Title: Not A Drop To Drink
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: September 2013
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Dystopian
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Synopsis can be found here.
I received this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
Lynn and Mother defend their pond, one of the few fresh water drinking sources the world has left. Fending off strangers, some who want more than water, Lynn and Mother live by their guns and survival instincts. When a broken family stumbles into Lynn’s path, the choices become blurred and this wild world is not kind. How will Lynn survive, and who will remain at her side?
I don’t want to give anything away, which is why my synopsis was purposefully vague. Lynn and Mother have been living there for as long as Lynn can remember. The world as Mother knew it is gone, replaced by cholera, sickness, no drinking water and evil men who prowl the landscape by day and night, looking for water and more.
This book is an intense look at a wild country where there are no rules, no authority and the gun is the only way to say hello. The plot moves forward fast, grabbing your heart in a tight fist and not letting go till the end. Danger is everywhere and I felt anxious and sad for Lynn and her friends as the book continued. McGinnis’s writing is strong and sharp, fitting just the write words and feelings into each sentence that stab at your heart and knot your stomach. The men, these unknown evil beings that stalk the world, are very real and dangerous, causing chaos and turmoil wherever they turn up. The sense of urgency rises and falls through the book, but it’s always there in the background, creeping along like a string attached to your finger.
While I couldn’t relate to Lynn, I still liked her and wanted her to survive. I think the best thing about the book was the setting though, a character all its own that drew my attention and kept me reading.
Oh, and the end. The ending was furious, harsh, fast and satisfying.
Overall, a very strong debut. I’m excited to see what else McGinnis has up her sleeve.
Rating 8 Cookie Worthy
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
Ooo, this looks interesting!
You had me at “…and the gun is the only way to say hello.” 🙂
Thanks Tanya! 🙂 It was really interesting and well written. I hope you enjoy it!
I have heard of this one. It sounds pretty intense.
It is actually. I can’t say I loved it because it was pretty unsettling. But it was an excellent and thought provoking read.