sarahetc's reviews
1168 reviews

As post-apocalyptic YA goes, Partials is entertaining and unremarkable. It was compelling, but not beautiful. I'm interested in the rest of the series, but not about to run out and get them right now. Dan Wells is a solid author and I'm happy to recommend him to anyone who wants a good, unpretentious story.

This is the first book I've finished in a long time that I've really wanted to talk about. Excellent book club choice in that way. And I feel a little bad about it, but my enjoyment of the story is entirely schadenfreude-based. I found the central character abhorrent and really took genuine pleasure in how awful she was. It didn't end quite like I thought it would end, but the ending was as realistic as the rest of the book, which speaks to the authors consistency. I thought the changes in point of view were interesting, but built up more of a sense of dread than was warranted by the eventual outcomes.

My discussion offering for the Inklings, typed here so I don't forget: near the end, when Rhianne confronts Judy, did anybody else get the sense that they were far more intimately acquainted than their otherwise merely-professional relationship would indicate? For about 10 minutes my mind whirred with possibilities: long-lost little sister, random illegitimate daughter, something like that.

To sum up: It takes more than Russian mobsters, Chinese hackers, and assorted Jihadists to bring down a bunch of Iowans!

A great read that requires very little set-up to initiate a lot of action and adventure. Stephenson's settings are always far-flung. His characters are always relatable. This book was no exception. The last 20% of the book (about 200 pages, maybe?) was some of the most exciting, compelling stuff I've read. I kept thinking, "Wow, this is going to make a fantastic action movie!"

Five, six, ten stars! Start it if you like gaming, or Stephenson, or action in general. Finish it because you won't be able to put it down.