Review: Fragments by Dan Wells

Author: Dan Wells
Title: Fragments
Series: Partials #2
Expected Publication: February 26, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 564 pp
Source: Around the Arc Tours

Synopsis
Kira Walker has found the cure for RM, but the battle for the survival of humans and Partials is just beginning. Kira has left East Meadow in a desperate search for clues to who she is. That the Partials themselves hold the cure for RM in their blood cannot be a coincidence--it must be part of a larger plan, a plan that involves Kira, a plan that could save both races. Her companions are Afa Demoux, an unhinged drifter and former employee of ParaGen, and Samm and Heron, the Partials who betrayed her and saved her life, the only ones who know her secret. But can she trust them?

Meanwhile, back on Long Island, what's left of humanity is gearing up for war with the Partials, and Marcus knows his only hope is to delay them until Kira returns. But Kira's journey will take her deep into the overgrown wasteland of postapocalyptic America, and Kira and Marcus both will discover that their greatest enemy may be one they didn't even know existed.

The second installment in the pulse-pounding Partials saga is the story of the eleventh hour of humanity's time on Earth, a journey deep into places unknown to discover the means--and even more important, a reason--for our survival.

Thoughts: Kira is searching to find the key to saving both humans and Partials. She also struggles with where she belongs as she still identifies with the human race even though she is a Partial. Kira begins her journey only with a photograph telling her to locate the Trust and she assumes they will have information on a cure for RM and the Partial expiration. As things at home begin to unravel, Kira, and crew happen upon something they thought impossible and a harsh truth she never expected. Marcus finds himself caught in the midst of chaos back home as he tries to replicate a cure for RM. He attempts to make peace with the Partials as another war with them would be detrimental to the human race but what he learns about his girlfriend and her family is more unsettling than he could ever imagine. The Partials aren't looking for peace they want Kira and will stop at nothing until they have her.

The romance does not appear to be the main focus but there is a lot of tension and uncertainty pouring from Kira and Samm. She seems oblivious to how he feels about her and he has hard time expressing himself. I liked this scene where she tries to explain that humans talk with more than words but with their hands, tone of voice or body language which in turn perplexed Samm because Partials communicate through the link. Samm, appears to be this strong capable Partial yet has a vulnerability about him that is engaging in this book and his trust in Kira is touching. 
Now, supporting characters, Herron with all of her superiority is the most obtuse and naive to me. She complains so much in this book, which grated on my nerves I wanted to throttle her. She doesn't know how to trust what she can't see; she desires an attainable fix rather than betting on chance. Now, the next character, Afa, the only "human in the world" is an absolute loon and makes for comedy relief and frustration but when his mind is on, he becomes this wealth of information that Kira and crew needs to lead them to the Trust.

Fragments is a long and very detailed installment that answers many questions about the Partials and Kira's origin but leaves room for more speculation. When I envision the landscape for what this world looks like for them, my first thought is of the movie the Book of Eli because everything was so desolate and full of chaos and destruction. In my mind, I see a decaying land destroyed by war yet struggling to live again. Kira made me like her even more as a character in Fragments because she chooses not pick sides over which race to save rather she is adamant about trying to save both. Wells writing is fluid and evenly paced, though some portions are slower but the action packed sequences make up for that. The world building Wells has created makes the story come alive and easy to picture in one's mind. Overall, a great continuation of a thrilling series. 

Review: Partials by Dan Wells

Author:Dan Wells
Title: Partials
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication: February 28, 2012
Source: HarperCollins via Netgalley
Rating: 4 out 5 
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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.

Quote:"Forget love, forget freedom, forget choice, just get yourself knocked up and save the world already."

Review: Partials is action-packed full of surprises and deceit. Kira lives in a world where each passing day the idea of freedom becomes gradually nonexistent. Teetering on the brink of extinction after being almost wiped out by the Partials and of pending war with the Voice, who are rebelling against the Senate and the Hope Act revisions that will drop the child-bearing age to sixteen. The belief is that at some point a child will survive but this a world I wouldn't want to live in, where you are required to be knocked up as much and as frequently as possible. That is crazy, and so unhealthy and emotionally disturbing. Kira is a great character with a lot of heart and she is determined to save the future of the human race. She is realistic, memorable and well developed as are all the characters. You love the ones you should love, and dislike the ones you should dislike. I really liked Samm, and look forward to more about him in the next book. Though this work is a bit lengthy, the pace flowed smoothly and the concept is an interesting twist on the posing end to the human race. Partials takes some unexpected turns that you won't expect, and things are much more complicated than they seem. What would you do if faced with the possibility of your life, your body no longer being your own, but governed by the rules of society in an effort to save the human race? Fall in line or fight back?This is a story about choice, sacrifice and courage. Overall, great read!