Fragments: The Partials Sequence, Book 2
Kids say
Based on 2 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
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.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
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?
Book Details
- Author: Dan Wells
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Science and Nature
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Balzer + Bray
- Publication date: February 26, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 576
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
-
Ender's Game
Boy genius trains to crush alien invasion in sci-fi classic.
-
The Always War
Fast-paced dystopian quest for truth.
-
1984
Classic dystopian novel about life under constant scrutiny.
-
Partials: The Partials Sequence, Book 1
Tense action, sharp plot twists distinguish dystopian tale.
For kids who love science fiction and dystopian novels
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate