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adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Torture, Vomit
Minor: Chronic illness
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, War
Minor: Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Quality: 4.25 ⭐️
Enjoyment: 4.25 ⭐️
This book was a fun, quick, generally easy read. I enjoyed it, though it seemed very short. Not a lot of plot development, mostly just development of the relationship between the characters — though, I still really don’t see a reason for the connection between them other than a vague “pull” kind of thing from the start, like love at first sight. Idk, the book was fun to read, but it seemed to be lacking a lot of stuff I thought would be in it. There wasn’t much action, the dystopian elements were mostly vague and confusing and thus not very impactful (at least to something like a Suzanne Collin’s level), and a lot of the inclusion of the previous series’ characters seemed like fan service. I am interested in reading more about this series, I just wish a lot more plot development would’ve occurred in this book. I do like the MCs though, the FMC is interesting and the MMC is funny and very understandable (in terms of character development, though a lot of this is told and not shown). Anyways, here’s some thoughts I had while reading:
Enjoyment: 4.25 ⭐️
This book was a fun, quick, generally easy read. I enjoyed it, though it seemed very short. Not a lot of plot development, mostly just development of the relationship between the characters — though, I still really don’t see a reason for the connection between them other than a vague “pull” kind of thing from the start, like love at first sight. Idk, the book was fun to read, but it seemed to be lacking a lot of stuff I thought would be in it. There wasn’t much action, the dystopian elements were mostly vague and confusing and thus not very impactful (at least to something like a Suzanne Collin’s level), and a lot of the inclusion of the previous series’ characters seemed like fan service. I am interested in reading more about this series, I just wish a lot more plot development would’ve occurred in this book. I do like the MCs though, the FMC is interesting and the MMC is funny and very understandable (in terms of character development, though a lot of this is told and not shown). Anyways, here’s some thoughts I had while reading:
- James is great, this book is funny
- The world-building seems pretty cool so far
- Okay, I’m a little confused now, hopefully things get explained a little better
- Idk if I like the god-idification of Aaron Warner here — like it makes sense that James would idolize him, but it’s feels a little too much like fan service
- Okay, I’m definitely liking the premise of this book
- Some of this narration and dialogue is pretty chaotic — like it helps characterize the characters but it’s like being bombarded at times
- I like how not all the couples from the original series stayed together, it seems much more realistic that way
- I wish there was a lot more action, this entire book is 90% developing the MC’s relationship, 8% dystopian commentary, and 2% fan service with the old characters (though, most of it is pretty funny)
- I feel like there isn’t enough basis for their attraction to one another other than a love at first sight kind of thing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Gun violence, Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture
Minor: Vomit
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Gun violence, Torture, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Goddamnit - I knew Taherah was going to hit us with one of her signature cliffhangers but JESUS😭🫢 Warner is every bit the calculating man he ever was, getting Rosabelle to be interrogated by her own father. I wonder if he really was won over by the New Republic, or if he is playing them…we shall see.
Woof - I am both excited and terrified to see where this sequel series goes. To be clear, Warner is genius for employing this move - while I do think Rosa’s loyalties are shifting, that is not at all clear externally yet, and he’s, as ever, extremely smart to be taking a strong-handed approach here.
Klaus is a formidable villain, and the reestablishment trying to use those damn vials to chemically remove the supernatural abilities from the population, and turn the mind control on, is chilling. 😱😰 I lost my fucking shit over every single tiny creature of wildlife having a FUCKING CHIP in their heads😰🤯😤🫣
I’m literally so terrified for everyone and while I’m happy to be in this world again, PLEASE LET THEM LIVE Taherah?!😭😭 I hope she won’t keep us in suspense for too long🥲
Overall, though the pace was a bit slow, I feel like this was a worthy sequel that holds up well alongside the very best of the Shatter Me series. I appreciate getting such a detailed look at the emotional landscape of both James and Rosabelle. I feel like the groundwork has been laid, and now we’ll get into the gritty plot.
Thank you for reading this subpar review, and yes I WILL be an anxious wreck until the next book is out, thanks for asking🥲😭
Woof - I am both excited and terrified to see where this sequel series goes.
Klaus is a formidable villain, and the reestablishment trying to use those damn vials to chemically remove the supernatural abilities from the population, and turn the mind control on, is chilling. 😱😰 I lost my fucking shit over every single tiny creature of wildlife having a FUCKING CHIP in their heads😰🤯😤🫣
I’m literally so terrified for everyone and while I’m happy to be in this world again, PLEASE LET THEM LIVE Taherah?!😭😭 I hope she won’t keep us in suspense for too long🥲
Overall, though the pace was a bit slow, I feel like this was a worthy sequel that holds up well alongside the very best of the Shatter Me series. I appreciate getting such a detailed look at the emotional landscape of both James and Rosabelle. I feel like the groundwork has been laid, and now we’ll get into the gritty plot.
Thank you for reading this subpar review, and yes I WILL be an anxious wreck until the next book is out, thanks for asking🥲😭
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
I tagged eating disorders as a warning for folks who may be in recovery, as Rosa’s relationship/reactions to food can be distressing.
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Diving back into the Shatter Me universe after so long was such a dream. I loved seeing James all grown up, and how similar he is to Warner and Kenji but different at the same time.
The book initially started off kinda slow, I found Rosabelle's chapters espically to be a bit of a struggle initially and James could be a bit tedious too.Once they got back to the rebellion place, the speed picked up a bit - and things got good for about the last 25 - 30% of the book. I'd missed seeing Kenji, Warner and Juliette and their chaotic trio energy was MUCH appreciated. I hope they'll feature in the second book too.
I did want a bit more on Adam's life - he took so much care of James as a child and I felt he was kinda outcast in this book. I also really wanted to see James as an uncle and how he'd be around Roman + Gigi. ALSO Juliette and Warner better be having a girl as Warner is SUCH girl dad coded. I need to see them having their happy ending. When Kenji made sure Warner was safe so that he could be safe for his kid? UGH KENJI ILYYYY
ALSO Kenji and and Nazeera better get back together or I'm going to be FUMINGGG. I feel like seeing Warner/Juliette/Kenji made the book a lot better, I only became mildly invested in Rosabelle and James towards the end.
This book was good and I can't wait to read the second one!
The book initially started off kinda slow, I found Rosabelle's chapters espically to be a bit of a struggle initially and James could be a bit tedious too.
This book was good and I can't wait to read the second one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Medical content