Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Not A Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

In the near future there is no water. Many are thirsty because the water is being rationed and hardly anyone can get enough to drink. All Lynn has known in her 16 years is to protect her pond at all costs. That is until her mother dies. Lynn then begins unexpected friendships with her neighbors as they fight to survive against a mutual enemy.

I had heard quite a bit about this book before I decided to read it. Overall I thought the novel was very good. The concept of no drinkable water was genius. McGinnis is able to create a world that I would be scared to live in while creating loveable characters.

Lynn goes through quite a transformation through this novel. She begins this story as a tough girl, inside and out. She would love everyone to die if that meant that her and her mother would be safe and their pond would stay theirs. She begins to soften when the new neighbors move in after her mothers death. She begins a beautiful relationship with Eli, five year old Lucy, and Stebbs. She becomes a caretaker for Lucy and helps Eli and Stebbs as much as she possibly can, something she never would have done if her mother was still alive.

Let's talk about the ending. SPOILER ALERT. I REPEAT. SPOILER ALERT. Eli's death did not do him justice. Seriously? That was the worst death for an important character that I have ever read in my entire life. And the Father bomb? COME ON. That sucked! McGinnis is able to create these characters that are so incredibly believable in a dystopic world and then she does these stupid plot twists? First off, Eli needed to die better. I felt that it was just glossed over. With such an important character like that I should be bawling my eyes out, but I wasn't. And then with Lynn's father that was just where I expected the story to go. Maybe I'm just getting too good at predicting stories. Hmm...

Overall I give this novel a 7/10. It was great until the last 30 pages or so. There sould have been some elaboration or something. But I do recommend you read this novel becasue McGinnis is an amazing writer! The sequel "In A Handful of Dust" is set to come out in September of this year.

-Shawnee Smith

Dead to You by Lisa McMann

 

I've been on a Dystopic Kick lately and I feel that I need to review a book that other folks will like. So, today's book is


 Dead To You by Lisa McMann

When Ethan was seven years old, he was abducted from his front lawn while his younger brother Blake watched from the front porch. Nine years later, Ethan discovers his picture on a missing persons website and reconnects with his family. He must then re-enter a life he does not remember with people that are complete strangers to him, yet call him a part of their family.

When I read this novel it had been on my "To Be Read" list for quite a while, and I am extremely glad I finally got to read it. There were so many different "moments" in this novel. there were laugh out loud moments, sad moments, scary moments, and moments you fell in love with.

Lisa McMann is a truly amazing author. She is able to get into the head of Ethan, a troubled 16 year old boy, and make in believable. I found myself rooting for Ethan. To get the girl, to fit in at school, to successfully reconnect with his family. I guarantee that your heart will break for Ethan when his brother is mistreating him. Because if I haven't mentioned this before, Ethan's brother think's that he is a fake. There is so much tension between these two. At first you believe that Blake is just feeling weird about his older brother coming home. But then you start to wonder...

The middle of this book was a little slow but the beginning and especially the end is absolutely amazing. I definitely recommend this novel to anyone high school age or above. This gripping novel will have you rooting for Ethan to uncover his memories so he can have the life he deserves. I give this novel an 8/10. So, go pick it up and read it you book lovers!

-Shawnee Smith