In A Handful Of Dust: Review

In a Handful of Dust (Not a Drop to Drink #2)

by Mindy McGinnis

Blurb 

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.

My Review

Lucy has had a different time growing up at the pond than Lynn. Lynn made sure she grew up knowing she was loved, had friends and what it was like to care for others. Lucy is content at the pond but that is about to change. A disease is running wild and the community thinks it is coming from the pond or Lucy. Lynn and she have heard rumors of a better place in California so they decide to head that way. They have a long journey a head of them as the world is a scary place. Water is hard to find and survival is hard to do. 

Lynn is tough as every in this second book. I was glad to see she was sharing her feeling now and not closed off as much. She will do anything to protect Lucy and see that the girl makes it to safety. Lucy is a carefree girl at first. She likes to joke, have a good time and has friends and even someone special. When she has to face a change she meets it head on. She is to trusting at times and has to learn to toughen up. 

I was thrilled to et the chance to read this book. I was curious after the first book as what the rest of the world was like and now you get to see. There is deserts and mountains they have to cross and a lot of trials they didn't se coming. While some people they meet are evil and have their own plans for the two they do meet a nice stranger who helps them when it seems they need it the most. Lynn has to face the fact she does have a weakness and it comes out in this book. Lucy while keeping her sweetness learns to not trust everyone. There is all kinds of crazies in this book. People will use any means they can to survive and find water. The journey is a hard one and to be honest at times I wondered if both would make it or what they would find. It is a wonderful companion book and I liked getting to see how both Lynn and Lucy had changed. They are survivors above all else and you can see how much they love each other. If you like dystopian books you will like this series.

5 out of 5 Stars