Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Sekret Julii

I enjoyed this second book in the Shatter Me series, what I will say though is that I’ve made the mistake of reading the next two books in this series before coming back to write my review of this one. So whilst I gave it a 4.25 after immediately finishing it, I can’t fully remember all my reasons why now, or 100% distinguish what happened in this book and what happened in the later ones, whoops! It also took me a really long time to read it because I started it at the end of August, then proceeded to be really busy due to getting married early September, and then picked this back up when presented with chill time on my honeymoon. So I also cannot fully remember what happened at the beginning of this book, lol so tragic, what even is this review!?

All I know is;
•There was some decent, albeit limited character development of Juliette, I’m glad Kenji told her to stop whining so much and actually grow a pair. I get that she’s been through some traumatic shit but we’re in a dystopian world, everyone’s gone through some shit and her character was getting annoying, she needed that talking to. Stop being so whiny and worrisome over Adam, look around you, get involved, grow as a person. Let Adam go. Train your strength.
•My love for Warner grew immensely during this book. Chapter 62 is an emotional rollercoaster and I loved it, oh my godddd. I also love the exploration of the powers he has, being able to harness other peoples’ energy. And he can FEEL other people’s emotions!? He is unapologetically morally grey, he doesn’t give a shit about anyone other than Juliette and I’m here for it. I want them to be together and I love a slow burn. He would burn down the world for her (adore) even though she’s dangling and playing with his feelings - she needs to sort that the fuck out by the way, I hate how ‘confused’ she is.
•Mafi’s writing is still just so beautiful. Absolute chef’s kiss.
•The Adam/Juliette thing is becoming annoying. Leave Adam behind, he is a weight, a drain, a dementor. Booooo!
•Adore Kenji, adore James.
•I really loved the ending of this book. Even if it does seem fucking crazy that after all these years of Omega Point staying hidden, training and growing and using what sounds like advanced technology, in a few short minutes, boom, it’s gone. Everybody dead.

Now it’s time for Juliette’s character arc to grow into a badass please and thanks because I’m bored of her being weak.

Satisfactory ending? Yes.

Content Warnings

molly_rose's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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cosmicnova's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

i dont know whether to give this a 4.5 or a 5 but for now its a 4.5 only because the beginning was a little bit slow. other than that this was soooooo good. warnette is just chefs kiss. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I LOVE THIS SERIES SM

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hiraeth_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I had a great time reading this, it was quite emotional but also funny, exciting - and sometimes a little bit cringe. The MC was either very scared, very angry or very horny, not much inbetween. Then again, she is a traumatised teenager so I guess that makes sense. I liked the side characters a lot. There was one instance where I thought the writer was being really racist?? I don't really know what was going on there. There were more plottwists than in the first book, some of them were surprising and some of them I had already anticipated, it was okay.

Adam gave me really strong Gale/Jacob vibes right from the start, if you know what I mean.

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therobinjoyce's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A gripping and fast-paced sequel to Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me. I really enjoyed the continuation of the story in this book and loved all the different characters that we get to meet and know more.

I did find Juliette’s character rather wishy-washy throughout and Adam’s brooding just made me want to slap him but Kenji’s characterization and character arc as well as Warner’s re-introduction was brilliant and really enthralling.

I also loved that we got to see more of James and how he has adapted to life at Omega Point.

The action was non-stop and the constant revelations, red-herrings, and twists and turns left me reeling, from frustrated one moment to OMG the next! It was honestly brilliant and the writing style used to convey Juliette’s character is really well done and poetic. I loved it. Not as much as Shatter Me, but still an amazing book!

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savannah_c_dipasquale's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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