Name: Unravel Me
Rating: 3.96 (67 reviews)

"It will get better," they said. "Warner is worth it," they said. "Juliette grows as a character," they said. They LIED.

I finished Shatter Me, considered for a few hours, and then got Unravel Me later that night because I really just wanted to know how the whole thing with Warner worked out. I was curious. I love a good villain and I needed to find out how he could become a love interest. Then Unravel Me finally ended and I was rooting for Juliette to hurry the hell up and die. To be honest, this was the first book that has ever made me regret keeping my reviews PG-13. There were many, many choice words I would love to say. For your sake, I'll try to keep it clean.

Unravel Me picks up shortly after book one left off, with Juliette and Adam at Omega Point trying to fit in with the other gifted people. Well, sort of. Mostly it's just Juliette and Adam making out and making huge scenes in public. But whatever. Throughout this book Juliette is attempting to discover more about her gift and what its properties are. She discovers that her super strength is pretty freaking super and attempts (poorly) to learn to control it. Mostly, though, Juliette spends the entire second book being a miserable human being.

Juliette is literally the worst heroine I've ever read about, which is saying a lot because I have absolutely hated some others. She is incredibly selfish and, despite trying to act like she gives a crap about other people, actually only cares about ALL HER FEELS and getting in the most make out sessions with as many people as possible. World needs saving? Make out. Friend is dying in another room? Better make out. When Juliette wasn't making out, she was crying, shaking, forgetting how to breathe, or counting something. She was literally useless.

Then there's Adam. Not quite as useless as Juliette, he's basically Bella from New Moon. He spends this book being pissed off or depressed, fighting or wanting to fight people, and begging Juliette not to leave him. The plot surrounding Adam in this book was one of the dumbest things I have ever seen in a book. (Guys, I am trying SO hard to keep this clean for you!) Remember back in Shatter Me when Juliette and Adam spent all night sleeping, cuddled in each others arms? Remember?? Their skin was touching all night long while they were ASLEEP? Well, just forget all of that because the author needs a convenient reason for them to break up so Juliette and Warner can be together!

Speaking of Warner, he is the least worthless of these three characters, although he still wasn't the incredible villain love interest I was promised. Yes, he has a tragic backstory. Yes, he calls Juliette "Luv" a lot. Yes, he has green eyes. That's about where it ends. I don't get it. I don't get why he's so swoon-worthy to every other person who has read this book. Despite his Big Bad status, Warner is weak and apparently "he's in love with [Juliette]" almost immediately for some reason. (WHY does everyone love Juliette??)

Kenji was honestly the only character in this book who I cared about at all. I mean, seriously, even the 10 year old brother got on my nerves. But Kenji seemed like a normal human being with normal human emotions and priorities.

I don't even have anything to really say about the plot of this book other than that it was worthless. I said it in my review of book one and I'll say it again: this is not a dystopian novel. This is crappy romance disguised as dystopia. There is zero world building and I give zero cares (I'm trying) about whether or not the world even survives. Honestly, just blow the whole thing up.

And who could forget about the writing? It is just as ridiculous in Unravel Me as it was in book one. I actually (seriously) had a headache by the time this book finally ended from rolling my eyes so much at the idiotic metaphors and descriptions. I counted at least 7 uses of the phrase "small smile" in this book and those were just the ones I paid enough attention to make note of. Of course I wouldn't leave you without a sampling of my favorite quotes from this book!

"Panic is doing backflips in my bones."

"My emotions jump out of a plane."

"He says it like it's a lit cigarette lodged in his throat."

"I am the incarnation of air."

Seriously, if it wasn't for all the ridiculous metaphors this book would be at least 100 pages shorter.

In case you hadn't guessed, I hated this book. I try not to hate many books because I understand how hard authors work to create them, but this one had not one redeeming quality. The writing was painful, I was screaming for characters to hurry up and die by the end, and the world building is non-existent. I am aware that a lot of people adore this series, but I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Ele.ments

Written on Apr 1, 2022

3,5 ⭐️

kalventure

Written on Feb 21, 2020

God, Adam is as interesting as a lamp and as obsessively possessive as a stalker. What enjoyment I get from the actual worldbuilding is drastically overshadowed by the romantic drama. Sadly the fun stuff I remembered APPARENTLY happens in the next book. *sigh*

whisperingchapters

Written on Oct 21, 2019

I'm more in love with Warner *sighs dreamily*

jeannamichel

Written on Oct 13, 2019

Okay, I may be Team Warner now.

RoXXie

Written on Aug 15, 2018

Well, what to say? I am still in awe with this story and Ms. Mafi's writing style.
It's just amazing how many descriptions she finds for feelings, even the smallest ones. It's like being pulled right into all these heart-warming and heart-breaking emotions.
The way the story unfolds was totally unexpected, but I can't wait to keep reading about Juliette , Adam, Kenji and Aaron and his father, as well as every other character which appeared so far.

Sam@WLABB

Written on May 11, 2016

I am still in love with the author's writing style. I am still fully invested in everyone at Omega Point. I have grown to understand, and may I even suggest, like Warner. I LOVED the twists that Mafi threw at us -- whoa! But, parts of the conflict got on my nerves, and I think that is why I did not love this as much as Shatter Me. The ending, though, left me quite hungry for the last book, and I am eager to see how this all ends.

KitsuneBae

Written on Feb 13, 2016

What a nice treat for a pre-Valentine celebration. I was so glad that I finally got to read this one. Juliette is really insane, now I thoroughly understand why her reactions are over the top. Because she's really insane.

The twists and the revelations really did it for me. 3

And thank the gods, my ship has not sunk. #TeamWarner

Adam, at some point, I liked you but I just knew from the bottom of my heart that you're not good enough for our insane Juliette.

cornerfolds

Joséphine

Written on Apr 15, 2015

Initial thoughts: This series just keeps getting better with each book! The building complexity of the characters is a huge plus. Coupled with the prose, Unravel Me is a wonderful book. Though again, as with Shatter Me, the romance put a slight damper on my enjoyment. It helped that this time round I was expecting it, so I could appreciate the confusion that it evoked in everyone involved.

Chelsea

Written on Feb 12, 2015

Quick Thoughts
1. I still can't stand Juliette. She's the worst.
2. Warner gets hotter and hotter. Juliette doesn't deserve him.
3. Adam is starting to get on my nerves. Why can't I have normal characters?!
4. Plot was still good. Sad sometimes, but good.
5. It's starting to seem like a very typical revolution. I hope it doesn't turn out that way.

Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2)

by Tahereh Mafi