Review: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Hysteria by Megan Miranda
Published: February 5, 2013 (Walker Children's)
Source: E-ARC from NetGalley
Rating: Squee-worthy

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Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can’t remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn’t charged. But Mallory still feels Brian’s presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her... or anything about her past. But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence -- to herself and others.

In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda’s masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.

Memorable Quote

 Because it felt like we were starting right now.  Then I was so close I could feel his breath, coming a little too fast.  And my hands were on his chest, like I could push him away any minute, but I didn't.  I spread my palms flat and tried to feel his heartbeat.

It was racing.

- Page 176

My Review

Megan Miranda became one of my go-to authors last year with Fracture, her debut novel, so as soon as I heard about Hysteria, I knew I had to read this YA thriller.  Within the first few pages, I was captivated, and wanted to learn more about Mallory, and about what happened the night her boyfriend died.  Megan's ability to weave a fascinating story continues in Hysteria.  Once again, I didn't know who to trust, and couldn't figure out what, exactly, was happening until the last minute.  Everyone was a suspect - Mallory included. 

Not many authors could take an unreliable narrator like Mallory and make me care about her, but Megan Miranda did.    Throughout Hysteria, scattered flashbacks reveal what really happened the night Mallory's boyfriend died, but I wasn't sure which was more compelling - Mallory's past, or her present.  Starting over at a new school poses its own challenges; there's a boy, who might be a new chance at love, if Mallory is brave enough to take that chance.  I wanted to push her toward Reid, who was so patient, loyal, and understanding.  But I had to trust in Megan Miranda to let Mallory grow, slowly, but steadily, into someone who could trust herself again - which was incredibly difficult to believe would happen, with Mallory receiving ghostly nightmares, visions, and threats.  

Hysteria is a wild ride, but one I'm glad I took.  Only Megan Miranda could have told this type of story: a mystery, and a ghost story all rolled into one - with some swoon-worthy romance sprinkled in.  The characters are genuine, and I couldn't get enough of the macabre undertones to Hysteria.  It's a book I'll definitely purchase to add to my bookshelf!


Other books by this author:

Fracture
Vengeance (Fracture #2 | 2014, Walker Children's) 

You're sure to fall for:

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

About Megan

Megan Miranda was a scientist and high school teacher before writing Fracture, which came out of her fascination with scientific mysteries—especially those associated with the brain. Megan has a BS in biology from MIT and spent her post-college years either rocking a lab coat or reading books. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, where she volunteers as an MIT Educational Counselor. Fracture is her first novel.

Visit Megan at: her website | twitter 

Shop for Hysteria at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository 

Review + 5 Favorite Quotes: The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
Publication: January 29, 2013 (Balzer+Bray)
Source: E-Galley from the publisher
Rating: Squee-worthy

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In the darkest places, even love is deadly.  Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Memorable Quotes

1.) The ship jerked suddenly, and I flew backward.  My head struck the wall.  Montgomery tumbled out of his chair and would have fallen on top of me if he hadn't braced himself against the wall with quick instincts.  I clung to his arms as if I were falling, but we weren't going anywhere.  My fingers tightened.  He was a finger's distance from me.  Closer.  Close enough to feel the brush of his loose hair on my face, to feel the heat from his sunburned skin.  If it hadn't been for the thin fabric of my chemise, we'd have been skin against skin.  
 

2.) It struck me he was almost a ghost, straddling the fine line between the living and the dead.  I wanted him to live, to see again whatever was so important in that photograph, as if it would make up for my morbid fascination.  
 

3.) Suddenly he brushed his rough thumb against my jaw, catching me by surprise.  Heat erupted across my face as I drew in a sharp breath.  Was he going to kiss me?  My eyelids sank closed.  Our bodies were practically touching.  It was wrong to be so close to a boy - every moment of Mother's upbringing had taught me that.  But I didn't care.  We were bound together, he and I.


4.) The day was beautiful.  A blue sky stretched as far as the ocean, which we glimpsed between breaks in the trees.  I'd traded a bitter English winter for the lush tropical sun and beautiful calls of faraway birds. 


5.) I had forgotten what I loved about the piano.  The precision of the notes and the mathematical intricacy of the notes and measures.  It was like a complicated equation that you work out with your heart instead of pencil and paper.  I concentrated on the keys, letting my mind clear.  I played and played until the final  bar, where I let the chord ring until the last trace of sound faded. 
   

My Review

The Madman's Daughter is an eery, Gothic story that will absolutely sweep readers off their feet.  As I began reading, I was immediately transported to London - a lonely placed for orphaned Juliet.  My heart went out to her, and I liked her at once.  She's one of my favorite kind of heroines - brash, intelligent, witty, and curious.  She makes impulsive decisions, and she does what she has to do.  Juliet Moreau was an awesome narrator for this spooky YA historical, and her point of view complimented Megan Shepherd's writing perfectly.  

As the reader, I saw everything so clearly through Juliet's eyes, and because Megan pulled me into the story so completely, I also felt what Juliet felt.  Her emotions were so clearly stitched into The Madman's Daughter: from wonder at her father's island, to trepidation throughout the perilous journey there, the blush of a renewed attraction to Montgomery, and ultimately, the terror as she became caught up in her father's machinations.   

Each time I thought I grasped the full scope of the mad doctor's plans, Megan Shepherd threw another curve ball into the story.   The plot of The Madman's Daughter is full of mystery and danger, literally around every corner of the teeming jungle.  There was so much life in the pages, but also many questions of morality, and what life means to different people and species.  I was fascinated to see how the doctor's actions effected everyone on the island in different ways, from Juliet and Montgomery, to Edward, Alice, and Balthasar.  

While definitely creepy at times, and positively hair-rising at others, The Madman's Daughter is definitely a fabulous story.  Megan Shepherd made me gasp in surprise at the revelations - some of which I suspected, while others took me totally by surprise.  While I thought the love triangle was somewhat superfluous, I still enjoyed reading about both the boys.  With an ending you won't see coming, The Madman's Daughter is a must-read! 


Other books by this author:

Untitled (The Madman's Daughter #2 - 2014 Balzer+Bray)
The Cage (The Cage #1 - 2014 Balzer+Bray)

You're sure to fall for:

The Diviners by Libba Bray

About Megan  

I’ve been many things, like a professional exchange student, park ranger in Montana, and LOST enthusiast, but what I am now is a writer.  When I'm not writing, I can usually be found horseback riding, day dreaming at coffee shops, or hiking in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.
Visit Megan at: her website | her blog | her twitter

Shop for The Madman's Daughter at: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

 

If you'd like to visit the previous and next blogs on this tour, here is the full schedule!

1/21  A Dream Within A Dream             Playlist

1/22 Hobbitsies                                      Author Q&A

1/23 Birth of a New Witch                     Top 5 Favorite Quotes

1/24 365 Days of Reading                      Author Q&A

1/25  Sci Fi Chick                                  Favorite Scene

1/28 Word Spelunking                           Top 5 Favorite Quotes

1/29  Books with Bite                            Author Q&A

1/30 The Mod Podge Bookshelf            TBA

1/31 Once Upon a Prologue                   Top 5 Favorite Quotes

2/1    Book Twirps                                 Favorite Scene

  

Review: Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook

Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook
Publication: January 29, 2013 (HarperTeen)
Source: E-galley from the publisher
Rating: Squee-worthy
Shop: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

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Bonnie and Clyde meets IF I STAY in this addictively heart-wrenching story of two desperate teenagers on the run from their pasts.

They’re young. They’re in love. They’re on the run.

Zoe wants to save Will as much as Will wants to save Zoe. When Will turns eighteen, they decide to run away together. But they never expected their escape to be so fraught with danger....

When the whole world is after you, sometimes it seems like you can’t run fast enough.

Nobody But Us, told in alternating perspectives from Will and Zoe, is an unflinching novel, in turns heartbreaking and hopeful, about survival, choices, and love...and how having love doesn’t always mean that you get a happy ending. Described as “beautiful, heartbreaking, and exhilarating” by Kody Keplinger, author of The DUFF, Nobody But Us will prove irresistible to fans of Nina Lacour, Jenny Han, and Sara Zarr.

Memorable Quote

It scares me.  These things that I thought were real a week ago - feelings that felt so big, so overwhelming - now seem like they were a fairy tale, a little girl's imaging of her Prince Charming.  But these moments, every second more I spend with Will, show me how flat, how untrue, the fairy tale is.  how much better - and worse - real life is. 

My Review

Nobody But Us was billed as a "modern day" Bonnie and Clyde, but as I began reading, I was more drawn to the intense emotions between Zoe and Will.  Kristin Halbrook painted a very realistic and heart-wrenching vision of a two young, broken teenagers both in need of escaping their tragic lives.  I enjoyed the dual perspective, and the writing style, as well as the heart of the story, but the ending left me more broken-hearted than I expected to be. 

Both Will and Zoe came across as totally believable, and their characterizations were spot-on.  Halbrook did a great job of getting two teenage "voices" right.  I could FEEL Zoe's desperation to escape her abusive, alcoholic dad, and Will's fervent need to help her, and prove that he was worth something.  Both characters were just so tragic in their own way - beaten down by their circumstances, and looking for self-love/worth in each other.  As an adult, it's easy to see how wrong that is, but when you're a teenager and in love, you don't always know this.  Zoe and Will each learned a lot while on the road - about life, and about themselves.  As their relationship fissured and cracked, I felt like my heart was breaking for them.  

Watching Nobody But Us play out was a tense experience, especially because the pacing was just about perfect.  I had an inkling of what might happen, especially the ending, but I was still caught off guard.  So much changed, from the beginning to the end - some for the better, some for the worse.   As the climax of Halbrook's story neared, the dual point of view only heightened the experience, and made me more nervous, which meant I felt like I was right there with Zoe and Will, two characters I'd grown to care about.  

Ultimately a good read, I didn't have the "all the feels" response to Nobody But Us I was hoping I would have.  However, it's still a solid read, and I for one am really looking forward to reading more of Kristin Halbrook's work!

About Kristin

When I was little, I wanted to be a writer, the President of the USA or the first female NFL quarterback. Despite being able to throw a wicked spiral, I didn't really grow to the size needed for the NFL. Then, as I got older and studied more, I came to realize there were better ways to effect positive change than becoming president. The first one, however, stuck. Even when I was pursuing other dreams, I always took time to write here and there. NOBODY BUT US will be published by HarperChildren's in 2013.

Visit Kristin at: her website | her twitter

Review: Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini

Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini
Publication: October 30, 2012 (Simon Pulse)
Source: Finished copy from the publisher
Rating: Squee-worthy

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Experience the afterlife in this lyrical, paranormal debut novel that will send your heart soaring.When Elliot finds herself dead for the third time, she knows she must have messed up, big-time. She doesn’t remember how she landed in the afterlife again, but she knows this is her last chance to get things right.
 
Elliot just wants to move on, but first she will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.

As she pieces together the secrets and mistakes of her past, Elliot must find a way to earn the forgiveness of the person she’s hurt most, and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever.

Memorable Quote

The wind roared and the rain battered me.  The storm bellowed, but for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, i felt a pocket of peace inside my soul.  It was mine and no ones else could take it away.  I was the eye of the storm.  

My Review

Touching the Surface was one of my most anticipated books of 2012, and within the first few pages, I was psyched for this story.  I love afterlife novels like Dean Winchester loves pie.  With a lush, ephemeral setting that was described so vividly, and characters that felt real to me immediately, it was impossible not to fall for Touching the Surface.  By the end, I was genuinely moved by this wonderful novel about letting go of the past, in order to hold on to something new.  

I loved the setting; the Obmil is a fantastic, ethereal place. I was confused at first, because Sabatini's afterlife is complex, and it took me a few chapters to really "get" everything - the levels, the rules.  Once that happened, I could appreciate the world-building, which was actually very well done.  I loved that Kimberly used the "Delves," or flashbacks as a plot device to get me invested in who these characters were...characters I very quickly grew to love.  

I always enjoy character growth, and that was present in Touching the Surface.  Elliot changed so much from who she was when she arrived in the Obmil; I loved seeing her shed her selfishness and grow into a person who cared about others, and understood the impact of her actions in their lives.  This is a very character-driven strory, and I found myself connecting deeply to Elliot, Julia, Trevor, Owen, and even Mel.  Everyone added a bit to the overall message of Touching the Surface, and I liked how unexpectedly various characters ended up tangled in Elliot's life.  

Along with the mysteries of the afterlife, and several things that weren't what I thought them to be, I also fell hard for Trevor.  At first, I was prepared to hate him for his reactions to Elliot, but there was a reason, and I am so, so glad I stuck with Kimberly's story, and got to know both Trevor, and Oliver.  These two boys play a huge part in Elliot's life, in different ways; there's no love triangle here, but there - is - a meaningful love story that blooms sweetly, slowly encompassing Elliot and Trevor.  

Touching the Surface is a story that lingered with me.  I found myself shedding a few tears as the climax swelled toward an ending that was more of a beginning.  Even now, days later, I'm still thinking of this beautiful story, and I urge everyone to read it!



You're sure to fall for:

The Catastrophic History of You & Me by Jess Rothenberg
If I Lie by Corrine Jackson

About Kimberly

Kimberly Sabatini is a former Special Education Teacher who is now a stay-at-home mom and a part-time dance instructor for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. After her dad passed away in 2005, she used writing as a way to make sense of the experience and discovered that she’s full of questions that need to be answered. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with her husband and three boys.

Visit Kimberly at: her website | her twitter | her pinterest

Shop for Touching the Surface at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository 

 

Tour Stop: Review: Betwixt by Melissa Pearl

Betwixt by Melissa Pearl
Published: November 5, 2012
Source: Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Rating: Squee-worthy

Beautiful, wild-child Nicole Tepper is hit by a car and left for dead. But when she wakes the next morning, Nicole finds herself in bed without a scratch. Perhaps she was more intoxicated than usual, as her mother is giving her the silent treatment and her friends are ignoring her as well.

Things take a turn for the weird when Nicole soon discovers she is actually hovering between life and death. Her body is lying in the forest while her spirit is searching for anyone who can hear her. Unfortunately the only person who can is Dale Finnigan, the guy she publicly humiliated with a sharp-tongued insult that has left him branded.

Desperate, Nicole has no choice but to haunt Dale and convince the freaked-out senior to help her. Will he find her body before it's too late? Or will the guy who tried to kill her with his car beat him there and finish her off before anyone finds out?

Memorable Quote  

My heart skips a beat as he raises his hand and places it on top of mine.  He hovers above it, making sure not to fall straight through my fingers.  His eyes open, and he gives me a long, steady gaze.

"Want to come home with me?"

- Page 79; E-ARC

My Review 

The best books for me are the ones that are not only memorable, but the ones in which I get to watch the main character grow, which is what happened during Betwixt.  Although it's a relatively short book, I was definitely moved, watching Nicole struggle to not just save her own life, but to realize that she was worth fighting for. 

Author Melissa Pearl fleshes out this story of a mean girl's downfall with touching moments on Nicole's part, and a sweet, endearing romantic side plot between Nicole and Dale.  Oh, Dale. (I do believe I just swooned.)  I love reading about a genuinely good guy in YA fiction, and I feel like there aren't enough of them.  I liked what Dale brought out in Nicole, and vice versa.  Their stories mingled really well together, and I loved that he had things to teach her about herself, yet this isn't a story of a girl's entire world hinging on a guy.  

Betwixt is gripping; I liked that I cared about Nicole, and wanted to see her do and be better.  There's a great deal of emotion in this contemporary read, between Nicole and her parents, and I was moved almost to tears a few times.  I enjoyed the in-depth explorations of grief and healing, and I know that Betwixt is a book that will stay with me for some time!

Other books by this author:

Golden Blood 

You're sure to fall for:

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Follow the rest of this tour: here!

About Melissa

I used to be a full time teacher (11-13 year olds) then I became a full time mother. During that time I also found my passion for writing. Over the last ten years I have been studying the craft and putting myself out there.

My first trilogy came out in November, 2011. It has been a wild year swimming in this indie river and I have loved so much of it. I have learned so many amazing things and met so many great people. It has totally solidified the fact I want to be a writer for as long as I possibly can!  

Visit her online: at her website | on Twitter.

Shop for Betwixt at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

 

Tour Stop + Giveaway: Review: Derailed by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Derailed by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Published: September 23, 2012
Source: Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Rating: Squee-worthy
Add it/Purchase: Goodreads | B&N | Amazon
Connect with the author: Website | Twitter

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When you're lost, sometimes the only place you can go is home.

Broken over the death of her fiancé, Molly leaves law school to return to her childhood home in North Carolina. Expecting to lay low until she can figure out what else to do with her life, she finds herself in the arms of her high school sweetheart, the boy who represents everything from the past she tried to leave behind.

Looking for an escape, she instead finds a way back to the girl she almost forgot existed and a future she never dreamed possible.

My Review

Derailed is one of those stories that just called to me - almost demanding that I read it.  And as I settled in to do so, I at once felt at home in the small town of Clayton Falls, where most of this story takes place.   The characters fill the pages with their emotions, dreams, and issues - especially the main character, Molly.  I felt a kinship with her right away (possibly a small portion because she shares my name!)  Molly has been through a great deal of heart-ache, and watching her struggle to deal with that, and rise above her circumstances really endeared me to her.  

Author Alyssa Rose Ivy has created a heart-warming story with Derailed.   Not only are the characters true-to-life, but so are their reactions and their actions.  Everything feels genuine, from the dialogue, to the relationships, be it friendships or romances.  My heart went out to Molly, and Ben.  I could feel the tension and the memories between them, and I was definitely rooting for them.  Their history made me want them to work as a couple, but also, afraid for them.  At times they were sweet to one another, even though there were moments when I wanted to shake them both.

Derailed is a page-turner; I read it eagerly,  captivated by the story unfolding.  I would call this a "New Adult" genre story for sure, as, while there isn't anything explicit to the sexual scenes, there are a few scenes, and issues, I feel are more suited for mature readers.  Although I felt there was too much emphasis placed on the dialogue, and at times, wished for a bit more "showing," versus "telling," all in all, Alyssa's story is seriously cute and gave me the warm-and-fuzzies for sure - which I like!  Molly and Ben are a fantastic couple, and I hope to read more about them, and about Clayton Falls!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour: here!

Review: Onyx by Jennifer L Armentrout (Lux #2)

Onyx by Jennifer L Armentrout
Published: August 14, 2012 (Entangled Teen)
Source: Purchased from B&N
Rating: Squee-worthy
Add it/Purchase: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Connect with the author: Twitter | Website

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Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…  Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…  The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…  I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

My Review

Every time I finish a book by Jennifer L Armentrout, I'm speechless for one reason or another.  With her unparallelled ability to create intimately identifiable characters, and sizzling love interest, not to mention heart-pounding storylines, I went into Onyx with high expectations, and finished this brilliant addition to her Lux series with sky-high hopes for the sequel.  Spirited book blogger Katy and insufferable, swoon-worthy Daemon Black add layers of depth and emotion to this installment, which is made even more intense by the mysteries and betrayals swirling through the community.  

Everything I thought I knew about these character and this series was turned on its head in Onyx, and in a good way.  JLA added character growth to Katy, who became so much more than she was in Obsidian.  Daemon surprised me so many times, with his affection and respect for Katy, with how he encouraged her to grow, with his need to protect her.  I lost count of the number of times I swooned over him!  And then there were several new characters who I'd think had one agenda, then realize really had an entirely different one.  JLA kept me guessing, and I liked that!

I loved so much about Onyx: Daemon's trademark one-liners, all the unexpected humor, and especially the changing relationships.  I wondered how long Katy could resist Daemon, because - I - couldn't resist him.  And I have to say, JLA masterfully handled the various plot lines, weaving them seamlessly into one another.  Not many authors could have a white-hot romance simmering to a burning point while the DOD circles, endangering all the characters we love - but JLA does it.  And yet even admidst the peril, these characters retain what makes them all so lovable, and their voices still seem genuine.  

I ran the gamut of emotions with Onyx: I laughed, so often.  I cried.  I screamed.  I wanted to hit something, then hug everyone.  I can't even begin to express my relief at some points, and my frustration at others.   JLA has penned a game-changer with Onyx: nothing will be the same for Katy or Daemon after this, and I for one, cannot wait to get my hands on Opal to see what comes next.  

Book Trailer

 

 
 Other books by this author:

Obsidian (Lux #1)
Half-Blood (Covenant #1)

You're sure to fall for:

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins 
 
 

Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me 1.5)

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me 1.5)
Published: October 2, 2012 (Harper Teen)
Source: Bought from B&N online
Rating: Squee-worthy
Add it/Purchase: Goodreads | B&N | Amazon
Connect with the author: Twitter

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Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

My Review

  
Truth: I love villains; the ones I really love aren't the "let-me-show-you-how-evil-I-am" Big Bads though, but rather the quietly hate-able ones who, even as they're plotting your demise, still show a sliver of humanity, making you want to redeem them.   And that is exactly what happened when I read Shatter Me - I met Warner, and lost my heart to him.  So when I heard about Unravel Me, I was all fluttery and excited, but worried: would a novella from Warner's point of view change my mind about him?  And it did, but in the best way: I now firmly adore this broken man.  

With Destroy Me, we see inside Warner's thoughts and motivations, and I have to say, so much about him became clear: why he makes the choices he makes, and why he is the way he is.  A lot of fans of this series seemed to worry that Tahereh would try to make him too sympathetic, but I feel that she straddled the line between hinting that he can be redeemed, and still making me rage-y over his actions at times.  To say that Warner is a complex guy is an understatement; Warner is layered, and definitely a swoon-worthy alpha male, but also very damaged, and misunderstood.  

I am even more excited now for Unravel Me, to see what happens next to these amazing characters.  Destroy Me gives us just enough of a peek into Warner's plans to make me nervous, yet also hopeful.  I lost my heart to Warner, while aching to see more of Juliette and Adam.  And while Adam is probably better for Juliette, I have to say, for the first time, I see the possibilities of Warner/Juliette, which breaks my heart in so many ways.

In short: pick up this book if you're, like me, anxiously awaiting Unravel Me.  It's short, and it's NOT expensive, so you don't have to feel guilty about splurging.  It's still told in Tahereh's magical writing style, and I promise you're going to want Destroy Me in your collection!