Review: A  Great Dysopian Novella!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 22, 2013
"Fractured #2 - Maggie" is an intimate look at the downward spiral of a bright scientist and attractive young woman who is transformed into the formidable Margaret Murgatroyd; a woman who passionately hates the Blemished, normals who haven't been genetically altered. Once the adored child of a top scientist in the Genetic Enhancement Ministry, Maggie falls prey to a power-hungry womanizer, Ethan Moore. Pregnant, in an environment that is trying to alter humanity through proceation, Maggie will make decisions that will have serious ramifications on her life.All the characters in the story are believable and the reader quickly has compassion for at least two of them. As a young scientist Maggie's eager, outgoing, and loving, but easily influenced, and it's the latter weakness that will change her destiny as she becomes Margaret a hate-filled,terrifying middle-aged woman who's haunted by the past and bent on destruction. Derek Murgatroyd, her husband is uniquely contrasted against the devious womanizer Ethan Moore. A bright genetic researcher Derek is loving, kind and generous; willing to sacrifice his life for the woman he loves. Even the minor characters are memorable: Maggie's caring mother, and her determined father who's willing to lose a daughter to further his career.In this short story Sarah Dalton captures the very essence of the struggle between the Enhanced and the Blemished as even young Maggie questions the morality of genetic manipulation to control the population. The reader quickly gains insight into the corruption of powerful people who are willing to destroy the beauty and soul of mankind to feed their lust for power and domination. This is another great precursor to Sarah Dalton's eagerly anticipated 3rd book in the series.