Monday, September 22, 2014

Review: In A Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis

Title: In a Handful of Dust
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Series: Book Two in the Not A Drop To Drink Series
Published By: Katherine Tegen (September 23, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Dytopian
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
The only thing bigger than the world is fear.

Lucy’s life by the pond has always been full. She has water and friends, laughter and the love of her adoptive mother, Lynn, who has made sure that Lucy’s childhood was very different from her own. Yet it seems Lucy’s future is settled already—a house, a man, children, and a water source—and anything beyond their life by the pond is beyond reach.

When disease burns through their community, the once life-saving water of the pond might be the source of what’s killing them now. Rumors of desalinization plants in California have lingered in Lynn’s mind, and the prospect of a “normal” life for Lucy sets the two of them on an epic journey west to face new dangers: hunger, mountains, deserts, betrayal, and the perils of a world so vast that Lucy fears she could be lost forever, only to disappear in a handful of dust.

In this companion to Not a Drop to Drink, Mindy McGinnis thrillingly combines the heart-swelling hope of a journey, the challenges of establishing your own place in the world, and the gripping physical danger of nature in a futuristic frontier.











I fell in love with McGinnis' writing after reading her debut novel and was eager to dive right back into the harsh and desperate world she had created in Not A Drop to Drink. I was looking forward to seeing Lucy and Lynn again and hopefully find them in a better place, both emotional and with the world around them.

And while the world was somewhat better, what I was really impressed with was the growth in Lynn. It is unbelievable the change that came over her from not only Stebb's but Lucy's influence as well, I loved it and ate it up.

The world they live in is far from ideal or even loving but it has hope and it has potential even with disease running rampant and water still in serious demand you can see humanity slowly coming back, for Lynn, for Lucy and for others as well.

I don't even know how to express how truly great these reads are. They aren't filled with light and airy moments or even loving moments but instead those moments in life that really make a person and define who they are. The choices between love and hate, right and wrong and humanity and cruelty. 

This is raw and it is real, so very real that you can't help but feel transported there. You feel for their struggles, inner and other and you are right there with them. Helping them, guiding them and hoping like heck they make it through what ever trial they are currently endearing.

McGinnis is a fabulous writer. One that draws you into their world and makes you love the harshness and the hard truth of it. You can't put it down once you start it and when it is over you are left feelign lost and bereft. 

These are the reads you need to experience for yourself to really get the full impact of the world and characters she has created, to truly understand their struggles and their triumphs, either way, you won't be sorry that you did once you do. 








*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

40 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you had such a great time! I have never tried a book by the author but maybe I should do that. I'm curious to discovr their world!

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    1. It definitely a gritty world but worth it to read.

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  2. Oh wow, such a glowing recommendation! I received this in the mail just days ago and I can't wait to read it. After reading this review, I have to admit I'm even more excited. You're right about McGinnis being a fantastic writer.

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    1. She really does have a way with words and emotion. ;)

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  3. I live in California, and right now we're going through a serious water shortage, so seeing your review on this one kind of makes everything a lot more real for me. I remember really enjoying Not a Drop to Drink when I read it last year, and one of the only flaws I thought it had was just a little bit of underdevelopment in the world building department, so hearing you say the world is more developed here makes me so, so happy. :)

    Thanks for sharing Ali, and, as always, BRILLIANT review! <3

    ~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf

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    1. Thanks so much Zoe and the things that happen in this are so very realistic for that very reason which is why it is crazy and makes this so believable.

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  4. Looks like we both had a Dystopian kind of weekend! :) I'm happy to learn that McGinnis' debut wasn't a fluke, and that this book delivered as well. I'm in a dark kind of mood, and the Not A Drop To Drink Series definitely fits the bill. Thanks!

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    1. You do need to be in the right mood/frame of mind to read them because they are dark and desolate at times.

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  5. I have yet to start this series but I want to! Glad to see that the second book is solid :)

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  6. I need to read this one asap! I've seen the cover before but never thought to add it to my Goodreads! Definitely doing that now. Great review!

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  7. I still haven't read Not A Drop To Drink but I've heard so many good things and hearing good things about its sequel too makes me think this could really be a serouis I'd enjoy! Great review :)

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  8. I have a copy of this one and can't wait to get started Ali! This world sounds crazy brutal and not one I would ever want to live in, but those types of worlds are the ones that always stand out in my memory long after reading. Glad you enjoyed it!

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    1. Very true Jenny and I have a feeling this will be one of those reads for you as well.

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  9. Everyone is loving this series. I shy away from dystopia because some of the world they create, like this one, is too real and scary to ponder. No water gives me the chills! I'll just read it vicariously thru you guys!

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    1. It was pretty scary because of how realistic it was.

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  10. I enjoyed the first book so much but it had such an emotional impact on me. I was left feeling very sad for days. I don't know if I'm ready to do that a second time.
    I'm glad you enjoyed this so much, Ali. Hopefully, I'll get over my fear of this book and I'll read it soon.

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    1. I can see that Nick! Hopefully when you are ready you pick this up and love it.

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  11. Hi Kindlemom, great review. I'm about to open the last of my all time favorite post apocalyptic YA Urban Fantasy trilogy by J Barton Mitchel, the Conquered Earth Trilogy, the last book is The Valley OF Fires. Can't wait
    Thanks for sharing yours :)

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  12. I've been hearing good things about this series. I'm not sure that I'm up for it now, but when I'm ready for another dystopian type read I might have to be all over it!

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    1. Definitely give it a try when you are ready for a dystopian Candace, I don't think you will regret it.

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  13. I keep wavering on this series. I haven't read a good dystopian in awhile and this one seems realistic. I will have to give it a whirl.

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    1. It is very realistic, which is what makes it so good.

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  14. I am so glad to see how much you liked this one, Ali!

    I never actually read the first book because I was burned out from dystopia at that time period and I am still not sure if I am ready yet but I think this definitely makes the top of the list of all the dystopic books I REALLLLY need to read. Plus survival books are always awesome!

    Lovely review! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. Thanks Rashika! I do hope you try it sometime soon, it really is a good one and different feeling from others in the genre.

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  15. I think I need to try this series my dear, even if the idea of no water..no coffee terrifies me!

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    1. Ha! They mention coffee in here a time or two. ;)

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  16. It's very good to know that the world got better. This wasn't on my radar...and I wouldn't say that it is now but I will look if I can give it some time. Wonderful review!

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  17. Sounds fantastic! I can't wait to start the series. Great review!

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  18. This so isn't my typical type of read but you've seriously got me considering!

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  19. I loved the first book and I have a copy of this - can't wait to read it now! So glad you enjoyed it! :-)

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    1. So glad you are reading it, I hope you love it too!

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  20. I still haven't read the first book. I am really glad you enjoyed this one. Your review has me itching to get started.

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    1. I hope you do Ellen because it really is a great series. Her writing is wonderful!

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