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The Water Takes
AN UNIMAGINABLE APOCALYPSE.
A SCARED YOUNG GIRL.
A STUBBORN OLD WOMAN.
BUT WITHOUT EACH OTHER, NEITHER WILL SURVIVE.
Pam is in her mid-seventies, widowed and hiding from the world behind a caustic sense of humour. Her health is declining, and she’s afraid of dying alone, but her most pressing concern is complaining to the council about her waterlogged garden.
When Pam’s ten-year-old neighbour, Charlotte, is foisted upon her, a tentative friendship begins to unfurl, cracking open Pam’s hard exterior.
But the puddles in the garden become pools, and then sinkholes. Nowhere seems safe. With no help coming, Pam and Charlotte can only shelter in place for so long – eventually, they know they must attempt to navigate a catastrophically altered world.
The Water Takes is a work of astonishing literary imagination with the urgent page-turning propulsion of a thriller. Full of surprises and revelations, with a sense of humanity that is never clichéd or sentimental, The Water Takes will make you laugh and cry – and it will stay with you forever.
A SCARED YOUNG GIRL.
A STUBBORN OLD WOMAN.
BUT WITHOUT EACH OTHER, NEITHER WILL SURVIVE.
Pam is in her mid-seventies, widowed and hiding from the world behind a caustic sense of humour. Her health is declining, and she’s afraid of dying alone, but her most pressing concern is complaining to the council about her waterlogged garden.
When Pam’s ten-year-old neighbour, Charlotte, is foisted upon her, a tentative friendship begins to unfurl, cracking open Pam’s hard exterior.
But the puddles in the garden become pools, and then sinkholes. Nowhere seems safe. With no help coming, Pam and Charlotte can only shelter in place for so long – eventually, they know they must attempt to navigate a catastrophically altered world.
The Water Takes is a work of astonishing literary imagination with the urgent page-turning propulsion of a thriller. Full of surprises and revelations, with a sense of humanity that is never clichéd or sentimental, The Water Takes will make you laugh and cry – and it will stay with you forever.
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Published March 30, 2026
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April 1, 2026
Oh I loved this book so much
I loved everything about it! The characters, the apocalyptic setting, the story, EVERYTHING.
Once I picked this book up it had a hold on me, Pam had a hold on me. I don’t want to spoil anything but the way things were handled in this book thrilled me. The author says so much by not saying much at all. It’s clear Walker has great faith in her readers and it makes for a wonderfully complex story telling ability.
The prose was flawless and the character of Pam will stay with me long after I have forgotten the plot.
A new favourite author maybe? What a way to kick off Aussie April ❤️
Thank you to the publisher for sending this book my way
I loved everything about it! The characters, the apocalyptic setting, the story, EVERYTHING.
Once I picked this book up it had a hold on me, Pam had a hold on me. I don’t want to spoil anything but the way things were handled in this book thrilled me. The author says so much by not saying much at all. It’s clear Walker has great faith in her readers and it makes for a wonderfully complex story telling ability.
The prose was flawless and the character of Pam will stay with me long after I have forgotten the plot.
A new favourite author maybe? What a way to kick off Aussie April ❤️
Thank you to the publisher for sending this book my way
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster & Sarah Walker for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 2.5 stars.
Genre(s): horror, thriller.
Date read: 20/03/2026-21/03/2026 (2 days).
Overall impression: I wanted to love this more but the blurb promised a survival story where the main characters would be active participants trying to move around and escape the apocalyptic area, and the book delivered something a lot less interesting. Pam was the adult that was supposed to keep Charlotte safe, but she spent the entire book wanting to return home where there was no supplies or hope for survival, and would complain if Charlotte wanted to go find food, water, shelter and other survivors. I could understand how her history impacted her trust with others, but she went through no character growth and was just as mulish by the last page as she was on the first page. The conclusion was open-ended and unsatisfying. Nothing really happened plot-wise, so the entire story felt pointless.
Tropes:
➵ Apocalypse
➵ Natural disaster
➵ Not your typical heroes
➵ Survivalism
➵ Open-ended conclusion
⤷ Plot
The story started off showing life in a typical Australian town (it was unclear if it was regional or metropolitan based on the description). But very quickly, we could see a hint that something wasn't quite right about the world. Pot holes were appearing everywhere and seemed to be bottomless, and the ground was getting increasingly wet. The rest of the book was a survivalist novel with very little human interaction. Pam and Charlotte were trying to find a way out - Pam by staying put and knowing that supplies would eventually run out and she would die in her house, and Charlotte by looking for supplies and other survivors, hopefully those with a plan to escape their doomed town. It had an open-ended conclusion, which I found to be really unsatisfying. We had no answers by the end, which took a way a lot of enjoyment from the story.
⤷ Characters:
I liked the contrast between Pam and Charlotte. Pam was older, less mobile and was set in her ways. Charlotte was younger, wanted to travel to find food and survivors, and relied on adults for guidance.
Pam was very heartless at times - beyond what I would expect for her grumpy old lady persona. She mocked Charlotte for wanting to have a funeral for her parents who had presumably died, and never once tried to comfort her or apologise. She told Charlotte that she had no faith in her parents and they would be ashamed for her giving up on them so easily, even though it was clear to adult readers that they would not be coming back. This sort of cruelty made her character really hard to read and relate to. I wanted her to have some form of character development or redemption arc but she was just as insufferable by the last page, which was frustrating.
⤷ World-building:
The lack of world-building really bothered me. We don't need all of the answers in a speculative fiction/apocalyptic novel. But the characters didn't even begin to speculate what might be causing the accumulation of water and sink holes. You'd think that they would have asked the question of each other at least once...especially since it took their families and changed their lives fundamentally, but they didn't and it was a missed opportunity.
⤷ Writing:
The writing style was difficult for me to get used to. Each sentence was a short, sharp statement without a pronoun at the start. I.e. "Went back to the chemist..." instead of "I went back to the chemist". I know it's a small thing, but it happened so often that I found it really jarring. It made the book feel less sophisticated/polished and I wouldn't go out of my way to pick up another book by the author again.
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Rating: 2.5 stars.
Genre(s): horror, thriller.
Date read: 20/03/2026-21/03/2026 (2 days).
Overall impression: I wanted to love this more but the blurb promised a survival story where the main characters would be active participants trying to move around and escape the apocalyptic area, and the book delivered something a lot less interesting. Pam was the adult that was supposed to keep Charlotte safe, but she spent the entire book wanting to return home where there was no supplies or hope for survival, and would complain if Charlotte wanted to go find food, water, shelter and other survivors. I could understand how her history impacted her trust with others, but she went through no character growth and was just as mulish by the last page as she was on the first page. The conclusion was open-ended and unsatisfying. Nothing really happened plot-wise, so the entire story felt pointless.
Tropes:
➵ Apocalypse
➵ Natural disaster
➵ Not your typical heroes
➵ Survivalism
➵ Open-ended conclusion
⤷ Plot
The story started off showing life in a typical Australian town (it was unclear if it was regional or metropolitan based on the description). But very quickly, we could see a hint that something wasn't quite right about the world. Pot holes were appearing everywhere and seemed to be bottomless, and the ground was getting increasingly wet. The rest of the book was a survivalist novel with very little human interaction. Pam and Charlotte were trying to find a way out - Pam by staying put and knowing that supplies would eventually run out and she would die in her house, and Charlotte by looking for supplies and other survivors, hopefully those with a plan to escape their doomed town. It had an open-ended conclusion, which I found to be really unsatisfying. We had no answers by the end, which took a way a lot of enjoyment from the story.
⤷ Characters:
I liked the contrast between Pam and Charlotte. Pam was older, less mobile and was set in her ways. Charlotte was younger, wanted to travel to find food and survivors, and relied on adults for guidance.
Pam was very heartless at times - beyond what I would expect for her grumpy old lady persona. She mocked Charlotte for wanting to have a funeral for her parents who had presumably died, and never once tried to comfort her or apologise. She told Charlotte that she had no faith in her parents and they would be ashamed for her giving up on them so easily, even though it was clear to adult readers that they would not be coming back. This sort of cruelty made her character really hard to read and relate to. I wanted her to have some form of character development or redemption arc but she was just as insufferable by the last page, which was frustrating.
⤷ World-building:
The lack of world-building really bothered me. We don't need all of the answers in a speculative fiction/apocalyptic novel. But the characters didn't even begin to speculate what might be causing the accumulation of water and sink holes. You'd think that they would have asked the question of each other at least once...especially since it took their families and changed their lives fundamentally, but they didn't and it was a missed opportunity.
⤷ Writing:
The writing style was difficult for me to get used to. Each sentence was a short, sharp statement without a pronoun at the start. I.e. "Went back to the chemist..." instead of "I went back to the chemist". I know it's a small thing, but it happened so often that I found it really jarring. It made the book feel less sophisticated/polished and I wouldn't go out of my way to pick up another book by the author again.
Social Media Links:
Instagram | TikTok | Threads
Follow for reviews, unboxings and book aesthetic videos.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I'm teetering between 3.5 and 4 stars here, I wish we could give half stars.
The world is being swallowed up by water. Puddles turn into pools and then sinkholes. Pam, a grumpy old woman teams up with Charlotte, a young girl, to survive in this apocalyptic story.
We never learn exactly how or why the apocalypse is caused. It's not really the point of the story but for those who like their dystopian/apocalyptic worlds fleshed out more, this might be disappointing or just bemusing and may make the book feel pointless or as if the premise is just too convenient. While I appreciate that most of the characters are just surviving (and for the main couple involved, that's the main game) you'd think someone along the way would ask why this is happening, what can we do about it, what does it mean? Because let's face it, it's weird.
This would also bring in further complications (but that's probably not what the author wanted) but they'd be very real. Possible religious loonies, conspiracy theorists, climate experts, government intervention, people wanting more power because they imagine they are "right".
However there is not much on how we got there. I appreciate the author seemed to want to focus on relationships. The world building focuses on the immediate description of the world, which is simple, imaginative and evocative.
The book is much more about the characters and their relationships. We get a lot of background about Pam and her late husband, Tomas, and this reveals to us more about Pam's mindset. She's a grumpy and suspicious woman, contrasting with Charlotte's trustworthy nature. Whose attitude will be more effective in the apocalypse?
The apocalyptic situation is original, though it does bring up age-old problems such as illness, food supply and distrust of other humans.
There were some interesting problems that were credibly and compellingly described, then solved by the couple, for instance in how to obtain food.
Pam was well-characterised and there were a range of authentic and understandable emotions - happiness, irritation, anger, apathy, sadness. The background she's given helps to build this. There are times when she doesn't work with Charlotte as well as she could but her character is built up for that.
Charlotte, on the other hand, I felt was not as well built up. Was she supposed to be an enigma? There were hints of her special abilities. I felt though that it as more that she fell flat at times. It seemed that she was supposed to be charming but I felt that she too could be irritating however we didn't get as much insight into her to really feel for her and excuse her. Instead there was supposed to be the idea that you just brushed it off "because she's a kid and kids make mistakes".
I would have preferred to get to know her better. Kids are not just a stereotypes "kid template" - they are all different.
Strengths of the story were the good descriptions of the apocalyptic environment and the descriptions, the characterisation of Pam and the focus on Pam and Charlotte. The story did not go chasing after irrelevant plots and lose focus. It didn't get boring. The problems felt very authentic. There was a nice range of emotions shown.
Weaknesses: I wasn't convinced about/interested in the interactions with other people outside Pam and Charlotte, these scenes felt pretty bland. There weren't many so it wasn't a big deal. Background to the apocalypse could have added more meaning to the story (but as mentioned above, it seemed like a deliberate choice of the author to remove this to remove complications and not lose focus). I felt Charlotte was not as well developed a character as Pam. But mainly, I felt that the growth of Pam's and Charlotte's relationship didn't really take off and as the story really hinged on their relationship needed to be deepened and to grow more to be truly satisfying.
The world is being swallowed up by water. Puddles turn into pools and then sinkholes. Pam, a grumpy old woman teams up with Charlotte, a young girl, to survive in this apocalyptic story.
We never learn exactly how or why the apocalypse is caused. It's not really the point of the story but for those who like their dystopian/apocalyptic worlds fleshed out more, this might be disappointing or just bemusing and may make the book feel pointless or as if the premise is just too convenient. While I appreciate that most of the characters are just surviving (and for the main couple involved, that's the main game) you'd think someone along the way would ask why this is happening, what can we do about it, what does it mean? Because let's face it, it's weird.
This would also bring in further complications (but that's probably not what the author wanted) but they'd be very real. Possible religious loonies, conspiracy theorists, climate experts, government intervention, people wanting more power because they imagine they are "right".
However there is not much on how we got there. I appreciate the author seemed to want to focus on relationships. The world building focuses on the immediate description of the world, which is simple, imaginative and evocative.
The book is much more about the characters and their relationships. We get a lot of background about Pam and her late husband, Tomas, and this reveals to us more about Pam's mindset. She's a grumpy and suspicious woman, contrasting with Charlotte's trustworthy nature. Whose attitude will be more effective in the apocalypse?
The apocalyptic situation is original, though it does bring up age-old problems such as illness, food supply and distrust of other humans.
There were some interesting problems that were credibly and compellingly described, then solved by the couple, for instance in how to obtain food.
Pam was well-characterised and there were a range of authentic and understandable emotions - happiness, irritation, anger, apathy, sadness. The background she's given helps to build this. There are times when she doesn't work with Charlotte as well as she could but her character is built up for that.
Charlotte, on the other hand, I felt was not as well built up. Was she supposed to be an enigma? There were hints of her special abilities. I felt though that it as more that she fell flat at times. It seemed that she was supposed to be charming but I felt that she too could be irritating however we didn't get as much insight into her to really feel for her and excuse her. Instead there was supposed to be the idea that you just brushed it off "because she's a kid and kids make mistakes".
I would have preferred to get to know her better. Kids are not just a stereotypes "kid template" - they are all different.
Strengths of the story were the good descriptions of the apocalyptic environment and the descriptions, the characterisation of Pam and the focus on Pam and Charlotte. The story did not go chasing after irrelevant plots and lose focus. It didn't get boring. The problems felt very authentic. There was a nice range of emotions shown.
Weaknesses: I wasn't convinced about/interested in the interactions with other people outside Pam and Charlotte, these scenes felt pretty bland. There weren't many so it wasn't a big deal. Background to the apocalypse could have added more meaning to the story (but as mentioned above, it seemed like a deliberate choice of the author to remove this to remove complications and not lose focus). I felt Charlotte was not as well developed a character as Pam. But mainly, I felt that the growth of Pam's and Charlotte's relationship didn't really take off and as the story really hinged on their relationship needed to be deepened and to grow more to be truly satisfying.
March 31, 2026
Complex and compelling, The Water Takes is so poetic and raw.
Told in the first person through Pam's POV, the story is deeply atmospheric and sad. Pam's struggles and trauma are front and centre throughout the story, along with her surely grumpy old woman attitude. Her fear is the most pressing when the events start becoming catastrophic. Not just at what is happening but with her tenuous relationship with Charlotte and the circumstances and her health which are pushing them in different directions. Charlotte's frustration and deep sadness is so tangible in needing to do and not stay stagnant as Pam wishes. Both guide each other, Pam with her varied history and Charlotte with her bravery and youth.
The book is about the apocalypse, but it is the relationship between Pam and Charlotte that drives the narrative. The story is about humanity at the centre of it all, the need for each other, attachment and in the end letting go. But beneath that was also the want for understanding, carefulness in an unforgiving world and the want to impart the necessary tools to keep the other safe, even if through the most obscure ways.
I really enjoyed the way this was told. The drowning of the world had a very mysterious quality about it and nothing was given away as to why help was absent or why it even had a supernatural tendency towards the end. This was because the apocalypse was the tool that influenced Pam and Charlotte's relationship rather than the actual story. Its mystery rather added to the fear of the situation leaving the reader in the same position as the characters. It was the perfect backdrop to impart so much meaning, especially about the human condition. I felt very strongly for both Pam and Charlotte and their differing circumstances and emotions. Seeing the story through Pam was a perfect way to tell the story. The reader could see that Pam understood what Charlotte wanted and needed despite her refusal at times to give Charlotte what she was asking. And this just made the story that much more sad.
I really enjoy stories like these. It was just really sad and it has been living rent free in my mind for a while now. I'm still dismantling all the pieces.
Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia and Sarah Walker for providing me with an early paperback copy for my honest review.
Told in the first person through Pam's POV, the story is deeply atmospheric and sad. Pam's struggles and trauma are front and centre throughout the story, along with her surely grumpy old woman attitude. Her fear is the most pressing when the events start becoming catastrophic. Not just at what is happening but with her tenuous relationship with Charlotte and the circumstances and her health which are pushing them in different directions. Charlotte's frustration and deep sadness is so tangible in needing to do and not stay stagnant as Pam wishes. Both guide each other, Pam with her varied history and Charlotte with her bravery and youth.
The book is about the apocalypse, but it is the relationship between Pam and Charlotte that drives the narrative. The story is about humanity at the centre of it all, the need for each other, attachment and in the end letting go. But beneath that was also the want for understanding, carefulness in an unforgiving world and the want to impart the necessary tools to keep the other safe, even if through the most obscure ways.
I really enjoyed the way this was told. The drowning of the world had a very mysterious quality about it and nothing was given away as to why help was absent or why it even had a supernatural tendency towards the end. This was because the apocalypse was the tool that influenced Pam and Charlotte's relationship rather than the actual story. Its mystery rather added to the fear of the situation leaving the reader in the same position as the characters. It was the perfect backdrop to impart so much meaning, especially about the human condition. I felt very strongly for both Pam and Charlotte and their differing circumstances and emotions. Seeing the story through Pam was a perfect way to tell the story. The reader could see that Pam understood what Charlotte wanted and needed despite her refusal at times to give Charlotte what she was asking. And this just made the story that much more sad.
I really enjoy stories like these. It was just really sad and it has been living rent free in my mind for a while now. I'm still dismantling all the pieces.
Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia and Sarah Walker for providing me with an early paperback copy for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow Wow Wow.
Another book that has surprised me in the best way.
I don't normally read dystopian themed books, but this was a really good read.
Pam is in her 70's, she seems very sad, grumpy with the world, almost defeated, but oh so stubborn. All to be expected after her husband suddenly dies.
She can't be bothered with the grief groups, has no time for anything like that.
Her life was not meant to be this way!
Charlotte (Charlie) is young (11), vibrant and chatty, (everything Pam is not it seems) and used to live next door.
They notice the puddles are getting bigger, and then one day Pam goes to the supermarket and there is a big hole out the front of it, soon they are everywhere.
When Pam goes to ring the local council, nobody answers....anywhere.
And then Charlie's house just disappears.
Charlie is now in the care of Pam,
whilst Pam is seemingly unaware of the needs of young Charlie and herself, Charlie seems far more adept at realising what is happening.
Knowing they need to move, find other people, food, & safety. Charlotte is beyond her years, Pam on the other hand is lost in her grief and anger.
I found this to be a really brave, and scary read.
A book about love, grief, with climate change tones, and an apocalyptic sense.
There are moments of laughter slotted in, mainly in regards to Pam & her thoughts about people in general.
Most surprising is the horror of what this author describes, I found myself ready to prepare a doomsday safe house! 😅
Seriously! This little reader might need to start taste testing canned food!
Sinkholes are becoming more & more regular it seems, and this is essentially what this book covers.
How would we as a society deal with it?
How would you cope?
A very smart debut book by another talented Aussie author!
This is definitely one to add to your tbr.
Big thanks to the team @simonandschuster & @netgalley for my ebook copy.
Another book that has surprised me in the best way.
I don't normally read dystopian themed books, but this was a really good read.
Pam is in her 70's, she seems very sad, grumpy with the world, almost defeated, but oh so stubborn. All to be expected after her husband suddenly dies.
She can't be bothered with the grief groups, has no time for anything like that.
Her life was not meant to be this way!
Charlotte (Charlie) is young (11), vibrant and chatty, (everything Pam is not it seems) and used to live next door.
They notice the puddles are getting bigger, and then one day Pam goes to the supermarket and there is a big hole out the front of it, soon they are everywhere.
When Pam goes to ring the local council, nobody answers....anywhere.
And then Charlie's house just disappears.
Charlie is now in the care of Pam,
whilst Pam is seemingly unaware of the needs of young Charlie and herself, Charlie seems far more adept at realising what is happening.
Knowing they need to move, find other people, food, & safety. Charlotte is beyond her years, Pam on the other hand is lost in her grief and anger.
I found this to be a really brave, and scary read.
A book about love, grief, with climate change tones, and an apocalyptic sense.
There are moments of laughter slotted in, mainly in regards to Pam & her thoughts about people in general.
Most surprising is the horror of what this author describes, I found myself ready to prepare a doomsday safe house! 😅
Seriously! This little reader might need to start taste testing canned food!
Sinkholes are becoming more & more regular it seems, and this is essentially what this book covers.
How would we as a society deal with it?
How would you cope?
A very smart debut book by another talented Aussie author!
This is definitely one to add to your tbr.
Big thanks to the team @simonandschuster & @netgalley for my ebook copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The water takes and does not give. Interesting premise, really enjoyed the author's writing style.
Pam a widow who's slowly disintegrating cognitively and her biggest battle is that her garden is waterlogged.
Her neighbor Charlotte is a young girl who is sometimes dropped off at Pam's to babysit, she's absolutely adored by her parents.
A sink hole begins to open up at the supermarket and not before long more and more appear, Charlotte and Pam stick together in a time where their world is changing before their eyes.
Straight from the first chapter I knew I was in for a good read. Sarah knows how to write human emotions and how thoughts appear in the human mind beautifully. Pam's mental decline really hit close to home as I've got family members who are slowly losing cognitive abilities and get frazzled over little things and the writing style really highlights the inner thoughts with the train of thoughts changing as someone who is older begins to forget why they've gone out to the supermarket as such.
Charlotte, she's just a kid and it's truly shown when faced with an apocalyptic world especially when she has to stick with Pam and try to save her. By the end of the book it's rather sad that she's forced to have to grow up and face the world as a child but making the hard decisions of an adult.
I also really enjoyed the world and concept of the water as I thought it was a nice twist on a apocalyptic world. However the ending did confuse me a little and I'm still unsure with what truly happened.
This story encapsulates the highs and lows of humanity and emphasizes the grief, anger and fear that we feel and how we come to terms with it. It's a great debut book.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for an advance physical copy to read!
Pam a widow who's slowly disintegrating cognitively and her biggest battle is that her garden is waterlogged.
Her neighbor Charlotte is a young girl who is sometimes dropped off at Pam's to babysit, she's absolutely adored by her parents.
A sink hole begins to open up at the supermarket and not before long more and more appear, Charlotte and Pam stick together in a time where their world is changing before their eyes.
Straight from the first chapter I knew I was in for a good read. Sarah knows how to write human emotions and how thoughts appear in the human mind beautifully. Pam's mental decline really hit close to home as I've got family members who are slowly losing cognitive abilities and get frazzled over little things and the writing style really highlights the inner thoughts with the train of thoughts changing as someone who is older begins to forget why they've gone out to the supermarket as such.
Charlotte, she's just a kid and it's truly shown when faced with an apocalyptic world especially when she has to stick with Pam and try to save her. By the end of the book it's rather sad that she's forced to have to grow up and face the world as a child but making the hard decisions of an adult.
I also really enjoyed the world and concept of the water as I thought it was a nice twist on a apocalyptic world. However the ending did confuse me a little and I'm still unsure with what truly happened.
This story encapsulates the highs and lows of humanity and emphasizes the grief, anger and fear that we feel and how we come to terms with it. It's a great debut book.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for an advance physical copy to read!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Water Takes is the first novel by award-winning Australian photographer, fine artist and author, Sarah Walker. Throw together a seventy-six-year-old widow, a suddenly orphaned and clearly grieving ten-year-old girl, a wholly unpredictable natural disaster (whose cause might lie with land development and climate change), the supply of essential utilities failed, and an absence of the expected, organised assistance usually provided by civil authorities, and you have Sarah Walker’s compelling, thought-provoking debut novel, The Water Takes.
Her older protagonist’s grudging care, grumpy attitude, frequent lack of kindness, and unvoiced fears will strike a chord with readers of a certain vintage, while her resilient and resourceful young charge shows an intelligence and compassion beyond her years, evidencing her well-balanced upbringing.
Walker gives the reader some marvellous descriptive prose: “the pain was so great that I fell down the stairs of myself, into sound so loud it was quiet” and “she felt somehow astonished by him, by the fact of him, and the fact of her life having cracked open to allow him in. Once they had moved back, they never tried much to make more friends, content with the fact of each other” are examples.
The premise is certainly credible, even with the hint of paranormal; given the old lady’s history and character, the ending seems inevitable, although it may not satisfy every reader. Highly recommended.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley, Good Reading Magazine, and Simon & Schuster Australia.
Her older protagonist’s grudging care, grumpy attitude, frequent lack of kindness, and unvoiced fears will strike a chord with readers of a certain vintage, while her resilient and resourceful young charge shows an intelligence and compassion beyond her years, evidencing her well-balanced upbringing.
Walker gives the reader some marvellous descriptive prose: “the pain was so great that I fell down the stairs of myself, into sound so loud it was quiet” and “she felt somehow astonished by him, by the fact of him, and the fact of her life having cracked open to allow him in. Once they had moved back, they never tried much to make more friends, content with the fact of each other” are examples.
The premise is certainly credible, even with the hint of paranormal; given the old lady’s history and character, the ending seems inevitable, although it may not satisfy every reader. Highly recommended.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley, Good Reading Magazine, and Simon & Schuster Australia.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Australia is a land of climatic extremes, and Ms Walker takes the impacts of flooding to new depths. Picture a small Australian town where Pam, a widowed elderly woman in her mid-seventies, lives. Pam has been alone for a while, but her barriers are infiltrated by her neighbours, whose ten-year-old, Charlotte starts spending time with her.
And then it becomes clear that Pam’s waterlogged garden is a symptom of a much worse catastrophe. Sinkholes appear around the town: people and their homes disappear, including Charlotte’s home and parents. Pam takes responsibility for Charlotte but how do you survive in a world becoming more waterlogged each day? Where do you find food and potable water?
I started reading and kept stopping to think. ‘What if?’ kept running through my mind. Together with ‘How?’. I admired Charlotte’s resourcefulness and vulnerability. I also admired Pam’s no-nonsense approach. I read on, wondering what might happen next and dreading how it might end. Yes, this is the type of story that can have you laughing and then crying.
A brilliant debut novel.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
And then it becomes clear that Pam’s waterlogged garden is a symptom of a much worse catastrophe. Sinkholes appear around the town: people and their homes disappear, including Charlotte’s home and parents. Pam takes responsibility for Charlotte but how do you survive in a world becoming more waterlogged each day? Where do you find food and potable water?
I started reading and kept stopping to think. ‘What if?’ kept running through my mind. Together with ‘How?’. I admired Charlotte’s resourcefulness and vulnerability. I also admired Pam’s no-nonsense approach. I read on, wondering what might happen next and dreading how it might end. Yes, this is the type of story that can have you laughing and then crying.
A brilliant debut novel.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Review of advance copy
Thankyou to Goodreading Magazine and the publisher for an ARC to review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
‘The Water Takes’ completely pulled me in! Sarah Walker’s writing is beautiful, atmospheric and immersive, giving the story a heavy, haunting feeling that stayed with me. It felt quietly devastating but also deeply human and I found myself thinking about it even when I was not reading. The eerie, strange dystopian world felt vivid and unsettling, creating a sense that something was never quite right, yet also strangely familiar.
Pam was a standout character for me – sharp, stubborn, complex and at times unexpectedly funny. I really loved how Charlotte was vulnerable yet resilient and I especially loved the relationship that grew between them. Their connection gave the story so much heart and watching their bond develop in such a bleak and unsettling world was one of the most powerful parts of the book. It felt tender, raw and deeply real.
What I loved most was that beneath the survival story this book tells of grief, resilience and human connection. It left me emotional, unsettled and fully absorbed and had me thinking about the future and the world we live in now. This was such a memorable read for me, haunting and beautifully written with so much heart and mystery.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
‘The Water Takes’ completely pulled me in! Sarah Walker’s writing is beautiful, atmospheric and immersive, giving the story a heavy, haunting feeling that stayed with me. It felt quietly devastating but also deeply human and I found myself thinking about it even when I was not reading. The eerie, strange dystopian world felt vivid and unsettling, creating a sense that something was never quite right, yet also strangely familiar.
Pam was a standout character for me – sharp, stubborn, complex and at times unexpectedly funny. I really loved how Charlotte was vulnerable yet resilient and I especially loved the relationship that grew between them. Their connection gave the story so much heart and watching their bond develop in such a bleak and unsettling world was one of the most powerful parts of the book. It felt tender, raw and deeply real.
What I loved most was that beneath the survival story this book tells of grief, resilience and human connection. It left me emotional, unsettled and fully absorbed and had me thinking about the future and the world we live in now. This was such a memorable read for me, haunting and beautifully written with so much heart and mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Where do I begin? This book really took me by surprise. Part thriller, part lit fic, part horror? It’s genre bending in the best way. The story follows Pam (widowed, seventy, utter grump of an old lady) and Charlotte (10 years old and incredibly precocious) as they navigate a suddenly catastrophic event.
I was gripped from the first page. The mother in me was terrified and panicked, the doomsday prepper in me had me planning my “survive an apocalypse fitness routine” and writing a grocery list consisting of entirely tinned foods that are not chickpeas. I found myself furiously reading each page, frantic to figure out what was going on.
Sarah writes with such wit and depth, and I was really impressed with the expressiveness of the story. It threw me a bit in the end, and left me with more questions than answers BUT I think that’s the genius of this book. Was it real? Did it happen? Are we all just delusional? Who knows!
I gave this a solid 4.5 stars, and I really recommend you add it to your TBR. Thanks to Simon & Schuster Aus and Netgalley for the advance copy.
Where do I begin? This book really took me by surprise. Part thriller, part lit fic, part horror? It’s genre bending in the best way. The story follows Pam (widowed, seventy, utter grump of an old lady) and Charlotte (10 years old and incredibly precocious) as they navigate a suddenly catastrophic event.
I was gripped from the first page. The mother in me was terrified and panicked, the doomsday prepper in me had me planning my “survive an apocalypse fitness routine” and writing a grocery list consisting of entirely tinned foods that are not chickpeas. I found myself furiously reading each page, frantic to figure out what was going on.
Sarah writes with such wit and depth, and I was really impressed with the expressiveness of the story. It threw me a bit in the end, and left me with more questions than answers BUT I think that’s the genius of this book. Was it real? Did it happen? Are we all just delusional? Who knows!
I gave this a solid 4.5 stars, and I really recommend you add it to your TBR. Thanks to Simon & Schuster Aus and Netgalley for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Fever Dream.
That's what I feel like I just came out of.
Sink holes are taking houses, shops and people. Charlotte's whole life has disappeared, and she is 'stuck' with Pam, an elderly (slightly negative and stubborn) next door neighbour. They survive on what little food they can find and the hope that an answer will appear. But when things become desperate, Charlotte insists they go down to the river where other survivors have made camp. Surely someone will know what is going on and a way out.
But, as with all disaster, dystopian narratives, things aren't that easy and Pam and Charlotte have a hard decision to make. Do they stay or go back and try to make it on their own.
Whilst I was engaged and invested in the plot of this book, there just wasn't enough redemption or hope for me. I know that is a premise for apocalyptic texts, and this certainly had a 'The Road' kind of vibe, but I just didn't feel like I had any idea what was going on or whether there was a way out.
Maybe that was the point.
That's what I feel like I just came out of.
Sink holes are taking houses, shops and people. Charlotte's whole life has disappeared, and she is 'stuck' with Pam, an elderly (slightly negative and stubborn) next door neighbour. They survive on what little food they can find and the hope that an answer will appear. But when things become desperate, Charlotte insists they go down to the river where other survivors have made camp. Surely someone will know what is going on and a way out.
But, as with all disaster, dystopian narratives, things aren't that easy and Pam and Charlotte have a hard decision to make. Do they stay or go back and try to make it on their own.
Whilst I was engaged and invested in the plot of this book, there just wasn't enough redemption or hope for me. I know that is a premise for apocalyptic texts, and this certainly had a 'The Road' kind of vibe, but I just didn't feel like I had any idea what was going on or whether there was a way out.
Maybe that was the point.
March 13, 2026
My review of The Water Takes by Sarah Walker.
Firstly, I would have purchased this book purely for its cover. Just an amazing depiction of the words within.
I loved the dystopian, suspense, thriller ambiance within the written word. The imagination of Sarah Walker, on paper, is intoxicating.
I fell in love with old Pam and 10 year old Charlotte and how Pam thought she was protecting Charlotte, but really Pam was using her as a safe haven. Better in company right?
The surprises of living in an altered world and survival instincts that can see the demise, or valour of the recipients, had me flipping the pages to get the outcome of each event.
I found the novel well written, taking the reader on a journey of 'what would I do here' and hoping that young and old will concur with the catastrophic changes they endured.
A thriller, imaginative, at times overwhelming story that will capture your heart. 5 stars
Firstly, I would have purchased this book purely for its cover. Just an amazing depiction of the words within.
I loved the dystopian, suspense, thriller ambiance within the written word. The imagination of Sarah Walker, on paper, is intoxicating.
I fell in love with old Pam and 10 year old Charlotte and how Pam thought she was protecting Charlotte, but really Pam was using her as a safe haven. Better in company right?
The surprises of living in an altered world and survival instincts that can see the demise, or valour of the recipients, had me flipping the pages to get the outcome of each event.
I found the novel well written, taking the reader on a journey of 'what would I do here' and hoping that young and old will concur with the catastrophic changes they endured.
A thriller, imaginative, at times overwhelming story that will capture your heart. 5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I don’t often read dystopian novels, but something about this one piqued my interest. It tells the story of an elderly lady, Pam, and her ten year old neighbour, Charlotte, who are thrown together by circumstance, and must navigate their changing world together.
As the world Pam and Charlotte knew is gradually swallowed, they both need to find a way to survive their new reality. Pam’s age and experience, and Charlotte’s youth and fitness, mean they are reasonably well equipped to survive. They work together to make the best of their opportunities.
I did find Pam’s character annoying at times. She didn’t always deal well with Charlotte or other characters, but that aside, this was an interesting and absorbing book.
Thanks to Good Reading and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book.
As the world Pam and Charlotte knew is gradually swallowed, they both need to find a way to survive their new reality. Pam’s age and experience, and Charlotte’s youth and fitness, mean they are reasonably well equipped to survive. They work together to make the best of their opportunities.
I did find Pam’s character annoying at times. She didn’t always deal well with Charlotte or other characters, but that aside, this was an interesting and absorbing book.
Thanks to Good Reading and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book.
March 14, 2026
Advanced copy review by Good Reading magazine
——
This book tells the story of a town struck by sinkholes, starting with a waterlogged garden, then small sinkholes and eventually big ones that take entire constructions.
Elderly, grieving Pam and young but wise beyond her years Charlotte inadvertently have to navigate this new world - when the usual course of actions don’t give results, what to do next and how to handle their different views on how to get help?
I thought this story was very believable (especially since this advanced copy review was timed with the news about the subsiding M6 tunnels under construction in Sydney) and so for me the paranormal side to the water didn’t add anything extra to the story, other than to further divide Pam’s and Charlottesville views and actions in their apocalyptic world.
——
This book tells the story of a town struck by sinkholes, starting with a waterlogged garden, then small sinkholes and eventually big ones that take entire constructions.
Elderly, grieving Pam and young but wise beyond her years Charlotte inadvertently have to navigate this new world - when the usual course of actions don’t give results, what to do next and how to handle their different views on how to get help?
I thought this story was very believable (especially since this advanced copy review was timed with the news about the subsiding M6 tunnels under construction in Sydney) and so for me the paranormal side to the water didn’t add anything extra to the story, other than to further divide Pam’s and Charlottesville views and actions in their apocalyptic world.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The first part of the book was quite confusing, to the point of wanting to reread that section to see if it made more sense the second time around.
The concept of the world as we know it being swallowed by water is an interesting one, especially with the appearance of more and more sink holes appearing in the real world.
Elderly Pam and her young neighbour Charlotte begin to rely on each other for survival, as they get to navigate this new world they find themselves in.
Sadly, the conclusion of the book was just as confusing as it's beginning.
The concept of the world as we know it being swallowed by water is an interesting one, especially with the appearance of more and more sink holes appearing in the real world.
Elderly Pam and her young neighbour Charlotte begin to rely on each other for survival, as they get to navigate this new world they find themselves in.
Sadly, the conclusion of the book was just as confusing as it's beginning.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a compelling page turning read, that was so engaging, I couldn't put it down. The characters of Pam and Charlotte will capture your heart as they navigate the increasing sinkholes in their community and their relationship. Pam being set in her ways and stubborn was a great match for Charlotte, a 10 year old girl as she pushes Pam past her limits and helps her to come to terms with the events but also how to care for someone after a loved one has died many years before. The flashbacks give us a real insight into Pam and why she is the way she is. I loved getting to know her as a younger person through these moments. I laughed, cried and felt grief along with the characters as they started to imprint a place in my heart as I turned the pages. This is great for people who enjoy a dystopian feeling book and one that includes such great characters to give them insight into the thoughts and feelings as well as journey alongside them through the disaster.
March 8, 2026
While I appreciated the opportunity to read an ARC, I found this book quite difficult to get into. The writing style didn’t resonate with me and at times felt somewhat simplistic. I had high hopes going in, but unfortunately it wasn’t a book I connected with. Of course not every book will appeal to every reader, and this one simply wasn’t my cup of tea.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A thrilling read on every page.A story of of 2 women thrown together suddnely,elderly Pam (70s) and young neighbour 10 year old Charlotte,both have great losses and must learn to not only like and trust each other but to survive.
Set in a surreal world with sinkholes,strange water,scared people,strange noises.
Love,defience,heightened emotions not for the faint hearted.
Set in a surreal world with sinkholes,strange water,scared people,strange noises.
Love,defience,heightened emotions not for the faint hearted.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My gosh what an earth shattering novel pardon the pun. Beautifully written, it tells the tale of an older woman during a post-apocalyptic world. Urban setting and frightening and awe inspiring story. Congratulations to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
✨ALC Review✨
An interesting listen about grief and survival in an apocalyptic setting.
Sinkholes start appearing, and soon they're getting larger and taking down more than just houses.
There's no help, no power, supplies are running low...
This leaves you questioning what you would do in this situation as you follow the characters trying to survive.
A good mysterious listen for sure!
An interesting listen about grief and survival in an apocalyptic setting.
Sinkholes start appearing, and soon they're getting larger and taking down more than just houses.
There's no help, no power, supplies are running low...
This leaves you questioning what you would do in this situation as you follow the characters trying to survive.
A good mysterious listen for sure!
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