Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Destroy Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Series: Shatter Me #1.5
Published: October 2, 2012
Publisher: Harper
Source: Purchased
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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.

* May contain spoilers for book 1, Shatter Me. *

I was so excited when I heard about this novella.  I had a soft spot for Warner, the villain, while reading Shatter Me, and I was excited to see things from his point of view.  I felt there had to be more to him than just a heartless beast.  Destroy Me is told from Warner's POV and definitely gives us all a bit of insight into his terrible father and upbringing, and how horribly he was raised.  I couldn't believe some of the things that his father had him do when he was younger, thus raising him to be a monster.

But inside all of that beastliness (is that a word?), Warner does have a heart... a heart that has completely fallen for Juliette.  He loves her with everything, yet doesn't really know what to do about it.  He knows how others see him... and to deal with all of this hatred in his life he has built up a shell of stone.  Inside of that shell there is kindless and love just begging to be released.

I really enjoyed this novella.  After Shatter Me I was leaning toward Team Warner... but now I've officially joined the team!  Go Team Warner!  :)