Audible Book Review: The Last Drop: The Last Drop, Book 1 by Andrea Perno

This is an engaging fantasy world featuring young adults and aliens as primary characters.
The Last Drop: The Last Drop, Book 1
Written by: Andrea Perno
Narrated by: Austin Rising

Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
Series: The Last Drop, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-05-15
Publisher: Beau Coup LLC
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Jeremy always said Space Academy was Earth's last hope. People only dream of leaving a dying planet in search of better lives. Avery never expected he would be forced to do just that. On the heels of his brother's murder, his father's disappearance, and with Earth's dwindling water supply now contaminated with a deadly virus, Avery and his younger brother have no choice but to leave Earth behind and join the survivors migrating the nearest habitable planet. What they don't know is that the rarity of water extends far beyond Earth, and they aren't the only ones fighting for survival.
©2014 Beau Coup LLC (P)2015 Beau Coup LLC

Review:
In Avery’s world, the population has depleted the water resources on Earth and many are dying. Bathing and even brushing teeth are a thing of the past. Avery is going on eighteen and wants to become a soldier like his older brother, Jeremy. But Jeremy tells him to stay in the space program which is the hope for mankind. Their father is a well-known innovator, turned military leader, and although Avery knows to stay out of his way, he really has no idea of his true nature. Because of their father their family lives within a military base where water is brought in each day and rationed to those on base. Families outside the base have to scavenge and steal water if they can.

Life changes for Avery when Jeremy and their father return from a mission abroad. Jeremy is murdered and their father disappears. A deadly virus has contaminated the water. Avery awakens to discover that he and his younger brother, 12 year-old Jace, have been shipped out in space. They are headed for the planet, Panacea, where their commander, General Smith, plans to take the community and water supply away from the native people.

As Avery begins to train as a soldier he meets an angry young woman who can probably beat most of the soldiers, in street smarts and speed, if not by strength. Clesandra aligns herself with Avery and another of his few friends, Sheol. Once they land on the planet Smith isn’t convinced he can trust these three and a few others. He puts them to a test which results in leaving Avery, Clesandra, Sheol and a handful of abused natives beyond the walls of the research/military compound. Sheol and one of the natives, whom he has named Zap, have already developed a friendship as they curiously watched each other through a window. Avery and his friends only survive with the help of Zap and her friends. But can any of them survive Smith’s determination to eliminate those who don’t side with him and eliminate any competition for the water?

This is a well-crafted plot and the characters have good depth. The story is told in first person from Avery's view with a full range of emotions. I enjoyed the creative elements of Clesandra’s special weapon, the Panacea world and the skills and unique features of the Panacea natives. The survival aspects and value conflicts are also interesting. Although I was engaged by the story, it didn’t wrap me up. Perhaps it is the YA element which doesn’t always pull me in but would certainly pull in many readers younger than me. I do recommend the story to those who like sci fi (alien) fantasy that edges on dystopia. 

Audio Notes: Austin Rising did a very good job with the narration. The presentation suits the youth and impetuousness of Avery but Austin also provides unique voices to suit the other characters. The narration added to the emotional intensity of the story and made the YA emphasis easier for me. I don’t think a print/ebook would have flowed as well for my enjoyment so I am glad that I received this in audio.

I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. It qualifies for my Audio Challenge.