Tahereh Mafi, an Iranian-American author, has captivated readers with her imaginative storytelling and lyrical prose, writing books that blend emotion, magic, and raw human experiences. Two of our favorite works from her, Shatter Me and This Woven Kingdom, perfectly showcase her talent for crafting stories with captivating characters that settle deep into your heart.
Mafi is best known for her Shatter Me series, a dystopian saga filled with romance, rebellion, magic, and self-discovery. However, many don’t pay enough attention to This Woven Kingdom, another series that we find just as perfect.
The Shatter Me series follows Juliette Ferrars, a teenage girl who’s been imprisoned because of her deadly touch, and then captured by the Reestablishment — a dystopian, oppressive government, set in the future after society’s collapse — to wield her power as a weapon.
One of the most popular series on Booktok, and featuring one of the most popular book boyfriends, Shatter Me presents a story that melds magic, dystopia, action, and romance, told through descriptive writing that we find truly embodies the characters.
Mafi skillfully conveys Juliette’s insanity right from the beginning of the book through her use of strikethroughs, diary entries, and experimentative sentence structure, catapulting readers into Juliette’s messy mind. The short chapters make for a quick read, while the characters and plot twists keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Aside from the main series — primarily told through the first person point of view of Juliette, though later books expand to include others — the accompanying novellas feature different side characters, allowing readers to learn about their backstories and view the events of the book from their perspective as well.
Not only does this series have a chokehold on Booktok because of its characters, but also because it combines some of the most popular tropes: enemies to lovers (a crowd favorite, of course), found family, platonic soulmates, and a love triangle (hear us out…). While a love triangle may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it creates the perfect amount of slow burn tension. And let’s be honest, it is fun to pick a side, whether you are suffering emotionally or jumping in excitement.
It goes without saying — this series (and its characters) is one that has remained in our minds long after we first read it.
Shatter Me series
- Shatter Me
Novella: Destroy Me
- Unravel Me
Novella: Fracture Me
- Ignite Me
- Restore Me
Novella: Shadow Me
- Defy Me
Novella: Reveal Me
- Imagine Me
Novella: Believe Me
*Watch Me, book 1 of a new spin-off series, coming April 2025
Though less popular than her Shatter Me series, This Woven Kingdom is every bit as captivating, trading dystopia for a mystical fantasy world that is vivid, colorful, and showcases a different side of Mafi’s storytelling.
This Woven Kingdom introduces readers to a world heavily inspired by Persian mythology and the Middle East. Set in a lavish, empire-like kingdom divided by class and power, and incorporating ancient prophecies as well as thick political intrigue, the story follows Alizeh, a servant girl with a dangerous, magical secret: she’s the long-lost heir to an ancient kingdom.
Mafi’s writing is unsurprisingly lush and lyrical. The world-building is rich with culture and elegance, while the characters are layered and compelling, each with their own secrets. The plot slowly simmers with political tension, a steaming forbidden romance, and the looming threat of war, making it a gripping read that feels both timeless and entirely original.
Our only note for this series is that the beginning felt a little slow. Unlike Shatter Me, which moved incredibly fast and dragged us head first into the pages, the beginning of This Woven Kingdom was a little more difficult to get fully immersed in. However, as the novel progresses, this quickly changes, causing the series to become one of our favorites despite its slow start.
This Woven Kingdom series:
- This Woven Kingdom
- These Infinite Threads
- All This Twisted Glory
- Every Spiral of Fate
*More books to be announced
Whether you often find yourself drawn to the dystopian chaos of Shatter Me or the rich fantasy of This Woven Kingdom (OR you’re like us and drawn to amazingly crafted romances), Tahereh Mafi’s books are filled with gripping plots, poetic writing, and unforgettable characters that you’ll love. Whichever world you choose, we guarantee you’re in for a wild, beautiful ride.
