WISH YOU WERE DEAD by Peter James

“Roy Grace and is family have left Sussex behind for a week’s holiday in France. The website promised a grand house, but when they arrive the place is very different from the pictures. And it soon becomes clear that their holiday nightmare is only just beginning. An old enemy of Roy, a lowlife criminal he had put behind bars, is now out of jail – and out for revenge. He knows where Roy and his family have gone on holiday. Of course he does. He’s been hacking their emails – and they are in the perfect spot for him to pay Roy back…”

What is the book about?

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is always working, and always puts 110% into his job. He knows he needs to work more on making time for his family, so he thought that they would finally get a chance to relax and be together on a holiday in France. He found a grand house online and was promised a luxurious week’s holiday with his wife and kids. All he wanted was a chance to finally get away from his work and really enjoy his holiday, but, as soon as the house comes into view, it becomes clear that this holiday is not going to be anything like he had imagined. The place is so different from the photos on the website, and, if that wasn’t enough of a clue of this holiday nightmare, there is something clearly wrong with the hostess. Someone who hates Roy and wants nothing more than him to suffer has put in a lot of effort to get Roy to this isolated holiday location and now that he is out of jail and free, he is ready to get his revenge. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I first looked at the book I didn’t really have any idea about whether or not I would like it. It seemed like it was similar to some of the books that I have loved in the past and I knew that I used to love murder mysteries and that this was one, so I was hoping that I would enjoy it. I had not read any thrilling murder mystery books in a while and I always missed them because they used to be my favourite, so I was actually very excited to see what this one was like. Once I read the blurb, I knew immediately that I needed to read the book, because after reading that short paragraph I already had too many questions to leave unanswered and I was so intrigued to find out what it was about, so I decided it was time to dive into it and give it a go. Once I started reading it, I knew that I had made the right choice and within what felt like seconds I was already reaching the end, shocked and excited. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I don’t really think I have a favourite character in this book. It was a really short book and I don’t think I had enough time to really have a good idea of what each character was really like. In this book, none of the characters really stood out to me. I did kind of like some of the characters, like Roy Grace, who was an incredible detective and was very impressive in the way that he was able to handle two criminals with ease. However, I didn’t really find that any character was particularly impressive and I decided in the end that I didn’t have a favourite character and I liked all the characters equally. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was when everything fell into place and all the clues leading to the truth started to make sense. Before this part, I had so many questions and it was so frustrating that I didn’t have any answers for them. However, once things started to get more interesting, I started to really fully enjoy the book and I loved getting the chance to experience reading a mystery book again. I had forgotten how much I loved trying to uncover the truth before the characters and then the feeling of shock when there is finally a plot twist that you weren’t able to see coming. This was actually what I loved most about the book – when everything started to get so interesting and finally the house was not just creepy but the story actually began and the real horrors started. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I thought the book was quite good and I really enjoyed reading it. One thing that I really enjoyed was the plot of the book. It was very fast-paced and full of so much mystery. I loved when the real story began and the criminal finally started messing with the characters property. It was so tense and I was constantly on the edge of my seat, not knowing what was going to happen to the characters and if they were going to make it through the night. Another thing that I loved about the book was that I got to revisit my childhood and got to read a mystery book, which used to be my absolute favourite type of books. I had missed the feeling of being a detective and the happiness when you figure something out before the character. This book was great and I just loved how quickly I read it and how much fun it was to be on the edge of my seat while reading it.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend this book. I think it is best for readers over 16, who enjoy some murder, horror, mystery and action. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A thrilling, dramatic and quick read filled with mystery.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

BLIND SPOT by Paula Hawkins

 “‘How can you say things like this? How can you be so blind?’ Since they were kids, Edie, Jake and Ryan have been the closest of friends. It’s been the three of them against the world. Edie thought the bonds between them were unbreakable. So when Jake is brutally murdered and Ryan accused of crime, her world is shattered. Edie is alone for the first time in years, living in the remote house that she and Jake shared. She is grief-stricken and afraid – with good reason. Because someone is watching. Someone has been waiting for this moment. Now that Edie is alone, the past she tried so hard to leave behind is about to catch up to her…”

What is the book about?

Edie, Jake and Ryan have been the best of friends since they were kids. Ever since that day when Edie ran into Jake and Ryan, the three of them have been inseparable. It’s been them against the world and they never thought their life would’ve ended up as it did. One night, in the remote home that Jake and Edie, Jake was alone and was brutally murdered in his own living room. Now, Jake is dead and Ryan in prison, blamed for the murder of his best friend. So, Edie is all alone, with no one to turn to for help or comfort. She is grieving the death of her husband and the imprisonment of one of her best friends, but she is also scared. She feels like there is more to this murder and she doesn’t fully believe it was Ryan. And she should be terrified – because someone is watching. Someone has been watching and waiting for years for the opportunity to finally make these three friends pay for what they did. And finally, their plan may succeed…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I first looked at the book I didn’t really have any idea about whether or not I would like it. I knew that I had read a few books similar to it and that I used to love murder mysteries, so I was hoping that I would enjoy it. I hadn’t read any thrilling mystery books in a while so I was actually very excited to see what this one would have in store for me. Once I read the blurb, I knew immediately that I needed to read the book, because after reading that short paragraph I already had too many questions to leave unanswered so I decided it was time to dive into it and give it a go. Once I started reading it, I knew that I had made the right choice and within what felt like seconds I was already reaching the end, shocked and excited. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I don’t think I have any favourite character because, in reality, all of the characters were extremely unlikable. They all had some little things about them that made them so annoying. Jake was so annoying (before he died) and in all the flashbacks he was extremely angry all the time. And, when I found out what had happened when they were younger, I hated him 100%. Ryan was maybe slightly more likable (until, of course, I found out the same thing and then I hated him twice as much), however, I found it extremely odd that he kept following Edie and Jake around. As if he wanted to be the third wheel in their relationship or he wanted to break them up (which he probably did). I found this disgusting because it was clear he was in love with Edie, and yet he let her get married to his best friend and then tried to do everything he could to be near her and ruin her relationship with her husband. Lastly, Edie was also very unlikable because of how gullible she was and how stupid she was. She was blind to everything that was happening and it took her ages to figure out the truth, even though it had been under her nose the whole time. All three main characters were so annoying and unlikable, which is what makes the ending so unsurprising. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was when everything fell into place and all the clues leading to the truth started to make sense. Before this part, I had so many questions and it was so frustrating that I didn’t have any answers for them. However, once things started to get more interesting, I started to really fully enjoy the book and I loved getting the chance to experience reading a mystery book again. I had forgotten how much I loved trying to uncover the truth before the characters and then the feeling of shock when there is finally a plot twist that you weren’t able to see coming. This was actually what I loved most about the book – when the clues started to make sense and I started to figure out the truth. However, no matter how good of a detective I was, I don’t think I would’ve ever found out the truth or ever foreseen the ending. I loved how shocking the truth was and how the author really did do a great job in surprising me. It really was a great read. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading the book and I thought that it was really good. One thing that I really liked was the ending. Although it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting and I was super surprised when I read it, I actually really liked it. I loved how it was a perfect example that sometimes things don’t work out and sometimes the ‘evil’ people win. Technically, in this case, both sides of the story were ‘evil’ and no matter how it ended someone ‘evil’ would’ve won, however this ending was not what I was expecting. In most of the books that I read, the good people defeat the bad people and win and, although this gives me the hope and happiness to continue with my life and helps me believe that maybe, if I just keep trying to be the best possible version of myself, I will get everything I have been wanting since I was little and I will win at life, I know this is completely unrealistic. This book helped bring me back down to Earth and made me realise that you don’t always get the picture perfect life or ending, and sometimes everything doesn’t work out. Another thing that I loved about the book was that I got to revisit my childhood and got to read a mystery book, which used to be my absolute favourite type of books. I had missed the feeling of being a detective and the happiness when you figure something out before the character. This book was great and I just loved how quickly I read it and how much fun it was to be on the edge of my seat while reading it.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend this book. I think it is best for readers over 16, who enjoy some murder, mystery and drama. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A thrilling, dramatic and quick read that will leave you in absolute shock.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

IN YOUR DEFENCE by Sarah Langford

“Sarah Langford is a barrister. Her job is to represent the mad and the bad, the broken and the hopeful. In court, she must tell their story, weaving it around the black and white of the law. These stories change the lives of ordinary people in extraordinary ways, but for a twist of luck, they might have been yours. In eleven heart-stopping cases, Sarah describes what goes on in our family and criminal courts. She reveals what it is like to work in a world of archaic rituals and inaccessible language. And she explores what it means to be at its mercy. Our legal system promises us justice and fair judgement. Does it, can it, deliver this?”

What is the background for the issue in the book?

Sarah Langford, the author, decided to write this book because she felt like most people didn’t actually know about the law and she thought that working as a solicitor or barrister was too glamorised and that not many people had any understanding of it all. Although the rule of law states that everyone should have access to the law, she felt like the law was too of place in our modern world and that we needed to help people understand that the law is not about ancient words and rituals, it is about helping people achieve justice. This book mainly explores how the law helps and changes people and how, as a barrister, she helped and represented them. The events that take place in the courts shape our society and, although the individuals involved tend to be the most affected, through one small twist of fate that could have been anyone of us.

What are the main arguments of the book?

One of the main arguments of the book is that the English legal system is the fairest and most efficient in the world. We pride ourselves in our legal system because foreigners choose to come here and stand before one of our judges rather than in their own country because they know that the judges cannot be bribed or threatened into doing anything other than applying the law. However, we are in danger of taking this for granted because our legal system is regularly threatened and wholly unsupported by those who should be protecting it. Most people believe we are far from the corrupted legal system that other countries have, however this book discusses that those people are mistaken and that, even now, people are being judged by their background and bank balance. This book also discusses that although our legal system is the fairest in the world; the law is also human justice and is designed and enforced by people. Therefore the law will always be imperfect. Sometimes solicitors, barristers and judges will make mistakes; it is also slow, chaotic and may also be illogical. However, it is one of the pillars that keep our nation stable and we need to embrace the flaws of the legal system and aim to work around them rather than blame them. Justice can only be achieved if we work for it, and so we must remain proud of our legal system, even when we face some of the mistakes made. Another argument in the book is that the law is greatly misinterpreted and many people believe that there is just one truth and the aim of a trial is to uncover that. However, there is no one truth and no one story, instead there are many stories and behind every case there is just a web of messy lives. A lawyer’s job is not just to uncover the truth of the case but to guide those people – whose lives have been completely transformed after a mistake – through the law and its systems and give them what they wanted. This means that doing their job is not always actually achieving justice because some may have to defend people who are clearly lying and clearly guilty, but the aim is just to make the best out of a bad situation.

How significant area the arguments in the book? 

I think that the most significant argument in the book was that the cases we hear about are cases that involve actual real people that have been affected beyond anything we can imagine by a mistake they made or by just being born into a family that will guide them down the wrong path from birth. I think that by having 11 different people’s cases explained to us in this book, Sarah Langford shows us how, although the law may seem complex, our lives are just as complicated. I really like how she explains that her job is to help her clients fit their lives, in all their messy shades of grey, within the black and white of the law by telling their story. I think this pretty much sums up how the law is not just about achieving justice but also about helping you structure your life to fit in with the law. A case is not just brought to court to uncover the truth, but it’s actually brought to court to try and guide these people who have been led astray and help them through a complex legal system. To summarise, this book focuses on the rule of law and the fact that we should always have access to justice and the legal system and we should be able to understand our laws in their entirety.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

Reviews: Update

Recently, I joined a program at college (Aspire program) whose aim is to help those high achieving students to be able to make it into the more competitive universities (like Oxford and Cambridge) and into the more challenging career paths (Law, Mathematics, Medicine, etc.). As I have decided that I will most likely pursue a career in Law, I signed up for this Aspire program to specifically help me to gain more knowledge on how to stand out on a university application. 

One thing that the program heavily focuses on is on helping us with our super curricular activities, which are activities beyond what we learn on the school syllabus that help us broaden our knowledge on our chosen subject. So far I have watched TED Talks, read articles and now I have begun to read books linked to Law and have to review them. 

There will now be some slightly different reviews on my blog, as I have to follow the layout that my Aspire teacher wants me to use, however I will also try to add some more information about the books I read in case any of you would also like to read them. For me it's both annoying and exciting to get to read books not only for enjoyment, but also for my education. Anyways, I hope you all are still keeping up with your reading and as always I hope that my reviews are helping you to find more books that make reading feel like a escape from reality, rather than a punishment. 

The Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi: Reading Order

With a series as big as the Shatter Me series, it can be quite overwhelming and I know that I was also quite confused as to which order to read the books, especially when all the novellas came into play. After a bit of research and looking at different reviews and comments online, I found the perfect reading order, which is the one I have used when reading the books and reviewing them for you. I have decided to post it in order to encourage you all to read the series and to give you a helping hand (as I know how hard it can be). It is as follows:

1. Shatter Me (Book 1)
2. Unravel Me (Book 2)
3. Unite Me 
1. Destroy Me (Book 1.5)
2. Fracture Me (Book 2.5)
3. Juliette's Journal
4. Ignite Me (Book 3)
5. Restore Me (Book 4)
6. Defy Me (Book 5)
7. Find Me 
1. Shadow Me (Book 4.5)
2. Reveal Me (Book 5.5)
8. Imagine Me (Book 6)
9. Believe Me (Book 6.5)

Please do not be concerned by the length of this series, I promise that it will be worth it and you will love it so much. In reality, although it may look daunting, it actually it didn't take me as long to read it as I would have thought. I have recommended it already to all of my friends and have literally thrown it at my sister to try to get her to read it because this series is truly incredible. I think the Shatter Me series is undoubtedly my favourite series at the moment and I hope that others feel the way I do. 

BELIEVE ME by Tahereh Mafi

“‘To the world she is formidable. To me? She is the world.’ Juliette and Warner fought long and hard to take down The Reestablishment. Now faced with stabilising a chaotic world, life in the aftermath still isn’t easy. Warner, however, has his sights set on more than just politics. Since proposing to Juliette, he’s been eager to marry her, and at long last, Warner and Juliette’s future together seems within reach. But with so much uncertainty around them, and the world continuing to pull them apart, will they finally be happily, officially, together?”

What is the book about?

Everything has finally fallen into place. Juliette and Warner have taken down The Reestablishment and have begun to work towards a better future. And now they are finally able to do something they have wanted to do for a long time: get married. However, nothing is ever as easy as it seems and the aftermath of The Reestablishment is just as challenging as life when they were in power. They have all waited so long to be able to achieve happiness and yet, even when everything seems right within reach, the world seems to be conspiring to pull Juliette and Warner apart. All they want is to be united for the rest of their lives, but will they ever be able to be together, or will the world finally win?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I had mixed feelings approaching Believe Me: I was so excited to finally be able to reach the end of the series and hopefully see all of my characters happy together, but I was also so sad to see it end. I was desperate to read the book because I wanted to see Juliette and Warner finally get married and get to live the rest of their lives together like they had been planning since Warner’s proposal in Defy Me. However, I was also torn because I knew that, once I finished Believe Me, that was it. I would never read anything else about Warner, Juliette, or Kenji, and I would never find out anything else new about them. I am always sad to see the characters go, but I knew this was going to be harder than ever before because this series was longer and more amazing than the others I have read. Once I finally got over my fears and worries, I picked up the book and began to read. It began just as I was expecting and it flowed to so perfectly, like all the other novels and novellas. However, I did struggle a little to truly get into it because I couldn’t help thinking about the fact that this was truly the last book. The first couple of chapters were also in the epilogue of Imagine Me, so they were a little difficult to read, however, once I got past those, I was fully absorbed into the book and soon I was reaching the ending, feeling a mix of happiness, excitement and dread. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I think that my favourite character this time has got to be Juliette/Ella. Personally I think that the fact that the book was written from Warner’s perspective did influence my decision a lot because he sees Juliette as a completely perfect girl, with no flaws whatsoever, but I do believe that she deserves to get the recognition for all she has done. One reason why I really liked Juliette was because seeing her so happy and strong showed me how, despite everything, she never lost hope in humanity. She lived a life of torture and was constantly let down by everyone around her, betrayed by her biological and adoptive parents. Every time she seemed to settle down, something happened and she just ended up with injured and in pain. However, no matter how much life tried to put her down, she managed to get back up and never lose hope that maybe one day she would be able to have a better future. She really taught me to not look back and dwell on the past, and instead to live in the present and look to the future. She has really inspired me and I’m not at all surprised that she has also inspired so many characters from the book and that the entire world looks to her for guidance. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part is definitely, definitely the ending. I cannot even begin to describe what I felt reading it. This whole series has been following Juliette’s life and nearly everything has been horrible. She has gone through so much torture throughout the books, and even before that, and just reaching the end knowing that, finally, she gets to be happy made me burst with joy. I loved the ending so much because I knew that, for her, nothing that happened to her before that moment when she saw Warner waiting for her mattered anymore because she was happy. This ending made me feel so much happiness because it gave me hope that, no matter how much I go through, no matter how stressed or sad I am, there will one day be a time when I get what I have always wanted. It really showed me that everyone can be happy. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Believe Me was an incredible book and I loved reading it. One thing that I loved about it was the fact that it took me further than I have ever gone with any other book series I have ever read.  Most series end quite quickly and I never get to see a couple get engaged or get married or anything at all and I'm always left wondering whether or not those things will actually happen. But, with the Shatter Me series, I got to experience so much of Warner and Juliette's relationship and it has been the most incredible experience I’ve ever had.  I love learning about the characters from the books I read and every time a book has an epilogue I burst with joy at the idea of getting even the slightest glimpse into a character’s future. Another thing that I really loved about the book was that it ended absolutely perfectly. Most books end a little bit too soon and I don't fully get to see what happens next, or they will go too far and won't give me any creative freedom to picture the characters life at I want to picture it. However, Believe Me ended at the exact moment where it should have ended because it was the exact moment where I had enough information to create my own picture of their lives in my mind. I now just can't wait to have a moment to myself when I can picture Warner and Juliette and Kenji and all the other characters in the place where I think they will be. One last thing that I would like to mention is the fact that, after reading so many books, this series has actually come to an end.  I just can't believe that this all started with a timid, little girl, curled up in a corner, locked up in a mental asylum and now she is one of the strongest, most fiery female characters that I have ever come across. I can’t believe that right now, she's not only free but also happy. Reading these books has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I don't think I will ever forget these books and these characters. I know that it is the end and I will not read any more about these characters, but I also know that these people will live in me for the rest of my life and what I've learnt I will never forget. I really loved reading the Shatter Me series and this has become one of my favourite book series of all time.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend that you all read Believe Me as it is the perfect ending to an even more perfect series. I think it is best for those over 15, though, and it’s perfect for lovers of romance, action and dystopian fiction. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A beautiful and romantic novella that perfectly concludes the Shatter Me series. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

IMAGINE ME by Tahereh Mafi

“‘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