Partials
Release date: 2012
Author: Dan Wells
Genre: YA Speculative Fiction (Sci-fi)
Themes: Futuristic, Apocalyptic, Prejudice, Artificial Intelligence, Dystopian
Rating: 5 stars
Why did I read it?: Recommended to me
Wells, Dan. Partials. Belzer + Bray, 2012. Print.
Formats available: Digital, Hardcover, Paperback (amazon.com)
Synopsis (from amazon.com)
For fans of The Hunger Games, Battlestar Galactica, and Blade Runner comes the first book in the Partials Sequence, a fast-paced, action-packed, and riveting sci-fi teen series, by acclaimed author Dan Wells.
Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with Partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the 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. But sixteen-year-old Kira is determined to find a solution. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that that the survival of both humans and Partials rests in her attempts to answer questions about the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.
Playing on our curiosity of and fascination with the complete collapse of civilization, Partials is, at its heart, a story of survival, one that explores the individual narratives and complex relationships of those left behind, both humans and Partials alike—and of the way in which the concept of what is right and wrong in this world is greatly dependent on one’s own point of view.
Supports the Common Core State Standards
My Thoughts:
It seems almost every YA sci-fi book is heralded as being for “fans of The Hunger Games,” which makes many of us, rightly, suspicious. After all, The Hunger Games was a surprisingly fantastic addition to the YA Dystopian genre. So, when Partials was recommended to me via Goodreads.com, I was naturally suspicious. However, after I watched the book trailer (see below), I knew I had to read this book. Go ahead and watch the trailer right now.
Ok, are you back? Do you see what I mean? It has a GREAT hook.
And I’m happy to say the book delivered on its promise. This is the first book in the trilogy (all three are out now) and it grabbed me right away. It has everything I like: mystery, high-stakes, scientific experiments, and end-of-the-world consequences. Also, there is a pervasive undercurrent of morality, bias, racism, and a questioning of what it means to be “human.” This is a fantastic read for sci-fi junkies, fans of apocalypse stories, and those who like to read about how mankind’s obsession with technology might effect us in the future. It you enjoy Artificial Intelligence and robots who take on a life of their own, this might also catch your fancy. Plenty of excitement, mystery, tension, and enough “will they, won’t they” romance to please most readers.
Personal note: I loved this one, its a great story that also gives you some wonderful discussion and thinking topics of human nature.
Liked it? Loved it? Gotta have more of it?
The next book in the series is called Fragments by Dan Wells.
In the meantime you might like to try:
- Illuminae (links to my review)
- Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
- The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Extras:
- Partials book trailer
About the Author:
Dan Wells writes in a variety of genres, from dark humor to science fiction to supernatural thriller. Learn more on his website.
Don't Shush Me! 
You’ve reminded me of how much I liked this when I read it several years ago and that I never got around to reading the next two. I think it’s high time I fixed that 😉
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