Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Synopsis:
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.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
It's been quite a while since I've read a dystopian novel. I kind of got out dystopian novels once they were everywhere, and the genre became too over populated. However, I had heard a lot of hype surrounding Not a Drop to Drink, so I decided to pick it up. I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed it. It was unlike any dystopian novel that I've ever read.

Not a Drop to Drink had some of the cliches from your typical dystopian novel, but most of it was an original premise, which was refreshing to see. The idea of a futuristic society without water was interesting. It's not something that I've seen a lot of. Typically dystopian novels are about a zombie apocalypse, or a natural disaster. It was nice to see something different. The plot itself had a lot of different twists and turns that kept the reader guessing until the very end. Speaking of, the ending was heartbreaking. I wasn't expecting it at all, and it left me sobbing.

While I didn't agree with all of the characters actions, I did like all of the characters. Other than Lucy, Stubbs was my favorite character. I really liked how he balanced Lynn out, and made her softer and more caring. I also like how he took care of Lucy, and those around him.

The book ended in a way where it will be hard to create a sequel. It should be interesting to see what Mindy McGinnis does with the next book in the series. I can't wait to read it. I recommend this book for anyone who wants a refreshing take on dystopian.

I give Not a Drop to Drink: 3.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.mindymcginnis.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindyMcGinnisAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindyMcGinnis
Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/MindyMcGinnisMe/
Tumblr: http://mindymcginnis.tumblr.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bigblackcat97
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigblackcat97/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MindyMcGinnis
Vine: https://vine.co/u/1033174585857708032
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-mcginnis-a131b126
Riffle: https://www.rifflebooks.com/profiles/129040
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5351825.Mindy_McGinnis

I received this ebook from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Facial by Jeff Strand

Synopsis:
Greg has just killed the man he hired to kill one of his wife’s many lovers. He’s now got a dead body in his office. 

Carlton, Greg’s brother, desperately needs a dead body. It’s kind of related to the lion corpse that he found in his basement. 

This is the normal part of the story. 

From Jeff Strand, the author of Benjamin’s Parasite, The Sinister Mr. Corpse, and Fangboy, comes a tale that’s weird even by his standards. 

Facial. It’s not about what you’re thinking. Well, okay, part of it is...
(Synopsis from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:
I love Jeff Strand's books. I've read his YA, and adult books, and enjoy both genres. Facial was what I've come to know from Jeff Strand. It wasn't necessarily the classic horror that most people are used to. Instead, it's a weird psychological horror that makes you think. Facial is my favorite Jeff Strand book that I've read so far, just because it is so weird and messed up.

I have to admit, I typically go into books without reading the synopsis. That way I don't get spoiled for anything. Due to that, when I started Facial, I was in for a surprise. I don't even know how to begin to describe what happened without giving away spoilers. It was one of the weirdest things I have ever read, but it was so good. It had a lot of dark, cynical humor, which I always love. It also makes the reader wonder about life. Where do you draw the line between what is right and wrong? Or what is moral or immoral? When do.the means justify the cause, and how do you know you've gone too far?

Facial is definitely one of my favorite Jeff Strand books of all time. I've only read a few of his books, but I plan on reading all of his backlog at some point. I recommend this book for anyone who likes an original, slightly creepy, out of the box story.

I give Facial: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://jeffstrand.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeffStrandAuthorFanPage/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffstrand
Tumblr: http://jeffstrand.tumblr.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/207708.Jeff_Strand

I received this ebook from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.