By: Dan Wells
In Kira's world, humanity is an endangered species. Engineered organic soldiers called Partials have wiped out most of the population. And those who remain are having children that live no longer than a day or so. While Kira and others try desperately to find the source and cure to this mysterious virus that is killing their children, Kira discovers that the only solution lies with their enemies, the Partials.
So, Partials has two things going on. We have this post-apocolyptic world where the general population is fearful of either a Partial attack, or even an attack by The Voice, the dissenting population that lives on the outskirts of town and is fiercely opposed to what they see as an oppressive government. Then, there is the conflict of the government and its controversial HOPE act, a law that lowers the legal pregnancy age to 16. It in effect forces female citizens to become pregnant and then lose their babies in an attempt to research and nail down the source of RM, the virus that is killing them all.
Both of these plot lines are very well developed. In fact, I was absolutely impressed with the amount of research and believability of their crisis. I think this is a new trend in YA dystopian fiction, and I like it. Scientific research is a major bonus.
I think that some readers will be disappointed with the lack of romance. There are sparks here and there, but after putting this book down at the end, it was not the romance that grabbed and stuck with me. So, be prepared for that.
Truth be told, I'm a character girl. And a lot of the characters really blended together for me. I did feel like Samm and Kira were very well-developed. Kira was a great female lead. I've been thinking a lot about female roles in entertainment lately, and how women are often portrayed as either for the boys or one of the boys. That was not the case in this book. Kira was strong, but not masculine.
Partials is a very nice introduction to science fiction. It's well-thought out, exciting, and the world-building is phenomenal. And it's exactly the kind of story that I'm looking for to really kick of a trend of science fiction that rocks. (We can start this trend, right)? Partials is part of a series, but don't be afraid to start it now, the ending is perfectly satisfying and will leave you wanting the next book without feeling cheated by a cliffhanger.
Partials does contain references to sexual conduct (with the pregnancy situation and all), and if I remember correctly, there was a little bit of language. But, I would still recommend it for readers from about 13 up. This is also a great pick for teenage boy readers.
If you're in Utah...
Sam Weller's Bookstore
February 28, 2012, 7 pm
Orem Barnes and Noble
February 29, 2012, 6 pm
I'm a big fan of the well-thought-out science and realistic world building in dystopian/sci-fi too. Do start that trend!
ReplyDeleteIt makes it so much more enjoyable if I can say, Wow, I can really see that happening.
DeleteI did my review today too. Thanks again for letting me borrow it, I loved it! I am worried people will be disappointed with the lack of romance.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. And, about the romance, The Maze Runner didn't have a lot of romance either, and people seemed to like that series quite a bit.
DeleteGreat review! I loved Partials, and one of my favorite things was the minimal romance. Kira was definitely her own person, and didn't let her decisions revolve around a guy. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you liked the minimal romance. I think it will put off some readers, but I honestly didn't even notice until someone else brought it up to me. I don't always have to have a great love story.
Delete