Setting

Set in a dystopian future, Shatter Me takes place in a world ravaged by environmental disasters and societal collapse. The story unfolds against a backdrop of crumbling infrastructure, food scarcity, and a totalitarian government known as The Reestablishment that has seized control in the chaos. The novel primarily occurs within Sector 45, one of many districts under The Reestablishment's rule. Key settings include the asylum where Juliette is initially imprisoned, the military compound where Warner detains her, and the hidden base of the resistance group Omega Point.

The era depicted is bleak and postapocalyptic, where the Earth itself seems to have turned against humanity. Birds no longer fly, clouds are described as the “wrong color,” and diseases run rampant. This grim setting serves to highlight the extraordinary nature of Juliette's powers and the desperate measures taken by those seeking to control or liberate her.

Characters

• Juliette Ferrars: The 17-year-old protagonist with a lethal touch. Locked away for 264 days, Juliette struggles with isolation and her perceived monstrosity. As she learns to control her power, she grows in confidence and compassion. Juliette's journey is one of self-discovery and acceptance, as she transforms from a scared girl to a confident warrior.

• Adam Kent: An 18-year-old soldier who can touch Juliette without harm. Adam knew Juliette before her imprisonment and harbors deep feelings for her. His ability to touch her comes at a physical cost, causing him pain and draining his energy. Adam is protective of Juliette but becomes increasingly possessive as the story progresses.

• Aaron Warner: The 19-year-old leader of Sector 45 in the Reestablishment. Initially portrayed as cold and manipulative, Warner's character deepens throughout the series. He is obsessively in love with Juliette and can touch her without consequence. Warner's complexity lies in his struggle between his ruthless upbringing and his growing capacity for empathy and love.

• Kenji Kishimoto: A 20-year-old soldier with the power of invisibility. Kenji's outgoing and humorous personality provides comic relief in tense situations. He becomes a close friend to Juliette, offering her support and guidance as she navigates her new world.

• James Kent: Adam's 10-year-old brother. James is mature beyond his years, displaying curiosity and intuition about the world around him. He greatly admires his older brother Adam.

• Castle: The 44-year-old leader of Omega Point, the rebellion against the Reestablishment. Castle possesses telekinetic powers and is known for his wisdom and fairness. He welcomes Juliette into the rebellion but keeps secrets about her true identity.

Quick facts

• Shatter Me is the first book in a series of seven novels.

• Author Tahereh Mafi drew inspiration for her dystopian thriller from “an interest in human nature and [humanity's] ability to overcome great obstacles."

• Shatter Me is set in a dystopian world where diseases are destroying the population and birds no longer fly.

• The main character, 17-year-old Juliette, has a lethal touch with the potential to kill anyone who maintains contact with her skin.

• When the novel opens, Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

• Shatter Me contains intentional strikethroughs and erratic writing to visually represent the chaos in Juliette's mind.

• Two characters, Adam and Warner, are revealed to be able to touch Juliette without being harmed.

• 20th Century Fox snapped up the film rights in 2011, before the book was published, but has yet to announce plans for a screen adaptation.

• Shatter Me received an Honorable Mention in the Children/Young Adult category at the Arab American Book Awards.

• BuzzFeed placed Shatter Me at #6 on its list of The 30 Best YA Books of the Decade. 

• A novella titled Destroy Me, told from Warner's perspective, was released as a companion to the main series.

About the Author

Tahereh Mafi (1988-) is an Iranian-American author best known for her young adult fiction. She has achieved New York Times, USA Today, and international bestseller status with her Shatter Me series, consisting of seven dystopian thrillers, and her This Woven Kingdom trilogy, inspired by Persian mythology.  

In addition to her two remarkably successful series, Mafi has won acclaim for her middle-grade novels, notably the enchanting Furthermore, and her standalone  contemporary novels, including A Very Large Expanse of Sea, which was longlisted for the 2018 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Her works have not only captured readers' imaginations but also attracted attention from the entertainment industry, with film rights to Shatter Me optioned by 20th Century Fox. 

Mafi's multicultural background has significantly influenced her writing. As the child of Iranian immigrants and with proficiency in multiple languages, she brings a unique perspective to her diverse storytelling. Born and raised in Connecticut, she currently lives in Southern California with her husband, fellow author Ransom Riggs, and their daughter.