ŷ������

i haven't read this book, but gold fame citrus by claire vaye watkins has a similar plot and i thought it was great

I used to live in the Midwest before moving to SoCal, and for years it confused me to have an overcast sky, the change in air pressure that, in a sane world, would mean rain is on its way, and then... nothin'.

Too bad, the Plot sounds great!

I gave the book two stars since I actually managed to finish it, but I completely agree with your assessment of Alyssa. Not only dangerously stupid, but sanctimonious, self righteous, and judgemental. I was shocked that I could hate a Shusterman character as much as I hated her.

Thank you Alex I just got Gold Flame Citrus and now I'm looking forward to reading it. I can't believe a Shusterman novel can be rated this low :( in author's we trust used to be my mantra. Then I read " The holes we dig" by Gabriela Zevin... her books were a safe zone for a happy read. Idk what happened to Zevin but that book was traumatizing. Definitely not on par with her usual writing style. Maybe it's the bro combo? It's pissible. ~ searches for any other logical reason for level of suck~

Oh no! I was excited for Shusterman's new book... Maybe I won't rush in to read it quite yet.

When my siblings were small they couldn't remember rain! They used to play rain with umbrellas in sprinklers.

Will not read.

The plot sounded really interesting but I'm fucking glad that I've found your reviews to set my wallet straight.

Not all characters can be perfect if they were perfect it will not be a fun read you need imperfections in the characters so they can be believable this book was top notch

Justin wrote: "Not all characters can be perfect if they were perfect it will not be a fun read you need imperfections in the characters so they can be believable this book was top notch"

I completely agree, but I can’t read a book when I literally want to strangle the MC

Yes, thank you for saving my time.

Im only halfway through, and yeah shes pretty dumb. Oh i see people are starting to act like animals. Let me put myself and my benefactors in the worst possible situation. The prepper parents are dumb too tho. Because preppers know you keep your prep to yourself because people are monsters. And Kelton is putting his whole family at risk because hes crushing on his neighbor? Really? I want to slap these characters, right before i steal their water

I think the entire point of the book is to show how most people will be unprepared for an event like this and will be stupid and desperate. I loved it when he made you think- will you be a wolf or a sheep- or both? Neal S. has written fantastic books with great memorable characters of both genders. Some of my most reluctant readers have discovered a love of reading through his books. Thirty-five students of mine boarded a bus at 4:30am to travel to see him (both genders). If you did not care for this book, I would encourage readers to try his newest trilogy Scythe, Thunderhead and last book to be released in 2019. His Unwind series is outstanding. I think Shusterman writes on the edge and the dystopian worlds that he creates can make you uncomfortable because they are not so far fetched. It would be terrific if people could post their reviews without using profanity.

Thanks for the warning. I see this so often in more modern books, the stupid facepalm actions and decisions made by the protagonist (male or female) simply because it is the easiest and quickest way for the author to push the plot or inject drama. Also, thanks for keeping it real, profanity wise ;)

Shella wrote: "I think the entire point of the book is to show how most people will be unprepared for an event like this and will be stupid and desperate. I loved it when he made you think- will you be a wolf or ..."

I think so, too. I didn't find Alyssa all that annoying. In fact, it's actually realistic as they're still developing teenagers. Heck, even adults panic when they're ACTUALLY facing a real-life crisis. She was also not supposed to be the brains behind it but more like the glue or law-enforcer to keep the other members of their rag-tag group under control. It's different when you're living out a situation rather than thinking what you'll do in such a setting.

I'm glad I know now. I have this book sitting on a shelf. It will just stay there and collect dust. That quote is god-awful!

Oh, I just wanted to slap Alyssa, the main character! I found myself calling her a dumbass out loud throughout the book. So frustrating I almost didn't see it through to the end.

Good job🤩🤩🤩🤩

I think some specific examples would make your review much more complete.

Definitely agree. Just finished this book and I wanted to chuck it across the room every time I read Alyssa’s point of view.

You are so spot-on in your analysis. I hated the main character and was so frustrated by her naivete, but you put it so much more succinctly than I did LOL. There is a HUGE difference between a flawed main character, and what Alyssa was. I struggled to find any kind of redeeming part about her or even something to connect with, but no luck. She was simply self-righteous and pretentious and it made me DNF the book. So so so disappointed because I LOVE Shusterman but I just couldn't put myself through it.

I haven't even finished yet and so want to choke Alyssa the narrator. God she is so f**king stupid!

I read about 20 pages into the book, and I couldn't agree with you more, just her at the costco or wherever and letting the guy help and then take her water. I gave up on the book right then. Thank you for reinforcing that for me

I wish I had read this review before buying the book. Such a good premise wasted.

Oh my freaking god! What a fabulous review! I kind of want to read the book now just so I can laugh at it. 😂

How I knew it was rough - I was rooting for main characters to die. 🤦‍♀��

Elizabeth wrote: "How I knew it was rough - I was rooting for main characters to die. 🤦‍♀��"

I know right?!

Not a lot of patience for 15 year olds in this bunch, I see.

I think Alyssa was the absolute worst character. She was so entitled, self-righteous and hypocritical that it didn’t make sense. Also she’s an emotional con artist. From the second her parents disappeared she manipulated her neighbor bc she knew he had feeling for her. They way she felt entitled to Henry’s water and help was ridiculous.

I'm listening to the audiobook, and let me tell you about how much I groaned when the tap-out narrator said her name for the POV chapter. I loved Jackie because of how much she couldn't stand Alyssa.

That's a real quote? So glad I found your review cause I would have thrown my Kindle across the room in a rage and my Kindle doesn't deserve that. I love your bunny! Is his name Georgie? Bunnies doing cosplay are something I didn't know I needed in my life.

I am 142 pages into the book and I hate her so much already. I cannot imagine how much it can get. And I also absolutely abhor Jacqui who has literally only just been introduced in the story up to where I’ve read. I dread the 258 pages I have left to read. I hate the fact that a good premise like this has been ruined just because they’ve failed to write likeable characters.

Excellent achievement

Sooooo you are on the fence?

How could you say that? Alyssa is very smart, and of course she will talk a little differently from the way we do in our normal daily lives. It’s a book! Books always use a little bit of different language!

I’m already not very interested in reading this book, but I’m surprised if Shusterman’s characters lacked intelligence! I’m not sure about reading it but I would hope the author addresses the fact that California’s innovative water reservoirs are being emptied into the ocean rather than given to residents and farmers, and making it unnecessarily dry for people. The following article helps explain:

From The California Globe.

CA reservoirs were designed to provide a steady five year supply for all users, and were filled to the top in June 2019

By Katy Grimes, May 21, 2021 2:20 am

“In the last 14 days, 90% of Delta inflow went to sea. It’s equal to a year’s supply of water for 1 million people.
#ManMadeDrought,�� Central Valley farmer Kristi Diener said.

Diener, a California water expert and farmer, has been warning steadily that water is unnecessarily being let out to sea as the state faces a normal dry year.

“Are we having a dry year? Yes,�� Diener says. “That is normal for us. Should we be having water shortages in the start of our second dry year? No. Our reservoirs were designed to provide a steady five year supply for all users, and were filled to the top in June 2019.��

Don’t believe her?


“You’re looking at our largest reservoirs less than two years ago. They were absolutely teeming with water from 107% to 145% of average!�� Diener says. “Our reservoirs held enough water for everyone who relies on them for their water supply, for 7 years. We are barely into our second dry year. WHERE DID IT GO?��

“Where did it go�� indeed. According to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, statewide water use averages 85 gallons per person per day. But it’s always urban/residential water users ordered to conserve water: let lawns turn brown and landscaping die, limit showers and baths, wash clothing and dishes less frequently, and other absurd “helpful tips.��

Diener also asks, “How can this year be the driest year on record when it has more than 7 months left? That’s just fake news and crisis creation.��

“Before our magnificent reservoir projects were built, California never had a steady and reliable supply of water. Now water is being managed as if those reserves don’t exist, by emptying the collected water from storage to the sea, rather than saving it for our routinely dry years,�� Diener says. “Our water projects were designed to be managed for the long term providing a minimum five year supply, but California has now put us on track to have a man made drought crisis every time we don’t have a wet season.�� And the articles proceed from there, including ones from San Fran.

Agreed!!! I like the premise I love the way we see society unravel but man were those kids dumb!

Best bunny picture Georgie approves

the main character is not as bad as this review makes her seem. yeah she has some questionable decisions considering its life or death, but most of them stem from trying to protect her brother/the group or helping other people. also she's literally 16 or 17, so I don't know how intelligent and wise you expect her to be, especially in an extreme natural disaster with zero adult supervision.

I really disagree with this comment. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down! Although Allyssa wasn’t my favorite character I never once thought she was “dumb�� or “stupid��. I think she was a 16 year old girl in a life or death situation with no parental guidance trying to keep herself and her brother alive. I think anyone being in that situation would make some questionable choices, but overall I really enjoyed the book AND it’s characters.

I have a son that age. He's getting straight A's in school but I can see him making all kinds of dumb and incomprehensible decisions in a similar situation.

If you don't have kids, think back on your own time at that age. My memory is a bit hazy, but I definitely recall doing many things, some of which could've gotten me seriously hurt or even killed. I was thoughtless of the consequences and impact on others.

So while some of Alyssa's choices are annoying, I find them totally realistic.

Thank you!!!! 'Dry' was a perfect title for this book!!! Such a great idea that was executed terribly. This was one of the most boring books I've ever read and only my second dnf of the year. I had about 2 chapters left and I just couldn't do it anymore.

I almost put this book down because of the unforgivable dumb thing she just did that I guess was needed as a plot device 🤣

Wait…this is my question. Why didn’t they just order water from Amazon? The book is based on the fact that this crisis is only impacting SoCA. The MC gets mad because the national news is only covering the HURRICANE (hint: source of water) on the East Coast…so there was water in other parts of the country. Why did these people freak out and become like zombies?

Why didn’t the airplanes that were flying all over the world bring them water?

Why didn’t the governor know what was going on?

Why did the news and satellite feed shut down? This was so ridiculously unrealistic��

Khanh was on point�� these people were dumb, unlikable, whiny, and annoying. I’m teaching it to my eighth graders in a few months, and I’m going to have to ask them these questions. Hopefully instilling some critical thinking ability the next generation that seems to have been lost by all those who loved this travesty.

doretta wrote: "Wait…this is my question. Why didn’t they just order water from Amazon? The book is based on the fact that this crisis is only impacting SoCA. The MC gets mad because the national news is only cove..."
Wow! Great idea. This is a terrible book and I would hate to have teach it, but you definitely could use it as a great example of a total lack of critical thinking - both in the plotting of the novel and in the approaches of most of the characters. Smart!