Their lives are a constant struggle just to survive in the harsh dystopian landscape where the water has become scarce or poisoned. Lynn and her mother guard a small pond somewhere in Ohio with deadly dedication. Although the premise may sound like it is a constant gun battle defending the pond, in reality this is more of a soul searching, moody piece with a good story not needing constant gunfights to carry the plot. Unsparing, it harkens back to the days of the old frontier, when guns carved out a difficult existence for those attempting to settle the land. Not a Drop to Drink is a grounded, atmospheric, slow burn of a YA (the heroine is 16) novel. 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 from our own. The mysterious footprints by the pond, the nighttime threats, and the gunshots make it all too clear that Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won't stop until they get it. And, having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.īut wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. Having a life means dedicating it to survival and the constant work of gathering wood and water. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty or doesn't leave at all.Ĭonfident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest.

Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most important, people looking for a drink. Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water.

Mindy mcginnis not a drop to drink