Shatter Me

The success of the Shatter Me series has exploded since the publication of the first installment in 2011. The series contains two trilogies of full-length novels that are told from the first-person perspective of the protagonist, Juliette Ferrars, along with five additional novellas that are told from the perspectives of prominent supporting characters and antagonists.

The first five installments—Shatter Me (2011), Destroy Me (2012), Unravel Me (2013), Fracture Me (2014), and Ignite Me (2014)—follow the struggles of Juliette as she suffers the consequences of her deadly ability to kill with one touch and finds herself imprisoned by the totalitarian regime known as The Reestablishment. The operatives of this regime manipulate and abuse her and attempt to compel her to use her abilities in support of their broader goals. As Juliette resists, she makes new connections among members of the resistance at Omega Point, comes to terms with her unique and deadly ability, and embraces The Importance of Resisting Tyranny, dedicating herself to toppling the regime that has shown her such injustice. In a 2012 interview with Seventeen, New York Times bestselling author Tahereh Mafi has described her protagonist as a “lonely, isolated girl” who “has a lot of inner strength and compassion” and “hold[s] onto her humanity in a world that has given her nothing to hope for” (“Meet Shatter Me Author Tahereh Mafi.” Interview by Cosmo Girl. Seventeen, 12 Jan. 2012).  In a 2015 PBS Books interview, Mafi admits that the character of Juliette “almost felt like a little sister” and states, “There’s a little bit of me in her” (“Author Tahereh Mafi on Ignite Me (Shatter Me).” Interview by Rich Fahle. PBS Books. Aired 19 Apr. 2015).

Although Mafi originally intended to conclude the series after the publication of Ignite Me, she returned to Juliette’s world in 2018 with Restore Me, and this installment was quickly followed by Shadow Me (2019), Defy Me (2019), Reveal Me (2019), Imagine Me (2020), and Believe Me (2020). While the series alternates between full-length novels and novellas, all 11 installments are meant to be read in the order of publication. Throughout the series, Juliette must repeatedly redefine her relationships, make alliances with old enemies, and come to a new understanding of herself, her past, and her place in the world. In August of 2024, a related series titled Shatter Me: The New Republic was announced; the first installment will focus on James Kent, Adam’s little brother, and will be set 10 years after the original Shatter Me series.