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stuckinafictionaluniverse's review
3.0
3.5
I don't have a lot to say about this book. I have about 10 half-finished reviews for books I have a lot to say about, so let's make it short. Not a drop to drink was a solid story in the sea of other dystopians with unoriginal and bizarre concepts. I felt a little disconnected from the characters and the mostly uneventful plot. The ending was rushed and felt out of the blue.
I liked the book enough to pick up the sequel, but I won't rush to get it.
Overall, i'd recommend it if you're looking for a quick and different read that focuses on survival.
I don't have a lot to say about this book. I have about 10 half-finished reviews for books I have a lot to say about, so let's make it short. Not a drop to drink was a solid story in the sea of other dystopians with unoriginal and bizarre concepts. I felt a little disconnected from the characters and the mostly uneventful plot. The ending was rushed and felt out of the blue.
I liked the book enough to pick up the sequel, but I won't rush to get it.
Overall, i'd recommend it if you're looking for a quick and different read that focuses on survival.
harleyrae's review
4.0
Oddly enough I really enjoyed this. Was by no means this super amazing book, but the entire time I was reading it I was captivated by the story. When I wasn't reading I wished I was reading. I really enjoyed this. Unsure if I will be picking up the second book.
wishfulfillment's review
4.0
2020 Review
Full review: here.
Excerpt:
representation & visibility | McGinnis maintains the same atmosphere in her novels and that is about what it's like to be treated as a woman by men, specifically in terms of being seen as property, object, or otherwise less than. Rape culture is not only a concept but a setting in her novels, and especially here where while the girl protagonist doesn't know anything about sex or rape, the reader is aware of what is happening to the women around the protagonist. I can see some readers calling this too basic, but I think it's exactly basic enough to contain valuable information while still being an entertaining work of fiction. I didn't catch any other rep/visibility except one of the most important characters had an injury which didn't set, causing him to limp throughout the novel, though there is mention of having the injury reset near the end.
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2016 Review
Dropped at 57%.
Why You Might Bump This Down On Your TBR: For me, a person who is not really interested in survival stories, it was not engaging. The writing seemed skimmable and a little boring. There was a hollowness to it because I was never sure what it was that I should be looking forward to or rooting for.
Why You Might Bump This Up On Your TBR: The characters might be memorable. The interactions between the characters were interesting. The setting and premise were definitely unique. And I liked the way the protagonist was shaped by her upbrining.
Full review: here.
Excerpt:
representation & visibility | McGinnis maintains the same atmosphere in her novels and that is about what it's like to be treated as a woman by men, specifically in terms of being seen as property, object, or otherwise less than. Rape culture is not only a concept but a setting in her novels, and especially here where while the girl protagonist doesn't know anything about sex or rape, the reader is aware of what is happening to the women around the protagonist. I can see some readers calling this too basic, but I think it's exactly basic enough to contain valuable information while still being an entertaining work of fiction. I didn't catch any other rep/visibility except one of the most important characters had an injury which didn't set, causing him to limp throughout the novel, though there is mention of having the injury reset near the end.
---
2016 Review
Dropped at 57%.
Why You Might Bump This Down On Your TBR: For me, a person who is not really interested in survival stories, it was not engaging. The writing seemed skimmable and a little boring. There was a hollowness to it because I was never sure what it was that I should be looking forward to or rooting for.
Why You Might Bump This Up On Your TBR: The characters might be memorable. The interactions between the characters were interesting. The setting and premise were definitely unique. And I liked the way the protagonist was shaped by her upbrining.
ambeesbookishpages's review
4.0
This review and more can be found at The Book Bratz!
I am questioning why I had put this book down when I tried to read it in October of 2013. What the hell was I thinking?! I defiantly made a huge mistake there. I am so glad now that I requested an ebook ARC of In a Hand Full of Dust, otherwise I would have never picked this up again.
My favorite kind of Dystopian novels are ones that deal with things that could possibly happen in the future. I feel as if it draws me in more and more and keeps me reading. I liked the plot to this, it was interesting and it wasn't long before I was hooked. (This was another one of those books I stayed up to 4 AM to read)
I loved Lynn. She was totally bad ass, and I loved to see how she went from someone who felt that she didn't need someone to eventually leaning on those she cares about. Lucy was a character I just fell in love with the minute she appeared in the book, she is just so cute and innocent. Especially since she lives in such a cruel world. Eli was just so adorable, he was an instant love for me. He was so kind and caring and a bit straight forward, especially about his flirting with Lynn. Which was adorable because she was so confused. Stebbs was someone at first that I thought would be trouble for Lynn, he just gave off that vibe. Eventually though their banter was entertaining at points, serious at others and I think Lynn in the end looked up to him in a father figure kind of way. (At least that is my opinion)
I do wish there was more romance between Lynn and Eli. I felt it was over too quick after their relationship had just started. Then you have the ending that just leaves you staring at the page with a "WTF" expression. I was very confused (I am still am!) and very sad. The book closes with an Epilogue , which has to be a few years into the future, because Lucy is going to be on guard for the first time.
In the end I really did love this book, and I am almost through the sequel, In a Handful of Dust. I also love how the titles make a sentence. Like "Not a drop to drink, in a handful of dust." I just love it!
I am questioning why I had put this book down when I tried to read it in October of 2013. What the hell was I thinking?! I defiantly made a huge mistake there. I am so glad now that I requested an ebook ARC of In a Hand Full of Dust, otherwise I would have never picked this up again.
My favorite kind of Dystopian novels are ones that deal with things that could possibly happen in the future. I feel as if it draws me in more and more and keeps me reading. I liked the plot to this, it was interesting and it wasn't long before I was hooked. (This was another one of those books I stayed up to 4 AM to read)
I loved Lynn. She was totally bad ass, and I loved to see how she went from someone who felt that she didn't need someone to eventually leaning on those she cares about. Lucy was a character I just fell in love with the minute she appeared in the book, she is just so cute and innocent. Especially since she lives in such a cruel world. Eli was just so adorable, he was an instant love for me. He was so kind and caring and a bit straight forward, especially about his flirting with Lynn. Which was adorable because she was so confused. Stebbs was someone at first that I thought would be trouble for Lynn, he just gave off that vibe. Eventually though their banter was entertaining at points, serious at others and I think Lynn in the end looked up to him in a father figure kind of way. (At least that is my opinion)
I do wish there was more romance between Lynn and Eli. I felt it was over too quick after their relationship had just started. Then you have the ending that just leaves you staring at the page with a "WTF" expression. I was very confused (I am still am!) and very sad. The book closes with an Epilogue , which has to be a few years into the future, because Lucy is going to be on guard for the first time.
In the end I really did love this book, and I am almost through the sequel, In a Handful of Dust. I also love how the titles make a sentence. Like "Not a drop to drink, in a handful of dust." I just love it!
saschabookishowl's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. This is how a dystopian/survival story should be. Good characters, interesting plot, and no annoying romance.
tasha131's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
whosevita's review
4.0
Love love lovee me an apocalypse, always.
The world building was interesting with an apocalyptic world where drinking water has run out, told from the perspective of someone that could avoid the dystopian city by living in the country side. Learning from a young age to be cold and ruthless is the only way to survive. Being dependent on nothing but yourself the only way to go. Or is it?
Lin was one of the most interesting female YA characters I've read in a long time. Her arch was really well done. The romance in the book wasn't interesting at all but it served her in her development.
I think the moral of the story was very beautiful. That being independent is good, but asking for help is also good. And that communities of people exist for a reason.
Despite that she can still be a ruthless bitch when she wants to be and I love that for her <3
The world building was interesting with an apocalyptic world where drinking water has run out, told from the perspective of someone that could avoid the dystopian city by living in the country side. Learning from a young age to be cold and ruthless is the only way to survive. Being dependent on nothing but yourself the only way to go. Or is it?
Lin was one of the most interesting female YA characters I've read in a long time. Her arch was really well done. The romance in the book wasn't interesting at all but it served her in her development.
I think the moral of the story was very beautiful. That being independent is good, but asking for help is also good. And that communities of people exist for a reason.
Despite that she can still be a ruthless bitch when she wants to be and I love that for her <3
thebrainlair's review
3.0
Great start but the ending, even though it was nice and twisty, felt rushed. I don't normally feel like a book needs more pages but this one did.