But then… I got a very wonderful DM asking if I wanted to do a virtual ‘signing’ and interview and how could I even consider saying no?
So that is the story of how Erin and my first video came about. Please ignore the fact that we are being weird and we’re a bit oddly placed as we could not figure out where to do the video. We’re learning LOL (also please ignore the fact that we look super tired – lol it was like 10pm when we had to record this because my monster is loud and doesn’t leave me alone – we had to wait until he was completely asleep!)
BUT FIRST!! Our reviews!!
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.
Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 stars! This book … My heart…
If you’re going into this book expecting it to be an easy read, turn around now. Not A Drop to Drink is filled with drama, suspense, violence and things that will have you cringing. But the entire time I was reading, it never felt overdone or fake… it felt completely real to me.
This is ultimately Lynn’s story, (told in third person). Her struggle to survive when pitting all the odds against her. I’m going to tag everything spoiler from here on down, just in case I accidentally reveal something. (view spoiler)
This book isn’t like any other dystopian I’ve read. Lynn has spent her entire life struggling to survive. For as long as she can remember it’s always been her and her mom. Their lives depend on staying in their home and defending their water source. It’s been a hard life, but they have been successful. Their constant struggle has left them both focused only on the necessary things … food, water, heat… leaving out some of our other basic needs as humans. Interaction, affection and love. There is no other word to describe Lynn than hard. It makes it almost difficult to get to know her at the beginning of this story. But she’s that way because she’s had to be. Killing and defending her home can’t involve emotion.
Lynn’s way of life is interrupted and the dangers of the world outside her home has interfered, and the story becomes about Lynn creating a new normal for herself and those who are suddenly thrust into her life.
I absolutely loved the characters McGinnis has created. Lynn of course, but also Stebbs and his willingness to help those around him, Eli and his struggle to survive in a hard world, and Lucy and the incredible impact she had on everyone … they aren’t perfect characters at all, but there was just something about them, that despite the violence and ugly, you can’t help but cheer for them and want them to succeed – Whether it is shooting that coyote who has been on the land, or killing that guy who dare tried to take some of your water, I was on their sides.
While the world building isn’t as descriptive or detailed as some might like, you get enough explanation to tell you how the world they are living in now, came to be. I know some people might complain about this, but I felt that what we were given worked perfectly and it forced me to concentrate mainly on Lynn and her story versus anything outside of what was going on there.
I’ve had a couple people ask me if this has romance… and it says right there in the summary “With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger and romance…” but to be honest, if you go into this thinking it’s going to be a romantic story, you’re going to be horribly disappointed. Is there a tiny bit of a love story… yes. But that is absolutely not the point of this story and I think McGinnis does a wonderful job of showing Lynn’s growth and how she learns to trust and count on other people by the addition of this romance, but it by no means takes over the story nor does it ever become anything more than something that just happens.
Which leads me to Eli. To be perfectly honest, I don’t know how McGinnis made me fall for him because he’s really not in this story as much as you would think. But those times we do see him… *sigh* To see how his character has grown from the first time they meet to the very end of this book was so wonderfully done. His adaptation and ultimately the things he sacrifices… That’s all I’m going to say about that.
I will say though, that I absolutely loved her relationship with Stebbs and how it came to be. For someone who could depend on no one he pushed her to look past how she was raised and become someone different than who she was taught to be. I think he might have been my favorite person.
My complaints – almost nothing to be honest. I think the only thing I have is the epilogue. I think that I’d have liked to get a bit more of how they got to where it ended and the fallout from the final chapter. It makes sense completely what McGinnis did, but maybe it’s pure greed that makes me say that. I think that there would be a lot to explore… Lynn coming to terms with the things that happen in the final chapter, as well as how she deals with the changes happening around her. (hide spoiler)]
If you’re looking for a different kind of dystopian… one that’s gritty, raw and violent, you definitely need to pick up Not a Drop to Drink.
Thank you to Harpercollins & Edelweiss for the advance copy for an honest review.
Erin’s Review
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Not a Drop to Drink is one of those books that had me thinking about it even after I finished the story. This is definitely not a simple read as it focuses on surviving in a world that isn’t necessarily easy to survive in. There is violence and painful stuff going on but it is real and there are also some lighter moments. It includes swoons and romance alongside death and anger…but honestly, this is the type of story that makes me love reading.
Lynn is the main character and she has been brought up by her mother with the knowledge that no matter what happens, she needs to protect the pond on their land. You see, the world’s water supply has been diminished and now those that live in the city have to pay for water but also have limits placed on them to control population. Those that are lucky enough to have a water supply (like Lynn and her mother) didn’t have to move to the city but do whatever they can to safeguard their independence. It is clear that Lynn’s mother has tried to do whatever she could to prepare Lynn for the possibility that she may one day be on her own, unfortunately that time comes sooner than either one expected. Lucky for Lynn – despite what she may think – she has Stebbs. She is definitely wary of him at first, but eventually she comes to rely on and trust him.
Stebbs was a great character. While Lynn’s mom was alive he definitely kept his distance. We find out that there is history between the two as the novel progresses but no matter what, he seems to always be there in the distance…just in case. When the worst thing Lynn could imagine happens, he steps up and begins communicating with Lynn. He knows he won’t win her over right away mostly because he knew her mother. Regardless, as they start to build a friendship of sorts they begin to learn to trust one another.
As the story moves forward we start to see the changes in Lynn. She is a hard character and very straightforward. There are definitely no games with Lynn and people know where they stand with her. When she comes across Lucy and Eli, this is where things start to shift. Lynn is unexpectedly taking care of a young girl and although she tries her hardest to avoid them, begins to feel something for Lucy. She becomes very protective and does her best to make things better for her while she is staying with Lynn. Now….throw in Eli and Lynn is completely out of her element.
What to say about Eli….not only does he make Lynn see things differently, he (along with Lucy) help her realize there is more to life than just work and protecting the pond and together they soften Lynn’s hard edges. (view spoiler)
McGinnis definitely builds this story that slowly pulls you in and then scattered throughout makes you realize things aren’t always happily ever after. It ran me through a million different emotions but also made me want more at the end. There are some twists and turns in this one and I refuse to give anything away about these characters and what happens but trust me when I tell you that you should read this book. Check this one out when you can.
Special thank you to Mindy for offering to do this with us!! We had so much fun coming up with the questions and loved seeing your answers…. Someday though… we hope to meet you in person!
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