Series: Not a Drop to Drink, # 1
Format: Kindle
Source: Purchased
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
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.
My Thoughts
Not a Drop to Drink has been on my radar for a while now and I honestly don't know why it took me so long to read it. But, I'm really glad that I did pick it up because it was such an interesting and intriguing read.
In this world that Lynn lives in, water is extremely hard to come by and if you have a steady source of water then you better hold on to it, but that's not always easy. Lynn has spent her entire life defending the pond by her house along with her mother and she was only 9 years old when she took her first life.
Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water
Lynn is a very fascinating character in the sense that defending their source of water and living in the basement is the only life she has ever known. She has never really spoken to another person, since her mother believes to shoot first and not ask questions later. So it's really interesting to see how she interacts with others when she is forced to.
Lynn's mother was a really fascinating character as well. I can understand why she raised her daughter to be the hard person that she is, because in this world if you don't stand up for yourself and what is yours, then it won't be long before someone knocks you down and takes it. I wish she would have been a little more loving towards Lynn though, but her mother done the best she could in the world they lived in.
Now isn't the time; I don't want you distracted. Just know that there's bad men in the world, and dying fast by your mother is a better way than theirs.
I do feel like the romance was rushed, to the point it felt a little insta-lovish but considering that Lynn has never really seen a boy her age, let alone talked to one, it's kind of understandable that she would become infatuated pretty quickly.
Overall, Not a Drop to Drink is a frightening and realistic look at what could happen in the future if water supplies where ever to become scarce. I really got a sense of closure with the ending so I'm interested to see exactly how McGinnis plans to continue this series.
