Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

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….

 Lynn knows the value of water. After a big war, water became a precious commodity. Many died from cholera and those that didn't, did the best they could to survive. Lynn and her mother watch from their roof daily, defending their pond and killing anyone and anything that threatens them or their water.

When they see smoke in the distance, they know someone is coming and that they must be alert. But tragedy strikes and Lynn is soon on her own, trusting no one. But when a neighbor decides to partner up with Lynn, she appreciates sharing her burden. Near a stream, a few miles away, Lynn finds a teen boy, a young girl and a very pregnant woman who are all dying. Lynn takes the young girl home to try and save her, and even though the boy strikes her curiosity, she doesn't give him long to live.

Time passes, and the boy does live and he and Lynn develop a relationship. But then more strangers are coming for Lynn's pond and her home, and this time, she and her new-found friends will be ready for them. There are complications that are unexpected have Lynn questioning everything she thought she knew and what she choices she can make for a possible future.

Not a Drop to Drink is a page-turning dystopian with a heroine that I found hard to connect with. She's a very diverse character with many layers, and as they were gradually revealed throughout the story, the more I began to like her. There are some twists and unexpected plot points that sometimes shocked me, but in the end, it worked. If you enjoy young adult dystopian, give this one a try. It's not like all of the others on the market, with a fresh voice and a compelling heroine.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.