Dry

By: Neal Shusterman, Jarrod Shusterman

Narrated by: Neal Shusterman, Jarrod Schusterman, Jenni Barber, Michael Crouch, Noah Galvin, Kivlighan de Montebello, Candace Thaxton

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

When the California drought escalates to catastrophic proportions, one teen is forced to make life and death decisions for her family in this harrowing story of survival from New York Times best-selling author Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman.

The drought - or the Tap-Out, as everyone calls it - has been going on for a while now. Everyone’s lives have become an endless list of don’ts: don’t water the lawn, don’t fill up your pool, don’t take long showers.

Until the taps run dry.

Suddenly, Alyssa’s quiet suburban street spirals into a warzone of desperation; neighbors and families turned against each other on the hunt for water. And when her parents don’t return and her life - and the life of her brother - is threatened, Alyssa has to make impossible choices if she’s going to survive.

©2018 Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

Critic Reviews

"Multiple narrators and alternating perspectives underscore the volatility of this speculative story... The narrators ratchet up their pacing and intensity as the characters face increasingly grueling challenges, turning this survival thriller into a white-knuckle listening experience." (AudioFile)

Worth any readers time!

I have followed Neal Shusterman ever since I came across the series "Unwind" a couple years ago (which is a must must read for dystopian & science fiction lovers!). If you enjoyed that series and writing style, you will like this book. For those of you that found the Unwind series a bit too cringy, you will not have a problem with Dry. I have a feeling this may be a stand alone and I hope that isn't the case. The only downside is that it ends so soon. The narration is very well done and the writing is great. If you're searching for a really good post apocalyptic read and are an adult (like me lol) that doesn't mind reading YA, then this is definitely the book for you (IMO). Even if you don't read any YA this is still an awesome read if you're looking for something in this genre. Overall I would recommend this book to any fiction lover!
Sincerely, ~Ashelina~ ;)

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Amazing Way to End the Year

Man this was a great book and it came from a YA author!! Neal Shusterman is an amazing author and his son Jarrod is following in his footsteps. Even though I've read Scythe and I've read Thunderhead, none of them gripped me like Dry. The whole cast was brilliant, their voices made the characters feel so real. Jacqui is best girl, no doubt. This is one of my favorites books of the year and I hope it gets made to either a mini-series or a movie by the end of 2020. Good job to the Shustermans and good job to the cast, you all did a brilliant job.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great story with a single flaw...

First, I love anything penned by a Shusterman! This book was no exception. I enjoyed the book a lot and find its topic very timely. I can see numerous applications for its use in a science classroom or even civics classes when you think about the rules/regulations and morality pieces. The only flaw, in my opinion, was the speed with which it wrapped up. I’m glad it wasn’t dragged into another book, but the ending still felt a bit rushed. Regardless, I’ll be recommending it to many!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Stunning and Sobering

This book held me captive; compelling story and terrifying in the level of believability. Highly recommended.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Realistic Fiction

Overall the book was a great and easy read. I did expect a little more action and drama given the plot and scenarios through out the story. I am not disappointed even though there could have been more intense actions the story was as realistic as they come!

Literally the scariest book I have ever read!

Shusterman knocks another one out of the park! I loved everything about this book. Shusterman weaves his magic and creates characters you care about, that make you feel things you want to talk about and share with everyone you know!
This latest masterpiece hits home for me, set in Southern California, paints the picture of humanity at its worst while brilliantly illustrating the best parts of being alive. What happens when there is no more water? How long does it take for thirst to turn you into a monster? What are you willing to do for a life saving sip? Are you prepared for the Tap Out?

If your new to Shusterman , stop what your doing and buy all his books right now! The most throught provoking author in the genre! You won’t be sorry!
Amazeballs!

Meh

Story has a neat premise but gets kind of dumb after a while. it's a series of really really dumb events with really high levels of ineptitude to the point it was no longer an enjoyable what if situation but rather a Mary Sue of one disaster after another. Usually it's annoying to have an OP main character this time it's an OP problem with some off putting twists. I was enjoying myself through the first half but then things seem to get away from the authors. The ending twist is kind if neat but also very deux ex as it's not really anything the characters do to save themselves.

Loved it

This book made me realize how big of a sap I am. Tearing up at certain points and rejoicing with the characters. These characters were real to me and their grief was my grief.

Performance was a bit 'dry'

As someone who's lived in SoCal and enjoyed the lack of rain I found this to be a great premise for a story and knowing the locations for the story made it all the more enjoyable. I must have been spoilt on my recent books because I just didn't 'get' the narrators; I found them unengaging and felt the story would have had more power to it with better voice actors. Luckily the story line is very engaging and it makes the book well worth listening to.