Book Review: Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult Post Apocalyptic
ISBN: 978-0062198501
Source: Bought
Add it to Goodreads

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.

If there’s one survival story you read this fall, let it be Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis. What a treat this was in the very crowded dystopian market, especially considering how many books are mislabeled as dystopian. No, my friend, this is the real deal. Without the bells and whistles (I’m looking at you, unnecessary romances and love triangles).

A post apocalyptic treasure. We don’t have enough of those. This is a survival story at its finest. Mindy McGinnis is the Adele of survival stories today. Not A Drop To Drink is raw. The hardships all too realistic not to affect you deeply. McGinnis has done a marvelous job crafting her characters and honing in on a reality that is all too possible in the real world. Not A Drop To Drink is truly magnificent.

Lynn is raised to survive and only knows how to be strong which is a statement in itself that I absolutely love. No matter how bad things get, Lynn doesn’t give up. Watching her grow as a turn in events changes her world brought for one incredible character study not to be missed. She’s always fought for herself but to be taken on a journey where the main character has to fight for other people, in a setting like this? Refreshing. Long overdue. Talk about a test of morality.

When Lynn finds herself all alone, she’s smart enough to adapt even without ever having to, to this extent on her own. Lynn’s character development was paced marvelously and the small handful of characters introduced along the way are just as touching. Full of life. Every single character has a depth you have to read to appreciate. Don’t take my word for it. Your heart will break for these people struggling to survive and it will be come back together and pump faster as you cheer them on.

I devoured this book in one sitting. The writing style was beautiful. Well detailed with such a distinct tone and simple flow. The weight of the world falls on your shoulders and exhausts you in a way no other survival story this year will. Her descriptions of the setting made this one of the most visually stunning worlds I’ve seen in a long time. Everything about this book was right. So what are you waiting for? Go get it!

Own Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis today.