(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

In a future hammered by climate change and drought, mountain snows have turned to rain, and rain evaporates before it hits the ground. In a fragmenting United States, the cities of Phoenix and Las Vegas skirmish for a dwindling share of the Colorado River. But it is the Las Vegas water knives - assassins, terrorists and spies - who are legendary for protecting Las Vegas' water supplies, and for ensuring Phoenix's ruin.
When rumours of a game-changing water source surface, Las Vegas dispatches elite water knife Angel Velasquez to Phoenix to investigate. There, he discovers hardened journalist Lucy Monroe, who holds the secret to the water source Angel seeks. But Angel isn't the only one hunting for water, Lucy is no pushover, and the death of a despised water knife is a small price to pay in return for the life-giving flow of a river.

*3.5 stars*

This book admittedly started slowly - not so slowly that I considered giving up, but slow enough to want the action to begin. And once it did, it was an awesome ride!

The premise is interesting. And so very 'now'. A lack of water in the not-so-distant future America provides the backdrop of this dystopian thriller. The world-building is definitely the strong suit in this tale - but it also does the science well. I really did sink into the plot and action very easily and the story telling was top notch.

The issue I had was the dialogue. It seemed to be filled with Deep Meaning and Lessons and What It Was Like Before. That became very irksome after a while and I think did the story-telling no justice.

Definitely a recommended novel, but I would certainly suggest reading The Windup Girl to get a true indication of this authors' skills.


Paul
ARH