Monday, September 23, 2013

Review: Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Not a Drop to Drink
Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water.
Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.
Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.
But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….
With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.


”add

Publishes in US: September 24th 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: YA dystopia
Source: HarperCollins Childrens (Harper Teen)
Series? No.



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    Wow. I totally can't imagine living in a world like this and can't help but think that I would be one of the people who couldn't survive. So, when I meet a strong and capable main character like Lynn, I am always in awe. 
    Lynn grew up with her mom, and her mom taught her everything she knew. In this world, their pond is the most important thing, and they defend it with their lives, and for them that also means taking lives. Lynn knows how to shoot, purify water, cut down trees, skin and dress a deer basically everything that keeps them alive in a world without help, stores, electricity, or running water. 
    It is so hard to review without spoiling things, but basically Lynn grows through some of the people that unexpectedly comes into her life and makes her question some of the things she was taught about outsiders. There are also some that prove everything right. There is such character development and that is one of the things that I love. 
    Through a little girl Lucy, the most change, determination and strength came out in Lynn. She not only had a helper in Lucy, and someone else to teach how to survive, but she also had a lot to learn from the little girl. Seeing the bigger picture, survival, and not bothering the adults even with something that should have needed their attention, she was selfless and caring to others. The theme of family, togetherness, and friendship really shone through these two characters in particular.
     The romance is sweet and subtle, a slow build, my favorite kind. Lynn knew nothing about men except they were evil from her mom, and she realizes that just like women, they can be good or bad, or some shade of gray in the middle. So it is really fun to watch her learn what flirting is. 
     The story would have been a five star if it weren't for the ending. I guess that for some it would be great, realistic, and fitting for the story, but for me, it did not work. I was so heartbroken and though the way it ended up was full of hope in promise in others, I still couldn't get over the shock and the loss. 

Bottom Line: Loved the main character, and 3/4 of the story but the ending was NOT for me.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Stay where you might be invaded or go to the unknown where there may be no drinkable water?
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33 comments:

  1. I haven't paid a lot of attention to this book, but it actually seems like something I might enjoy. I love stories like this that have plausibility. You definitely have me curious about the ending!
    Great review, Brandi!

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  2. Oh yay I'm so happy you liked it! Just like Andrea, I haven't been exactly excited about it, but I'm glad you enjoyed it even if you didn't fancy the ending.

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  3. Sweet and subtle romance that builds slowly is my favorite kind too, so this is definitely a book for me. Everyone seems to have liked it.

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  4. Lynn sounds like a nice mc and I'm glad to hear the romance was good. Too bad about the ending though. Thanks for the review!

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  5. I was sad that it ended the way it did too, but it was still so good. Great review.

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  6. I've been pretty curious about Not a Drop to Drink, I usually like a great survival story, and the main character Lynn sounds pretty amazing and tough. Thanks for the warning about the ending. Great review Brandi. :)

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  7. Sounds intense! I'm glad you liked it, even if the ending was a let down.

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  8. sounds like an intense and interesting read. I am so curious about the ending now.

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  9. The romance sounds really good. I like romances like that, but sorry about that ending!

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  10. I love that the romance is slow building but the lack of water freaks me out..I mean how will I make my coffee!

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    1. LOL, I hear ya. I thought about a lot of things that I take for granted

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  11. Yay, review twins! I do agree about the ending. It was disappointing how the author sets up this relationship then.. well.. destroys it in the end. Pretty depressing.

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  12. Now I'm a little apprehensive to read the book as I'm afraid I'd feel heartbroken... just kidding :P I like that you bring out how strong Lynn is. I guess the unknown is always scary but it does offer new possibilities for all of us when we step into the unknown. Great question, Brandi!

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  13. Sounds really gripping. I have heard lots of great praise for this book. to bad that the ending was not what you had hoped for.
    Great review!

    DaydreamerN.blogspot.com

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  14. I've been hearing a lot of good things about this one but I'm concerned about that ending. I hope that it's worth it, that it is like a signal of great change or something.

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  15. I can't wait to read this book. I love the slow build in romance as well. Glad you liked it!

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  16. OH no scared about the ending now! Shock, loss, and heartbroken! Looking forward to this otherwise. Have been seeing lots of great reviews. Love survival books and I also always think that I definitely wouldn't be able to survive in these types of stories.

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  17. Lynn sounds like a really brave girl! I confess that I'm now curious about the world to see how it is.

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  18. Amazing review. Thank you for being honest. <3 I did not love this book. I had some issues with the writing, and found it to be boring most of the time. I ended up giving it a two star because of that damn ending. HATED it, like you did too :) Thank you for sharing. <3

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  19. Oh no, the ending is already scaring me. I can't stand sad endings. But do want to read this one.

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  20. I have seen this book around and I'm really curious about it! I love the sound of main character and romance seems really good here. I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

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  21. I've been seeing this a lot and most everyone LOVED it. I don't think I'm brave enough to read this one, I find it scary. Eep!

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  22. Intrigued by the title and the synopsis I am however put off this a bit by your review. Perhaps one I'd pick up if I were to see it in the library but not one I can see myself buying.

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  23. I loved the sweet and slow romance...but my gosh, her world is brutal.

    Great review!

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  24. Great review! This is such an interesting premise and I love that the main character actually knows how to take care of herself and defend herself and family. You often get a lot of times in novels like this girls that don't know how to do these things but think they can, thus throwing themselves into not so smart situations. Lynn seems well prepared. I hate that you didn't like the ending! Now I'm really curious to see what actually happens.

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  25. I really enjoyed this one. I agree that the ending was tough, but I think that a sunshine-y ending wouldn't have fit the story...

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  26. Sounds really good, I'm curious about the ending!

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  27. It's too bad about the ending. :( I wasn't initially interested in this one but now I do have enough interest to check it out.

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  28. I think I know why you didn't like the ending but I found it pretty fitting-it might have been too too happy otherwise.

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  29. I like that the romance doesn't over power the story but a sad ending?? :-((

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