Friday, December 11, 2015

Review: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi


Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
Book Three of the Shatter Me series
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Rating: 3 stars
Source: Traded copy

Summary (from Goodreads):

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.

What I Liked:

I know I'm giving this book three stars BUT I actually really liked this book! There was one rather big thing that didn't sit well with me, but overall, I was pleased. I never thought I'd read this series, let alone enjoy it. Overall, this series gets 3.5 stars from me. Thank you, Pili, for recommending the series so much! This is my December Pili-Pushed review.

Omega Point has been destroyed, and the world thinks that Juliette is dead. But she isn't - Warner saved her. With Warner's help, Juliette is determined to find her friends and destroy the Reestablishment, starting with Anderson. The world is changing - and so is Juliette.

I zipped through this book in lightning speed! It picks up right were Unravel Me left off. Juliette has been taken back to the Sector 45 base by Warner, but Warner helps her go back and discover what became of Omega Point and the survivors. Adam, Kenji, James, Lily, Alia, Castle, Winston, Ian, and Brendan made it out alive. But Juliette brings chaos with her, as Adam no longer wants her around.

I'll start with him. I distinctly remember some people being angry about how much of a jerk Adam was in this book, and how they thought Mafi was copping out of the love triangle by making Adam a jerk. Honestly, I thought Mafi did a smooth job of whatever she did with Adam. I found it perfectly reasonable for him to be angry, scared, frustrated, hurt. He lashed out again and again - and it makes sense, because the girl he's been obsessed with broke up with him a month ago, and now she's defending the man who tried to kill him (Warner). I never liked Adam much, but I understand why he acts like a jerk in this book.

Juliette is easily the strongest and most confident in this book, more than she's been throughout the series. Job well done by Mafi, as we can clearly see Juliette's character development. I love how she made clear choices with what she wanted in her future, in terms of the Reestablishment, the rebellion, and the guys. 

Warner... Warner has always been my favorite. I KNEW there was more to him than the heartless, cruel crazy person. I had a feeling that there were reasons for everything. I always liked him, but this book made me like him even more. He's this perfect, handsome, polished specimen of a male, and he's also got this personality that is thoughtful. And fashion-oriented. I like him.

I won't say too much about what goes down in this book but there is the build-up towards the big climax, and then the finale. I think I expected more (see below), but the book ends in a satisfying (yet slightly abbreviated?) way. 

I am VERY pleased with the romance. Of course, I knew before starting the series how the love triangle would end, but it was nice to experience. There are some really steamy scenes in this book - for a YA book. I approve!

Overall, I liked this book! And the series. I'm glad I waited so long though, so the love triangle didn't quite affect my enjoyment of the rest of the story.

What I Did Not Like:

The big that I didn't like was how anticlimactic the climax felt. The rising action was... rising, but it didn't quite feel like it was building up to something epic. It felt like there was less action in this book than the other two books. 

And then the climax happened. And it felt so boring. It was over in like, twenty pages. I thought the ending was way too quick, and there was no falling action. Also, the way the book ended, in terms of the aftermath, made no sense. OR it would make sense if I could see it in an epilogue. I can't say much without spoiling things, but I wasn't buying the way things ending, the role Juliette took on. The ending IS satisfying, but not realistic.

Would I Recommend It:

I HATE love triangles, but I knew the outcome of the series before starting the series. So honestly I would recommend the series if 1) you don't mind love triangles or 2) you find spoilers and know beforehand. Trust me, it makes reading this series SO much easy and more enjoyable! I really enjoyed the series (and WARNER!). I can see why people are raving about Mafi's writing and talent - it shows, in this series! Of course, I'll think twice before reading any of her stuff (or perhaps wait until all the books in the series are published, like I did with this series), but I like the stories she tells!

Rating:

3.5 stars. I'm rounding down to 3 stars because I found the climax SO anticlimactic and the ending very vague and unrealistic, but I really enjoyed this conclusion novel! Especially the romance. Super swoony and steamy stuff happening, people.


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

21 comments:

  1. I did not like this book because I felt the way the love triangle ended was not set up well. I didn't really care who she ended up with, but there was too little support for the why of it, in my mind.

    Kate @ Ex Libris

    ReplyDelete
  2. I never read this last book because I was pissed. Juliette got super annoying towards the end and I never saw what everyone else saw in Warner. I'm with Kate. I don't think the romance was set up very well. And I asked Nereyda to spoil the book for me. The author's way of redeeming Warner felt like a cop-out to me. Anyways, I'm glad you gave the series a shot and enjoyed it for the most part!
    Great review, Alyssa! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, like I told Kate, that's too bad! I'm also going to direct you to my disclaimer on my Goodreads review.

      Thank you!

      Delete
    2. Wow. That was honestly hurtful. I wasn't trying to put down your opinion. I just stated my reasons for not reading it which I thought might be relevant (something I like to know about when people dislike a book I like). I guess not.

      Delete
    3. That wasn't specifically stated with you in mind! I'm sorry you took it that way. It hurts ME that people are acting like it's a crime that I liked the series. -_- A person on Goodreads was incensed (like I care that she was mad that I liked the series?).

      Delete
  3. Meh. I'm never reading these books, lol :D Thank you for sharing your thoughts about it, though, Alyssa. <3 Gorgeous review, as always :) But still sad that you liked it :p I could never in a million years like Warner. There is no excuse for doing so many awful things as he did in book one, that I remember, anyway :p And Adam. Sigh. My poor boy. I hate this. I hate it so much. Yeah. I'm going back to never thinking of these books again, hah :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's definitely not a series for everyone! And I tweeted at you - but there are SO many reasons and excuses that make sense, for why Warner did what he did in book one. SO. MANY. Trust me. :D

      Delete
  4. So glad you ended up liking this series! Your review of this book makes me want to kind of read it! I am wanting to read books with more steamy parts, but still, I don't know if I will read this! Maybe if I find the ebooks on super sale like I did with the first one I will try it. Is this one written in that same weird way that the first one was? I hated that! That sucks about that anticlimactic climax, though! Great review! I feel like only you could write a review for a book that I absolutely refused to read and make me want to read it! Haha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! That's kind of awesome. :D I recommend you find out what happens in terms of the love triangle, it'll make things easier to read.

      And it's not *as* weirdly written as the first book, actually. I think Mafi backed off a little (but the writing style is still metaphoric and a bit lyrical, I suppose).

      THANK YOU! I'm honored!

      Delete
  5. You are brave, girl!! Haha. I don't think I could ever read this series, even knowing all the spoilers about the triangle. But I will say that I went to the bookstore once and read some of the "steamy" bits... yeah, they were hot haha. I think I would like Warner, but I just can't get past the triangle first!
    Anyway, glad you read and were able to enjoy it, Alyssa!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! I waited, but I admit, when Shatter Me was published, I was curious! But then there was a love triangle and it was make or break... well, I'm happy that I read the series now rather than earlier.

      Thank you, Danielle!

      Delete
  6. Yes Awesome review Alyssa I am really glad and happy you enjoyed this book Alyssa I really loved this series so much it is one of my favorites. I totally agree with you about the ending being too quick as well. Thank you for your great post my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very happy that you liked the series as well, Katiria! Thank YOU. :)

      Delete
  7. I 100% agree with your review!! One of the main things I enjoyed about these books was actually the writing - it's unreal! Tahereh Mafi is so talented, and the book IS nice and steamy. I did love who she ended up with but I didn't like how it happened...probably because, like you, I just don't like love triangles - they hurt too much! haha! Great review, Alyssa!! ~Rachel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Her writing style is so different! It took my by surprise in the first book. I see what you're saying about "how it happened" - I remember a lot of people being annoyed about that. LOVE TRIANGLES ARE EVIL! -_-

      Thank you, Rachel! I hope uni is going well!

      Delete
  8. I'm glad that you really enjoyed this series!!
    I agree that Juliette's growth was phenomenal and I really liked her so much in this book! Go girl, making your choices and being strong!

    And I also agree that after all the build up and everything... the climax and ending was a bit of a let down!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I definitely see her character growth! I liked her the most in this book. And wasn't ending just... flat? I wasn't a big fan!

      Delete
  9. So here's what pissed me off about this series. I loved the first book. Then the second book came and I hated Warner. But his novella came out and I understood him more. But I still had a love/hate thing going on for him. Then book #2 came out and I saw how she was setting things up and I wasn't liking where she might take it with Adam. Juliette pushed him away. It wasn't growth for me at all. It was her being pissy and annoying. And then Mafi wrote Adam's novella and I was crushed. She showed him in a totally different light. I almost felt like she wrote it to turn everyone against him. And she ruined him for me. I was totally sad. So, while I enjoyed the series, mostly for the plot and story line that went along with Omega Point, I was not happy with how the romance progressed and how Juliette, even though she was supposed to have become this strong girl, just kind of threw Adam to the wind with how she treated him. That's my thoughts and I'm sticking with it. I would agree with an overall 3.5 for this series for sure with book #1 remaining my favorite. Great review, Alyssa!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First thing -- I haven't read the novellas! I put Unite Me on my TBTBSanta wishlist, and it's possibly that my Santa got it for me, so I didn't want to buy the bindup until I knew for certain! But I definitely plan on reading them, especially to see if I see what you're saying.

      I totally see how you think Mafi ruined him! I feel like if I HADN'T known ahead of time that he became a giant jerkwad in book three (I knew this before starting Shatter Me), then I might have felt crushed too, by the way the author made him such a jerk (and Juliette pushing him away). But because I knew about it, I suppose I kind of just ignored it? Or looked past it? Or maybe never really saw it as I was reading? If that makes sense.

      It's unfortunately how Mafi dragged readers through the mud with this series. It was definitely a very unconventional love triangle and romance, and how she twisted Adam's character. Which is sad. And makes readers wary and not trusting of the author.

      Anyway. Thank you, Brooke! Loved hearing your thoughts. :)

      Delete
    2. Funny thing is, I would still read anything she wrote. I thought her writing was really great. And I liked the story, just was disappointed with the romance. I can see how knowing in advance might change the perspective for sure!

      Delete
    3. That's good! I'll let you be my filter then. :D I may not venture into her MG work but I'd be interested in more YA from her!

      Delete

I love comments! I will always try and reply to your comments, as well as leave some comment love on your blog! :)

Also, this an award and tag free blog. While I am flattered that you would think of me, I really do not have the time to follow up. Thank you!