Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2) by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2) by Tahereh Mafi
Published: February 5, 2013 by HarperCollins
Received: ARC for review

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. [goodreads]

I struggled with this book, but not in the sort of way that defines negativity.  It was the type of struggle that had me flipping the pages, yet terrified of what lies ahead.  One of the beautiful things about Shatter Me (the first book in this series) is that it concluded with a sense of finality.  Of course there were still questions lingering, and Juliette's journey was far from over, but my heart was able to beat again at a steady rate.  Unravel Me began at a quickening pace and continuously kept my heart pounding, page after page -- to the point that I thought it may leap right out of my chest!

Juliette's character definitely shifted in this second novel, for me.  Her purpose falters a bit and we discover that her gift can both hurt her, and heal her in the decisions she makes.  However, those decisions never have a chance of being made because it's one obstacle thrown in her path after another.  My favorite obstacle? That would be Warner.  Oh how I adore this man.  You're probably thinking -- what?! Isn't he the nasty villain from the first book?? Oh how clever and smart author Tahereh Mafi is.  She has the ability to take a character I loathe in one book and evolve him into the shining, adoring character in the next.  That is some powerful writing!

Just as one question may seem to have an answer, several more probabilities emerge.  There were definite surprising moments through out this secondary novel.  It opens the door just wide enough to allow assumptions to pass through, yet slams it in your face just when you think you have it figured out.  I adore stories that are this gripping and this one did not disappoint.  What will Tahereh Mafi do with the third and final book?! It's best to not assume, and prepare for more surprises.

In My Mailbox {79} + My Favorite Bookish Friends!

The books I got this week may not be many, but MAN are they some pretty kick-ass books!!!  A few of these have been at the top of my TBR pile for awhile, so I am extremely anxious to get started on them.

This weekend was also bittersweet because we had to say goodbye to our dearest Sarah.  She's making the move and leaving us all behind *sniff* But we know it's not goodbye forever.. we'll see her again SOON!!!  Of course we all had to get together for crazy fun times before she left ;)  Oh how I love these girls!!

The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater [goodreads]

Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2) by Tahereh Mafi [goodreads]

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1) by Sarah J. Maas [goodreads]

What's in YOUR mailbox this week?

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

In the photo: Cynthia, Lena, Jess, Sarah, Magan

...To Be Continued in 2012!

photo by Elements of Persuasion

While browsing my "must-reads" for 2012, I realized there are quite a few books that happen to be follow ups to a new series that I started reading this year.  Below are a few of those, second in the series, must-reads that will be published in 2012.

This past year introduced me to a lot of new authors & genres in YA lit.  I found myself immersed in some of these stories and can not freaking wait to read what happens next for these characters.  Share your thoughts in the comments if you've read any of the books prior to these. Or, if you have not read any of them yet, then perhaps this post will entice you to do so.  2012 can not get here fast enough!!!!

*WARNING: some of these book descriptions may contain spoilers if you have not read the previous book.

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

January 24, 2012

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning. {taken from goodreads.com}

Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver

March 6, 2012

Lauren Oliver captivated readers with Delirium, the first book in a thrilling dystopian trilogy in which Lena Haloway dared to fall in love with Alex and escape the cure, the government-mandated procedure that renders a person immune to the disease of love. Lena and Alex staked their lives on leaving their oppressive society, but only Lena broke free.

Pandemonium continues Lena’s gripping story. After escaping from Portland, Maine, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community, where she transforms herself into a warrior for the resistance. A future without Alex is unimaginable, but Lena pushes forward and fights, both for him and for a world in which love is no longer considered a disease. Swept up in a volatile mix of revolutionaries and counterinsurgents, Lena struggles to survive—and wonders if she may be falling in love again. {taken from goodreads.com}

Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

May 28, 2012

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. {taken from goodreads.com}

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead

June 19, 2012

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students—children of the wealthy and powerful—carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought. {taken from goodreads.com}

More sequels to be continued in 2012:

A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2) by Suzanne Young - July 2012
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer #2 by Michelle Hodkin - 2012
Shatter Me #2 by Tahereh Mafi - 2012
The Eve Trilogy #2 by Anna Carey - 2012
Shine (Shade #3) by Jeri Smith-Ready - May 1, 2012 (I know it's the 3rd in the series, but it's HIGHLY anticipated in my to-be-read pile for 2012 & I wanted to mention it!) 

A list has been created on goodreads of several more 2012 YA/MG Sequels.  Click here to view that list.

I receive a small commission from books purchased through the Amazon links provided.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Published: November 15, 2011 by Harper Collins
Received: gifted by Cynthia - thank you!

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. {taken from goodreads.com}

Let me start this review by saying HOLY WOW.  First, I know this book does not come out for another few months, but I can't contain my love and adoration for it.  I just have to share it NOW.  The insanity I feel for this book is out of control.  OUT. OF. CONTROL.  My mind is still spinning, attempting to wrap my brain around what I just ingested.  You know when someone says, oh this book is so good I couldn't put it down?  Well, I physically could not put this one down.  I plowed through the first half (at work - oops) and neglected my responsibilities for a day.  It's that good people.

I usually do a quick run through of what a book is about before I share my opinions on it, but in this case I will not be doing that.  Let me just say, there is some dark stuff happening on the verge of a corrupted world.  A girl has some special "talents" that she refuses to share with the world, one evil creature in particular.  I know that's a seriously vague description of what this book is about, but I am keeping it vague on purpose.  The surprise element in this story is ridiculous.  I want you to be able to read it, with no idea what's coming next.  It will add to the intensity, trust me.

I will, however, share some details from the story that are very difficult to keep a secret.  HOLY SEXYTIMES.  And before you ask, is this considered YA?? Oh yes it is.  Tahereh Mafi has done an amazingly superb job of keeping it tasteful, yet so so SO steamy.  I literally had to put the book down in a few parts and fan myself.  This woman knows how to write the passion.  The pages are soaked in sexual tension that pull you in and never, ever let you go.  I loved the richness of every emotion as it's described and portrayed.  From fear, to excitement, to amazement, and especially to passion. 

I am blown away by this debut author (and she's only 23!!).  Her writing capabilities astound me.  Every sentence is written so poetically that my mouth is just dripping from word to word.  I couldn't get enough.  I love the obviousness of her writing.  She puts thoughts out there that we're all thinking.  She has taken a broken, beaten down character and given her so much life, so much existence, that in the end I am crying for her triumphs.  There is one point in the story that I was physically on the edge of my seat, flipping the pages, so scared of what I'd find on the next page.  The intensity is so, so hot.  BURNING through your fingers.  I can not wait for you all to get a hold of this book.  If you're not an instant fan, then who are you?! (just kidding - sort of).  Shatter Me is the beginning of an epic series that I know, for sure will be sought after by so many in the YA book blogging community.