October 25, 2017

Review: Isolation by Dan Wells

Isolation (Partials #0.5)
Author: Dan Wells
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Pages: 75
Format: Ebook/Library

Two decades before the events of Partials, the world was locked in a different battle for survival: a global war for the last remaining oil reserves on the planet. It was for the Isolation War that the American government contracted the ParaGen Corporation to manufacture the Partials—our last hope in reclaiming energy independence from China. And it was on these fields of battle that the seeds of humanity's eventual destruction were sown.

Isolation takes us back to the front lines of this war, a time when mankind's ambition far outstripped its foresight. Heron, a newly trained Partial soldier who specializes in infiltration, is sent on a mission deep behind enemy lines. What she discovers there has far-reaching implications—not only for the Isolation War, but for Partials and humans alike long after this war is over.

A powerful take of our world on the brink, Isolation gives readers a glimpse into the history from which Partials was born—as well as clues to where the Partials Sequence is heading next.

Review: I thought this was a great little short story. I thought it was incredibly interesting finally getting a first hand look at how the partials were "born" per se. We got to see how they learned to live outside the vat much like a baby learns to live outside the womb. I enjoyed finally knowing how each group was trained differently than the others. We got to see the Theta's first hand from Herons view. It was intense the training they went through. I've been in college a few years now and I haven't even taken classes as intense as those described were. I also found it awful how the humans treated the Partials. Such as Herons trainer trying to have his way with her just because she was supposed to obey her human superiors no matter what. That was incredibly wrong and I'm glad Heron stood up for herself. 

I also enjoyed finally getting to read about the Isolation War first hand. We've heard so much mention of it in the series, but never a lot of detail. We got to see Heron infiltrate the Chinese. We got to see strength and cowardice in the Chinese ranks. We also got to see how the handlers for the spy's refused to ever give full information on what to do and when to do it. Heron always felt like they were never giving her complete information. And she trusted her gut and called the handlers on it. Thanks to her not only were a lot of partials saved from being sacrificed but I can also see where the intense distaste of humans came from for the partials. 

5 Stars!