“‘Imagine me. Master of my own universe. I am everything I ever dreamed of.’ Juliette Ferrars. Ella Sommars. Which is the truth and which is the lie? Now that Ella knows who Juliette is and what she was created for, things have only become more complicated. As she struggles to understand the past that haunts her and looks to a future more uncertain than ever, the lines between right and wrong – between Ella and Juliette – blur. And with old enemies looming, her destiny may not be her own to control. The day for reckoning for The Reestablishment is coming. But she may not get to choose what side she fights on.”
What is the book about?
Ella thought everything would be a lot easier now. She now knows everything and has had her memories as Ella Sommars and Juliette Ferrars returned to her. She knows what she was created for and what she had been destined for. However, instead things have only become more complicated. She now can’t tell the truth from the lies and feels as though knowing everything is just making her forget more. She is struggling to cope with the past that still haunts her, the visions of her life that ae only getting more persistent and the future that grows more uncertain each day. And now, she is finding it hard to tell the difference between her lives as Ella and Juliette – she doesn’t know who she is anymore. But this isn’t even the worst thing. Her sister Emmaline is growing weaker by the minute, and she only grows more restless as she hopes for an escape from the world. Juliette is the key to giving her sister what she wants and saving the world from future destruction, but she is also all that The Reestablishment needs in order to take full control, once and for all… The story of a girl with the power to kill with a single touch is coming to an end, and she will either be the world’s saviour or its destructor…and she may not get to choose which.
What were your initial thoughts on the book?
When I finally got my hands on Imagine Me, I couldn’t believe my eyes. After everything, all the novels and novellas, I actually reached the last novel of the series. Initially, I had thought that reaching the end was going to take so much effort, as there were so many books to read. However, it took less time than I thought and, when I held Imagine Me in my hands for the first time, I actually cried because opening the book meant letting some really great characters go. Finally, I read the blurb and opened the book and began to read. The novella Reveal Me had left me on a ginormous cliff-hanger, so I was so desperate to find out what had happened and uncover the answers to the questions swirling around in my mind. I burst right into the book and I wasn’t at all surprise to find that, as soon as I read the first word, I was already transported back into that world and, when I finally looked up, what had felt like minutes had actually been hours of me engrossed in the book. I went into Imagine Me with high expectations and left with a sense of complete happiness as I wasn’t disappointed.
Who was your favourite character and why?
Although I definitely loved other characters, like Nazeera and Ella/Juliette, ever since reading the novellas Shadow Me and Reveal Me, I have been unable to stop thinking of Kenji as my favourite character. I think I have justified my choice quite well in all the other reviews of the Shatter Me series; however I will just emphasise how amazing he is. As soon as I read something from his perspective, or he appears on the page through someone else’s point of view, I can’t help but smile and cry at the attitude he has towards life. He is grateful for everything he has and he will never forget any simple luxuries he is given, however he also feels like he is never going to get a break and life will never stop pulling him down. He jokes around and tries to look for the bright side of things and the good in people, but he also feels like he has to always wear the happy, joking mask in order to hide his emotions from everyone else because, even though he cares enough to ask about everyone’s burdens and secrets and feelings, he feels like no one else should have to and so he carries his own feelings and never lets them show. He is the kind of character that is in desperate need of a hug, but no one can see it because they can’t see past the walls he built to hide behind. I just love him and I can’t believe that my time with him has almost ended.
What was your favourite part of the book and why?
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that my favourite part of the book was the ending. I have read many books with bad endings where the main character died, I didn’t get the closure I needed, many questions were left unanswered, there was no emotion, etc. So, when I started reading Imagine Me, I was terrified and didn’t know what to think. All the previous books had been incredible and I was so worried that the ending to the last book would ruin it all. There were so many possibilities and I was just holding onto my hope that the author made the right choice and ended things properly. I am sure that a lot of you are also worried about the ending, but it was better than I thought it would be. The ending left me full of relief and happiness because every character got what they deserved and, finally, those who had felt like the entire world was against them felt like they were valued. It was the perfect conclusion; I just wish I didn’t have to see the characters go.
What was your overall impression of the book?
Overall, Imagine Me was an incredible book, which I wasn’t surprise about because all the books in the series have been incredible. I had been concerned because I didn’t know what was going to happen in the book, and I was worried at how it would end. However, once I finished I knew that I should never have doubted Tahereh Mafi. One thing that I really loved about Imagine Me was that the book included all 3 of the perspectives I love to hear from: Juliette, Kenji and Warner (though only a tiny chapter). I was particularly excited to hear more from Kenji. Since his character was introduced, I knew that there was something missing that I really needed and, as soon as I saw his name plastered on one of the pages for the first time, I knew this was it. Now, just looking at any word written from his perspective makes me smile and, once he is in the picture in Imagine Me, I was sure I was going to love it more than any of the other books. One other thing that I really loved about the book was the plot. The Shatter Me series has been a rollercoaster of action, emotions and more. There were new things constantly appearing and changing everything, like everything we uncovered about Warner and Juliette’s pasts and everything about Juliette’s sister, Emmaline. This meant that I was constantly on the edge of my seat, afraid of what was coming next, and this wasn’t different in Imagine Me. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting of the plot; however Imagine Me was able to surprise me with the amount of things that happened when it was supposed to be the conclusion. Once the end came, I was shocked at how simple it was to destroy The Reestablishment, especially after everything the characters went through. However, I loved the simplicity of it because it really showed me that making a difference, even one as huge as taking over the government, isn’t that difficult, it is just making the plan and having the motivation and the skill to do it that is hard to find. This whole series has really shown me that if you want it, then you can get it, but you have to be prepared for the long adventure to get to where you need to be to finally get it. One last thing that I loved about Imagine Me was the ending. The whole adventure had been so crazy, but when the ending finally came I was happy. The ride I went on was finally worth it and the relief and happiness that came with it was one that I haven’t felt in a long time. The series has been incredible and, once I finished the book, I couldn’t help but think deeply about the beautiful ending and how all I have left is one last tiny novella before I have to say goodbye forever.
Which was your favourite book in the Shatter Me series? (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6)
Every single book has been perfect and I have loved every second that I have spent with the characters and in their world. However, there can only be one winner and I think that my favourite book of the series is Defy Me. The main reason for my decision is that the book included 3 amazing points of view. I know that a couple of the other books have had different perspectives, and Imagine Me did include all 3 view like Defy Me, however, Defy Me had them well distributed and I just felt like it was better. I got to hear Warner and Juliette’s points of view, which I am always happy to hear, but also Kenji’s, which was something that I really needed and I just felt so fulfilled that I couldn’t help but love this book slightly more. One other thing that also stood out to me was the perfect ending that Defy Me had. A few of the other novels have also had perfect endings, however, this one of the best because the characters were finally happy and nothing was wrong. There wasn’t a single thing that they had to do and all that was left was for them to relax and be happy together. This book continued the story and ended it so well that I just have to say that it was the best book. One last thing that I would like to mention is that Defy Me is where Juliette’s final transformation occurred. She became a completely new person (literally became Ella) and I got used to it almost instantly because it fit her so well. She spent the whole series trying to find her place and to find the true her, and finally she found it. She uncovered who she was meant to be from the very beginning and, although it was Juliette who started this series, she has been Ella all along. Defy Me was perfect, but, although I loved it a little more, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t enjoyed every other book and overall I have loved the Shatter Me series so much and I can’t believe that once I read Believe Me, everything is finished.
Would you recommend this book?
I would definitely recommend reading Imagine Me as it was a wonderful book. I personally believe that the book is best for readers over 15, who enjoy fantasy, dystopian fiction, action and lots of romance. If you haven’t yet read the Shatter Me series, please do because you will find that it is a series that is impossible to put down.
Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)
A thrilling, action-packed and romantic conclusion to the most incredible dystopian fiction series.
Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego
