Mafi, Tahereh.
SHATTER ME
New York : Harper, 2011
IL YA
ISBN 0062085484

Juliette has been locked up for 264 days. She lives amongst 4 walls, 1 window, and 144 square feet of space. This becomes her life. Solitude, loneliness, and her notebook. She does not know why she is locked up and has no idea who took her. All she knows is that her touch is deadly. Lethal, in fact. Her own parents gave her up and the community she grew up in wants nothing to do with her. She has killed before, on accident, but that does not matter. What matters is she is dangerous, a weapon, and a monster.

The world outside of Juliette’s cell is polluted. There are no birds, no animals. Livestock and other sources of food have been poisoned and the world’s population is starving to death. The weather no longer has seasons and oxygen is low – almost running out. The Reestablishment has promised a better future for citizens. According to this regime, the weak must be destroyed and only the strong deserve life.

That is, until one day another cellmate arrives. After going 264 days without speaking, Juliette is frightened. His name is Adam and neither will admit why they are locked up. Juliette feels an immediate draw to Adam but cannot touch him for fear he will die if she does. Shortly after their stay, the doors open and both are taken away. Juliette does not admit that she remembers Adam from her childhood. Adam does not admit that he was put in Juliette’s cell for a reason.

The Reestablishment offers Juliette a deal: help us and we will help you.

In this novel, Juliette learns that her lethal touch may be a power that can be used for good. But how does she tame it? How can she use it to fight the cowardice that runs the Reestablishment?

Shatter Me is an origin story at its finest; showing the making of a heroine from an unlikely place.  (Book Talk Author: Jaime Rogers, Colorado Blue Spruce Award, 2015)