Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi Series: Shatter Me #1.5
Published by HarperCollins (10.2.2012)
Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: eBook, 103 pages
Source: I own it
Buy on Amazon
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 thoughts
So, when I saw people talking about how they were Team Warner, I thought they were crazy. He was power-hungry, a bit disturbed, sick and twisted. Only out to further his own agenda. And he did horrible things to Juliette (and many others) in Shatter Me.
When the teaser video came out, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see it or not. I don’t like spoilers. In fact, I hate them. I like to find things out for myself. But everyone was RAVING about it, and my curiosity is an evil and controlling thing.
Forget what you think you know about Warner. Because Destroy Me will completely obliterate your perception of him.
At first, I felt sorry for him. Everyone was afraid of him, except Juliette. He was regarded with hatred and fear, he was never trusted or liked. Meeting his dad really opens your eyes to why Warner acts the way he does. Anderson is a creep, a snake, and doesn’t care about how his actions affect anyone else. He feels no remorse in hurting people. He thinks emotion is a weakness. No wonder Warner was messed up!
Being inside Warner’s head made me realize that he wasn’t the monster I thought he was. Sure, he’s twisted, his perception of right and wrong is a bit skewed, and he’s damaged; but he is capable of mercy. There is goodness in him. It’s just buried rather deep.
This girl is destroying me.
His fascination for Juliette, his affection for her, was what broke me. It’s hard to describe it, and it’s really something you need to read for yourself. But the way he regarded her was incredible. He held her so high, admired her so much; she was like a goddess to him. And the anger he felt over her depressing journal entries blew me away. Like I said, I thought his love for her was a delusion. This novella proved to me how wrong I was.
My priorities, shifted. My concentration, destroyed. Everything I care about right now revolves around one person, and for the first time in my life, it’s not myself. Her words have been burned into my mind. I can’t stop picturing her as she must’ve been, can’t stop imagining what she must’ve experienced. Finding her journal has crippled me. My feelings for her have spiraled out of control. I’ve never been so desperate to see her, to talk to her.
Reading this novella, I was struck by how alike Warner and Juliette really are. They’ve both been abused, neither of them can really help what they are or what they’ve done. They’re both outsiders; feared, hated, mistrusted. They’re perfect for each other!
I don’t care much for novellas. I rarely ever read them, because I typically see them as just fluff. Perhaps a helpful piece of information, but nothing overly important.
This is very different. If you read Shatter Me, you NEED to read this! Seriously. It’s probably the most important novella that ever existed.
Being in Warner’s head changed me. It destroyed me It infected me. After reading this, I couldn’t stop thinking about him, and now I’m kind of obsessed with him! And reading Unravel Me only made it worse. (Stay tuned, review coming tomorrow!)
I’ve come to believe that the most dangerous man in the world is the one who feels no remorse. The one who never apologizes and therefore seeks no forgiveness. Because in the end it is our emotions that make us weak, not our actions.
Yeah! I wish she’d give him a chance, he’s come a long way already since meeting her and I think she could steer him in the right direction with a little love :)
OMG, I`m so going to read it now! At first I thought I don`t need it because I don`t like novellas, but now, with a chance to find out who Warner really is, I`m definitely reading it. Thanks for this honest review, if I hadn`t read it, I`d have just passed this novella up, since I don`t care for Warner much (he`s crazy after all).
I had much of the same thoughts as you! I usually avoid novellas like the plague. And I was neutral before I read this, I think you’ll love Warner after reading it :)
Hi :) I read Unravel Me this week, I enjoyed it a lot :) I now understand Warner better, and what are his reasons for being a monster.
Oh yay! So glad to hear it :D
I`m just saying, but I don`t want to read Unravel Me reviews, because I`m afraid of spoilers…so sorry, but I`ll pass up, until I read it myself
Well, I’m always on Team Warner ever since I’ve read Shatter Me. I always knew, scratch that, I always believed that there’s something good underneath the cruel facade of Warner and I’m right since Warner became like he is because of his upbringing. Team Warner all the way! m/
Hah!Welcome to Team Warner,Jessi!I don’t think anyone who reads Destroy Me can resist falling for Warner-he’s THAT awesome!
I’m not a huge fan of novellas either but this has been exceptional. :D
Haha *waves to fellow Team Warner fans* It’s true! I was skeptical, but now I’m madly in love ;D
I’ve only read Shatter Me. So as of know, I still consider myself to be Team Adam. But I’ll definitely be reading Destroy Me before I start Unravel Me to see if it changes my opinion. :3
Great Review! :))
I wish I had some kind of witty, intelligent comment to add her, but I really don’t. Warner = awesome and DESTROY ME proves that. That is all. Carry on.
We have the same thoughts about Warner in Shatter Me. He’s so creepy and obsessed, he gets under my skin. I also don’t get why most of you are Team Warner. I just don’t get it. Maybe I should read this novella too. Thanks for the review!
Seriously, read Destroy Me! I didn’t get it either until I read it :)