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Fragments: The Partials Sequence, Book 2

Name: Fragments: The Partials Sequence, Book 2
Item: Fragments: The Partials Sequence, Book 2
Rating: 5
Author: Michael Berry

Book review by

Michael Berry, Common Sense Media

Fragments: The Partials Sequence, Book 2 Book Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

(i)

Kira tracks creators of super-soldiers in exciting sequel.

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Kids say

age 12+

Based on 2 reviews

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Educational Value

Fragments takes pains to be scientifically plausible as it continues to chronicle the last bitter struggles between humans and genetically engineered Partials. The ecological forces that have reshaped North America are presented logically. The novel raises interesting questions about bioethics, civil rights, and environmental change.

Positive Messages

Although allegiances among the characters continue to evolve and mutate, Fragments emphasizes that the worth of an individual has to do with who they are inside rather than their genetic makeup or upbringing. There are often no easy answers, however, when the good of the many has to be balanced against the welfare of a few.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Kerri, Samm, and Marcus each struggle with loyalties to friends, family and species. Deep down, they want to find a way for humans and Partials to co-exist, but sometimes the obstacles facing them seem insurmountable. Their bravery and compassion are tried time and again throughout Fragments, but they manage to maintain their basic decency.

Violence

A little less violent than the opening volume of this series, Fragments does contain some gunplay and some action scenes that result in fatalities. There's an attack by vicious weaponized dogs and a harrowing scene in which supporting characters are drenched in acid rain. For the most part, though, the narrative does not dwell on bloodshed.

Sex

The characters in Fragments are too busy trying to survive to have much time to concern themselves with sex. Samm and Kira are attracted to each other, but neither is willing to admit it. Another young woman flirts with Samm, but he quickly pushes her away.

Language

A few instances each of "damn," "hell," and "piss."

Consumerism

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Fragments is a suspenseful, engaging continuation of the science-fiction adventure begun in Partials. Although set in a dystopian future, the novel takes pains to be plausible and raises interesting questions about bioethics and civil rights. The plot contains some gun battles that end in fatalities, as well as an attack by feral dogs and a harrowing episode involving acid rain showers, but the body count and amount of bloody detail are relatively low.There's little objectionable language (a few instances each of "damn," "hell," and "piss"), no substance abuse, and only some minor romantic attraction and flirting.

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Teen, 14 years old Written byGRACE_Bookworm July 21, 2013

age 12+

Intense.... Wonderful

Fast-paced tale about a teen struggling to except who she is, a brilliant yet confused man with an important backpack, and two "Partials" who are wil... Continue reading

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Teen, 15 years old Written byDoodles3 June 10, 2018

age 12+

Cliffhanger

This is a great squeal to the Partials. With the cliffhanger it left me eager to read the next book in the series. Personally I think this book was even better... Continue reading

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What's the story?

FRAGMENTS picks right up where Partials left off, with 16-year-old medic-in-training Kira Marshall on her own in an abandoned Manhattan and searching for answers about who created the super-soldier Partials and RM, the virus that decimated the human race. The more she learns about ParaGen, the corporation responsible, the more questions are raised about how Partials and humankind might co-exist. Accompanied by Afa Demoux, an unhinged former ParaGen employee, and Samm and Heron, two Partials with divided loyalties, Kira ventures into the poisoned heart of the continent, hoping to find a solution before both humans and Partials succumb to extinction.

Is it any good?

Fragments is a worthy successor to Partials, the initial volume of this dystopian science fiction adventure. It suffers from some of the standard pitfalls of middle books in a series, sometimes feeling a little static and overly complicated. But author Dan Wells spins out some interesting new wrinkles to his inventive plotting, and the series is notable in the way that it grapples with the thorny issues it raises, using the dystopian setting for much more than just window dressing. Here's hoping Wells can stick the landing with the conclusion of this sequence!

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about dystopian novels. Why do you think they're so popular? What other ones have you read?
What would be some of the advantages of creating a race of genetically superior soldiers? What dangers would that plan include?
What kinds of genetic research have been helpful to humankind? What kinds seem unproductive or downright dangerous?