Reviews with content warning for Violence - Разбий ме

This is a spoiler free review. Other than the parent section but it's blurred out. Full review on my Goodreads

Warning: This will be a long review.

Preface: (You can skip this part if you just want the book review) This was the first real book I read on the kindle (other than some kid books that I couldn't annotate in), and honestly, it was a great introduction. It really made the book fly by so quickly (and the writing style too). The kindle was so much easier to bring around than a physical book especially one that is 300 pages or more. I've now found the beautiful world of kindle annotations where I can yap until my heart gives out.

The Characters:

Many characters and storylines in the romance genre tend to be extremely surface level and flat to me (hence why it's not my first choice genre). Mostly, many characters in romance novels are typically just quite boring, but in Shatter Me, it pleasantly surprised me.

Anytime I found something to be a little unrealistic (like a communication between or feeling about another character from one to the other), it was later explained. Though, I do understand that this is a fantasy/dystopian novel. It's not made to be realistic, but I feel like for any book regardless of fiction, fantasy, or otherwise, the characters being realistic plays a crucial part in my enjoyment of a book.

The characters were so well rounded and some of them really grew on me. I oftentimes have a hard time actually connecting with the characters in many books I read (this is coming from a contemporary fiction and nonfiction reader). The characters in this book surprised me with having genuine deep layers to them. They aren't just one cookie cutter idea. They don't just have one motive or just one feeling, they are complex. They have a reason behind every emotion and every action. This is what made them feel real to me and also played a major part in me coming to a 5 star rating. So I definitely enjoyed this aspect of Shatter Me.

Young Teen/Parent Friendly:
For any parents reading this, depending on parenting style and personal boundaries, this book is appropriate for ages 12-13 and up. Further detail in minor spoiler below.

Even though there is a romance aspect to this book, there are no depictions of sex. Since this is a dystopian/fantasy book, if you have ever seen Maze Runner, Hunger Games, or any other dystopian film, there are depictions of some physical violence like fight scenes or use of guns. The scenes in my opinion are not graphic, but they are included for the story to progress

How this aspect contributed to my rating:
I don't think this is a spoiler but I'll blur it out in case. Includes talking about the spice level. This is just a personal preference, but

I loved that there were no graphic depictions of sex in this book. It was still extremely passionate and the romance aspect/tension between characters was definitely still there. Many people enjoy romance for the spice aspect, but I tend to really enjoy the interpersonal communication and relationships being built rather than steamy scenes every other chapter. If a spicy scene is included in a book, I am not against it, but I enjoy when there is a purpose behind adding it in like how it would improve the story in a way.

The Prose:

What really got me other than the characters was the writing style. Something about Tahereh Mafi's voice through writing this book was beautiful. I personally love when there are so many good quotes for me to highlight and look back or comment on. The style of writing was very different from what I'm used to reading but different in a very positive way. I really enjoyed the creativity and beauty that seeped through every page of this book.

Lastly, the book was so well thought out. This kind of goes hand in hand with the character aspect I talked about earlier. While reading, it really felt like Tahereh Mafi spent so much time perfecting this book. Every action, every scene, every feeling was so well thought out which contributed to the readability and emotional investment.

Feedback/Comments:
I appreciate if anyone took time to read this review. Although I rated this 5 stars and thoroughly enjoyed it, I am open to your own criticisms you may have of the book. I do ask that if anyone feels compelled to comment and disagree with my review that it remains civil. I really enjoy hearing constructive criticisms and different view points, but I do not enjoy an argument.

Thank you for your time, I hope that anyone considering this book that enjoys fantasy/dystopian novels with a little romance picks this up and loves it as much as I did.

Content Warnings

valk769's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Content Warnings

ya_el31's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

hannalizzy's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

An outstanding audiobook performance. I was so intrigued by the way they did the book’s constant strikethroughs in audio format. It worked perfectly in my brain and was a whole new experience of one of my fav books. Bravo!!!!

Content Warnings

tianabooks's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.0

guys.. someone cheer I finally read it!

Okay I have to admit this has been on my tbr for the longest time, it’s actually embarrassing. 🫣 but we made it!

I’m not going to lie, at first when I read the note about the crossing out and the repetition and kept reading those extensive metaphors I was like oh no.
But I’m nothing if not a yapper and goal-oriented so I got used to it pretty fast and I was like you know, I’d probably talk to myself too given the circumstances.
Also, had to remind myself this was written years ago in classic YA dystopian fashion.

In terms of characters, Kenji’s commentary on literally everything and Warner’s psychotic moments truly kept the pace going. I have somehow managed to not get spoiled at all except for the odd quote but I do know people love those two characters. Although besties, if this is the Warner we’re getting, I’m slightly concerned about all of us because???

I have all of the books already so we keep going 🥳

Content Warnings

redempta's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative tense slow-paced

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

3.5

3.5 🌟

After 2 years and a soft DNF-ing half way through, I finally finished reading this book. *round of applause*

I had no motivation so I listened to it on audiobook. It really helped.

IS THAT THE WARNER PEOPLE LOVE ON ? That guy is crazy....

I didn't really like Juliette. She's kind of pick me girl, like I'm not like the other girls...

I wasn't really into the book and thought that I wouldn't read the rest of the series but the last few chapters changed that. I'm not fully sure that would read the rest of the series but it's a possibility.

Content Warnings

booklover6000's review against another edition

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dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I think many people don’t like the first book and then don’t read the rest of the series. But so far, the series is good. The first book wasn’t a masterpiece, though it deserves 5 stars. I think it sets the scene for all of the characters and future books. Having a 17-year-old girl in an asylum? Topped by a man who is obsessed with her? Pretty good. The last thing I’ll say is, it’s not all that it seems.

Content Warnings

ladybug12793's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-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? Yes

3.0

This is based in a dystopian society. It is somewhere to hunger games, except for the trials (yet at least)with a little bit of magic added in. If you don’t like bloated, purple prose then you will absolutely hate this book. There is a lot of fluff and repetitiveness as well. Honestly, not much happened in this book and I think it could have been shortened to a Novella. I did enjoy the world building, however, and will continue on the next book.

0 🌶️

“blush of roses on my face. His eyes scan my silhouette and the slow motion makes my heart race. I catch the rose petals as they fall from my cheeks, as they float around my body, as they cover me in something that feels like the absence of courage.”

i’m sorry, but what? Just an example of it being too much.

Content Warnings

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