Reviews with content warning for Self harm - Разбий ме

It has a lot of potential, but it's not great so far. I liked enough about it that I'll probably read the next one. The dystopia plot and worldbuilding take a backseat to romance, which isn't always a bad thing, but I did feel like what was there outside of the romance was very thin and moved too quickly to care much about.

I liked a lot about the protagonist and the erratic voice of her narration (I know that this is apparently a polarizing aspect of the book, but it really worked for me!). I preferred the early chapters where she is dealing with her isolation and loneliness, something that I feel like isn't addressed in a satisfying way later in the book - she just sort of feels better because she's got Adam. On the other hand, he is the first person to be able to touch her, and this is the first in a series, so maybe something will happen later to make her realize that being in love doesn't magically fix trauma.

I know from the TikTok stans how this love triangle is going to play out, and I'm very curious to see how Mafi is going to play it.

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The protagonist, Juliette, possesses a power that is both a blessing and a curse. Her touch is lethal, capable of causing pain and death, making her an outcast in a chaotic world where control is everything. Juliette's internal struggles are palpable, and Mafi beautifully captures the complexity of her character.
The strikethroughs and repetition in the chapters perfectly depicted her chaotic thoughts and fractured state of mind. I loved this experimental style that captures the essence of the story's themes of isolation, self-discovery, and resilience.
Throughout the book we witness her character development as she transforms from a fragile soul into a resilient heroine.

The romance in Shatter Me is a balance between forbidden love and raw passion.
On one hand the chemistry between Juliette and Adam is undeniable. The intensity of their forbidden love evoked a sense of longing and left me yearning for more.
On the other hand the dynamic between Juliette and Warner, the enigmatic antagonist is one of the best aspects of the book. The tension between them is to die for- and the chemistry crackles off the pages.
Though it may not appeal to you if you're seeking a more straightforward and predictable love story but I'm sure by the end of the book you'd definitely be left rooting for them a little. I personally love enemies to lovers trope so that is why I picked up this book in the first place.🌚

It's really fast-paced, filled with twists and turns and always keeps you engrossed.
Mafi's unique writing style, combined with complex characters and a dystopian backdrop, creates an amazing story. The world-building is haunting and really good- a crumbling society, governed by a totalitarian government, creates an image of a landscape ruled by fear and oppression. READ IT.💙

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