Book Title/Author: Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis
Publisher/Year: Katherine Tegen Books – September 24th 2013
Genre: YA Post-Apocalyptic
Series: As of right now, no, but I’ve heard possibly?
I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way swayed my opinion. Pinky swear!
In Lynn’s world water has been scarce for many years. Her whole life revolves around surviving and defending the pond in her backyard — her source for survival — at any cost. The pond seems to be getting lower and lower thanks to droughts and winters that bring barely any snow and the threat of other people to the pond seems to be incoming when Lynn and her mom see smoke on the horizon and these strangers start to show their intentions.
I LOVED this book — like head over heels, can-I-buy-you-a-drink-you-sexy-thang type love. I’ve been yearning for a really amazing survival-esque story that wasn’t driven by anything paranormal or science fiction but by something that could really, actually happen. And friends, DING DING DING…we have a winner!
Mindy McGinnis did an amazing job setting the scene in this terrifying, dangerous world You can feel all the threats looming around Lynn and her mom as they protect their pond and try to survive — coyotes, strangers who want to overtake them for their pond, purifying water, keeping warm in the winter, etc. The day to day activities that Lynn and her mom had to do EXHAUSTED me. I can’t even imagine having to do all that work all the time and always be alert and on your game to make sure nobody is coming your way. It’s just Lynn and her mom and Lynn’s been taught to kill anybody who comes near the pond. The survival aspect of this novel felt totally raw and I just loved all the detail that went into it. It was all about survival.
I really adore Lynn as a character — she’s got smarts and skills — and she’s one of the truly strongest characters I’ve encountered in a while. There’s another character, Stebbs, that emerges in the novel that I REALLY loved and, as much as I loved Lynn, I loved this character to pieces. There are few characters in this novel but they all make quite an impact.
As much as I loved the characters and the survival aspect what I loved most about Not A Drop To Drink is this exploration of the mentality and the morality between what it takes to survive in this world. We see two very different mentalities in this novel — one person is all about the survival of the fittest and taking care of yourself and your family and then we see another character emerge (my favorite!) who believes that maintaining our humanity and helping one another is how you are going to survive. It was so well done and felt so authentic to what would really happen in this type of situation and made you wonder how you would act in a world like this where not everything is black and white.
Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis is a frightening and raw story of one girl’s survival in a dangerous world where water is scarce and it is her job to protect the pond that keeps her alive from those who want to take it away from her — at whatever cost. I’ve been itching for a real, bare bones survival story and Mindy McGinnis all but served it up to me on a silver platter. I loved the exploration what it takes to survive in a situation like this — the mentality behind survival and that morality that makes us remember our humanity. It reminded me a lot of The Walking Dead and how it so aptly explores that very issue with morality, survival and how we keep our humanity.
Let’s Talk: Have you read Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis? Heard of it? Did you love Stebbs as much as I did?? I’m curious if you have any other recs that are really great survival type tales?
DannyBookworm says
It seems like this one really stands out and finally offers something exciting to the (at least to me) dying Dystopian genre?
I was not truly eager to read this book , but you made me curious about it!
Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader says
Excuse me while I add this novel to my ‘to-be-read’ list immediately! I’ve been rather disappointed with survival stories as of late as they never seem to live up to my expectations, but Not A Drop To Drink sounds precisely like what I’ve been searching for! I love survival stories that focus primarily on that and little else, but lately all I’ve been able to find are romances or paranormal stories masquerading as survival stories. I also appreciate the fact that McGinnis takes the time to touch upon issues of morality in the novel. It’s easy to say that you will do whatever it takes to survive, but at what cost? Is a few more days truly worth the loss of your humanity?
This was a lovely review, Jamie, and made me all the more excited to read this novel myself 😀 I can only hope I’ll enjoy it half as much as you did!
Wendy says
I totally agree with Jen. This sounds like a great book! I’m actually a bit tired of all those paranormal YA-books and this sounds like something totally different, though it’s a survival novel. I’m adding it to my TBR! 😉
Stephanie B says
Oh, yes, I read this a few weeks ago. I liked how it got back to the basics of survival. Like you said, the bare bones. I think we have a lot to expect from Mindy McGinnis.
Stormy @ Book.Blog.Bake. says
Ah, I’ve been excited for this one so this review just made me move it further up my TBR!
Jenna says
I’m really looking forward to this one.
Kyle @ A Reader's Pensieve says
I read this! I picked it up at ALA after meeting Mindy at a kidlit meet-up and loving her! She is hilarious and awesome and I think she is going to write some amazing books in the future. I liked NADTD to drink as well, mostly because IT COULD HAPPEN. I also liked that the ending wasn’t too happy, just like Lynn’s life. I’m hoping Mindy and her book get lots of attention this fall 🙂
Kat (AussieZombie) says
I enjoyed this SO MUCH. I was also looking for a proper ‘survival’ story and it certainly delivers. The only thing I found a little odd was that her mother kinda glossed over a couple of ‘what if’ scenarios that I thought was a little surprising.
Definitely lived up to my expectations 🙂
Brianna says
I’ve heard of it and it’s on the TBR list. Like you, I really like the premise that this could actually happen in the (possibly not-so-distant) future. Not that I want it to happen, but seeing the issue addressed in a work of fiction is refreshing.
Christianna says
I have this one for review and people seem to be loving it, which makes me really happy! I love books and movies like this, so I have a feeling I’ll be saying good things too! This was a great review and I really wanna know about this “other character” you’ve been talking about!
Nikki @ Foil the Plot says
I adore post-apocalyptic books (both of the supernatural and natural variety) so this is definitely up my alley! It doesn’t hurt that I keep hearing amazing things about this one, in particular, either. What I think strikes me as unique is that it does use a more realistic scenario, so as a reader, you’re able to relate to the story and the characters a bit more. It makes things feel more real. I’m really excited about this book and I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!
P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex says
I haven’t read a good survival story in a while either so I’m glad this one doesn’t disappoint. I love the morality aspect. I feel like a lot of the societal norms that exist today would change in a dystopia so I’m interested in seeing the different points of view.
Sam says
Can’t wait to read this one! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
elena says
Survival stories usually aren’t my thing but you made it sound SO GOOD. It sounds intense!!
Sara (of The Page Sage) says
The part about exploring morality sounds fascinating- I really want to pick up my copy of this ASAP now!!
Alexa Y. says
This book sounds INTENSE. Survival stories that are based on things that could actually happen are definitely more my thing, since it would scare me half to death to consider the consequences if and when it did happen. So glad this book turned out to be a hit with you!
Natalie @ Books, etc. says
I’ve been dying to read this book for soooooo long! After reading your review I can’t wait much longer! The fact that this survival story is based on something that could potentially become a real disaster scares me, but I think that it will make the book just that much better. I can’t wait to read all about the characters, and about their different views on survival and humanity. I’m glad you loved this book!!
Kate says
I am so excited to read this one! Hoping to get to the tour stop so I can pick up my own signed copy in October! Glad to see you enjoyed it!
Melissa @ Writer Grrl Reads says
I’ve heard such amazing things about this book, and I’m so glad to hear that it’s living up to the hype! This one’s going on my Christmas wish list for sure!
Ember says
I read this book and it was amazing. There is a whole story behind Lynn and more of a story waiting just ahead! I always have a hard time finding books. But once I read something I really like, I just go for the genre it is and I’ll be good. Anyways, this was an amazing book and I hope you LOVE it!
Ember <3