Shatter Me

“We were killing ourselves by trying to stay alive.”


This is an epic read, fast-paced, dramatic and eerie. Reminds me a bit of a ‘Miss Peregrine’s’ but with a dystopian twist. Ends on a cliffhanger (worth it). Recommend.

4.5 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



Note:
I listened to the audiobook and I strongly recommend this experience. The narrator’s voice is extremely pleasant but this book also has sound effects that add to the experience.



Unravel Me


After finishing ‘Shatter Me’, I needed this immediately. Wow, the feels! This one sees them start to settle into a different sort of lifestyle but also has a gut-wrenching twist (or 3!) that I won’t share here. Brilliantly executed and with Mafi’s beautiful writing all the while.

Left me hanging, there is a cliffhanger. I’m off to read ‘Ignite Me’.

4.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Note: I listened to this in audio format; just like ‘Shatter Me’ the narrator is amazing, with a perfect voice for this content. Eerie sound effects added in throughout. 5-star performance.



Ignite Me

Picks up exactly where ‘Unravel Me’ leaves off and Juliette is in for some tragic surprises, which I won’t spoil here. I will say we do get to know Warner a bit more and he’s at least as complicated than he seemed in ‘Unravel Me’.

The excitement and drama pick up in this one—and that’s not stated lightly, as the first 2 were not lacking in these areas, but as the plot continues to evolve, it grows more complex. Mafi’s got to be brilliant to have designed this series so well.

All of the books in this series have packed real feels but this one brings the most intense thus far—very well played. Listened to this is 1 sitting; could NOT put it down. Ends on a very dramatic note; you’ll want book 4 straight away.

4.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Note:
I listened to the audiobook because I’m pressed for time and I can double-speed audio. ;)
Narrator is amazing, perfect pitch, excellent, smooth voice, clear and concise. I hope she does the whole series. 5-star performance.



Restore Me

This one, book 4 in this series starts about a month and a half after book 3 ended and manages to not miss a beat. Still manages to have an eerie feel, though not as much as book 1 did, as they’re settling into what their life has become.

This one treats us to alternate POVs and a more intimate look at Warner and it works well.
I particularly like how this installment delves into what the world was like leading up to its world’s current state—it sounds much like our current world and should serve as a wake-up call. (Talks of division, racism, armed civilians, civil wars, etc.)

The corruption runs DEEP and it keeps me on the edge of my seat but also very appreciative of how well-designed this series is.

The drama, excitement and intrigue still manage to continue to escalate in this one and you will absolutely need book 5 immediately (Title: ‘Defy Me’).


4.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Note:
I listened to the audiobook. Thankfully, Kate (narrator of books 1-3) worked on this one as well so I still got to enjoy her smooth, comfortable voice. This one’s a duet, with a male reading the part of Warner. His voice isn’t as wonderful as Kate’s, but it works.


Note:
This one has a small continuity issue … just Juliette learning something ‘for the first time’ that we already saw her learn in book 2. Doesn’t impact the reading experience, but does indicate that Mafi could use a stronger editor, maybe.




Defy Me

Once again, after the previous book in the series ended on a painfully (but brilliant) dramatic note, I absolutely needed book 5 right away.

This one dedicates a lot of time to showing the reader some past events; it also, despite depicting such dark times, manages to show love, loyalty and friendship and again I’m struck by the beauty of Mafi’s writing style.

Warning: absolutely nothing is resolved in this installment. It’s an important read for the series, giving more backstory and for relationship development but just as things felt like they might be getting started, the books was over. Onto book 6 !

4 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Note:
I listened to the audiobook; this was performed by multiple narrators in order to more clearly depict the multiple POVs and it’s perfectly executed. 5-star performance. Definitely will seek more Harper Audio productions.



Imagine Me

After devouring books 1-5 in this series in just a few days, I needed book 6, in true Mafi fashion.

“ … it’s been 2 days since i killed my own mother. Two days since I met the remnants of my sister …”


This entire series is as intriguing as that partial-quote and written beautifully all the while. And heart-wrenching—all the books in this series invoke real feels but this one was the most powerful for me.

It was an insightful look at a very fun, addictive series, while providing a much-needed ending.
Well played, all around. Officially want to read anything Mafi ever writes.

4.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Note:
I listened to the audiobook; this one is narrated by a cast of 3. The female voice is one of the best I’ve ever listened to and both males are great as well. 5-star performance. Spot on voices, accents, pronunciation, etc.