In a Handful Of Dust

by Mindy McGinnis

Rarely is a sequel as good as its predecessor, and rarer still is a sequel that surpasses its predecessor. So imagine my delight when I read IN A HANDFUL OF DUST (IHOD)and found it even more enthralling than the excellent NOT A DROP TO DRINK (NDTD.

Picking up ten years after the first book, IHOD introduces us to a fully grown Lynn and a now sixteen year old Lucy as they are forced to trek across the country constantly pursued by natural and human dangers. In the previous book, all the major events happened--by necessity--within a few miles of the pond, so there was an intimacy and hyper focused feel to the story. In this sequel, we get to see the world as it has become. And it's often horrifying, bleak, and amazing.

One of the more amazing aspects of IHOD comes from the decade gap between stories. We get a full picture of the woman Lynn has grown into, and more than that, we get to see how she shaped Lucy. The dynamic is very different from Lynn's relationship with her mother.

While just as gritty as NDTD, IHOD delves deeper into this world and the people groups it has created--good and bad. There is a similar feel in places to shows like The Walking Dead, and like that show, it makes you question the costs of survival, cling to the moments of happiness, and reveal in the characters who must walk the fine line between them.

This is a stellar follow up to a stellar debut. Highly recommend.