H2O Series, Book 1

September 15, 2014
There’s a space bacterium raining down on England, infesting the water supply and fatally infecting everyone it touches. Through a mix of careful planning and sheer luck, 15-year-old Ruby Morris is one of the lone survivors, teaming up with a nerdy classmate and a traumatized mute girl to find her father in London. Writing from Ruby’s perspective, debut novelist Bergin treats the story as the girl’s recollection of the history of the epidemic and a handbook of sorts for other survivors. But Ruby’s character development remains stunted even through life-altering trauma and devastation. Despite the deaths of Ruby’s baby “brother-brat beloved,” her mother, and all her friends, as well as becoming the caretaker for several dogs and a young girl, Ruby shows little growth. She is so preoccupied with her appearance that she stops for a makeover amid the chaos, lugs around cosmetics, and loots designer duds instead of focusing on potable water and protective gear. Although the most accessible characters are often flawed, Ruby becomes increasingly unsympathetic as the story progresses. Ages 14–up. Agent: Louise Lamont, LBA Books.

August 15, 2014
Grab an umbrella: The latest fictional civilization-ending threat is deadly rain. Ruby's having the best night of her life, drunkenly making out with her crush in a hot tub at a party. Suddenly, the host's parents arrive and, panicking, drag everyone indoors. The radio broadcasts an emergency message about fatal rain. Space bacteria have entered the atmosphere on an asteroid, replicated in the clouds' moisture and now rain death upon humanity. Just humanity, though-inexplicably, this bacteria's apparently harmless to plants and other animals. After struggling to live through the first few days-finding uncontaminated water sources is a particular challenge-Ruby decides to travel across the country to find her father. The situation's horrifying, but what gives the deaths resonance is how sad they are, rather than simply scary (although they are plenty gory). Ruby's narration is unsophisticated and, especially in the beginning, self-conscious, keeping readers from immersing themselves in the story, much as the strange butterfly graphic that censors curse words does. Additionally, Ruby's progressively vapid characterization makes her hard to root for. Her biggest redeeming trait's her love of animals. The novel also has the usual post-apocalyptic tropes-nerdy companion, military of dubious trustworthiness, human threats, a young child to take care of and so forth. The ending is immensely unsatisfying. Only for readers who are really good at suspending disbelief. (Post-apocalyptic adventure. 14-17)

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September 1, 2014

Gr 6 Up-How hard could it possibly be to avoid the rain? According to the account of Ruby Morris, it's a lot harder than one might think: Ruby hails from the wet and dreary United Kingdom. After an imminent meteor strike is avoided, events lead to an alien bacterium-laced rain that is fatal and contagious. Stranded and devoid of any parental guidance, Ruby must cross vast distances and make choices even when no right answer exists. The first-person narrative allows for a unique perspective. The story and language will provide readers with an international scope and convey the tragic impact of the apocalyptic events. Young teens will find the protagonist entertaining and relatable. The beauty of the text lies in Bergin's ability to realistically explore the horrors of the world she's created. Attention to detail, coupled with a very strong main character, will draw readers in and make them think twice about leaving the house-at least not before checking the sky for signs of rain.-Chad Lane, Easton Elementary, Wye Mills, MD

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