Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books    
Publication date: September 24th 2013
My rating: 3 stars

Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water. 
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.

Not a Drop to Drink is a book about survival, the natural selection, or survival of the fittest,  more than it's 'just another dystopian novel'. McGinnis shows us another side of the post apocalyptic world where the battles aren't about being in charge but just defending what you build from scratch. 

Lynn lives with her mother in a country where every drop of water matters more than gold. They have a pond which has been keeping them alive even before Lynn was born. They are though and trigger ready whenever someone tries to take what's theirs. After an accident Lynn is left alone to defend her property. When strangers appear she will have to fight like she's never fought before. 

I had some issues with the pacing. It was too slow for my taste and the ending was a bit rushed. Wish the author sped some things and slowed others. And for some reason I didn't think the romance was necessary. The moment the love interest appeared I knew they would end up sooner or later. But I guess it's hard to pool off a romance-free YA novel these days. 

Lynn was a great leading lady and even though she's all tough and rugged she still had a gentle heart and was capable of saving those in danger. 

I would recommend this book to those who enjoyed books like Blood Red Road and Life As We Knew It, where the main concern is the basic need all humans have, survival.