Drought

Jan 05, 2012 Dracolibris rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, dystopian, ya-lit

Ruby is a teenager, but one who has been growing up for a long time. A very long time. She, her mother, and their fellow "Congregants" are prisoners on a mountain, forced every day to use cups and spoons to collect water and dew drops from the undersides of plants in the forest. They are rarely fed, and if they don't meet their daily quota, the beatings are usually brutal and severe, and almost exclusively focused on Ruby's mother. But that is OK, because every night, Ruby treats her with some o...more

6 likes · like · see review

Dec 22, 2010 Debbie added it

3.5 stars
I thought this book was going to be a dystopia but I think it actually takes place in today’s world but the community Ruby lives in is almost like a cult community. The “slaves” are all followers of Otto, a man whose blood keeps them all alive hundreds of years later and can heal horrific wounds. He disappeared one day and his followers are left praying for his return even after they are enslaved by Darwin and used to harvest the water that he believes is what keeps them all alive. The...more 3.5 stars
I thought this book was going to be a dystopia but I think it actually takes place in today’s world but the community Ruby lives in is almost like a cult community. The “slaves” are all followers of Otto, a man whose blood keeps them all alive hundreds of years later and can heal horrific wounds. He disappeared one day and his followers are left praying for his return even after they are enslaved by Darwin and used to harvest the water that he believes is what keeps them all alive. The reason they remind me of a cult is that while there are some members like Ruby who want to fight for their freedom and go look for Otto, most believe them must stay and endure while waiting for him to return. It is hard to believe the horrors these people are willing to endure in order to remain true to their faith that Otto will one day return to free them.

I was surprised by how intriguing this book was when there was not really any character I enjoyed. Ruby despite the living conditions was kind of a spoiled brat who did not really think her actions through and was rather self centered in some of her behaviors. She also sulked like a child when she did not get her way. At first I dismissed this thinking she was a teenager only to realize that although she was the youngest of the congregation she was 200 years old.

Her mother, Sula, was also difficult to like. I suppose it was her faith but although she was portrayed as the strong leader who took the beatings for the others the way she treated Ruby was pretty horrific. You almost have to wonder if she loved Ruby for herself or for her blood, it’s abilities and what she represented. Her actions at the end of the book made me cringe and I honestly do not blame Ruby for her reaction.

I even found Ford hard to like. I understand this whole way of life is foreign to him but he did not seem to even have a clue that although life is horrible for Ruby in the congregation this is the only life she has known, these are her family and her friends. He cannot expect her to throw all that away for him without strong doubts.

Still despite these issues I had with the characters I found the world they lived in morbidly fascinating and the ending did come as a surprise to me.(less)

like · see review

Mar 29, 2013 Deborah Takahashi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen-dystopian

The world has not seen rain, or a flood, in over two hundred years. People live in units called Congregations, which are governed by overseers. Although this is the future, reality has shifted back to the 1800's where congregants are treated as slaves and the overseers are the "masters." Congregants spend their days working in the blazing sun by capturing whatever water they can get from plants, trees, and any other element that might have moisture. If they don't meet the quota of the day are ei...more The world has not seen rain, or a flood, in over two hundred years. People live in units called Congregations, which are governed by overseers. Although this is the future, reality has shifted back to the 1800's where congregants are treated as slaves and the overseers are the "masters." Congregants spend their days working in the blazing sun by capturing whatever water they can get from plants, trees, and any other element that might have moisture. If they don't meet the quota of the day are either beaten or starved until they reach their goals. For Ruby, her life as a congregant has been full of heartbreak and challenges. Not only is she the daughter of the the leader, she is also the secret child of Otto--their savior. Although her identity is kept secret, Ruby has a power that is unique. In her blood, the blood of Otto, is a power that has that can regenerate life. All Ruby can do is sit and wait for Otto to return so she can free her friends and family. However, Darwin, the head Overseer, does not make her life easy because of the fact that he is cruel and covets her mother. Day after day, Ruby finds it difficult to control her anger and she doesn't understand why no one stands up to Darwin. However, all of that changes when a new overseer steals her attention and, eventually, her heart. What she doesn't expect is that this boy not only offers a chance to escape, he can give her the courage to stand up for what she believes in. Unfortunately, she has been selected to become the newest Elder, which pits her convictions against the wishes of the congregation. Can Ruby lead the way she wants to or must she continue to wait for Otto. This is the biggest fight of Ruby's life.

Bachorz has created a story that is not only chilling, but horrifically realistic where the world has turned on its head and shot us back hundreds of years. As a reader, who just finished several books about Abraham Lincoln, I am transported to the time of slavery where injustice has been disguised as something good. Not only do the congregants live in so-called "quarters," they are beaten and abused by their superiors. However, the congregants have their leader, Sula, Ruby's mother, who not only volunteers to take on the beatings of her brethren, but provides for them in any way she can. In essence, Sula is the one the congregants look to for help and hope. As for Ruby, she is literally the life force behind her clan because it is her blood that not only heals her broken mother, but provides the community as well. In many ways, readers will feel and see the injustice, which is reflected in Ruby's frustration with her situation. Although I wasn't expecting the romance aspect, it is a nice touch because it instills hope during time of hopelessness. Honestly, this book has an underlying message that is not only indicative of what could happen, but of what will be if we don't take care of one another and appreciate the things we have, and need, to survive. (less)

like · see review

Dec 01, 2012 Amanda Kimball rated it 2 of 5 stars

I kept waiting and waiting for Ruby to take a stand...and it never came. I feel as though I wasted a whole afternoon on something that could've been great but just never got there. The whole pseudo-religion/cult thing just didn't work for me with the way the plot was laid out. I get that Otto is never coming back, but so much else is left unanswered.
There were no descriptions as to why/how the townspeople knew they had special "Water" when they were first enslaved and that really bothered me. An...more

like · see review

Jul 26, 2012 Antara Verma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ok firstly, I am VERY surprised at the bad reviews this book's gotten, I personally thought it would be a huge hit.

So I'm just going to go ahead and voice my opinion.
I honestly believe, this is one of the best young adult novels I have read. I am not one who cries during books, or laughs even. I manage to maintain a straightforward poker face whether I am reading a book authored by Khaled Hosseini or Louise Rennison. Drought however, seemed to bring out the complete emotion package in me. I went...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 03, 2012 Jan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Ruby and her mother live as slaves, compelled with the rest of their Congregation to gather water drop by drop with spoons and cups, which is then collected in large cisterns. The Congregation has survived 200 years of vicious beatings because of Ruby's father's blood, which was added a few drops at a time to each cistern. Drinking the altered water heals all illnesses and wounds, and allows the Congregation to live forever. At some unspecified point in the past, the Overseer found out about the...more

like · see review

May 29, 2012 Andrea Hussey rated it 1 of 5 stars

This was just plain weird. When I found out she was putting her blood into the water that the whole community drank from I was disgusted. Just ew, is all I can think to say.

There’s something in her blood that the people need or something like that. The overseer is being really mean to people and makes them scavenge for drops of water. The circumstances of the book are just crazy, and I don’t see how anyone could even think up such a thing much less turn it into a book.

I was waiting for Ruby to...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 06, 2011 Kayt rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: dystopian-apocalyptic

I'm just going to explain the entire thing, because the book's not worth reading.

Ruby longs to escape from the only life she knows, as part of the Congregation ruled by a terrible Overseer who demands the special Water they collect that provides immortality. But only a select few know that it's Ruby's blood that makes the Water special. Also she's 200 years old, falls in love, and her father may be Jesus.

This is your typical teenage girl-in-repressive-society-starts-thinking-for-herself thing. R...more I'm just going to explain the entire thing, because the book's not worth reading.

Ruby longs to escape from the only life she knows, as part of the Congregation ruled by a terrible Overseer who demands the special Water they collect that provides immortality. But only a select few know that it's Ruby's blood that makes the Water special. Also she's 200 years old, falls in love, and her father may be Jesus.

This is your typical teenage girl-in-repressive-society-starts-thinking-for-herself thing. Ruby is unique only because it's taken her 200 years to reach the maturity level of a 17-year-old.

(view spoiler)[See, the Congregation was formed in 1812, when Ruby's mother met Otto, who was very kind and had magical blood. Mix the blood with water, give a drop as Communion every week, and viola! The town sees a cult and runs you out! At this point, Otto of the Magical Jesus Blood had disappeared, leaving only four vials of his blood, but alas, an evil villain lusting after Ruby's mom followed them and enslaved them to obtain the Water.

Not good at thinking on her feet, Ruby's mother (Sula, because I'm sick of typing her title) said that the Water had to be harvested from plants (or dew) and only by Otto's devoted followers. So for the past 200 years, that's all they've done. It's all Ruby's ever known--that, and that she's Otto's child, giving her blood to keep the Water ready while they wait for Otto's return someday. The Congregation waits, they do not act. Also, only a very few people actually know about the magical blood. Most Congregants and Bad Evil Overseers believe the plant-water thing.

Apparently, Darwin harvests the Water all year long for the Visitor who buys it or something. He's never explained.

Darwin The Head Evil Overseer hires a new Overseer, Ford. So long as Ford works for him, Darwin pays enough to help Ford's mom's medical bills. Unfortunately, all I could think of was that this is still not a defense in court and yeah, Ford, you're a jerk and complicit in all the abuse.

Ruby and Ford fall in love. SHOCKER. Ford finds out about some of the Otto-worship and decides they're a cult and tries to tell Ruby about Jesus.

Ruby, in typical YA protag fashion, decides to run away to find Otto, having decided that he's not coming back.

Sula and the Elders of the Congregation dislike this. It turns out they only love her for her blood! Who would have guessed? So they kill Ford and scold Ruby.

But she heals him with some of the precious harvest Water the night before the Visitor comes. So he gets there and gets angry and kills Darwin. And also apparently knows the secret of Ruby's blood, though it's never explained why, or even how this guy got involved in the Water business since it's portrayed as Darwin's scheme from the beginning.

So after 200 years and their main adversary dead, the Congregation decides to figure their life out.

JUST KIDDING. They agree to harvest only *two-fifths* a year of what they did before. And they'll get three meals a day! Sheer luxury!

Ruby realizes that everyone she's known for her 200 years are idiots and leave with Ford, who still doesn't know what's going on. (hide spoiler)]

So you can see it's not a great story anyway. But THEN there are so many things left unanswered or not thought out that it's even worse.

(view spoiler)[We get that Ruby is supposed to be an average ~~200-year-old~~ teen, but she has literally never been anywhere but this camp. She's grown up with the beatings and abuse and everything--I felt she should have less fazed by all the happenings, like the beatings. Sure, we get that you don't want your mother to be beaten, but this happens ALL THE TIME. Even if you're mentally a teen, you should not be nearly as impulsive as you are.

The outside world: how exactly are you supposed to adjust? You didn't even know what electricity was, for pity's sake. Ruby, you're going to get yourself arrested and/or hospitalized for mental problems.

THE OTTO ISSUE. Convenient plot device that didn't work because nothing ever came of it. His parents were "taken," but no one will say what that means. He had magical immortality-giving blood, knocked up Sula, then left. His daughter has magical immortality-giving blood, and along with the rest of the Congregation prays to Otto for deliverance. But nothing comes of it. Since we have proof (Water and Ruby) of his existence, something really should have happened.

Christianity obviously exists (thanks, Ford), which makes me very uncomfortable. I hate mixing religion with fantasy. I disliked Drought when I began to realize that Otto was a Jesus-allegory, but disliked it even more when apparently they co-exist (or not, since Jesus never shows up/doesn't grant earthly immortality). What was the purpose? Ford essentially tries to convince Ruby she's a heretic once or twice, and then it's never mentioned again.

FORD IS AN IDIOT. We've already established that yeah, it sucks your mom's dying but when you're beating people up we don't have sympathy for you, kid. He's sweet-talking Ruby one minute then roaring abuse like the rest of them the next--to survive, of course. He doesn't get the idea that these abused people might not you know, like Overseers, and Ruby's the same. And then there was the whole thing about the blood. "EW RUBY I SAW THAT YOU KNOW THERE'S ONLY ONE GOD RIGHT AND OTTO IS NOT HIM THAT'S DISGUSTING YOU SINNING SINNER." (hide spoiler)]

With so much stuff unresolved it's almost like it's setting itself up for a sequel, except it's written in a way that makes me suspect that there will not be one. So it ends with (view spoiler)(less)

13 likes · like · see review

Oct 27, 2011 Jenben8426 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

Ruby has lived with her mother and their congregation of Saints in the deep wood of New York for a very long time--200 years long time. In 1812 when Ruby's mother married the mysterious and powerful Otto their church was formed. Otto was a healer and all who came to him and partook of his communion would not only be healed, but would stop aging in the way that normal humans do. They could live far longer. Then Otto left, and the townspeople of Hoosick Falls were suspicious of this new congregati...more

like · see review

Jun 14, 2011 Liz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: abuse, family-drama, girls, literary, paranormal-romance, sf-fantasy, spirituality, teens

A lot of the negative reviews on here seem to stem from the readers having been mislead that this is a dystopian novel. It is not, and was not intended to be. Instead it's an interesting play on the vampire/paranormal romance genre mixed with a realistic cult story. The book raises a lot of questions: What is faith? Are our motivations for what we do noble or selfish, and how can we be sure? What is love, and what happens when it is withheld, taken for granted, or abused?

Unlike a lot of teen fic...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jun 05, 2011 Paradoxical rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reading-list, books-otherwise

Argh. Just. Argh to this entire book. It has a somewhat (sorta, anyway) interesting concept, but the execution falls flat on its face, and I pretty much want to punt every single character in this book somewhere far away from me.

Basically the story is this: The main character, Ruby, is part of this cult-like group (her Congregation) that is being held prisoner (basically slaves) for Darwin and his group of Overseers. The Congregation goes out every day to collect water from leaves/plants/etc; b...more

5 likes · like · see review

Apr 06, 2011 Emma rated it 2 of 5 stars

Drought is not one of the best books that I have read lately. There were some serious crises in world-building, character development and plotting. I was so disappointed. :(
Ruby is an engaging and likable protagonist. She does seem to know the difference between right and wrong, and she rebels against this society that she is a part of. When I first picked this book up, I thought it was going to be a dystopian - not the case - and was kind of confused as to why the entire situation was happenin...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 24, 2011 Vicky rated it 3 of 5 stars

Ruby dreams of escaping the Congregation, the slaver, Darwin West and his cruel overseers, and the killing work of gathering Water. Water is what keeps the congregants alive for hundreds of years. It has incredible healing properties. Unfortunately, it is not the water, scraped from leaves and plants with spoons and collected cup by cup by the slaves, that keeps everyone alive, but the secret ingredient that is added to the water – drops of Ruby’s blood. Nobody but the congregants’ elders know t...more Ruby dreams of escaping the Congregation, the slaver, Darwin West and his cruel overseers, and the killing work of gathering Water. Water is what keeps the congregants alive for hundreds of years. It has incredible healing properties. Unfortunately, it is not the water, scraped from leaves and plants with spoons and collected cup by cup by the slaves, that keeps everyone alive, but the secret ingredient that is added to the water – drops of Ruby’s blood. Nobody but the congregants’ elders know that Ruby is the secret that keeps them alive. She gives willingly to help them, but when she asks for their help, they turn against her, even her own mother.

Ruby falls for the newest overseer, Ford, a young man who wants her to run away with him. She could leave the life of slavery and duty and become a regular teenager in the modern outside world. She knows where her duty lies, though and refuses to go with him. Unfortunately, her mother overhears her declaration of love and, with the other elders, beats Ford nearly to death. Ruby discovers his body and heals him and decides that this is not the place she thought it was.

This is a deep story full of pain, cruelty, fanaticism, healing, and a tiny bit of romance. Ruby is a believable character as is the farm where the congregants are held captive. What I had a little trouble believing was that they’d been there since 1812 with no contacts at all with the outside world. Just a short drive away are towns, cars, roads, and all the modern trappings of 2012. Perhaps better world building would have been a post-apocalyptic world. Also, the mysterious visitor who is mentioned throughout the story but doesn’t show up until the last chapter is a bit too “Boss Hogg” for comfort. Though thin, the all white suit on a cruel “master” in what is obviously New England in September just doesn’t ring true or believable.

Other than the “visitor” and odd timeline, this was a well-written book. The story is compelling, though dark, and has a satisfying end. Parts of it remind me briefly of “Tuck Everlasting” in that both contain a fountain of youth type of elixir, but there the comparison stops as this is a much heavier story that touches on brutality, slavery, murder, and greed. Even with all the darkness, there is a spark of light at the end as Ruby finds the strength to follow her heart and do what is right for her.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 21, 2011 Lissa rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Becca, Miriam, Kate Fais, Katie Rose, Ari (when she's old enough)

Recommended to Lissa by: Patty Bachorz

Shelves: 2011, young-adult, women-writers

Drought is a terrific story -- "the haunting story of one community's thirst for life, and the dangerous struggle of the only girl who can grant it."

The background: A capital-C rural, cultishly religious Community was enslaved in 1812 after making a seemingly advantageous bargain with the leader of a local town. For 200 years, the people have survived with little changing in their age, appearance, desires, dreams, beliefs, or their daily existence of back-breaking labor, semi-starvation, and ro...more Drought is a terrific story -- "the haunting story of one community's thirst for life, and the dangerous struggle of the only girl who can grant it."

The background: A capital-C rural, cultishly religious Community was enslaved in 1812 after making a seemingly advantageous bargain with the leader of a local town. For 200 years, the people have survived with little changing in their age, appearance, desires, dreams, beliefs, or their daily existence of back-breaking labor, semi-starvation, and routine beatings from sadistic overseers.

The premise: The deliverance and salvation of the Community rests on the actions and generosity of a young girl born in 1812 and just now (200 years later) reaching adolescence. Ruby's loyalties are tested as she observes, questions, and begins to learn the grown-up truths about the people who have ensured her safety for as long as she can remember, and learns more about the world outside her enclave from Ford, the first outsider to ever show her kindness.

I adore Pam's story-telling voice; she's consistent and fresh, and is gloriously enmeshed in the heart and soul of her main character. She writes from the first-person POV -- a construction that I usually have to talk myself into coping with -- and at no time in Drought did I feel that she abandoned Ruby to tell the audience something we ought to have known.

The plot is full of twists and turns with deep consequences, both positive and negative, for the seemingly smallest of choices and actions. There's nothing predictable about the choices Ruby makes, perhaps because actually having the freedom to make a decision between two options is so novel for her. Like many teenagers coming into their own, she walks the line between accepting responsibility for her choices and painting someone else with the blame brush, and the chilling course leading up to the denouement is fabulously both of her own making and beyond her control.

The only fault I can find with the book is one of characterization. Ruby is very much an adolescent girl just coming into her own; she's alternately thoughtful and rash, impossibly generous and understandably selfish. Twenty-five pages into the story, I find it utterly implausible that she has been alive for 200 years, observing her surroundings with the cautious, hunted-deer skills required to survive in the Community, and is only now thinking to question what she has been taught. As an individual, she's too keen an observer and too critical a thinker for her awakening to be fully believable.

That said, it's quite a good book, and on that I recommend happily.
(less)

like · see review

Feb 15, 2011 Tiffany rated it 3 of 5 stars

This one was a hard one to rate for me. It almost got two stars just for the way it ended. it had a fairly interesting premise and started out ok, it just left me unfulfilled as a reader. it could have been sooooo much better, I just felt it was written poorly overall and the author jumped around, had things not quite believable, and way way too many questions left unanswered.

Don't read ahead if you don't want any spoilers, and I seem to have more to say about a book that I didn't like as much t...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 05, 2011 cecilia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gray-covers

Pam Bachorz weaves a rich and dark tale about a teenaged girl who is stuck between a rock and a hard place. At times, I had more questions than answers while reading - and even at the end, I think drought leaves the readers wanting to find out what happens next and what had happened before to lead up to Ruby's world as she knew it.

The great thing about drought is, once I let go of what I know, I really got into the flow of Ruby's wretched world. Hers was a simple though horrible life: Collect en...more Pam Bachorz weaves a rich and dark tale about a teenaged girl who is stuck between a rock and a hard place. At times, I had more questions than answers while reading - and even at the end, I think drought leaves the readers wanting to find out what happens next and what had happened before to lead up to Ruby's world as she knew it.

The great thing about drought is, once I let go of what I know, I really got into the flow of Ruby's wretched world. Hers was a simple though horrible life: Collect enough Water to get fed and avoid the whip. A village enslaved. Not necessarily true, but I imagined that they dressed like Pilgrims - don't ask me why - I just did! It was only when Ruby interacts with Ford when I realized how behind-the-times Ruby was, how deeply Ms. Bachorz wove us into the village and hid us from the big, ugly truth. A truth the Overseers obviously knew, and the question that burns through my mind is WHY.

I felt we never got a complete picture of all the characters except Ruby. Granted, we see events unfold through Ruby's eyes - but usually I thought there'd still be a little more insight to the other characters present. Maybe Ruby wasn't too observant - maybe I haven't given drought enough thought yet - but there is not a whole lot about the other characters from my initial impression. Ruby's mom tries to impress upon Ruby and the Congregation that waiting for salvation is their best option and escape in any way is not safe, but how did she reach such a conclusion and what happens when salvation never comes - or escape is possible? What makes Darwin tick - and how does he sleep each night after his monstrous actions? How does Ford get recruited to the Overseers - and is he leading Ruby into a trap by enticing her to escape?

The ending of drought definitely left me both triumphant yet horrified at how things panned out for Ruby, Ford, the Overseers, and the Congregation. Definitely did not see any of it coming! I doubt that there would be a sequel, although one would be most welcome for all the questions that I have!

drought will satisfy any thirst for a new dystopian YA read. Mysterious, shocking, bittersweet - an excellent combination to keep readers thirsting to learn more about the world that Ms. Bachorz has created.(less)

like · see review

Jan 29, 2011 Ellz Readz rated it 3 of 5 stars

My thoughts...Drought, the second book by author Pam Bachorz is not a happy go lucky story. It is dark and twisted. It left me cringing and covering my eyes with despair, yet I could not stop reading.

The story takes place in modern times, though it is hard to tell. The main characters, or Congregation, live under the control of a tyrant named Darwin West. This is probably one of the scariest villains I have read in YA literature. The man is evil. Ruby, the heroine, and other members of the cong...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 19, 2011 Missie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Drought was almost a DNF for me. It was as dry as its title implies.

It always makes me feel bad when I have to report that a book bored me to death, but I will *try* to be level headed with Drought instead of becoming a ranting bull.

First thing I have to ask is, Where the heck was the world building? I feel that Bachorz completely dropped the ball on this. Readers are thrust into isolation, along with the characters, wondering how did this situation come to be and why and where is this taking pl...more Drought was almost a DNF for me. It was as dry as its title implies.

It always makes me feel bad when I have to report that a book bored me to death, but I will *try* to be level headed with Drought instead of becoming a ranting bull.

First thing I have to ask is, Where the heck was the world building? I feel that Bachorz completely dropped the ball on this. Readers are thrust into isolation, along with the characters, wondering how did this situation come to be and why and where is this taking place and what is going on and why am I reading a book about nothing?

Okay, some explanation was given, but it was all muddled, unconvincing and made no sense. It's present day, but Ruby and the Congregation are living as slaves, and she doesn't know anything about the modern world. I can believe that. But then, it takes a turn to unexplained weirdness. She is human(???) but she is like 200 years old and doesn't need to eat everyday to survive. Her blood is special, so she is forced to collect water from plants to mix her blood with it?! I don't get what is happening here. What is Ruby? What are these Congregation people? Why do they exist? Why do they believe? And more importantly, why the heck would they agree to continue to drink Ruby's blood water to live longer just to continue to live as slaves?

We are supposed to believe they do this because of their faith. They are waiting for their god, Otto, to return to them. But like I said, they all have exceptionally long lifespans and have lived hundreds of years as slaves in utterly cruel conditions. I think that Bachorz asked too much of readers to believe that their faith alone kept them from fighting for freedom. She created the only society in the universe that doesn't believe in advancing themselves. Why?

It was heart breaking, to say the least.

There is an obvious villain, Darwin West, who is completely mad and enjoys beating the slaves and denying them food, but the real villain of the story is evident from the start, Ruby's mother. She angered me to the point where I thought I might explode. Not only was this lady living on a prayer, and a very weak one at that, her deceit forces the rest of the Congregation to live that way as well. She was disgusting, despicable, and ever other 'D' expletive I can think of. She reminded me of the grandmother from The Dollanganger Series (Flowers in the Attic). *shudders*

I tried to like Ruby and those few character that she cared about, I really did, but they were all so dead inside that I couldn't connect at all. Ruby's romance with Ford was superficial, and the one thing I kept expecting to happen, didn't.

I'm glad I finished the book, even if it wasn't for me. I really hope others find reasons to enjoy it. If you do, please share.

http://www.theunreadreader.com/2011/0...(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 13, 2011 Margo Tanenbaum rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, dystopia

Teens that really like all kinds of dystopian fiction may like this new release by Pam Bachorz. Personally, I found the endless scenes of slave-like humans collecting precious water drop-by-drop from leaves tedious rather than shocking or riveting. The premise is that the members of this community have been living for 200 years without dying because they partake of water nourished with special blood. I don't know if this novel is supposed to be a Christian allegory of some kind, because the bloo...more

like · see review

Jan 04, 2011 Sara rated it 1 of 5 stars

Drought follows Ruby, a girl with blood that heals. Ruby is the Daughter of Otto, her cult's leader who has left his flock. The congregation willingly allows themselves to be enslaved and beaten as they gather Water (water pulled off plants with a Drop of Ruby's blood which makes it magical so they can live almost forever). The group takes a drop of Water as communion and wait for Otto's return.

I was excited by the initial premise of this book but after a hundred pages of rolling my eyes at the...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 22, 2012 Cheska rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kick-ass-heroine, meh

I really liked it.

Ruby and the other Congregants are working in the woods collecting water at the plants for 200 years for Darwin. They all are shut out of the modern world, today. Then a new overseer came,Ford,Ruby knows he's different than the other Overseers who are mean and vicious and ruthless to them. Now, Ford doesn't know anything about their age (200) or Ruby's special blood. All he knows is this job will save his mother and he loves Ruby..

;;;REVIEW;;;

I just gave this 4 stars because o...more

like · see review

Mar 25, 2012 Amnah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: why-did-i-bother

Please, for your sake, do not read this book. Really, only use it as a filler to fill in gaps between books that you actually might like.

I-I, just, no...What? I couldn't understand this book, it seems so insignificant and ridiculous. I don't get it. I am literally up at two in the morning to finish this book, and I'm confused? Sorry, but this review is going to suck big time, seeing as this is the second time I've read this book, and I am confused. Nothing seems to happen. Kisses, whippings and...more

like · see review

Jan 28, 2012 Lyv rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, awesome-covers

Ruby thirst for love and freedom, but at what cost?

Ruby dreams of escaping the Congregation. Escape from slaver Darwin West and his cruel Overseers. Escape from the backbreaking work of gathering Water. Escape from living as if it is still 1812, the year they were all enslaved.

When Ruby meets Ford--an irresistible, kind, forbidden new Overseer--she longs to run away with him to the modern world where she could live a normal teenage life. Escape with Ford could be so simple.

But if Ruby leaves, he...more

like · see review

Aug 01, 2011 StorySeekers rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Jul 31, 2011 Mrs. ReaderPants rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

More reviews at http://readerpants.blogspot.com

RECOMMENDED FOR: MS, HS

OVERALL RATING: Highly recommended

WHAT I LIKED: When I start reading a book, I try very, very hard to keep my opinion uninfluenced by other reviews. Very positive reviews from others will lead me to high expectations, and I won't end up liking a book the way I might have otherwise. When I added Drought to my Goodreads list, I did notice the very low rating it has gotten from other readers. That's not a good sign, but I contin...more

like · see review

Feb 25, 2011 Amanda rated it 2 of 5 stars

Drought has been on the edges of my reading radar for a while. For probably three or four months before its release, I had it on my to read list because I was interested in what appeared to be a fascinating dystopian world with a clear water conservation/environmentalism message. When January rolled around and I couldn't find the book (and I saw its lukewarm reviews) I decided to let it drop off my to read list and focus on other things. When "Dystopian February" rolled around, and drought was f...more Drought has been on the edges of my reading radar for a while. For probably three or four months before its release, I had it on my to read list because I was interested in what appeared to be a fascinating dystopian world with a clear water conservation/environmentalism message. When January rolled around and I couldn't find the book (and I saw its lukewarm reviews) I decided to let it drop off my to read list and focus on other things. When "Dystopian February" rolled around, and drought was finally coming to my local library, I thought it was time to check it out.

Drought takes places in a somewhat flimsily-constructed dystopian world where Ruby and her people, known as the Congregation, are enslaved to a man named Darwin and must spend their days hunting and harvesting water for fear of Darwin's brutal beatings. Darwin's underlings, the Overseers, keep a close eye on Ruby and her people, to be sure nothing seems to go amiss. Ruby longs to be free, but when a forbidden romance between Ruby and an Overseer blossoms, the need for freedom becomes even more intense.

Drought was a surprisingly dull read with a flimsy setting, one-dimensional characters and an awkward romance. When I first started reading Drought, I was surprised at the lack of detail and setting, as well as explanation for why things are the way they are in this world. I spent most of the book wanting to know why the heck these people are harvesting water and how or why they were enslaved in the first place. This is never explained.

Bachorz's writing is fairly average, but with some good ideas. The only problem is that the ideas seem to frequently lack direction and get jumbled on top of each other, almost as if Bachorz was trying to get some many out at once, but didn't fully develop any of them.

I was also surprised at the fact that Drought doesn't have that much of an overt dystopian feel or environmentalism themes, which I found disappointing. And though Ruby wants freedom and struggles against her situation, I never fully got a sense of "fight the power!" which is a typical theme behind dystopian novels.

With the seemingly endless cascade of new teen dystopian novels being released, it's easy to find something better than Drought. I honestly thought this book was incredibly disappointing and just weak. There are some good ideas here, but they need more time to mature.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 24, 2012 Emilee rated it 2 of 5 stars

Where to begin with this novel... I suppose I'll start with the positive points first. It was decently written, that's for sure. The action and the dialogue flow nicely, truly. It's a quick read, though not exactly a deep one. And it at least kept me interested to the bitter end. But the faults come with some plot points, and some of the characters.

Truly, I think the majority of this novel's errors could have been solved if the entire 200-years-old thing was removed. Just keep the setting in the...more Where to begin with this novel... I suppose I'll start with the positive points first. It was decently written, that's for sure. The action and the dialogue flow nicely, truly. It's a quick read, though not exactly a deep one. And it at least kept me interested to the bitter end. But the faults come with some plot points, and some of the characters.

Truly, I think the majority of this novel's errors could have been solved if the entire 200-years-old thing was removed. Just keep the setting in the early 1800s, and many flaws would have been solved. It's just quite difficult for me to believe that over 200 years, not a single person out of the sixty-ish people that seem to populate the group would have decided to run, or to fight and die. Even if they threatened to kill a little girl, one can't expect purity from every person. It's also hard to believe that they'd have unwavering faith in Otto for that long. Perhaps her Mother, given she was his lover, but not every single person there. I also can't believe no one decided to simply kill Darwin. (view spoiler) Oh, and why, in the year 2012, has no one, in all this time, ever found the Congregation and been slightly alarmed about this horrible cult enslaving everyone with bizarre rituals? Really? And, there's the thing about Ruby herself. She's 200-years-old, yet she's still treated like she's as old as her body physically is - and she still acts it. Even if her body carried all of the hormones of a teenager, I cannot truly believe she would not have accumulated the wisdom of age to temper that. I can't believe that everyone would treat her that way, though of course children don't always grow up in their mother's eyes.

The matter of (view spoiler).

The ending also just provided more questions than anything, though obviously it's some sort of cliffhanger for a sequel. The Visitor is mentioned the whole time, but still, not much is explained about him, who he is, why he does what he does. Also, it seriously make me want to shake Ruby's mother when (view spoiler)

Also, the matter of Ford being hired just makes no sense. It's obvious he's just some town kid, and he's only 19. Even if there's leverage over him, one can't seriously expect he'd keep his mouth shut the whole time afterward. Unless Darwin planned to kill him, I guess. But still, he could have talked during that whole time. He could have gotten the police and saved everyone(view spoiler)(less)

like · see review

Sep 18, 2011 Brielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: easy-reads

It was a very good book and was somewhat reminiscent of Tuck Everlasting. It seemed like Pam Bachorz wrote a story of what might have happened if Tuck (called Otto in Drought) fell in love only this time his love took his gift of immortality.

A big difference between the two stories is that it is through Otto's blood that the immortality is given. His blood also cures any mortal wound basically overnight. This may be why he is worshiped even 200 years after he mysteriously vanished/left.

This sto...more

like · see review

Jul 04, 2011 Megan (Book Brats) rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

From Book Brats!

The Village meets slavery meets a cult? Trust me, it sounds a LOT more interesting than it ends up being.

As you might have guessed, I was rather interested in this book based on the plot alone. Yes, it has bad reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, but it does not live up to the promise the plot gives. In fact, it falls flat thanks to 1.) stupid characters, 2.) implausible plot developments, and 3.) an ending that wrapped up 400 pages worth of action in 10 minutes.

Ruby has lived her en...more From Book Brats!

The Village meets slavery meets a cult? Trust me, it sounds a LOT more interesting than it ends up being.

As you might have guessed, I was rather interested in this book based on the plot alone. Yes, it has bad reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, but it does not live up to the promise the plot gives. In fact, it falls flat thanks to 1.) stupid characters, 2.) implausible plot developments, and 3.) an ending that wrapped up 400 pages worth of action in 10 minutes.

Ruby has lived her entire life living practically as a slave, gathering Water (dew collected daily from plants mixed with her blood which gives extended life and healing powers). She's 200 years old but looks and acts like she's 16. One of the Overseers, Ford, is the designated love interest of this tale. He's handsome, 18, and working as a slave driver to provide for his mother's cancer treatment. Ruby's mother claims to be looking out for the interests of the community while serving as a reverend for a Congregation that worships Otto, the original man whose blood gave life before he up and left the community to hide in the woods to continue on, but only after impregnating Ruby's mother. The main villain is a man named Darwin West, who is in love with Ruby's mother and, scorned, follows the Congregation into the woods and enslaves them in order to procure and sell the Water to the Visitor. The Congregation has lived there for 200 years and still lives as if it is 1810, waiting for Otto while Darwin manages to live on as a member of the outside community, recruiting Overseers to serve as guards from convicts and the desperate unemployed.

Some tropes employed in this book include Instalove (Ford falls in love with Ruby at first sight, and she pretty much does as well). More importantly than that, everyone in the Congregation is apparently dumb. They make Ruby their leader and then when they realize she is in love with an Overseer they cast her out - by the end, Ruby's mother has become a secondary villain, even trying to kill Ford and tells Ruby she is an embarrassment and not worth love because she "betrayed the community" by trying to save them and not wait for Otto (who is now a Jesus-like figure).

The ending seems like the author realized she needed to wrap it up and after 300 pages of harvesting Water, talking about Ruby's power, love, and how Darwin is evil, the Visitor shows up. I still don't get the Visitor - he just showed up and then left but managed to do so much in the process that concluded the novel. On top of this, Ford is also guilty of religious insensitivity, saying he can't love Ruby because worshiping Otto is heresy and a sin. Ruby, meanwhile, is guilty of "I love him, but I can't love him" in every chapter. We get it, we don't need to be reminded every five pages.

In the end, this book had promise, but just fell flat. Ruby was dumb, her mother was just as bad as the actual villain (all she had to do was marry Darwin - it was obviously she cared about him, but she was saving herself for Jesus - I mean Otto), and Ruby and Ford fell in love despite them having nothing in common besides googly eyes. Oh, and there were several obvious editing problems (they're versus their came up at least twice, and punctuation usage was off). A good premise does not make a good book.

♥♥ / 5 (two hearts)
VERDICT: Go watch The Village instead and eat some ice cream. You'll leave feeling less dumbfounded.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 22, 2011 Jenny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

This was a seriously fantastic story to read. It had so many things going on at different times that it was almost never dull or boring. There were so many things going on that even the narrator wasn't aware of in spite of the fact she was the one telling the story. It was fascinating to watch how Ms. Bachorz wove into the story subtle clues to what would happen in the final 50 or so pages. And let me tell you, the last 50 or so pages flew by so quickly that I found myself on the last page and w...more This was a seriously fantastic story to read. It had so many things going on at different times that it was almost never dull or boring. There were so many things going on that even the narrator wasn't aware of in spite of the fact she was the one telling the story. It was fascinating to watch how Ms. Bachorz wove into the story subtle clues to what would happen in the final 50 or so pages. And let me tell you, the last 50 or so pages flew by so quickly that I found myself on the last page and wishing there were so many more.

The characters in this book began a little underdeveloped for my taste. They were somewhat one-dimensional and flat in the beginning, but perhaps one can forgive that because considering it's told in the first person by someone who has lived the same exhausting, repetitive life for 200 years, everything and everyone around would be sort of monotonous and flat. But as the story develops and new pieces of personalities of those around Ruby come to light, we see the gray life of those who harvest water during a dry and colorless drought bloom into bursts of color. And for someone like me who associates color with personalities, this was a real treat.

I especially loved some of the nuances of Ms. Bachorz's writing that tied in the entire drought theme to how people were feeling. Particularly how the blossoming relationship between Ruby and the Overseer Ford was described, in Ruby's words, as, "It feels as if the air between us is like a tender waterdrop; one more move and it will burst." Their romance is saturated in life and immersed in the wonder that is discovering real and true love for the first time in your life. Some may say it happens too quickly but consider the fact that Ruby is over 200 years old and she's been extremely repressed by the society she lives in. It's only natural that she feel on some subconscious level that those she lives with don't have the same value for her as Ford appears to and that she would cling to that. And she does try to fight it for the sake of duty. It's not until something very strongly and forcefully breaks the bonds between her and some in her community that the dam bursts and Ruby's real desires gush forth.

I think the book could have been a little bit more tightly edited. There are some parts of it that felt added in because YA novels have gotten to be so long now and there just needed to be something more added to elongate the book. I think with about 50 fewer pages of Ruby remembering and lamenting the past and people she lost (whether physically or figuratively) it would have been an even faster, more brilliant read. That said, however, I don't think being a little wordy is such a bad thing. I enjoy Charles Dickens after all!

I found the plot twists in the story to be delicious and I liked being able to come to the slow conclusion of Ruby's situation and her true importance to the Elders of her community along with her. Discovering evil in places she hadn't thought existed along with her was fascinating even if truly saddening for her sake. I think Ms. Bachorz brings a bit of literary elegance to this story by bringing the reader along on a slow burn with some of the subplots and major themes of the novel with bright bursts of action in a way reminiscent of Jane Eyre. It's thoroughly well written and perhaps doesn't have all the over-the-top bells and whistles that some seem to need in their dystopias but I was completely satisfied. The ending wrapped up neatly enough that this could be a stand alone (which you know I love in an ending) but left enough possibility open for at least a second dip into Ruby's world.(less)

like · see review

topics	posts	views	last activity
should there be a second book	6	22	Aug 24, 2012 06:54am
The Regular Reader: Drought	1	4	Aug 01, 2012 08:37pm
What is this book going to be about?	9	43	Jul 31, 2012 11:08am
why do you hate this book ?	3	20	Mar 11, 2012 04:22pm

title link	preview: Drought
avg rating	preview: Drought Goodreads rating: 3.40 (1396 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7655564-drought?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1339114374l/7655564.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7655564-drought?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Drought by Pam Bachorz[/url]

Drought

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (10)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Pam Bachorz

Books by Pam Bachorz

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Drought

Quotes from Drought