Review: Drought - Pam Bachorz

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: EgmontUSA (January 25, 2011)

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?

My Thoughts...

I liked this story.  I haven't really read much about cults and this group certainly comes across as one.  One man can save them so they wait, and wait, and suffer.  These people have spent 200 years as slaves collecting water off leaves with spoons and cups.  The blood of there savior Otto kept them alive, and after he left them and the blood he left behind has run out it is learned that Otto's daughter Ruby's blood has the same power.  She now keeps the congregation alive, although they are still slaves, waiting for Otto's return.  I actually liked Ruby she was desperate for change, she wanted a better life for the congregation, but her mother and the rest of the Elders insist on waiting for Otto.  I really disliked Ruby's mother and most of the other congregants.  Ruby wanted to change things for them and they fought her the whole way.  I wanted to smack them especially towards the end.  Ford was also a character I liked.  Not a typical Overseer who really wants to help Ruby.  I will say the story started out slowly and about halfway through it picked up a little then slowed down again until about the last 50 or so pages,.  It was a good story though and I am glad to have read it.  I hope you guys will try it too so you can read the ending which I absolutely loved!  I give this one 3 stars!