Scan barcode
ambeesbookishpages's review against another edition
4.0
This review and more can be found at The Book Bratz!
*This review may contain spoilers from Not a Drop to Drink*
My heart hurts. I loved this series so much that I am sad to see it is over. Mindy McGinnis created a realistic, dystopian world that sucks readers in. That is what I loved most about this book, its realness. This companion novel to Not a Drop to Drink.
In a Handful of Dust takes place ten years after the events of Not a Drop to Drink. Lynn has adopted Lucy and raised her has her own. A small community has built itself near the pond. But soon it is no longer paradise as Lynn and Lucy is forced from the community and a source of water, suspected of being the source of a polio outbreak.
The story is told in third person perspective from Lucy's point of view, now seventeen she had lived a very different life as her adoptive mother. I loved getting to read from Lucy's point of view on things. There are so many differences between her and Lynn. Were Lynn doesn't trust people easily, Lucy does. Lucy likes to stay in one spot, Lynn likes to move. I understand that the ten year time difference was because Lucy was so young during the first book, but I felt like I knew nothing about her (Except the things that happened during Not a Drop To Drink) and made it hard to relate. I missed Lynn's perspective, she was still a large part of the book though. But I found that Eli's death made her harder and colder.
The story line was a bit slow, and I wished that when they reached California it would be longer, instead it skipped a couple of weeks, and then a season. I wanted to see more of how they had now lived (it was talked about briefly, but it left me wanting to know more.) But I was still content with the pace. We were able to see Lynn begin to trust someone and Lucy learning there were a lot of things to be afraid that could swallow you whole.
The ending had me raising my eyebrows. Something unexpected happens and I am not sure where I stand on that. It is a real eye opener though, and made me question quite a few things that I read. But as I thought about it more I see why that decision was made. Though I wish there would be another book in the series, mainly about their life's after the decision was made.
**I received the eARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review**
*This review may contain spoilers from Not a Drop to Drink*
My heart hurts. I loved this series so much that I am sad to see it is over. Mindy McGinnis created a realistic, dystopian world that sucks readers in. That is what I loved most about this book, its realness. This companion novel to Not a Drop to Drink.
In a Handful of Dust takes place ten years after the events of Not a Drop to Drink. Lynn has adopted Lucy and raised her has her own. A small community has built itself near the pond. But soon it is no longer paradise as Lynn and Lucy is forced from the community and a source of water, suspected of being the source of a polio outbreak.
The story is told in third person perspective from Lucy's point of view, now seventeen she had lived a very different life as her adoptive mother. I loved getting to read from Lucy's point of view on things. There are so many differences between her and Lynn. Were Lynn doesn't trust people easily, Lucy does. Lucy likes to stay in one spot, Lynn likes to move. I understand that the ten year time difference was because Lucy was so young during the first book, but I felt like I knew nothing about her (Except the things that happened during Not a Drop To Drink) and made it hard to relate. I missed Lynn's perspective, she was still a large part of the book though. But I found that Eli's death made her harder and colder.
The story line was a bit slow, and I wished that when they reached California it would be longer, instead it skipped a couple of weeks, and then a season. I wanted to see more of how they had now lived (it was talked about briefly, but it left me wanting to know more.) But I was still content with the pace. We were able to see Lynn begin to trust someone and Lucy learning there were a lot of things to be afraid that could swallow you whole.
The ending had me raising my eyebrows. Something unexpected happens and I am not sure where I stand on that. It is a real eye opener though, and made me question quite a few things that I read. But as I thought about it more I see why that decision was made. Though I wish there would be another book in the series, mainly about their life's after the decision was made.
**I received the eARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review**
tasha131's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
booksandsalt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
books_by_blue's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sk24's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars
What you're in for: Community. Isolation. Disease. Travel. Danger. Survival. Changes. Heart break. Hope.
Changes from its predecessor:
- This book doesn't have the same feel to it as Not a Drop to Drink.
- This is told from Lucy's POV, instead of Lynn's. Lynn is viewed as the "older woman".
- A lot of time had passed since the first book ended.
- Less of a survival story; more of a travel/journey story.
Am I glad I read it? I didn't like this one as much as the first, but I'm still glad I read it. It's always nice to have closure for a story (even when it's not as complete as you'd like, like this book). This book just felt so different, and for good reason considering all the changes and switch-ups in the story line. But, I didn't feel like this one was quite as good as the first.
What you're in for: Community. Isolation. Disease. Travel. Danger. Survival. Changes. Heart break. Hope.
Changes from its predecessor:
- This book doesn't have the same feel to it as Not a Drop to Drink.
- This is told from Lucy's POV, instead of Lynn's. Lynn is viewed as the "older woman".
- A lot of time had passed since the first book ended.
- Less of a survival story; more of a travel/journey story.
Am I glad I read it? I didn't like this one as much as the first, but I'm still glad I read it. It's always nice to have closure for a story (even when it's not as complete as you'd like, like this book). This book just felt so different, and for good reason considering all the changes and switch-ups in the story line. But, I didn't feel like this one was quite as good as the first.
weweresotired's review against another edition
5.0
If I weren't already certain that Mindy McGinnis didn't already deserve a spot on my "will read everything she ever writes, ever, ever EVER" list, In a Handful of Dust cemented it for me.
The book is a continuation of the world she created in Not a Drop to Drink, which was one of only a handful of books to get a full five stars from me last year (I am very stingy with my stars). All the press calls it a companion novel, which, okay, I guess, as it's not a direct, set-immediately-afterwards sequel. It's set about 10 years in the future and features the same main cast of characters. I would highly recommend reading Not a Drop to Drink first, to be familiar with the worldbuilding, characters, events, etc. Otherwise, I think a lot of this story may not make sense or have the same impact for you.
McGinnis' writing is absolute perfection here again. The narrative that she crafts is so suited to this very bleak, dry world. Like I said in my review for Not a Drop to Drink, this is a dystopian that doesn't need fancy technology or war or aliens or wacky competitions or anything to be completely terrifying. McGinnis' writing is some of the most real that I've ever come across. Her characters are still women of few words, and maybe because I grew up somewhere rural, somewhere that could easily be a location in one of these books, but I find myself identifying with Lynn and Lucy far more than I do with any of the other fast-talking, sassy ladies of YA.
The realness is just what gets me. The characters feel real. The decisions they have to make feel real. The way they deal with them -- Lynn with stubbornness and stoicism, Lucy with emotion and hope -- feels real. This is not an easy world, and you're never fooled into thinking otherwise. McGinnis pulls no punches; terrible things happen to people, and when survival is at stake, all you can do is pick yourself up and keep going.
If you're looking for a story that's happy from start to finish, this isn't your book (and McGinnis probably isn't going to be your author). But from my perspective, McGinnis is writing some of the best, most genre-challenging YA out there, and you should definitely give her your time.
The book is a continuation of the world she created in Not a Drop to Drink, which was one of only a handful of books to get a full five stars from me last year (I am very stingy with my stars). All the press calls it a companion novel, which, okay, I guess, as it's not a direct, set-immediately-afterwards sequel. It's set about 10 years in the future and features the same main cast of characters. I would highly recommend reading Not a Drop to Drink first, to be familiar with the worldbuilding, characters, events, etc. Otherwise, I think a lot of this story may not make sense or have the same impact for you.
McGinnis' writing is absolute perfection here again. The narrative that she crafts is so suited to this very bleak, dry world. Like I said in my review for Not a Drop to Drink, this is a dystopian that doesn't need fancy technology or war or aliens or wacky competitions or anything to be completely terrifying. McGinnis' writing is some of the most real that I've ever come across. Her characters are still women of few words, and maybe because I grew up somewhere rural, somewhere that could easily be a location in one of these books, but I find myself identifying with Lynn and Lucy far more than I do with any of the other fast-talking, sassy ladies of YA.
The realness is just what gets me. The characters feel real. The decisions they have to make feel real. The way they deal with them -- Lynn with stubbornness and stoicism, Lucy with emotion and hope -- feels real. This is not an easy world, and you're never fooled into thinking otherwise. McGinnis pulls no punches; terrible things happen to people, and when survival is at stake, all you can do is pick yourself up and keep going.
If you're looking for a story that's happy from start to finish, this isn't your book (and McGinnis probably isn't going to be your author). But from my perspective, McGinnis is writing some of the best, most genre-challenging YA out there, and you should definitely give her your time.
beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
I would compare IN A HANDFUL OF DUST to a YA version of THE ROAD by Cormac McCarthy. Talk about intense. Even more so than NOT A DROP TO DRINK.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
5.0
"And I will show you something different from either
Your shadow at morning striding behind you
Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you
I will show you fear in a handful of dust."
When I first saw there would be a companion novel to [b:Not a Drop to Drink|13112869|Not a Drop to Drink (Not a Drop to Drink, #1)|Mindy McGinnis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360951660s/13112869.jpg|18286567], I was giddy. The first book in the series just blew me away.
This book is EVEN BETTER. I know, I see your raised eyebrow and look of skepticism. I was worried too, but this one is - it's amazing.
You have Lucy, raised by Lynn, is becoming her own person. You see the house, the small town and what became of it all.
But there is something flowing through this town and it's deadly. it's forcing Lynn and Lucy to make some decisions they never thought they would and leads them down a path we wouldn't send our worst enemy on.
The story gripped me and was completely impossible to put down. But the easy banter and wry humor of Lynn left me giggling in the aftermath of many of the more intense moments.
I'm so amazed and grateful that [a:Mindy McGinnis|5351825|Mindy McGinnis|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1379437958p2/5351825.jpg] gave us a book 2. But...would it be too much to ask for a book 3??? Pretty please?? :)
Your shadow at morning striding behind you
Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you
I will show you fear in a handful of dust."
When I first saw there would be a companion novel to [b:Not a Drop to Drink|13112869|Not a Drop to Drink (Not a Drop to Drink, #1)|Mindy McGinnis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360951660s/13112869.jpg|18286567], I was giddy. The first book in the series just blew me away.
This book is EVEN BETTER. I know, I see your raised eyebrow and look of skepticism. I was worried too, but this one is - it's amazing.
You have Lucy, raised by Lynn, is becoming her own person. You see the house, the small town and what became of it all.
But there is something flowing through this town and it's deadly. it's forcing Lynn and Lucy to make some decisions they never thought they would and leads them down a path we wouldn't send our worst enemy on.
The story gripped me and was completely impossible to put down. But the easy banter and wry humor of Lynn left me giggling in the aftermath of many of the more intense moments.
I'm so amazed and grateful that [a:Mindy McGinnis|5351825|Mindy McGinnis|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1379437958p2/5351825.jpg] gave us a book 2. But...would it be too much to ask for a book 3??? Pretty please?? :)
ruthelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I don't think anything I say will do this book justice. It is simply wonderful. Mindy McGinnis knows how to bring her characters to life, make me care about them, and cause me to cry tears of both joy and sorrow for them. This is a novel that can be a stand alone, though it is best read after Mindy's first novel, "Not A Drop To Drink."
"In A Handful Of Dust" takes place about 10 years after the events of "Not A Drop To Drink." Lynn, our main character from the last book, takes backseat to Lucy, the girl she adopted as her own in the previous book. Where Lynn is capable of being cold, practical, and just plain hard -- Lucy is the opposite. She is kind, empathetic, and reasonable.
As stated on the inside cover, an illness spread in their small community which forced Lucy and Lynn out of their comfort zone. They decide to head west in hopes that the desalinization plant stories about the west were true. During their journey, they travel across the country and meet a handful of new characters, each memorable in their own way. Some of them you love, and others make you want to punch their faces through the book -- in a good way! Mindy has a way of making us love the good guys and hate the bad guys, even if their actions or personalities seem reasonable with the setting.
I can't really say more about this book without spoiling it. If you like fictional, but realistic tales of survival, this is your jam. If you love post-apocalyptic journeys to promised lands, you need to get your hands on it. Bonus: if you are tired of excessive romance in YA including but not limited to love triangles... Give this a try.
5/5, 10/10, ∞/∞
If you are vaguely interested in this book at all, you can take a chance at your local library!
"In A Handful Of Dust" takes place about 10 years after the events of "Not A Drop To Drink." Lynn, our main character from the last book, takes backseat to Lucy, the girl she adopted as her own in the previous book. Where Lynn is capable of being cold, practical, and just plain hard -- Lucy is the opposite. She is kind, empathetic, and reasonable.
As stated on the inside cover, an illness spread in their small community which forced Lucy and Lynn out of their comfort zone. They decide to head west in hopes that the desalinization plant stories about the west were true. During their journey, they travel across the country and meet a handful of new characters, each memorable in their own way. Some of them you love, and others make you want to punch their faces through the book -- in a good way! Mindy has a way of making us love the good guys and hate the bad guys, even if their actions or personalities seem reasonable with the setting.
I can't really say more about this book without spoiling it. If you like fictional, but realistic tales of survival, this is your jam. If you love post-apocalyptic journeys to promised lands, you need to get your hands on it. Bonus: if you are tired of excessive romance in YA including but not limited to love triangles... Give this a try.
5/5, 10/10, ∞/∞
If you are vaguely interested in this book at all, you can take a chance at your local library!
thingsreadinbed's review against another edition
4.0
Really great duo of YA books. Mindy McGinnis is always good. Dark, but so good.