YA Review: Drought

Drought by Pam Bachorz

Published: January 7th, 2011 by Egmont

Genre: YA Science-fiction, I would say. Kinda distopian... only not.

Binding: ARC

Page count: 392 in my ARC, but goodreads says the hardcover has 400

Part of a series? I don't THINK so (sob), but I wish!!

Amazon link.

Summary (from goodreads): Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.

She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.

So she stays.

But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?

Review: I cheated on my 2010 ARCs with Drought. (I only have a couple left... but they stare at me while I'm sleeping, whispering, "Read us... read us.") I meant to just peek at the first page, but I got lost in the voice and the next thing I knew, it was 6am and I had finished the book. (Not quite literally, but darned close!) It just sucked me in and I don't quite have the words to describe how much I loved it. (But I shall try.) (Also, how many parenthesis can I use in this one paragraph?)

Characters: Ruby is a 200 year old teenaged girl. (Don't worry. This is revealed on the first page, so it's not really a spoiler.) (MOAR PARENTHESIS!!!) (Okay, I'm done.) Pam Bachorz managed to make Ruby sound like a little old-fashioned and yet undeniable like a teenager. That, my friends, is talent. Ruby's voice was amazing. She took responsibility for everything, carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, but even though she was almost 200 years old, she wanted the same kind of things most teenagers want.

And dude. You know I fell in love with Ford. He was smart and sweet, imperfect and conflicted - and yummy. I liked that he wasn't Superman there to save the day, that he wasn't a perfect character, you know? He might just be one of my favourite book boys in a long time.

As for the other characters... I liked who I was supposed to like and hated who I was supposed to hate. But I don't want to say more because it might spoil some things.

Cons, complaints, bad stuff, etc: There were a couple characters I really didn't like. But I think that's what the author was going for... so that's not really a bad thing. There was one thing at the ending that wasn't completely explained, but I honestly hope that there'll be a sequel. :P

PG-13 stuff: There's some mild language, romance, violence, etc, but it's or older teens, obviously. The back says 12 and up.

Cover comments: I absolutely love this cover. The trees are spooky and creepy and the girl's eye is a little scary, but gorgeous at the same time. I also really like that because all you see is her eyes and hints of her nose and hair, you can draw your own conclusions of what Ruby looks like.

Conclusion: In an ideal world, I think I would like to reread this one a few times before talking about it. Maybe then I'd say all this better. I really do not have words for how much I enjoyed Drought. There were times where I'd think, "Okay, I'll stop reading after this chapter," (because, you know, it was 4am and all), then the next thing I'd know, I'd have finished another three. The voice is addicting and gorgeous. And I think the scariest thing is that things like this... not so far out. (Well, besides the 200 year old thing. But the whole cult-ish thing? Yeah, that happens. Tis spooky.)

As I read, I kept trying to think of what Drought reminded me of, but every time I thought of something, I'd then think, "Oh, but..." In the end, I came up with: One part Hunger Games + One part The Giver + a dash of Lord of the Flies + a sprinkling of Running Out of Time (Margaret Peterson Haddix) + a whole lot of unique coolness.

I highly, highly recommend this one. It's dark and delicious and I think it might even appeal to guy readers. Four and a half roses.

Other notes:

- "I haz a sad."
- "I haz a sadder."

Peace and cookies,
Laina