Book Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Destroy Me
Shatter Me #1.5
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Dystopian/Supernatural
Released: October 2nd 2012
Review Source: Purchased
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) 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.

Okay, I am just going to come out and say it. I LOVE WARNER! I know we all hated him in Shatter Me, but who wouldn’t. He was crazy and manipulative to Juliette while she was with him. But, who would have thought that Warner would have a soft side? Tahereh, why must you play with our minds like this?? So with that said, Team Warner, all the way!

Destroy Me is from Warner's POV and starts off right after Warner gets shot by Juliette. Unfortunately, his shot to the arm is the least of his worries. Now, everyone is looking at his as his father's incompetent son. The reestablishment isn't going to want a leader who's a wimp. So who comes to pay a little visit? His father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment. If you hated Warner in Shatter Me, then wait until you meet this guy. Warner gives us a little glimpse on how his childhood was and it really made me understand why he's the way he is. You can only feel sorry for him. So now, his father is on his back about finding Juliette, Adam and Kenji. The only problem is that his father wants to kill them all, including Juliette. This is something that Warner is totally against and will do everything in his power to bring Juliette back unharmed for himself.

Destroy Me was a short, fast paced novella, that I just couldn’t get myself to stop reading. Tahereh really knows how to capture our attention and our hearts. I just didn’t expect Warner to actually be a good guy - but he is, just with a messed up childhood. I guess that might be the reason why he feels so strongly for Juliette. It's something they both have in common. It’s a good thing that Tahereh came out with this because it just makes the wait for Unravel Me a little less painful. I can't wait!