Shattered

by Aubrey Coletti

School’s in session at J. Alter Academy, and for Toni, Joseph, Ann, Charlie, and their boarder friends, that means they are still at the mercy of its draconian ways. While suffering the harsh consequences of their attempted escape, the seven teens must also contend with the formidable Headmistress and her taste for human experimentation — with the boarders as her favorite subjects. The seven friends play a delicate, dangerous game as they seek to discover the secrets behind their school and their own unique abilities. Yet as they move closer to uncovering the truth, will one of them be forced to pay the ultimate price?

333 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2014

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was first published to Bookish Ardour.

I’ve read my fair share of young adult fiction over the years, as an adult, and have to say I love it when I come across an atypical young adult story. Stories can be dressed up with quirky characters and plenty of fanfare, but the basic premise is usually there. Once you read enough you can’t miss it, so when you get to read something with more than quirky characters and fanfare, it’s a treat.

It has been some time since I read Altered and I dove straight into Shattered without re-reading Altered. Unfortunately my memory is not as fantastic as it used to be and my memories of Altered are on the vague side, but after a few chapters I was able to remember the characters and the horrible predicament they had found themselves in.

Judging from memory, I believe the nature Vs. nurture theory I was so in love with Altered is not as present in Shattered, but this is balanced out with a more in-depth view of the characters and the mysteries behind the school itself. I’m left wondering who to root for. It’s not that I don’t want the main characters, the students, to get out and be free from experiments, but I can also understand the ideals expressed by the authority figures.

If there is a villain in this piece then I have no idea who it could be anymore except perhaps mental illness and the disasters brought about by extraordinary talents.

I did have issue with a few expressions and beginnings of scenes. I’m very in-tune with noticing how characters are introduced and I can appreciate the mystery created and detail shared when a character is introduced via their looks and physique, but as long as it is the once. It shouldn’t be needed again, scenes should be begun with introducing the scene rather than the character. I felt the characters were overly introduced after the initial introduction.

I also didn’t understand the need for swimming across the lake when it’s cold, but then I got to thinking. I considered maybe they were so desperate to get away from the school they were willing to risk hypothermia and death. If you were attached to a shock box, threatened with starvation, kept from socialising openly with your friends, and lived with the knowledge of basement level rooms with medical equipment, what would you do? I might not swim across a cold lake, I can’t swim that far, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I did something as equally dangerous and foolhardy.

Apart from my issues and my confusion over some of the actions of the characters, I just want to know what is going to happen next. I want to know now. I want to know what the point of the school is and why these kids are special. Mostly I really just want to know if Charlie is going to be ok. I believe she is my favourite. Ann and Joseph’s arguing was tiring, but I think Ann has grown on me as well as Toni. Without spoiling it I have to share two words… the ending! Aah! I need to know everything.

[Jesse Kimmel-Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes sequels don't live up to what we expected... this book is not one of those books. Shattered picks up right where Altered left off and moves forward at a fast pace, so you better keep up because these kids have shit to get done!

Once again we are thrown into the world of some of my favorite "troubled" teens. We get to know a little more about them, some of their pasts and maybe even a deeper look into their personalities. Can I just say that even though it totally sucks that it happened, I love the Antonie character and all his many personalities?! Oh, and Charlie! Okay, who am I kidding, I love them all. Each one has their own level of chaos and trials that they have to overcome and all the crap that the Academy throws at them. But these kids are so damn resourceful!

Anyways, totally off track there wasn't I? The book... is awesome. It will test your own beliefs about places like the Academy and to what extent people will go to control "troubled" teens. The story is amazing. Aubrey has definitely picked up her game here (not saying that the first one wasn't awesome!), but you really see her bring her characters to life and the story seems to become an organic living thing that mutates and grows in relation to those characters!

In short, I freaking love this series! And I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to see the sequel finally came out, and it was well worth the wait. The premise for Coletti's books is unique, and the world building in this book made that universe feel more complete and real. As with Altered, the dialogue and characterizations are hilarious and feel very real - some of my favorite scenes were the kids just bickering with each other. The side characters are developed further, and we learn more about the specific nature of some of the kids' powers (as well as their personal back-stories, with one particularly unhappy reveal), and delve further into the purpose of the Academy and the people running it. We get to see internal struggles between staff members with different goals for their work, with tantalizing hints that there's more at work than we've been shown. The action builds up in a very satisfying way towards a thrilling end as the kids gear up for revenge, and left me quite impatient for the next book in the series. An impressive sequel, and really absorbing!

[Joe Jaffa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away. I loved Altered so much, I was worried that the sequel would let me down. Shattered, however, did not disappoint at all. In fact, it was even better than its predecessor. The gripping story was still there, in the "unable to put it down, fearing for the characters" sort of way, perhaps even more so than in Altered. Another thing that blew me away was how Ms. Coletti has improved as an author. The prose have definitely upped themselves in this volume, and I look forward to seeing how Aubrey continues to improve as gets older. (Keeping my fingers crossed that she'll keep writing!)

[Aisha Oaktree]

review pending