Virginia Bergin

It was refreshing to read a novel in which I didn't particularly like the main character. Ruby is a snob, a queen bee, a popular girl who disdains those she doesn't have time for: nerds, her step-father, anyone who might rub her the wrong way. She's focused on looking good--make up, beautiful hair, The Right Boy on her arm.

But the world changes. Disease spreads epidemically through rain. People die all around her. By sheer chance, and the wits of a few adults around her, Ruby survives. She's show more left quite ill-equipped to survive in a world where brains and skills are immensely important.

She focuses on odd things--looting designer clothes, stealing make-up, doing her hair and face--especially after she's left essentially alone. But there are signs of break-throughs--she at least tries to save neighborhood pets, and teams up with a nerdy boy from school in order to save a protect a young mute girl who's latched herself onto them.

The choices Ruby made before the world-wide destruction certainly color her ability to cope afterwards. She's basically a goner. Unless she can wake herself up and grow up.

I'm ready for the next book! show less

I've read several post apocalyptic "what if a virus wiped out the men" stories before, but this one definitely takes the trope to a new level. I love the choices the author made -- setting it 2 generations in, creating a system that sounds utopian to an extent, but has a more challenging day-to-day reality, and crafting characters with real and complex emotions. Really enjoyed it.

Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.

"QUESTION: When should you give up hope?
A)Now. Immediately. We're all doomed.
B) Give it another couple of weeks.
C) Never.
I suppose there might be a D), but if there is, I can't think of it"

I knew this book would go one of two ways for me: I'd either love it, or hate it. I grew up in one of the rainier states in the US. It rains for days and days there. And the real horror and terror of the thought of RAIN being deadly is...well, it's almost too much to even imagine. Lucky me, I did love this show more one. But, I didn't at first. Let me explain.

"My name is Ruby Morris, and this is my story. If you are reading it, you are very, very lucky to be alive...but you already know that, right?"

So, That's the crux of this. This IS Ruby's story. Like it or not, Ruby is...well, Ruby. She's silly and shallow. She's a young girl. She's never driven (except that one time), she's never had a job, paid a bill or....well, many grown up things. So when the "end of the world" kind of starts happening, Ruby is kind of annoying.

Because she thinks small.

She's mad...her phone doesn't work. She's worried her friends will find out about something and not like her anymore and not let her sit at the cool kid's table anymore. Because Ruby doesn't quite grasp how HUGE this is. How life-ending-as-we-know-it this is going to be for her. But I think Ruby has to do this, in order to keep going. She has to think small and not get overwhelmed by the enormity that is...the end of life as she knows it. The end of 75% of the population...and counting.

So if this book seems lighter than it should, I think it's because Ruby needs that hope to keep going. She needs to worry about small things so the big things don't overwhelm her - like they would me. Once I reminded myself how young Ruby was, I liked the book much more. I had tough time putting it down.
I'm glad this is a series. I can't wait to keep reading it! show less

4.5*
This is such an interesting story based on an intriguing and unique premise. It's a post-apocalyptic tale with a mix of horror, gore, humor and suspense and the basic element that sparked the tragic chain of events is water.

"H20" is a look at what happens after killer rains take out most of the population from the main character Ruby's POV. After the sudden and heartbreaking loss of family and friends, she is struggling to survive in a society riddled with calamity and strife. I really show more enjoyed this book and I liked reading this story from Ruby's viewpoint. After all, her random shopping sprees are exactly what I would have done! This book will definitely have you thinking twice before you step out in the rain. show less