Review: Partials by Dan Wells + Giveaway!

Partials by Dan Wells

Release Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 468
Genre: YA Dystopian
Source: Purchased
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The human race is all but extinct after a war with Partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by RM, a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island while the Partials have mysteriously retreated. The threat of the Partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to RM in more than a decade. Our time is running out. Kira, a sixteen-year-old medic-in-training, is on the front lines of this battle, seeing RM ravage the community while mandatory pregnancy laws have pushed what's left of humanity to the brink of civil war, and she's not content to stand by and watch. But as she makes a desperate decision to save the last of her race, she will find that the survival of humans and Partials alike rests in her attempts to uncover the connections between them--connections that humanity has forgotten, or perhaps never even knew were there. Dan Wells, acclaimed author of I Am Not a Serial Killer, takes readers on a pulsepounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question--one where our humanity is both our greatest liability and our only hope for survival.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Kira works as a nurse in the children's ward. Since the Partials war and RM destroyed most of humanity no babies have been born. Women are still forced to give birth as often as possible with thousands of babies dying. They are hoping to find one that is immune. They search for a cure but it looks hopeless. When Kira's friend gets pregnant, Kira vows that she will find a cure. The best way she believes is to study a Partial itself. See if their immunity can transfer. When the community denies Kira's request she goes grabs a team for an unauthorized mission. She can not watch another baby die. 

The plot is very intricate with so many details and twists. There is a lot of science background and explanation. It was interesting and those that love to know how the world got where it is will enjoy it although I admit some went over my head and I had to re-read certain parts. There is a lot of set up and world building that starts off a bit slow. Once Kira captures Samm, a Partial, the book really picked up for me. She is doing scientific experiments on him to try to learn how to cure RM but the other scientists beat him and treat him horrible. They believe him to be a genetically engineer monster with no feelings but you quickly see him to be like any other person.

Now on the romance front, Kira has been with Marcus for years. He is sweet and amazing but was against this mission. It was frustrating but I know he just wanted to protect Kira. Later he is willing to give up everything for Kira and do anything she wants. He will follow her through any crazy scheme. Kira finds out some surprising things and then doesn't tell Marcus. This made me so angry because Marcus clearly loves her and wouldn't care. I thought the introduction of Samm would make this a love triangle but honestly I never felt any romantic chemistry between them at all. They are both more concentrated on their people and finding different cures. Then all of a sudden towards the end Kira randomly says she has never felt a deeper connection than the one with Samm. I have no clue why she would even say that but I'm sure in the next book more of a triangle will continue.  

There is non-stop action. Constant battles and travels. The team Kira puts together was a fun bunch. Always joking about their deadly mission. Jayden was a scene stealer and I know a favorite of many. It is his sister that is pregnant so he gives up a lot of help her baby. The world building really as awesome. There was one part where Kira was in an old science building where they created genetically engineered pets and things and people could buy like pet dragons! That just seemed cool! And like something that would be made if our genetic manipulations got that advanced. The history of Partials is surprising and I can see lots more twists in store for the sequel.




"Then we'll leave," said Marcus. "We'll go to one of the farms, or to a fishing village, or we'll join the Voice. I don't even care--anything to make you happy."

"I'll help you break him out, I'll help you take him home, I'll do anything for you. For you."
"Oh, Marcus..."
"Last time you left, it killed me. I'm not going to let you do this on your own."

Marcus stood up, undoing his shirt and removing the belt with the cure. He looked at Kira, then pick up his rifle. "If only one of us lives through this, I'd kind of prefer it to be you. Ar we ready for this?"
"No," said Xochi, "but that's never stopped us before."

Rating: 4/5

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