As catastrophic climate changes ravage Earth, water becomes a highly sought-after commodity. Only two regions on the planet are blessed with eternal rain, while the rest suffers from drought. These phenomena fundamentally change the economic and geopolitical reality, revamping cultural norms, traditions, and ways of living. Gregory Greunke's The Water Carriers is a work of speculative fiction that explores this premise through the eyes of characters such as Kasemchai, heir to one of the two families that control water distribution around the world; Liv, a young woman from the Netherlands working on solar panels for tanker ships; and Makoa, an ordinary man trying to provide for his family while coping with the changes in the world.

I could feel the level of care and attention Greunke has put into the worldbuilding on every page. The story paints a vivid picture of what a water-scarce world might look like through factors such as migrations, the new political landscape, and changes in architecture and traditions. The characters are interesting and have complex dynamics, especially Kasemchai and his relationship with his family. I also enjoyed the depiction of how virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and other technologies are integrated into society; in particular, the author's vision of AI services, their infrastructure, and the businesses around them is intriguing and unique. Overall, The Water Carriers is a thought-provoking book that kept me wondering about possibilities for the future of humanity and should appeal to readers interested in post-apocalyptic scenarios that focus on the world following a reconstruction.

The Water Carriers by Gregory Greunke is a captivating novel that shows a world drastically altered by climate change, making water the most valuable item. It shows two prominent water families—the Sengs and Labonnes—and their efforts to preserve their families' empires as climate change altered the water cycle, leaving only two regions remaining with the most rainfall. At the heart of the narrative is Kasemchai Seng, a leader in the Seng water empire, and Angélique Labonne, the daughter of the Labonne family. While they struggle to fulfill their personal and professional aspirations, they also seek to revolutionize the shipping industry by introducing a battery-powered solution for tanker ships, which could threaten the balance of power between the two families.

One aspect I love about this book is how detailed Gregory Greunke is in his writing. His descriptions of scenes, characters, surroundings, and roles brought the narrative to life. The technical aspects of the battery technology, AI assistance, and shipping logistics were well-researched and were fused quite naturally with the narrative without interfering with the pacing or the human drama. Makoa's story was relatable and gave a more balanced and relatable approach. The Water Carriers is both an engaging and cautionary read; I felt it was encouraging me to reflect on the real-world implications of climate change and resource control. This is a thought-provoking and highly engaging story. I recommend it to fans of books with technology, business, and environmental themes. Fans of character-driven stories will enjoy it too.