Note: This review assumes you’ve read Shatter Me.
Title: Unravel Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Narrator: Kate Simses
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult
Pages: 480 pages
Audio: 12 hours
Year: 2013
Publisher: Harper Audio
Source: Review copy from publisher
Book Rating: 4/5
Audio Rating: 4/5
Summary:
Juliette is safe at Omega Point, surrounded by others with gifts like hers. But things are far from simple. Juliette can’t really be with Adam. And Warner isn’t out of her life yet. As Juliette learns to control the vast power within her, a battle between the Reestablishment and those at Omega Point grows nearer.
My Thoughts:
Honestly, guys? I do not get the Warner appeal. Adam I get.* Warner? Nope. Not at all. He is a Bad Person. I know things aren’t black and white, but I don’t care how good-looking this guy is, I don’t understand AT ALL why Juliette is attracted to him.
So that makes it a little hard to connect with her in Unravel Me. Plus she makes some awful decisions and keeps important information from those who need it. Everyone once in awhile I am reminded that while I love young adult books, I am very thankful I do not possess the decision-making skills of an insecure teenager.
But, I still really enjoyed this book. Mafi’s writing is simply gorgeous and you can feel the tension surrounding those at Omega Point. The story didn’t always go where I expected it to and I am very interested to see what happens to Juliette and the others.
Audiobook Thoughts:
I read Shatter Me in print but I associated it with morning sickness, so I couldn’t bring myself to read Unravel Me. Listening dissociated it from that sensation. But I was in for a treat. Simses was great. She distinguishes between characters well (I love her Kenji). She handles Mafi’s often-poetic writing well and brings Juliette to life.
If you’re curious about how this works in audio, the strike-through portions, which I found annoying in print, are read and then followed by a striking sound (like chalk on a chalkboard). It was a tiny bit distracting at the very beginning, but I grew used to it.
*Although I picture him as Riley from Buffy who I DID NOT like. Can I be Team Kenji?
my books. my life. 
I also am glad that I don’t think with a YA brain, but can easily enjoy YA stories that have merit. I think this one kind of disappointed you though, so if I do end up reading the first one, I think I will stop there. I love that you mention that the narrator is so great at doing voices!
LikeLike
I don’t get the appeal of Warner either. I’m interested to see how I feel about him after reading this book.
LikeLike