REVIEW: H2O (The Rain #1) by Virginia Bergin

H2O (The Rain #1) by Virginia Bergin

Publication Date: October 7, 2014

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire 
Source: ARC received from Publisher at Book Expo America 2014

Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

*This ARC was received from the publisher, but it did not influence this review in any way *

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

They don't believe it at first. Crowded in Zach's kitchen, Ruby and the rest of the partygoers laugh at Zach's parents' frenzied push to get them all inside as it starts to drizzle. But then the radio comes on with the warning, "It's in the rain! It's fatal, it's contagious, and there's no cure."

Two weeks later, Ruby is alone. Anyone who's been touched by rain or washed their hands with tap water is dead. The only drinkable water is quickly running out. Ruby's only chance for survival is a treacherous hike across the country to find her father-if he's even still alive

Ruby is a fifteen-year-old girl that is unlucky enough to experience the apocalypse. Or so that is how it appears. I think Ruby often forgets that she was not the only person in the world to experience the "death rain" and lose everyone she loves. I actually loved the premise of the story in regards to the "death rain" I mean, how scary would that be, right?! And I absolutely loved the character building of many of the side characters, like Simon, Ruby's stepfather. He went from kind of mean and argumentative to straight up loyal and caring. He put his feelings and his well being aside to take care of Ruby. He's the real MVP in this book! He taught her how to THINK so she could survive without him and in the end, thats exactly what she had to do.

I also loved meeting Darius Spratt, or as Ruby calls him, The Spratt. I feel like he was such an important character for Ruby to run into. I think he helps Ruby find a sense of independence and challenges her enough to keep her mind active and "thinking" just as Simon taught her. 

The Princess also seems significant to me but I don't really know why. I think it might have something to do with the fact that she doesn't speak and I have to wonder what it was exactly that happened to her family that left her so traumatized. You know, aside from the whole apocalypse thing. 

I hate to say that the only character I didn't like so much was Ruby. I know that the story is in her POV and if anything that should give me a sense of connection with her, which it did of course! But I also feel like she spent so much time fiddling around with the most ridiculous things. I mean seriously, every time she left the house all she did was raid stores and take designer clothes and makeup. Stop putting on makeup when you can't wash it off! Stop caring about skinny jeans that don't even fit you! Priorities, Ruby! Come on! But aside from her little selfish streak I do believe that Ruby is a good person and I also believe that she has the right intentions. I think in the end of this story Ruby will do what is right. But then again, the apocalypse has strange effects on some people!