Imagine Me by Tahereh Mafi- Book Gripe

Let me just say before getting into this, that I was extremely apprehensive about starting the next three books in this extended series. Mafi originally planned for Shatter Me to be a trilogy, ending with Ignite Me, but four years later ended up adding three more to the series. I was very unsure whether or not to read further because I heard so many mixed reviews and opinions. But, I decided to go ahead with it because I just loved these characters so much, and Ignite Me didn't feel like a complete ending.

First, let me start off on a positive note, Tahereh's writing is phenomenal, it is so atmospheric and beautiful. Her writing makes it so easy to really feel in depth the different characters emotions. Unfortunately that's about the only good thing to say... This last book especially, left a bitter taste in my mouth. Restore Me and Defy Me weren't BAD, but not good either, and I was already unsure about continuing because I didn't really like where the story line/plot was heading. But, I was already in too deep so I went on, and it slowly became worse. But this?? This big finale that she brought the series back for?? Was quite honestly a cluster fuck. I've never felt more annoyed or disappointed with a book in my life. It felt repetitive, rushed, predictable, and ultimately very unsatisfying.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Let me just begin with the plot. As anyone who reads these books, you know the plot is not what drives you to continue this story, it is Warnette and Kenji. But, this plot "thickening" was just useless I felt. What was Emmaline's purpose? The Supreme Leaders were taken out SO easily, after six books of trying to defeat them and it happened in about two chapter??? Cool?? These books had extremely repetitive plot lines starting with Anderson coming back from the dead to offer absolutely nothing to the story. The last two books were the SAME. Anderson attacks, takes Juliette, and the rest of the book is a recovery mission. It was SO OVER DONE. And the whole memory wiping, it was just cringey. It didn't work in Defy Me so let's create the SAME scenario but this time it works?? And, it was VERY predictable that Warner would be the one to essentially bring Juliette back. Very anti-climatic in both cases. I can't tell if Mafi was just lazy or over the writing process, but the last book is just terrible.

On to the characters. All I have to say is that Kenji's back must hurt from carrying this ENTIRE LAST BOOK. Juliette was essentially either passing out, screaming, or crying this whole book. God, even the characters disappointed me. I felt like they had so much development up until this point and then many of them just began unraveling ALL of it. For instance, Aaron Warner, who up until this point was finally making friends, finally accepting the new him, TRYING to be better. Then as soon as Juliette is gone, he resorts right back to his old ways. He's just a horrible person with her not there, and it's not cute. It was so frustrating watching him be terrible and unreasonable with everyone. I understand that loving Juliette and having her love him back is what makes him want to be better, but I HATE the idea that loving her is his only good trait?? He has to be one of my all time favorite characters, and he has SO MUCH depth to him, so why do we resort back to this? He's so much better than that. And, keep in mind this is him basically the entirety of the book. Also, WHY DID HE NOT HAVE A POV??? I was so mad about that, I would have LOVED to see soldier Juliette from his POV and him basically bringing her back. I still don't understand why he only got the epilogue?

Then there is Juliette/Ella?? Who by the way has spent the the last FIVE BOOKS growing into who she is and finally accepting herself and her power. It really felt like she wasn't even in this book? She went from learning her own strength and gaining autonomy, to being the most annoyingly passive character in this last book. She really didn't do anything this entire book and I was just so lost. She didn't drive the plot whatsoever and I'm UPSET. Once again, she had SO much potential to be such a badass in this book and finally avenge herself and all the shit these horrible people put her through, and instead she stands on the sideline? Yeah, no thank you.

Then, we have my soft baby, Kenji. Honestly this book felt like his, I would've even preferred this to be a spin-off about him then what we actually got. I love him so much, and you really get to understand him more in this book. His pain, his grief, his heartbreak, he is always using it in a way to try and help others and is such an empath. I did enjoy watching him and the Omega Point family interact, FINALLY. We barely got any scenes of them up until this point, and I thought their nightly tea parties were SO cute. Kenji deserves all the happiness.

One reason I am so disappointed is because we got BARELY ANY WARNETTE SCENES. wtf!! There was almost no new content of our beloved Warner and Juliette?? Literally the first and last chapter, and the rest of the book they were separated! I was SO beyond upset about that. We didn't get to see their relationship grow and flourish and I will never forgive Mafi for taking that from us. OMG, I almost forgot how Mafi had the nerve to make Juliette attracted to Anderson (Warner's dad??). I'm not even going to get into it because it just made me very uncomfy.

The ending just added to my confusion about this whole book to be honest. It didn't feel like a proper ending. It felt rushed, and that no problems were even solved, but it also left me with SO many unanswered questions. There were too many loose ends that were not tied off, and things and situations that just never got mentioned again. The epilogue, as cute as it was, still did not feel finished to me.

I will end this post with some things that I did like for the sake of my love for the first three books, which I will now consider the only relevant ones. Winston and Brendan made my heart so happy and I'm so in love with them and their relationship dynamic! They're so cute. Of course my husband Warner being his protective, loving self and going absolutely feral when Juliette is in danger. WARNER WITH A MACHETE. Yessir!! Split me in HALF. Kenji and Warner's banter is just UGH I LOVED IT. They're both so witty and sarcastic in their own ways and I just love their love/hate relationship. Kenji and Juliette's relationship is so PURE AND WHOLESOME. They love each other so much and it's so evident how much they care about one another. The fact that it's strictly platonic but they're still playful with each other. UGH! I need a Kenji!! The 2.5 Warnette scenes we did get were very precious and I would DIE for them. As much as the last three books disappointed me, especially this "finale", I still have so much love for these characters, and I will miss Juliette, Kenji, and Warner very, very much. Warnette is top tier and I just hope they get to live the rest of their days in peace. And my man Kenji seems to have a girlfriend at this point, so I just hope all of them find their inner peace and happiness.