Years of pollution, global warming and destruction have finally caught up with the human race and resources are running scarce. In the world’s time of need, the Reestablishment has taken control, promising to lead the world back to the comforts they once knew.

In the meantime, families are living off of rationed food in homes made of refurbished cargo crates. The world has turned into one large military district under the harsh and oftentimes unfair control of the Reestablishment.

But Juliette Ferrars has been absent for this transition. No one knows why her touch can bring excruciating pain, even death. So for fear of the unknown, Juliette is locked away. Until one day Warner, the commander of the nearest division, decides that just maybe he can use her powers to his benefit.

The very definition of “page turner,” Shatter Me will leave reader’s heads spinning as they form their own opinion of who the real villain is. As Juliette slowly begins to accept her curse and how to live with it, readers will relate to her insecurities and doubts. They’ll sympathize with her struggles and trials.

Shatter Me features several fantastic characters. Warner, the enigmatic villain with a backstory. Adam, the intriguing soldier with an interest in Juliette that errs more on the side of romance. Kenji, the hilarious cadet with sharp reflexes and even sharper wit.

But what really sets this book apart from a standard young adult paranormal romance, is its syntax. Mafi has a very unique style of writing that features anaphora, strikethroughs, emphasis, hyperbole, metaphors and similes. This book is like a refreshing glass of water for the mind. Readers will be far fetched to find a book that has writing quite like Shatter Me does.

As a dystopian type of novel, this book explores what may be the future of the world, making the reader ponder the possibilities of a crazy regime, or a whole new style of life. Shatter Me is the first book of a series of books. The sequel, Unravel Me is currently available to the public, and the final book, Ignite Me, will be available February 4th. Readers also have the option of reading two short novellas (Destroy Me and Fracture Me, respectively) that are told from the perspective of Warner and Adam.

People who enjoyed Delirium by Lauren Oliver, The Selection by Kiera Cass or Wither by Lauren Destefano are sure to love Shatter Me.