Fragments (Partials #2) Review

Fragments (Partials #2)
by Dan Wells
Genre: YA Dystopian
Format: ARC received from Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for my honest review.  I do not get to keep the ARC.
Midnight Minute: Even with the cure for RM at hand, Kira is in an even more perilous situation, as both the humans and the Partials fight to survive.
From Goodreads:

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.

Midnight Thoughts:

~ I forgot a lot, so it took me several chapters to remember who everyone was and what had happened.  I would have re-read Partials, but seeing as Fragments is close to 600 pages, I just didn't have the time.
~ That said, it didn't really matter that I couldn't recall everything that had happened in the first book.  You know how, especially in dystopian tales, book 2 can get all wonky and kind of suck?  No suckage here!  Fragments was an awesome book, and I'm telling you, those 550+ pages flew by. 
~ I can't remember if Partials featured Samm's pov, but he opens the book in Fragments and I quite liked his voice, although I probably enjoy Kira's voice a bit more.  If I had a choose.  Like, if you held a gun to the book and were threatening to shoot the book if I didn't pick my favorite character.  Actually, I might pick Marcus.  
~ Speaking of Marcus, I had no real love for him in book 1.  He and Kira had a good, mutually respecting kind of relationship, but he was just kind of blah to me.  I loved his story in this book, loved that he respected and believed in Kira, and was able to deal with the shiz going down back home.  Despite the fact that he's technically Kira's boyfriend, there's not really a love triangle, and any real romance between any of the characters takes a back seat to survival. 
~ Basically the Partials are freaking out because most of their Partial leaders are expiring as they reach the old age of 20.  The humans in Long Island are freaking out because they've only managed to save one baby and can't replicate the cure without getting their hands on some Partials.  Neither side is interested in teaming up and helping each other. 
~ I know that genetically enhanced humans are a bad idea (seriously, has science fiction taught us nothing?), but MyDragons?  Those sound awesome!
~ Again, I don't remember thinking that much of Heron in the last book, but she's a real stand out in the second installment.  Like Kira, she's tough, unlike Kira though, she's realistic.  
~ I love the term 'Plague Babies'.  How is that not a band yet?
~ I love that the subways of New York have become underwater lakes and that Central Park is now a jungle (complete with wild animals).  I love that imagery. 
~ While Kira, Samm, Heron and messed up Afa try to head West and find information on the mysterious Trust, Marcus and the rest of Long Island are dealing with a Partial invasion.  Both stories were compelling and the book has a lot of action.
~ Humorous moment: Kira says that saving the world would be a lot easier if the people they were trying to save would stop killing each other.  Sadly, it kind of applies to our world today.
~ Genetically altered animals, smart enough to speak, plot and kill scares the crap out of me.  Maybe I shouldn't be a cat owner after all...
~ There's not a lot of funny, light hearted moments in dystopian novels usually, but I cracked up when Samm said, " Did that dog just call me a bastard?"  
~ I remember in the first book being put off by how smart all the Plague Babies were, but it makes sense in light of who Kira is, and the fact that most of the human kids had gene modification. 
~ I really think Arial and Heron could be bffs. 
~ I love how little race factors in to current world, but now Partials vs. Humans has taken it's place.  There is something in us that feels the need to judge others and feel superior. 
~ As Kira travels, she comes across a library.  Kira reads a thriller that sounds an awful lot like it could Dan Well's John Cleaver series. ;)
~ So much tension throughout the whole book!  You wouldn't think you'd be able to keep the plot exciting over hundreds and hundreds of pages, but Wells does it.  I may need a nitro-glycerin patch when the last book comes out!
~ At some point in the book, Samm says the world hasn't ended, it's reset.  Usually when we talk about destroying the planet, what we really mean is destroying the life on it, including our own.  But the earth will survive us, it's us that we might not survive. 
~ Kira's life is rapidly becoming a walking nightmare: attacks by superior Partials, talking dogs and acid rain.  I just wanted to give her a chocolate bar and a quiet place in which to cry.
~ The last part of the book made my head spin.  My head was spun, people!  I can't tell you why, because it's all spoilers, but I did not see a lot of that coming. 
~ Oh, Mr. Wells, you and your moral dilemmas!  What would you choose, dear readers?  The comfort of being morally right while people all around you die, or would you sacrifice the few to save the many?  Like most people, I'd choose the sacrifice... as long as I wasn't one of the people chosen to be thrown in the volcano to appease the gods.
~ The ending is kind of holycrap,holycrap!  As much as I want another John Cleaver novel, Mr. Wells had best be working on the next Partials book!

Timeless Characters:

Kira- our heroine, seeking answers about her origins, and trying to save what's left of her world. 
Samm- renegade Partial with feelings for Kira.
Marcus- the boy Kira left behind, doing his part to help the world.
Heron- kick ass Partial.
Afa- extremely paranoid and messed up human.
Dr. Morgan- mad Partial doctor, kidnapped Kira in the first book.
Nandita- the woman who raised Kira after the Partials war, and now everyone is looking for her. 
Isolde, Haru, Madison, Xochi- friends of Marcus and Kira's back in Long Island.  Madison's baby Arwen is still alive and thriving, and Isolde is pregnant. 
Ariel- one of Nandita's foster daughters, teams up with Marcus. 
Calix- human girl that crushes on Samm.
Dr. Vale- possible member of the mysterious Trust, he also leaves Kira with a difficult dilemma. 
And a billion other characters, both Partials and human, but I don't want to break my computer.  Fortunately I do have the notes on them to read over for Book 3!

Midnight Moment:

Honestly after the first 50 or 60 pages, everything is kind of a Midnight Moment.  What happens on the way to Colorado (a certain death) was completely unexpected, so I have to give that points.

Stop The Clock:

Fragments is a roller coaster of action and thrills, but Wells still manages to grow the reader's interest and connection with the main characters.  If Partials was the appetizer, than Fragments is the deliciously spicy main course.  I originally only going to do 4 and 1/2 stars, but it's been almost a week since I read it and it's still with me.


Dan Wells — Website |The Dan Wells

  Fragments (Partials #2) gets a Midnight Book Rating of: