In A Handful of Dust
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Series: Not A Drop to Drink #2
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Release Date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Summary:
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.
First Sentence: Maddy died hard.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Review:
There wasn’t any doubt at all that I was beyond excited to read In A Handful of Dust. With the strong OH MY NOOOO THAT JUST DIDN’T HAPPEN RIGHT?! feeling Not A Drop to Drink left me with, I needed some answers in my life and I just wanted more. More, more, more. Imagine my extreme happiness when I managed to get my hands on an ARC of In A Handful of Dust. Yes, there was flails, shrieks, and even some jumping involved. And fine, yes, there was some hugging involved too. As expected, I really enjoyed reading In A Handful of Dust so much that I just want MORE. MORE. MORE. (See a pattern starting to emerge here?)
“I thought I could do it, for a while, you know? It was like I was going on an adventure, and I could jam all the scared parts down inside me and look forward to the end of the road. But now I’ve seen new things and most of them bad.” (ARC 157)
First of all, what has Mindy McGinnis got against romance?! It happened in Not A Drop to Drink and now this. It’s like Mindy doesn’t want any romance to last long in her books. I can’t say anything else because of spoilers, but UGHHH.
Okay, moving on. Just like when she was in Not A Drop to Drink, Lynn is as strong as ever. I constantly found myself admiring her and her stubborn will, not to mention her deadly killing skills. Those of you who have also read Not A Drop to Drink know exactly what I’m talking about. In A Handful of Dust is about Lucy and even though she isn’t as strong as Lynn, she grows and learns a lot throughout the book. Lucy wasn’t as fun to read about as Lynn was, but she stands out in her own way.
I was constantly making faces at In A Handful of Dust – there were just so many “ew” moments that I had to. I am not that squeamish – I mean, this is coming from the girl who watched every single episode of Criminal Minds, is obsessed with Deadly Women, Dateline, Women Who Kill, Snapped, and watched The Ring in the dark without getting a little bit scared. It is not easy to make me squirm, but In A Handful of Dust managed to do that to me multiple times. In fact, I’ve said “ew” or thought ew or even made a face at the book so many times that I had lost count. In A Handful of Dust made me that squeamish.
It wasn’t long before a million tiny cuts from the brittle shale had sliced open Lucy’s hands, never deep enough to draw blood. Dirt filled them quickly, bringing with it a persistent itch she didn’t start scratching for fear of never stopping. Her fingernails bent backward, most of them snapping clean off as she dug… (ARC 219)
Before I’ve read In A Handful of Dust, I’ve seen people say that In A Handful of Dust is a companion novel and not a sequel to Not A Drop to Drink, with additional reassurances from the author. However, after reading In A Handful of Dust, I think it’ll be better if you actually read Not A Drop to Drink first before you read In A Handful of Dust. In A Handful of Dust talks about some events that had happened in Not A Drop to Drink and yes, you can continue to read on without being confused, but I think it’ll be a better reading experience for you guys if you actually did read Not A Drop to Drink before you read In A Handful of Dust. You don’t have to, but I think it’ll give you a better reading experience for In A Handful of Dust if you do. The plus side is, you’ll definitely enjoy reading Not A Drop to Drink too.
I’m not completely sure about this, but I think I found a plot hole in In A Handful of Dust, or something that just doesn’t logically make sense. I can’t say anything because of spoilers, but if you’ve also read In A Handful of Dust and want to know what I’m talking about, just contact me and we can talk.
There isn’t any doubt that I want, no, need a sequel to In A Handful of Dust. I just want MORE. MORE. MORE. I need more answers. Please let there be a sequel. Please let there be more.
And you guys don’t even have to ask me about this – I definitely recommend In A Handful of Dust. Duh. And also read Not A Drop to Drink while you’re at it. You can thank me later.
I LOVE both of these books! They’re so great and I just want more from them and now I absolutely love this author! But I’m also incredibly curious about what plot hole you’re talking about, haha!
Kayla recently posted…Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
I just skimmed your review since I started this today! I’m only on page 28 so I didn’t want to get too much of a feel for the story. I’m glad to see that you enjoyed it and gave it 4 stars. I’m nervous because Mindy likes to hurt her readers.
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…Review of Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
WANT TO READ THIS SERIES! Now. It sounds so incredibly wonderful, and like a dystopian that I could actually enjoy! I like dystopians, don’t get me wrong. But I have gotten to the point where so many of them feel the same. This series seems incredibly different, and that makes me excited! Especially after your review!
Jaime Lester recently posted…Blog Tour: Predator by Janice Gable Bashman- Review (by Jaime!) and Giveaway
I definitely need to get on this series soon! I love a great, unique, dystopian.
Kelley recently posted…Bookstores I’d Love to Visit (Around the World)
I agree about the romance! I think it’s quite refreshing, but at the same time it was heart-breaking. I was in love with Not a drop to drink and this book met the high expectations I’ve set. Like you, I want MORE. MORE. MORE.
Mel@thedailyprophecy recently posted…7 Deadly sins tag.
goddd, I will have to check this out the 1st book out in the series! I had my doubts but this sounds awesome, thanks! A strong character, but too bad about the romance.
Eh…what? Of course I’ve read Not A Drop to Drink…seriously…okay, no. It’s on my shelf like many unread other books, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. And yes, I believe all of you booknerdigans that it’s one of the best books ever. I just need a lot more time to catch up with past books. But I’ll definitely get to it someday. Let’s hope it’s in a few weeks :D Thanks Kelly for sharing this amazing review! ^_^
Great review. So excited to read this one. I read the first book and this one is next on my TBR! :)
Yeah, I totally cringed during that quote you posted. This review really made me want to read Not a Drop to Drink though. I was going to start with the sequel, because they’re self contained, which I love, but it sounds like the first one is the best. I’m glad you enjoyed the book.
Molly Mortensen recently posted…Afterworlds By Scott Westerfeld
I haven’t read not a drop to drink yet but I guess I should. I’m fairly easily grossed out so I am a little scared to read this book. I don’t like blood, broken bones, or anything along those lines. I am going to give this book a chance, though.
I guess we take water for granted. I cannot imagine planning my life around a water source!! Just this fact makes me want to read this book.
I haven’t read Not A Drop to Drink yet, but this review makes me want to read it so badly! I absolutely love reading you’re reviews. They’re so much better than mine xD
Tia recently posted…Rafflecopter Giveaway :D
I was actually thinking about reading this without reading Not A Drop to Drink. I might check out both then :)
I have not read the first book yet but based on you review, this is one series I should not miss. Thank you! :)
Diana Grace recently posted…Cover Reveal and Giveaway: REBORN (Angel Creek 3) by Ada Adams
I actually read a sampler of the first two chapters for the first book, and I found it an interesting read, with great writing. I sadly never did get around to reading it, though, and since there’s been so many favorable reviews for the second one, I just might try and read it!
Shannelle recently posted…ARC Review: Queen of Someday
I haven’t heard of this book or series. I will add it to my tbr on goodreads.
Maria Medeiros recently posted…M.C. Beaton The Blood of an Englishman-Book Review and GIVEAWAY!
i’m soooooooo glad you enjoyed this!!! i’ve REALLY been wanting to get my hands on this series, but i wanted to make sure that the second book wasn’t going to be a HUGE let down after the first. but now that i know that BOTH books are worth the read, i will be picking them up VERY soon! :)
I’m about to start Not a Drop to Drink right now an I’m really excited. Also, sometimes I actually prefer when a book doesn’t have too much romance in it, and I’m a fan of grimdark so I’m not very squeamish. I’m guessing I’m really going to like these novels! Thanks so much for the informative review!
Monica M recently posted…Blog Tour and Review: Crushed by Eliza Crewe
After reading your review, I want to read these books. Many readers seem to enjoy them, so I think it is time for me to start them too. A very good review, by the way. Glad you have enjoyed the books! :) I will definitely start checking out your blog more often!
I didn’t intend to read it, but I got convinced. Of course, I will need to read the first book first, but I got so excited! And the cover is awesome.
Cassidie Jhones recently posted…Books With Girl-Guy Friendship
I am really excited about this book! I’m kinda getting over the whole dystopian novels that everyone has been writing! But this series is good!
I think I understood the lots of “ew” just from that quote. haha
I got really excited about this book. I haven’t read Not a Drop to Drink, but it will sure make it into my wishlist so I can read it before In A Handful of Dust.
Thais Pampado recently posted…O Aniversário de Anya
Great review. I have read the first one, but I still need to read this one; glad to see I won’t be disappointed. ;)
Awesome! Your review persuaded me even more to read this book. I haven’t read a dystopian novel lately that has been as awesome as Legend. So hopefully this one would be enough to get me pumped up since you explained how much this book got plenty of reactions from you. I like it especially when a dystopian novel is written vividly you could almost picture it.
Seems like a promising sequel. I’m in the plans of buying these two books.
Glad you liked them, hope I like them too!
Great review! :D
This book sounds great. I’ll definitely have to check it out. Thanks for the awesome review!
I love the Dystopian genre, but I also like to have some romance in the books I read. I am all for spoilers so I know what i am getting into (I need HEA!!). I really like your review, I dont know If I will read the book yet but will put it on my TBR list just in case