Dustborn by Erin Bowman

This was such a good story team. So good, but also so hard.

Reminiscent of Hunger Games, you have a life hardened young woman who has to go out and save her pack, her family, the people who raised her. When living in a world where water is scarce, pack means everything, but as Delta of Deadriver has a huge secret on her back, her trust in the world was scarce.

I didn’t love Delta, but I understood her drive, her love of family, even when it meant she made dumb mistakes. Her relationships are hard, uneasy, and unconventional.

However, what I found lacking in my like for Delta I was blown away by the world. How these people lived in a barren world, their reliance on water and how to get it, how they traded and lived. It was so well done, so tightly crafted.

I loved the supporting cast of characters that seemed to be an extension of the world. And while there is some very hard topics covered, including torture and murder it is approached in a well thought out and believable way. Though with it’s no nonsense approach toward mature themes I would recommend this to older teens vs middle schoolers.

Did I say tightly crafted earlier? Because when you finally figure out the key to the story, to Delta’s quest, to the world itself, be prepared to be blown away. Seriously. I was slightly blindsided, but in the best way. I can only hope that someone sees fit to give Erin reason to write another book in this universe because I ended craving more.