Review: “Ignite Me” is the best book in the “Shatter Me” series yet!

The characters undergo a lot of changes, especially Juliette. As Kenji notes, Juliette finally puts her “big girl pants on” and becomes the strong, independent woman Warner knew she could be!

Speaking of Warner, I love how his relationship with Juliette progressed. The enemies-to-lovers trope was perfectly woven into the storyline, working across the first three books. Because the relationship development was so well paced, I found Juliette and Warner’s intimate moments both meaningful and beautiful. 

In addition, I appreciated how “Ignite Me” allowed me to get to know more about Warner’s character. The choices that he makes throughout the series are complex and the more I read, the more I realized that he is ultimately misunderstood. Warner is a human being not without a vulnerable side. Mafi reveals that he cares deeply for his mother, so much so that her death destroys him. He also cares enough about his newfound brothers to want to get to know them, despite starting off on the wrong foot. His character arc truly is phenomenally crafted. 

I would be remiss if I did not touch on how “Ignite Me” sheds light on the complexity of Kenji’s character. I was not aware of the burden that he carries, how he is expected to keep it together as a leader of Omega Point even when he’s falling apart inside. Only his humor keeps himself afloat. I am so glad that he has Juliette to confide in and lean on. Their friendship is one of the highlights of this series.

I cannot wait to see where the next book takes me! They only get better and better as you go on! 

Review: I really enjoyed this novella collection! Reading from both Warner and Adam’s points-of-view gave much needed insight into their character motivations and internal conflicts. Mafi expertly fills in the gaps between novels with these excerpts and sheds light on past events. 

DESTROY ME
“Destroy Me” takes place after “Shatter Me” and is written from Warner’s perspective. This novella helped me to understand Warner’s infatuation with Juliette. Mafi reveals that Warner fell in love with her while he was studying her, long before they actually met in person. This detail cleared the confusion I had surrounding when Warner first began developing feelings towards Juliette. His love was presented as obsession in “Shatter Me,” as it was told from Juliette’s perspective. 

In addition, this novella helped me to understand Warner’s character motivations, which are in part shaped by Anderson, his father. The reader is exposed to the abuse Warner experiences and the immense amount of pressure Anderson puts on him. Warner plays the part of a villain, but it is clear he is not one in actuality. He cares about the citizens of sector 45, as evidenced by the way he monitors them. 

FRACTURE ME
“Fracture Me” takes place after “Unravel Me” and is written from Adam’s perspective. This novella makes sense of what happens after the war breaks out between Omega One and The Reestablishment. 

Through Adam, the reader is able to fully realize how much he truly cares about James, his little brother. In fact, Adam’s love for both James and Juliette creates internal conflict. Adam is torn between running after Juliette when she is captured by Anderson and staying behind to care for James. His eventual choice creates cracks in his relationship with Juliette.

Review: I enjoyed this book MUCH more than the first one. “Unravel Me” moves away. from the typical dystopian elements seen in its predecessor. 

In my opinion, the romance in “Unravel Me” as a whole is an extreme improvement from the first novel. The instalove between Adam and Juliette gives way to a complex love triangle involving Juliette, Adam, and Warner. I found Warner, as a morally grey character, to be compelling. His budding romance with Juliette is absolutely swoon worthy and the Warnette scene that takes place during chapter 62 is EVERYTHING. 

With Juliette and Adam’s relationship on the rocks, the reader is able to discover the full extent of Juliette’s powers and the internal conflict she endures as a result. The reader also lays witness to the many changes Juliette undergoes under the rebel group’s care. As she finds friends, her language softens, there are less strikethroughs, and the repetition begins to dissolve. 

I particularly found Juliette’s friendship with Kenji to be so wholesome. Kenji was introduced in the first novel, but Mafi only begins to reveal his backstory in “Unravel Me.” His past hardships have contributed to my appreciation of him as a character and have shown me that there is more to him than his infamous sense of humor. 

The twists and turns in this novel caught me off-guard and have given me the push needed to continue on with this series! I look forward to seeing how the cliffhanger at the end of “Unravel Me” will be resolved in “Ignite Me.”

Review: SARAH J. MAAS HAS OUTDONE HERSELF. HOLY. CRAP. THAT ENDING. WOW. I NEED THE THIRD BOOK IMMEDIATELY. 

 

*Calms* I must admit that if Sarah J. Maas had not ended the book the way that she did, I don’t think I would have loved it quite as much. I was blown away by “House of Earth and Blood.” The murder mystery was complex and paired well with many of the fantastical elements that were incorporated in the novel. I especially loved the twists and turns that kept me on my toes. While twists and turns were very much present in “House of Sky and Breath,” I just did not find the storyline as compelling as its predecessor. In fact, most of the novel felt like filler and the sexual content was just not my cup of tea. In my opinion, however, everything was worth it for the ending, even the whiplash. 

 

Other than the cliffhanger at the end, I really enjoyed the addition of Tharion and Ithan’s points-of-view. Tharion’s perspective gives the reader access to the world of the Blue Court, which was not fully explored in book one. I loved learning about the mer, the River Queen’s reign, and Tharion’s occupation. Ithan’s viewpoint provides a lot of great insight into Bryce’s past and life as a shifter. Both characters struggle with intriguing inner-conflicts and I cannot wait to see how they develop in book three. 

 

Another aspect of the novel I appreciated was the use of the found family trope. A familial bond formed between Bryce, Hunt, Ruhn, Tharion, Ethan, Declan, Flynn, and so many others despite their difference in species, which I loved! 

 

The Crescent City series’ growing diversity of characters I more accurately reflects Maas’ readership, which makes my heart happy. More and more characters of different races and sexual orientations are given points-of-view and being placed at the forefront, which is huge with respect to the lack of representation in her earlier works. 

 

I am really at a loss for words when I think of what I am supposed to do between now and the release of Crescent City 3! My brain can only imagine what Mrs. Maas is cooking up!