***Review*** Partials by Dan Wells

Partials by Dan Wells

Released: 28th February 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins/ Balzer & Bray
Series: Yes #1 in the Partials series
Format: Digital ARC
Source: Netgalley - for review
Find At: Goodreads| Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository | Barnes & Noble
Author Site: Dan Wells

 

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.

Combining the fast-paced action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Battlestar Galactica, Partials is a pulse-pounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question—one where our sense of humanity is both our greatest liability, and our only hope for survival.

My Review:

This was certainly different. Once I read the synopsis I have to say the idea really appealed to me. This line certainly captured my attention “Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the world’s population.”-quote from Partials synopsis. 

Although the plot wasn’t fast paced it was certainly well rounded and it did hold my attention throughout the book. There was only one point my mind wandered. I really like books that make you stop and think, there are certain things in this book which with the way technology is advancing would be plausible in the distant future. Quite scary stuff really. 

I really liked the ending too, such a cliff hanger. This does mean that I cannot wait for the next book to be released, which if I remember rightly is in the early part of 2013. 

The only reason that this book lost a star rating and didn’t make it to five was that it wasn’t fast paced enough for me. About two thirds of the book was at a plodding pace and then whoosh off it went. I do like my books to be compelling page turners, that is the only criticism I can think of. So on the whole not bad then. There were plenty twists to the plot, some of them I did guess and others left me with my jaw gaping. 

 There was a good mix of ‘good and bad’ characters, some of them you really got to know, others only just scratched the surface. I’m pleased to say that there were two joint favourite characters Kyla the main protagonist and Samm the Partial. Kyla is certainly someone to be admired, she has a great fighting spirit and truly believes in doing what she believes is the right this. Both characters were rich in depth and I could really see how they were an essential part of the story. I really want to find out even more about them in the next book. Exciting stuff! 

Would I recommend this book? Yes I would! It was a totally unique story and one that certainly captured my imagination.

Story Rating: 4/5 – If you are a lover of post-apocalyptic dystopian stories, this is a must read. Cover Rating: 4/5 – A very chilling cover and certainly very apt to the story. 

 *** Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for supplying me a copy of this book for review.***