Review: "Dry," by Neal Shusterman

If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with all things Shusterman. This is no exception! What if there's been a shortage of drinking water in a highly populated area like California? This is the premise the Shustermans present in their thrilling novel, Dry. Alyssa and her family know that they're under water rationing laws, but things get extreme when there is no longer any water coming out of the tap and their area is declared to be under martial law. Kelton, Alyssa's neighbor, comes from a family who has been preparing for the end of the world forever. They have their own water source, their own power source, booby traps to protect their property, and weapons galore. This "tap-out" is exactly what they've been preparing for. But, how do you prepare for neighbors turning on neighbors, soccer moms stealing water from children, people murdering others for a tiny sip of water, or the mob mentality of the extremely thirsty? Alyssa and Kelton stick together to survive this new world they're facing during the Tap Out, and the violent ways in which most people deal with their thirst.

Mrs. Denney's Rating: ***1/2

#review #mystery #sciencefiction #dystopian #violence #survival