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| Read from March 13, 2012 to April 2, 2012 |
Publication Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Number of Pages: 472 pages
Genre/s: Young Adult, Dystopian
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. - Goodreads
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. - Goodreads
Warning: This review was done immediately after finishing the book...at 4 AM. Needless to say, I'm still gathering up my brains on the floor, I think I stomped on it a few times.
So what to say? First of all, I think I really need to say that this was one of the best dystopian books I've read for a while now. I was mindblown by everything, but let's backtrack a little shall we?
In Kira's world, no newborn survives.The RM virus made it that way. In an Isolation war fought over by humans and Partials--genetically engineered superhumans, America won but the world was destroyed. The RM virus was deployed, millions died and only thousands of people survived. Now living in a world post-Isolation, The Senate does it best to strive against the slowly dwindling population by the Hope Act in which they established a certain age for females to reproduce.
It's 11 years now and it's still not working. A civil war is brewing because of the Voice and the people are getting restless due to the attacks from them. Kira is a medic and has seen enough newborns die. When one of the most important person in her life got pregnant, she vowed to find the cure for the virus to save her baby before it's too late.
Crazy plan, dangerous undertaking, one epic capturing after, and we found ourselves a one heck of a YA dystopian novel.
You know what I liked about Partials, there was no "romance-ing" that happened here. Sure, Kira has a boyfriend in the persona of Marcus, (which by the way totally has a rocking sense of humor, most of my snorts came from him) but it was almost an afterthought. The story doesn't center from it at all.
So you ask, what made this story incredible then? Well I don't know about you sister, but if the medical stuff, crazy adventure, great bunch of characters, dash of political intrigue, and kick-butt heroine, didn't make it for you, I don't know what will. Because I'm telling you, it was like the whole book was rigged with C4 explosives and every end of the chapter was the trap button.
Being on the medical professional field myself (well, I'm still studying), I was really engrossed by the whole virus thing. I could really relate and I even got a few I told you so on the first few chapters.
Partials has the aura of Newsflesh trilogy by Mira Grant minus the zombies. The twists and turns just keep coming left and right, you just have to hold on to keep from being overthrown into a sea of nothingness. It was packed-full of action, mystery-driven, and it will keep you up at night. I know I need to sleep but I seriously need the next installment right now.
Cupid's Verdict:
An advance copy was provided by the publisher at no cost via Netgalley.
Great review! I have this book waiting for me, I just haven't found the time to read it yet. I really need to read it now after your review! I love books that are full of action! :)
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is full of action! I hope you like it when you did finally read it! Thank you, Stephanie. :)
ReplyDeletePartials starts off, not with a bang but a whimper. But boy does that whimper demonstrate just how high the stakes are! Wells refuses to let up from the very beginning, introducing readers to a world that is very clearly out of balance. Partials is YA fiction the way YA fiction should be written. Wells does not pamper the reader, there is no condescension here. Partials is grim and colored in shades of gray. Partials delves into the themes of freedom vs security, indefinite detention, torture, medical experimentation and more. Wells does all of this without dumbing down the subject matter. It is believable (dare I say realistic?) and it gives young readers exactly what they want. A tale that is streamlined enough for the audience while maintaining a mature and uncompromising atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteI just finished this book last night. and reviewed it today. Normally I have the control to put a book down and go to bed at a reasonable hour, but I was so sucked in. What a great read! love your review.
ReplyDeleteI heard this book is kinda weird but I will try it anyway. Great review!
ReplyDeleteWhat? No sappy, happy romance? No love triangle? Seriously? I am so in I'm not sure how I am going to find my way back out. That little piece of good news, plus being a kick-butt dystopian = Yeeehaaaw! Thanks so much for your review of Partials. I have had my eye on it for a while, and your review just pushed it to the top of my TBR!!
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