Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3)

Why didn't I like this one as much as the first?
Same with the second one, I suppose.

It was all a huge buildup to nothing.

Although I do love Aaron Warner. and Kenji.

And the writing finally wasn't annoying. Juliet finally came back to her normal senses.

Ignite Me was amazing! A perfect ending to a perfect series. After months of bad endings, the prospects are starting to look up, which is proven by Ignite Me. The plot is beautiful, the characters done well, and the world magnificent.

The main character is Juliette. Her touch kills for cryin out loud! In book one, Juliette was quiet, meek, and all around weak-hearted. By Ignite Me, Juliette is ANGRY! She is ready to kick butt, and no one's getting in her way! Juliette is not afraid anymore and it's amazing. Suddenly, all the things she's only dreamed of are within sight. There are a couple awkward moments that I cringed at, but beyond that, her interactions with the other characters is strong. My favorite character is quite possibly Kenji. He is the comic relief of the series. Kenji is also kind but stubborn. He's Juliette's best friend, and when she says 'I can't' he says 'Yes you can'. A note on the love triangle. Up until this point I was solid Team Adam but Ignite Me turned me. I am now definitely Team Warner. You honestly don't get just how wonderful and sometimes broken he is until this book.

This book was perfectly done. The action was nonstop and the romance was scorcing. Seriously, I'm blushing just thinking about it. I can't even accurately express the perfectness of this ending. How the characters decided to deal with the problem was risky and made for a lot of kick butt time. Juliette didn't take no for an answer. The language that Tahereh chooses to use in the book is beautiful. The writing is similar to that of The Book Thief. It's so poetic and fun to read. Unlike the first book, in Ignite Me, there are no cross outs. The tagline 'Fear will learn to fear me' is perfect for the book, the cover is beautiful and the book shattered expectations. Ignite Me was amazing and deserves a full five stars.

“They can touch me if they like, and maybe it’ll hurt, but my skin won’t kill anyone anymore. Because I’ll never let it get that far. Because I now know how to control it.”

I have been in love with this series since the first book and seeing it end filled me with both joy and sadness. I don’t want this story to end, but at the same time I’m so glad of everything that happened because these characters deserved it.

What made this series different was Tahereh’s unique style. When I started Shatter Me , it was kind of odd but I got used to it and it started to have an appeal. The repeated words give emphasis and the crossed-out ones gives us a glimpse of Juliette’s internal conflict.

I have this random, unscripted fangirling inside me which might give spoilers so I’ll just list the things that made this book awesome.

1. Juliette. I loved how her character developed since the first book. Before we saw a terrified girl who sees herself as a monster. But in Ignite Me , Juliette was aware of her abilities and learned to embrace it, not fear it. She is determined to fight back and not to be placed at the backseat and be protected.

2. Kenji. What more can a girl ask for if you have Kenji Kishimoto as your best friend? I am so glad he was the first one who heard Juliette’s story on what happened to her when she was separated with them during the battle. I expected a mad outburst but also an understanding, even just a little.. and he did not disappoint. In this book, he acted as the mediator between two sides who still finds it hard to exist together. He was not just the clown in this one who gives us a comedic relief whenever things get pretty serious. He was the support Juliette had when everyone second-guessed her decision to fight The Reestablishment with the help of Warner. (Is that part a spoiler? I think it was pretty obvious that Warner’s gonna help him, right?) He tells Juliette when something is not right and supports her with her decisions—the exact definition of a friend, in my opinion.

“I’m here for you, kid. That’s what friends are for.”

3. James. I’m pretty sure we all agree how adorable he is but this time, we got more of him. He has that innocence in him the others lacked because of the war. It was like the only pure thing left in this big mess with The Reestablishment.

4. Warner. This guy.. *shakes head* Despite thinking that I’ve been on his side after reading Destroy Me , I think I started having this belief that he’s much more than he seems to be since Shatter Me , and boy, he didn’t disappoint. Here you get to see a very attentive, caring, loving and sarcastic Warner. It is so obvious that his world revolves around Juliette but what makes him so much better is that he believes in her. He doesn’t treat her like a damsel in distress and he only comes to her rescue when he thinks she really needs it.

“Warner thinks I’m strong and smart and capable and he actually values my opinion. He makes me feel like his equal—like I can accomplish just as much as he can, and more. And if I do something incredible, he’s not even surprised. He expects it. He doesn’t treat me like I’m some fragile little girl who needs to be protected all the time.”

5. Character development. As mentioned above, Juliette’s, Kenji’s and Warner’s characters were given more roundness, but not just them but also Adam. He may have acted like a total douchebag but Tahereh showed to us a different side of Adam and I actually love it. It removed the notion that Adam is super kind, forgiving, gentle and all that bullshit. It showed Adam as a human being—someone who gets hurt, hurts someone, says stupid things and does stupid things. I honestly disliked Adam for being flat and being whiny and sappy in Unravel Me so I appreciated this development so much.

6. Chapter 55. Holy shitake mushrooms!! 55 is the new 62. That is all. *fans self*

Unfortunately, no matter how awesome this book is, there were some not-so-awesome about it. One is that the ‘great battle’ happened too fast for me. I wanted more action from the war, more elaborate of what is going on especially when they were in the ship. Who the hell was that guy? Juliette said he’s familiar, so who is he?

This book was made of feels, rainbows and unicorns. It didn’t focus more on its dystopian aspect but on Juliette’s growth as a character and I’m okay with that. Some may say that this is just full of romance but it’s not. Yes, it had some feels because Juliette’s choice between Warner and Adam also says something about her but it didn’t just focused there. They weren’t coped up together in the whole book. There was actually confusion, uncertainty and realizations.

The ending didn’t feel like the end at all. It felt like it was just a beginning, but it is a beginning to another chapter in Juliette’s life. But despite wanting to know more about what happens next, I’d rather end this story at this then have another roller coaster. In the end, I think Juliette had all her loose ends tied.

Inevitable spoilers for Shatter Me and Unravel Me. Spoiler Free for Ignite Me though!

I wanted to read Ignite Me, because I have loved the books in the series (minus not being thrilled about the last novella) and I had to know what would happen in this dark world where nothing is quite as it seems. There is a love triangle that I am crazy for and I don't even know how I want it to end. My thoughts towards both have changed since I first met them and I usually have a gut feeling who will win out even if that is not the guy that I like the most. Warner has revealed so much about himself that I never would have guessed, showing he has a heart and the depths of his feelings for Juliette are great and that his actions have been carefully planned to try to win her heart and do things for the sector. Adam, I always just liked but despite their physical attraction and their past together, I just am torn because they have both changed so much since then and that really changes their dynamic. Plus of what I read in his novella, it really made me sad some of the thoughts and ways he viewed her and besides she makes a statement in this one that confirms another nagging suspicion I had. They are now on a more even playing field and I feel like they have had their books to shine, and I just need to know who will earn her heart and what will become of the other. So, not only did I want resolution for the love triangle that has stolen my heart, I also wanted to see further character development in Juliette and see how she steps up to be a key in peace and a better life in this dark world.

Pretty quickly we get into the story and seeing some of this growth in Juliette. While she is torn apart and grieving over the losses, she sees this healing and second chance at life in a new way, with determination. She isn't sure if her friends are alive and she is still wavering on Warner, which is understandable because while he has revealed some and they have had some pretty intense and hot moments together, she hasn't been inside his head quite like we have, and there were still lots of dark choices he's had to make. I loved the conversations they had together and just seeing how softened he gets toward Juliette and when he loses his composure and we glimpse through the facades.

We do get an answer about whether or not her friends are alive. We also get lots of insight into them in unexpected ways. Through Juliette we discover how heavy Kenji's burdens were with being the funny one, having to really shoulder his grief in different ways. We see the ruins of Omega, and know that it meant even if Adam and some others lived through it, then there were still great losses.

I don't know if I have just completely gotten used to the style and there is also the fact that we aren't really experiencing things through Juliette's writing. But the writing and the way Juliette's mind works is really still just so poetic and beautiful to me. It is unlike anything I have read really and it makes the books extra special. I am glad that it is still there even if not as shocking as book one with the setup.

And of course, Juliette makes a choice for which guy in this book, and with all of the work up to it, I agree with her so much. It ends up being the best decision for her, and the one that spurs her on to do what she needs to do to help bring down the reestablishment and make changes for a better world. It is someone who proves he sees her heart, believes in her, and has the love and support for her.

There was a lot of action towards the end as well as some surprise characters that made life even more difficult for Juliette and crew. She had to make some hard choices along the way, but watching her learn her strength and how to not only be stronger for herself but for others was amazing to watch. She had more help learning to master her powers and how to use them in order to gain control and to take down Anderson.

Ms. Mafi also manages to break up the tension and weight of their mission by some awesomely swoony scenes. One of the best YA scenes that while it eventually faded to black, it had me sweating and sighing, wishing I was Juliette in that moment. She also manages to write in some hilarious scenes that had me snorting and literally laughing out loud as I read.

I did not want to put down this book, and I am wholly satisfied with this conclusion to this series that has captured my attention and my heart. Tahereh Mafi has a bold writing style and she took some risky moves in these books that paid off, and made me love and remember them even more than I thought possible.

I think that the threads were tied off well, and that we have closure on the series, though I do think that it could have been well served with a bit of an epilogue, seeing a glimpse of Juliette's triumph and how the world begins to change into something better, and also a glimpse into the one not chosen to see how that works for him. But otherwise, perfection in hundreds of pages. I despised every moment I had to put the book down, and I am left with a Juliette and crew sized hole in my heart because I will miss these characters and their amazingly awesomeness.

Bottom Line: F*ing awesome series conclusion. Brave, addictive, hot, and full of action, character growth and resolution.

Now that's how you end a series. Holy moly this book was filled with action and adventure and romance. It held one of my favorite opposite sex friendships of all time. There really needs to be more opposite sex friendships like Juliette and Kenji's. There truly isn't enough of them in the YA world. As much as I loved Kenji in Unravel Me, his comedic timing was impeccable and even more amazing in Ignite Me. He really needs his own series (Make it happen people)

"Maybe your lady bits are scientifically confused."

"First Adam. Now Warner. Next week you are going to try to hook up with me."

"Switch spots with me, J. He's making me feel all goose bumpy and shit, like maybe, he's about to knife me."

I mean those are just a sampling of the comedic genius that Kenji is throughout this book. He ended up being one of my favorite parts of the entire series. Tahereh wrote a perfect opposite sex friendship. I am one of those people who totally believes that people of opposite sexes can be just friends. Juliette and Kenji's friendship is a perfect illustration of that.

Juliette has done a ton of changing over these three books. When we met her she was scared and she felt weak. By the time Ignite Me comes around and throughout the book, she is not afraid anymore. She fights for what she wants and what she feels is right.She has friends now which is something she didn't have at the beginning of the trilogy.

Oh Adam, you really pissed me off in this book. I understand his dislike of Warner (even though I don't agree with it) but he needed to stop being a jackass. Even Kenji got annoyed with him which tells you something right there. I truly think Adam wanted Juliette to stay naive and quiet and non-confrontational. He liked being Juliette's protector and savior.

Now Warner treated Juliette with respect and like she was his equal which I loved seeing. All her life Juliette had been shunned and here comes powerful Warner who saw her, not as a frail woman in need of protection, but as an equal.

Oh boy Tahereh knows how to write steamy scenes. Wowee, chapter 55 was hotter than chapter 62 of Unravel Me. I never even though that was possible but damn Tahereh, you surprised me. This author knows how to write dynamite steamy scenes. I only wish I had that talent. I try to write steamy scenes and they turn out horribly. Like I'm trying too hard to force it. But chapter 55 was hot and the chemistry leapt off of the pages.

The only complaint that I could conceivably have is with the ending. It felt just a little bit rushed. I was not bothered by that enough to change my rating of the book. The book was still amazing and it took me through a range of emotions that left me in tears by the end of it. All of the loose ends are tied up which really made me happy as I have read books that ended with some loose strings. So this conclusion to the trilogy will be getting 5 stars.If you haven't read the series, then you need to fix that ASAP.

Through the three books, we see Juliette first (Shatter Me), experience freedom with Adam—a young solider, struggling in poverty to make ends meet for him and his ten year old brother. We meet a sadistic, sociopath named Warner—a leader of the military in Sector 45 and son to the Commander of the Reestablishment. Warner begins as Juliette’s captor, a monster trying to bring out the monster within her, which she desperately fears and hates. She wants to hide away from the big bad world and Adam shelters her, protects her, keeps her away from all she fears—or he tries. No one can touch her. No one but Adam. This begins the bond between them. Juliette, holding to hope, believing fate brought the one person who can touch her…until Warner too, touches her.

Here, in Ignite Me, is where Juliette breaks out of the frightened, little girl shell and determines herself to live differently. She will no longer be afraid. She will learn to truly live. She would have done everything different if she could but chooses to look ahead and live each day with confidence, and determination to make tomorrow different. For her. For everyone.

I loved many things about this book! It truly was focused on Juliette’s journey with herself and with love. The rest of the world-building plot took a back seat, providing a backdrop and scenery for the real story:

At first, the love triangle.

The changes taking place in Juliette.

Many things we saw within the first two books through Juliette’s perspective get confronted and challenged.

Suddenly, things she thought she knew, things she believed happened, in fact, did not happen the way she thought. Through her perspective, we all, together learn these things as well.

The end for me needed more pages, hence my 4* for Plot. For the most part, there is enough resolution. All in all, I am very happy with who Juliette ends up with. It is most definitely the best choice for her and I love how Tahereh developed it further in this book. I love that she allowed us to SEE it, enjoy it and not just wrapped it up in the end with, “And Juliette chose so and so and now live HEA.” No, she let us in. I liked that very much.

I loved this book. I loved the “love”. I loved Kenji and his friendship with Juliette. I am satisfied with the ending—though there is a little more I would’ve wanted. Just a few more pages Tahereh.
Wonderful ending to this beautiful series. I will be re-reading this book specifically, over and over for many years to come.

I wrote a full-detailed book talk Spoiler-Free then With Spoilers here: Come over & fangirl over the book with me!

http://missdreamymarie.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/ignite-me-book-talk/