Short Story Review: Isolation by Dan Wells

Partials Sequence #0.5

August 2012 from Balzer + Bray

Goodreads / Kindle / Nook

Synopsis:

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. (from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:
A harsh and somewhat brutal short story revolving around a Partial named Heron - or at least that's the name she's been given. Told from her point of view we learn of her 'birth', her training and conditioning and her eventual rebellion.

What struck me the most about Isolation was how involved the story was. Short chapters that switch between the present and the past really worked to swept me into the story. It's only about 60 pages but the story is so strong it felt like much more. The background given on Heron was both interesting and disturbing. I was left with a lot of questions that I can only assume Partials will answer.

A great introduction to the series! I have a copy of Partials and reading Isolation has pushed it further up on my to read list.

Extras? Yes - includes the first chapter of Fragments, Book 2 in the series

Will I continue the series? YES! No doubt about it.

Worth the price? At $2.99 it's a little bit more then the average e-novella but it's a very substantial story and over 50 pages so I would have to say that yes, it is worth the price.