Friday, July 19, 2013

Review: Partials by Dan Wells + Giveaway!

Partials (Partials, #1)
Partials by Dan Wells

Release Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 468
Genre: YA Dystopian
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
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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.

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



~Giveaway~
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30 comments:

  1. Great review! I've just finished with an MG military-science-experiment kind of book and I'm really intrigued with the premise of Partials! Would love to give it a try! Thanks! :)

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  2. Great review! I love dystopian books when they are well thought out. I can be a stickler for details and if the construction and the reason for the dystopian world don't make sense it can ruin my book experience. Here, it sounds intriguing...

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  3. Well , from your quotes, I am already in love with marcus, he is so sweet and caring.
    I always wish that there will be no love triangle in the books, but there always is
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway and the great review
    Your reader,
    Soma
    http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/

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  4. Kira and Marcus sound great together, I like sweet and caring and it is a change of pace to already have characters together.

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  5. It sounds like a great read. I love end of the world books that are different and this definitely fits that description!

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  6. This is another series I really need to move up my TBR pile, I have heard nothing but great things about it!

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  7. Want a review I am totally into wanting to read this book and by what I have read sounds like it could be a great movie in the making

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  8. I love dystopians. I have had this book on my radar forever. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. hmm I think the science would probably go over my head as well. I love good world building but I often find myself having a hard time wrapping my head around the science of it all. Marcus sounds so sweet! I think I would be angry that she was keeping stuff from him too. Great review!

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  10. Great review! I've been trying to read this book for months but have never gotten around to it. I wish sometimes that, instead of forced love triangle, they would just leave them be as friends or something similar. The science would probably go over my head as well but I'm glad you liked it. Can't wait to read it!

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  11. I'm hoping to read Partials and Fragments on my trip. I brought a LOT of books so we'll see how it goes.
    Thanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics

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  12. I loved Partials, and cannot believe I haven't read Fragments yet! I'm so glad you enjoyed, Jennifer!

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  13. I have been wanting to read Partial for a long time now. I keep putting it off because my library does not have it. :( Boo! Anyway, your review was very insightful and well written. I totally need to read this one and SOON! haha

    Beckie @ Bittersweet Enchantment

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  14. I still haven't read dystopians books until now. Have a few, but don' have time or sometimes i forgot. So i love read review, make me remember what i have and why i wanna read it.
    Thanks for this great review :)

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  15. This review was awesome! It really sparked my interest and really makes me want to read this book!!

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  16. I heard this series is great! Can't wait to read it! Thanks for your thoughts and the great giveaway too!

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  17. I appreciated your opinion of Partials and after reading your review I want to read the book even more. I especially liked hearing that there was non-stop action and an intricate plot with many details and twists - that really interests me.

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  18. I have always been a huge fan of post-apocalyptic/dystopian type books, and this one Partials looks to be a perfect read for me. Great review!

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  19. I have wanted to read Partials for like forever. Great review. I love reading dystopian books.

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  20. I'm so glad you liked this! I absolutely adore Marcus, even more in the 2nd book. Thanks for participating in the Apocalypse event!

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  21. Partials looks so good. It's been on my to-read list for a long time, and I've been meaning to get to it. There's just so many dystopian books lately.

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  22. Thanks for the great review! This book has been on my want list for a while. Sounds fantastic and I love the sound of the premise.

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  23. Thanks for the review and the giveaway! I love dystopian books, and this book is definitely one of my must-read-books.

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  24. Play around with genetics & BOOM!! All sorts of things that should not be, become. A fascinating subject matter. (I want a dragon.)

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  25. I still can't believe I haven't started this series. I love science-y books. :) Thanks for the giveaway...I'm even more excited to read this after your review!

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  26. Such an awesome review, I would love to read this book because of how much i love Dystopian novels! I'm sure this one would be a great read!

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  27. I remember I really liked this one too but I never got around to the 2nd one. I really want to finish the series though :)

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  28. I can't wait to read this one! It sounds so fascinating. I love the sound of the plot and the characters. Plus, I need a good dystopian and this sounds like just the one! Glad you enjoyed this, Jennifer!

    Great review! :D

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair 

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  29. I've read lots of good reviews about this series and things sound really cool so this is great! Thanks for offering up the book!

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  30. I've heard great things about partials and everyone (mostly) seems to enjoy the book! I'm looking forward to reading it because the concept is awesome and the reviews have me excited :)

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