Book Review
Title: Drop by Drop (Step by Step #1)
Author: Morgan Llywelyn
Genre: Sci-Fi/Dystopian/Thriller
Rating: ****
Review: The premise of Drop by Drop was very interesting, so I requested it on NetGalley. I used to read a lot of dystopian novels but have been on a real fantasy kick lately. The opening to Drop by Drop was quite interesting, we are introduced to a variety of characters including Nell, Bea and Dwayne as the incident begins. The incident itself is that all plastics mysteriously begins to melt, at first nothing seems amiss as ATM’s swallow bank card but when pens and other devices containing plastic begins to melt too it seems a little odd. However, we are also introduced to a suspected murder of Lila Ragland and this has a very strong connection to Dwayne.
As we approach the ¼ mark in the novel, the incident is limited at first to small plastic items like pens and bank cards, but pretty soon larger things are being affected like Bea’s dishwasher. So far, we haven’t got much going on other than introducing the characters and the incident, but I can wait to see how the characters will react when all the technology stops working as they rely quite heavily on it especially in the form of AllComs which are laptops, phones and tablets all rolled into one and everyone has one. After a little while, the incident is dubbed the Change and not every character who are scientists understand what is going on as it is impossible for plastics to melt at such low temperatures but that is what they appear to be doing. I was really enjoying the relationships between the characters and I also liked the theories some of the characters were developing about the change especially the industrial espionage theory.
As we cross the ¼ mark in the novel, the Change is spreading to larger items and it seems to be happening all over the world and no one seems too concerned until the technology stops working. This is a problem for Bennett and his company, but it also seems that Nell, their children and the dogs have gone missing as well. As things like computers and the AllComs start dying panic is slowing beginning to creep in and you can feel the character’s panic as they desperately try to maintain some normality as the world begins to fall apart.
As we approach the halfway mark in the novel, panic is spreading throughout the world especially in technologically advanced countries like America where the novel is set. As the ripple effect begins the evil side of panic is showing with violence rising. Those who can afford it are buying alternative to plastics in anything they can and smart people like Jack are trying to find long term solutions. However, this becoming increasingly difficult when the world wide web drops out and any form of communication outside old-fashioned methods is virtually impossible.
As we cross into the second half of the novel, the novel despite the slow start is quite interesting and we see the change spreading and how the host of characters are trying to cope and adapt to it. As the world descends further and further into chaos with no one having a suitable idea about what is causing the change or how to stop it most people are left to their own devices. However, things are going to get worse as most money is kept in banks run by technology which is literally crippling the world. However, there is a small group of people who are moving back to old school technology, for example, using horse and cart instead of cars as only older models of cars can be used anyway.
As we approach the ¾ mark in the novel, I must really commend Edgar as he is the first person to voice the fact that if all plastics are being affected sooner or later the munitions and nukes will be affected too. People seem to be adjusted to life with the change, but violence is on the rise, with fights, stabbings and shootings become a more common occurrence but life goes on babies are born and people move forward. However, there is a lot of speculation about the change, whether it is natural or man-made and whether or not it is an experiment of some sort. I agree with the experiment theory, but this novel doesn’t seem to be about the change itself, it seems to be more about the characters and how the change affects them and their lives.
As we cross into the final section of the novel, nothing seems to be progressing just the world dissolving further and further but nothing external seems to be happening. However, the change seems to be slowing or stopping altogether as it has been 3 to 4 weeks for some since things have dissolved. Life seems to be getting better for the characters, but the escalated violence is still a problem. The ending of this novel leaves an opening for the sequel, but I felt this makes a nice story by itself and could have made better if there was more explanation about the change itself. But I still really enjoyed Drop by Drop.
Buy it here:
Hardcover: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
Kindle Edition: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
I received this review copy from NetGalley
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