Finding a cure to a deadly disease means working with the enemy responsible for spreading it. Check out Kidzworld’s review of Partials by Dan Wells.
The Virus
About 11 years ago, a war with the partials - engineered beings that look like humans - nearly destroyed the entire world. Only a small population survived, but thanks to the RM virus that killed millions, they’re slowly dying out. Each newborn baby dies within hours if not minutes of its life, and after 11 years, the humans still haven’t found a cure.
Finding the Cure
Kira, a 16-year-old intern doctor, is determined to find a cure. She suspects that all the previous studies failed because they were missing a key component - the Partials, who are resistant to the disease. With the help of her friends, Kira designs a dangerous mission. She plans to infiltrate Manhattan, capture a Partial, and bring him back to Long Island for study.
Enemy By Association
When the senate discovers her plan, they reluctantly give her five days to find a cure, after which they will kill the Partial. In that time, she unwittingly builds a personal connection with the Partial, named Samm, and refuses to let him die. But protecting the enemy of the human race makes her an enemy as well. Kira must put her life on the line to save Samm and the rest of the human race, even if it means reinventing herself as a terrorist.
The Bottom Line
Partials by Dan Wells is a teen dystopian novel that will delight all sci-fi lovers. While it is considered “teen,” the medical jargon makes a lot of the content feel more adult. To enjoy this novel completely, you’d really need a good grasp on science, or at least an interest in it. The plot is fast-paced, and offers unexpected twists.
Have Your Say
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