Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

  Unravel Me
  Author: Tahereh Mafi
  Publisher: Harper Collins
  Publication date: February 5th 2013
  Source: Harper Collins
  My rating: 5 stars

 

tick, tick, tick, tick, tick
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.

This story took my breath away!   I was high on emotion and excitement that kept me glued to the pages.  I am in awe of Tahereh Mafi’s writing, so beautiful, so captivating.  In a sea of YA she stands out and shines.  Prepare for lots of gushing.  

Now that Juliette is out of the asylum and not a prisoner of Warner anymore, all the effects of being locked up, and deprived of human contact come rushing in.  She’s never been close to another person; she was even rejected by her own parents and called a “thing,” so it’s easy to understand why she is so awkward with people, and scared to let any friends in besides Adam.  At Omega Point she’s supposed to fit in, these are her kind, after all.   But Juliette sees the frightened glances and the wary looks, so she can’t help but wonder if she’ll ever fit in anywhere.   

Her relationship with Adam is so intense, because this is a first for her.  She’s never had the joy of human touch and she now comes ALIVE from it.  Thrives on it.   Adam wants her, and wants to touch her, sees her as a girl, and not someone to fear, and to Juliette this is monumental.    Some of their scenes together are very powerful.  I think I was overcome just as much as Juliette while reading these!  Unravel Me has some of the steamiest scenes I have ever read in YA!  I know I’ve said that I HATE love triangles, and for the most part, I REALLY, REALLY do.  Well, we have a love triangle and somehow it works.  In Shatter Me I was solidly Team Adam.  So, why Warner?!! Why did you have to utterly charm me, and crawl into my heart?!!  Some of the things he confesses to Juliette, and the soul bearing words he shares, completely floors me!  I am UNDONE by him!!  I’m soooo conflicted now, I don’t know if I could chose between these two, and neither can Juliette.  But don’t fear, those who are cringing as you read that last bit.  The plot is not all focused on the love life of Juliette.  There are bigger things to worry about.

There is a war brewing between the Reestablishment and the citizens, and Omega Point is right in the middle of it.  Juliette must quickly learn how to control and harness her power if she’s to help the Resistance.  So many people are counting on her to step up.   Juliette struggles with her power, and how her intense emotions affect her power.  Whenever she’s flooded with dark or negative emotions, she can barley control herself, or the delight she feels at the horror she’s able to inflict.  This shocked me a little, and I think it shocked Juliette as well.  But I admired that she always tried to be a good person, and was willing to struggle to do so.  Also, we meet Anderson, Warner’s father and leader of the Reestablishment, and finally understand why Warner is so screwed up.  This guy will NEVER win father-of-the-year!!  But his history and a few revelations around him are extremely interesting.

Parts of this story were truly heartbreaking for me.  I was dying inside for Juliette.  She struggles so much with her worthiness to exist and be loved.   I was eager for her to reach out and be part of the Omega family and connect.  Seeing her finally gain some confidence brought a big smile to my face. I have a feeling we’re going to see this girl kick some ass in the next book and I cannot wait to watch!  

This book was a very satisfying sequel and didn’t suffer the dreaded “second book syndrome” at all.  I was riveted from the first pages on.  Ms. Mafi has a true talent for bringing out strong emotions.  Her gorgeous writing and prose are truly moving.  I felt heartbreak, lust, longing and love right along with Juliette, Adam and Warner.  The situation gripped my heart and squeezed.    I can’t wait to pick up the next in the series and I might literally die from the wait!  I highly recommend this series to all YA lovers, it’s a cut above the rest.  

Thanks to Harper Collins for allowing me to read this.