A review by autumnbaucom
Dry by Jarrod Shusterman, Neal Shusterman

5.0

Dry absolutely earned its five stars. The concept was layered, ambitious, and unsettling in the best way. Set in a normal California suburb during a sudden water crisis (the “Tap-Out”), the story explores not just survival, but the reality of human nature when society collapses.

What stood out most was how emotionally and intellectually deep the book went. It’s not just about water running out—it’s about fear, desperation, and the choices people make when pushed to the edge. Some become selfish, some turn violent, and others cling to connection. The commentary on government inaction was unforgettable.

The one part that bugged me: I got annoyed with the main female character about halfway through. She kept making reckless choices, and it started to wear on me. But by the end, her arc came together in such a powerful way that it erased my frustration. The payoff was worth it.