Review: Spare And Found Parts

Read if you like: sci-fi without the heavy world building, quiet stories of love and courage, books where the friendships and family stand out.

Spare And Found Parts | Sarah Maria Griffin

Genre: YA Science Fiction
Released: October 4th 2016
Pages: 384
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Nell Crane has always been an outsider. In a city devastated by an epidemic, where survivors are all missing parts—an arm, a leg, an eye—her father is the famed scientist who created the biomechanical limbs everyone now uses. But Nell is the only one whose mechanical piece is on the inside: her heart. Since the childhood operation, she has ticked. Like a clock, like a bomb. As her community rebuilds, everyone is expected to contribute to the society’s good . . . but how can Nell live up to her father’s revolutionary idea when she has none of her own?

Then she finds a mannequin hand while salvaging on the beach—the first boy’s hand she’s ever held—and inspiration strikes. Can Nell build her own companion in a world that fears advanced technology? The deeper she sinks into this plan, the more she learns about her city—and her father, who is hiding secret experiments of his own. 

This was sweet. I never had a huge I'm-in-love-with-this moment but there were lots of things I liked. I like the post-technology world and the fear around even mention of the internet - this was really interesting. The world stood out, but the writing and world building itself is so subtle and well done. Sci-fi for people who hate heavy writing. I really like the characters too, and I'm pretty sure Nell is bi and ace? Or I read her that way at least. There's no romance for folks who prefer their books that way, too. I admit I really loved Oliver though, and I want him to be happy so badly (sequel pls?) Artificial intelligence came out of nowhere but it just worked. The whole story worked, from character to friendships to family issues and secrets. A really good book.

3.5 stars