

Book One: Touch
Novella: Untouched
Book Two: Toxic
Novella: Faceless (November 2012)
Book Three: Tremble (May 7, 2013)

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My Review:

So I've been anxiously waiting to read Toxic ever since I finished Touch, because Hello!? Have you ever read this book? If you haven't read this series then I strongly STRONGLY suggest that you PICK THIS UP RIGHT NOW!!!! That's right, bolded, underlined,and four exclamation points. The Touch series was the second series I have ever read that had to do with "Death Touches". The first one being Shatter Me, which was also a pretty good book, but not even semi close to Touch on my awesome meter. So as you can see, the Death touch concept isn't one that's been exhausted yet, but I'm willing to bet that in the future it'll be incorporated into alot more books due to the success in the ones that are out right now. Anyways, when I looked up the release date for Toxic, it said October 16, so I'm like ok I can survive that long (barely). When October 16 rolls around  and I go buy the book, it just so happens that the release date was wrong and it was actually released on September 11! Gahhh I'm so upset! I could've gotten my dose of the hot sexiness known as Kale a whole month ago!

Well that about concludes my rant, onto the actual story. The summary on the back of Toxic, gives away alot of information. To be honest, after I finished the novel, I really wished that I hadn't read the summary. Everyone has different opinions though. Some people enjoy knowing as much about the book as possible before buying, and others enjoy just skipping over reviews and reading books with no expectations. If you agree with the latter, then heed my advice and DO NOT READ THE SUMMARY! If I hadn't read the summary, I probably would've enjoyed it even more than I originally did. Unfortunately, since I did read it, I felt like I knew what and when something was going to happen.

Dez (short for Deznee) has been one of my absolute favorite heroines of 2012! She was fierce, strong, and brave to the point of recklessness, yet she was still compassionate and had a good heart. Dez is the kind of girl who doesn't take bullshit from anybody and often resorts to violence to solve her problems.Through the first novel, she was nothing but secure. When she wanted something, she did everything in her power to get it and usually succeeded where others would've failed. In Toxic, Dez puts up a brave and secure front, but underneath the strong and "Nothing can hurt me" shell she uses to protect herself with, she starts showing a little insecurity. This tiny bit of insecurity makes her more realistic and easier to connect with because every single teen in this world, no matter how confident they seem on the outside, has felt self doubt before. That's just the way we are. Were not infallible. Were not perfect. We all have our flaws and that's what makes us human.

Kale, is one of the most unique, interesting, and of course capital H-O-T guy I have ever read about. In Touch, we learn that all Kale has ever known, is the life he had in Denazen. And when he escaped? He didn't understand anything about the outside world. Even the simplest things, things we take for granted, like rain falling from the sky or touching another human being. All he's ever known is death and destruction. When he meets Dez, everything changes. He learns what is truly right and wrong and how beautiful love can be. Kale has lost his innocence to the corruptness of man a long long time ago. Yet, even though he's anything but naive to death he still has this adorable innocence of the world. He doesn't understand things like expressions (For Example: I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.) Kale would take it literally. Or if someone flat out lied to him, he would maybe question it once but then let it go because he doesn't believe that a friend would ever do that to him. He was just soo unbelievably adorable! All I wanted to do was hug him like a giant stuffed teddy bear! Yet even though he reminds me of a cute puppy, he also has this dangerous and badass vibe about him. He's a freaking ninja when it comes to martial arts and there's also that fact that it only takes one single touch to become ash scattered in the wind. 

The action was well paced, I never wanted to close the book and never got aggravated with it. I read it in two sittings which I would've read in one if I didn't have school the next day. Ahhh school. Oh happy day. Jus also used a style of writing that I enjoyed thoroughly. She has a amazing sense of humor that had me laughing through the whole novel. Kind of even reminded me of the protagonist, Alex I believe, in the Covenant series by Jennifer Armentrout.

That ending!? no. no. no. no. NO. NO. NO!!!!! OMG I need the next book NOW! Why must you make us wait 7 more months!?? I can't live without Kale for 7 whole months!
*Throws Temper Tantrum*

 

 

 

Heroine- 5/5

Romance- 4/5

Action- 5/5

Comedy- 6/5

Overall- 5/5

Cursed by Jennifer Armentrout

Hardcover: 304 pages
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Fantasy/Superpowers
Series: Standalone

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Amazon Summary:

Dying sucks--and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't? But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not've been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

My Review:

I have to say that I'm disappointed with the outcome of Cursed. I've been an avid Jennifer Armentrout fan ever since I read her Lux and Covenant series, and when I saw that she was releasing a new novel, I was ecstatic! I've always loved the way that Jennifer can blend in a witty and kick ass heroine, fast moving and heart racing action, drop dead gorgeous love interests, and a hot steamy romance that makes you want to melt. That wasn't the case for Cursed.

The protagonist, Ember, wasn't who I was expecting her to be. I can't say that I hated her but I didn't love her either. Yes, there were many things that I admired about Ember, like her determination to take care of her sister and herself without any outside help. You can see right off the bat that Ember always thinks of her sister before anyone else and truly cares about her even when she's throwing a massive temper tantrum. Ember also has the funny inner dialogue that is present in Jennifer's other heroines, which I love! Those were probably the only things I liked about her. At other times in the novel, I found her submissive, weak, and sometimes even pathetic.

Someone with the touch of death, is a concept that isn't overused but isn't unique in the world of young adult books. Books like Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi and Touch by Jus Accardo have the same ideas. I found the plot slow moving, since there wasn't as much action as I hoped for there to be. The villain was also to easy to spot and from there on most of the twists and turns were predictable.

I'm probably the only person who feels this way. I've heard nothing but amazing reviews on this, and I really wished I could've enjoyed it more. I won't be reading the sequel if she decides to make another one, but I will still be anxiously waiting for Deity and Opal to be released.

Heroine- 3/5
Romance- 3/5
It was a insta love, which annoyed the crap out of me. If you ignore that fact, then at times it was a pretty steamy and tense romance because of Ember's hands off policy.
Comedy- 4/5
Action- 2.5/5
Overall- 3/5

 

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