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destroy meWhat: Destory Me (Shatter Me #1.5) by Tahereh Mafi

Who: Harper

When: October 2nd 2012

How: Purchased.

Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

4.5B

What is it about the bad boys? SERIOUSLY.

In my review of Shatter Me, I said that I hadn’t really picked a team in this series. That I felt that both Warner and Adam had their positives and their negatives, and I should give myself time. Yeah, well, the time was reading Destroy Me, and the team is Warner.

I like Adam, I really do. Throughout Shatter Me, I felt myself leaning towards his quiet protectiveness, and his dedication. Yes, there was more swooning for Warner, but he was kind of a psycho. And then I read Destroy Me. And all of that kind of hit the fan.

In Destroy Me, it is amazing how clear and succinct Mafi’s writing is. After reading hundreds of pages of flowery prose and excessive comparisons, it’s kind of hard to believe that the same author wrote the words in Destroy Me. They are perfectly aligned with their characters. Shatter Me is reminiscent of Juliette and all the trials and tribulations she has been through in her short life – the confusion she feels at every corner. And Destroy Me is so representative of Warner and his strict and ruthless upbringing.

Which brings me to my next point.

Now I know that a crappy upbringing is in no way a reason or excuse to be a kind of psycho like Warner, but in Destroy Me, you get to see inside his head. You get to see his reasoning behind the things he did. He didn’t just shoot a man, and he didn’t allude to killing a toddler for Juliette to use her powers. He did it for good reasons, no matter how messed up they may be.

And the way he feels for Juliette is just heartbreaking. You get to see his emotions so much more clearly than you did in Shatter Me. You get to know Warner so much better. He’s not just a ruthless guy waiting for his rise to power. He’s a young man who has been abused and tortured, and is trying his best. I think Destroy Me has made a Warner fan from me, that is for sure.

I have only ever written one novella review other than this one, because I simply feel like not enough can happen for me to write about. Usually, they are just fillers, and nothing happens in way of storyline or opening doors to rooms we haven’t seen yet. But Destroy Me goes against the grain and introduces you to a whole other side of a character, and shows development, as well. A brilliant novella, in my opinion. I highly suggest reading it, if you have not already.

© 2014, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.

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Posted on: May 23, 2014 • By: Chiara

12 Responses to Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

  1. Shannelle C. says:

    You should finish the series because you’re going to get a firm opinion. Tahereh said in her signing here that she already had a firm idea about who Juliette would end up with, and I picked a side by Unravel Me. That’s where things started becoming clearer. Personally, I hope she writes another series but without the flowery prose. I want to see something else from her, but then, I don’t think that prose would suit another series.

    I read it, and I also felt that disbelief that it was the same author who wrote the same thing. I want to see another one with that same tone!

    • Chiara says:

      Oh, I’ve already finished, haha ;D I think you could definitely tell that Mafi knew who Juliette would end up with. There was never a doubt in my mind after Unravel Me, that’s for sure!

      I definitely want to read a book from her that isn’t flowery, as well. Especially since then the Shatter Me books wouldn’t be as special (if she did use the same style again). But she showed her diversity with this novella, so I am very keen to read whatever she releases next!

      I’d read a whole Warner novel, to be honest ;D

  2. NOOO NOT YOU TOO, CHIARA! D: I actually gave up on Unravel Me because of Warner, LOL! x) I’m one of those people who sticks with a love interest throughout a series, and I did LOVE Adam in the beginning, so…

  3. glad you enjoyed this one! I have yet to pick it up but I am looking forward to seeing more of Warner, hehe, he is pretty cool in a messed up, crazy way :)

  4. I have bought these books, but haven’t read them yet. I’m really curious and can’t wait to read them. Great review!

  5. DEAR SWEET JESUS WARNER IS THE BEST. I love Warner with every fiber of my being. I was just like you at first. I wasn’t on any team, but leaning towards Adam. Then I read this book and everything just went directly towards Warner. Warner is just amazing! His brain works in a way so complicated and wonderful. The tortured hero is usually a cliche, but here it’s just so well written out. Mafi is the best. Great review, Chiara!

    • Chiara says:

      YESSSSSS. So do I! EEEEEP. You understand me, Marianne! It was that way with me. Instant love for Warner after reading this! :D
      Exactly, I think Mafi has written him in such a fantastic way, that it’s easy to empathise with him.
      Thank you! ^.^

  6. Annie says:

    I know, right?! I was so impressed with how effective Destroy Me is. That it’s not just a novella that sort of gives you a new scene or focuses on one of the side characters. It really changes your whole view of the series and does it very effectively.

    I liked Adam in Shatter Me also. But Destroy Me makes Warner so much more interesting and complex.

    • Chiara says:

      Destroy Me is my favourite of the entire series, including the actual novels. I just loved how different and in-depth it was. I’m glad I own it, because I can read it whenever I want, haha :D

      And you’re right – it’s ability to completely change how you see a character is pretty amazing.

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