Book Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopian
Pages: 480
Format: Ebook & Audiobook
Rating:

Goodreads summary: It should have taken Juliette a single touch to kill Warner. But his mysterious immunity to her deadly power has left her shaken, wondering why her ultimate defense mechanism failed against the person she most needs protection from.

She and Adam were able to escape Warner’s clutches and join up with a group of rebels, many of whom have powers of their own. Juliette will finally be able to actively fight against The Reestablishment and try to fix her broken world. And perhaps these new allies can help her shed light on the secret behind Adam’s—and Warner’s—immunity to her killer skin.

Check out my review of Shatter Me here

spoilers ahead

SHOUTOUT TO KENJI—HE’S THE REAL MVP OF THIS BOOK AND SO FAR THE SERIES

I think this is the first book I’ve rage-read. Juliette is infuriating. She  just complains, complains, complains, cries, cries, cries, whines, whines, whines (see what I did there with saying everything in threes? My comments on the writing style will be coming soon don’t you worry). She is soooo dramatic about everything. The way Juliette manages to make everything about herself is a true talent. A bad talent, but still a talent nonetheless. Her mind is exhausting to be in. In fact, at one point she says, “They don’t understand what it’s like in my head right now.” Honey, I’m in your head and I don’t understand any of your actions. Throughout practically the whole book, this is all I wanted from her:

Stand up girl!!!! I was only 14% in and I couldn’t believe I actively made the decision to read this. It took me 23 chapters for me to feel like Juliette is finally deciding to be a meaningful character, but then of course she has to go and ruin it by having a breakdown a page later.

When Adam’s ability is revealed and what it means–the problem just doesn’t hit for me. Juliette overreacts and whines about everything and acts like the world is ending.  Okay, maybe the world is close to ending, but it’s not because she can’t touch Adam. Learn how to harness your power so you can touch your man girl, damn!!  She needs to make up her mind: is it to dangerous to be with Adam or are you going to risk kissing him and hurting him? Because you just had yet another breakdown a couple of pages ago that you can’t do this and now you’re back to making out. I read through all those dramatics for nothing!

I was so glad when Kenji got her all the way together further into the book. He read her down for filth, saying everything I was thinking:

“All you do is sit around and think about your feelings. You’ve got problems. Boo-freaking-hoo,” he says. “Your parents hate you and it’s so hard but you have to wear gloves for the rest of your life because you kill people when you touch them. Who gives a shit?” He’s breathing hard enough for me to hear him. “As far as I can tell, you’ve got food in your mouth and clothes on your back and a place to pee in peace whenever you feel like it. Those aren’t problems. That’s called living like a king. And I’d really appreciate it if you’d grow the hell up and stop walking around like the world crapped on your only roll of toilet paper. Because it’s stupid,” he says, barely reining in his temper. “It’s stupid, and it’s ungrateful. You don’t have a clue what everyone else in the world is going through right now. You don’t have a clue, Juliette. And you don’t seem to give a damn, either.”

Romance

Let’s talk about the romance. I just don’t buy it between Adam and Juliette. Their relationship does absolutely nothing for me. At first, I thought I needed a man to fight for me like Adam does for Juliette, but by the end of it, I was like, pack it up, bro. Move on.

Now, Warner, on the other hand…

AARON WARNER THE MAN THAT YOU ARE

Okay so I immediately thought of The Vampire Diaries. Two brothers, one good, one bad, the heroine initially goes for the good brother but then starts to fall for the bad brother.

Now the romance between Warner and Juliette, THAT is worth reading about:

“I did. I do. I do want to be your friend.” He nods and I register the slight movement in the air between us. “I want to be the friend you fall hopelessly in love with. The one you take into your arms and into your bed and into the private world you keep trapped in your head. I want to be that kind of friend,” he says. “The one who will memorize the things you say as well as the shape of your lips when you say them. I want to know every curve, every freckle, every shiver of your body, Juliette—”’

Maybe it’s the forbidden love, the denial, Warner who is described as having no emotions but baring his complete soul to Juliette. For once during this chapter, my jaw was dropped, I was emotionally invested, I was engaged, and I didn’t want to stop reading. I just need the whole book to feel this way for me.

Writing style

The writing style is unique? I guess is one word for it. But what I do know is that I’m so tired of hearing about this white bird with streaks of gold like a crown atop its head. So, so, so many metaphors. A lot of things, a lot of things, a lot of things repeated three times. It wasn’t horrible, but just overdone to me.

So
many
line
breaks
….. for
what?

And then, just being in Juliette’s mind:

“Kenji leads me to a door I’ve never seen before. A door belonging to a room I’ve never been in before” OBVIOUSLY. If you haven’t seen the door then clearly you’ve never been inside the room.

“It makes me wonder at how little I know about the people of Omega Point…” Yeah maybe because you’ve spent the past two weeks wallowing, self isolating, and as of recently, almost destroying their home. So you can’t touch people big deal. They made you a suit with special gloves. If you really tried you could have a friendship without touching, you know. She doesn’t even try!

Final Thoughts

Up until the end, the only redeeming parts of this book for me was Kenji giving Juliette some much needed tough love. I just want to say, I called it from the beginning that Adam and Warner were siblings. I mean it was kind of too obvious – they both appeared to be immune to her touch. Regardless, I liked what it added to the story, and that their father is the Supreme Leader. The daddy issues go crazy. After halfway through I finally felt like Juliette made herself useful. She did indeed stand up, try to be an asset, and went and shot Anderson not once, but twice, and was going for thrice! Now that’s what I’m talking about. Listen, I want to like Juliette, but she needs to grow up. Yes, she’s 17, but girl, get it together. And she is!

“I am living, breathing proof that nature is officially screwed, afraid of what it’s done, what it’s become. And I’m stronger. I’m angrier. I’m ready to do something I’ll definitely regret and this time I don’t care. I’m done being nice. I’m done being nervous. I’m not afraid of anything anymore. Mass chaos is in my future. And I’m leaving my gloves behind.”

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

So with all that being said, I will be continuing the series and reading book 3.

I have to see it through! And the last chunk of books one and two have had me hooked! Juliette did have some character development so I’m hoping in Ignite Me to actually enjoy the complete reading experience and not have to rage-read my way through it.

Have you read this book or series? I would love to know your thoughts! Until then, happy reading!