Partials

Humanity faces extinction in a post-apocalyptic world where a virus kills every newborn within hours. The survivors live in an isolated colony on Long Island, desperately trying to find a cure while under martial law and mandatory pregnancy laws. Kira Walker, a 16-year-old medical intern, believes studying the Partials - engineered super-soldiers who turned against humanity - may hold the key to saving her species. Her search for answers leads her beyond the colony's walls and into dangerous territory controlled by these human-like beings. The story combines elements of medical thriller, military science fiction, and survival narrative as characters navigate moral choices and conflicting loyalties. The complex relationship between humans and Partials raises questions about what defines humanity, the price of survival, and the consequences of genetic engineering.

Readers describe Partials as a fast-paced dystopian novel that balances scientific concepts with action sequences. Readers appreciated: - Complex worldbuilding and realistic post-apocalyptic details - Strong female protagonist who uses intelligence over physical strength - Integration of medical science and virology concepts - Political intrigue and moral dilemmas - Clear writing style that makes scientific elements accessible Common criticisms: - Slow first 100 pages with heavy exposition - Romance subplot feels forced - Some scientific explanations become repetitive - Character development outside the protagonist is limited Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (82,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (850+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "The science feels authentic without being overwhelming" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes too long to get going but pays off in the second half" - Amazon reviewer "More intellectual than typical YA dystopian books" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🧬 Dan Wells originally conceived Partials as a story about artificial intelligence, but shifted to engineered organic beings to explore deeper questions about what makes us human. 🦠 The deadly RM virus in the book was inspired by real-world pandemics, including the 1918 Spanish Flu which, like RM, was particularly deadly to young, healthy people. 👥 The author wrote the character of Kira Walker while dealing with his own daughter's medical issues, channeling his parental fears and hopes into the story's themes of survival. 🏙️ The post-apocalyptic Long Island setting was chosen specifically because the area's high population density and isolated geography would make surviving a pandemic especially challenging. 🔬 Wells consulted with multiple scientists and medical professionals to create believable genetic engineering scenarios for the Partials, basing many elements on current genetic research.