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Brave Water
Award-winning young adult novel! Winner of several 2023 Catholic Media Association Book Awards!
Girls are disappearing on their way to the spring... Will fear stop Talitha , the sole water gatherer for her hut, from searching for her friend—even if it means scaling the walls of the mine owners' compound, where locals are shot on sight? And will terror block Moses’ path—or can this teenage hunter battle an underground human trafficking ring with ties to the cities on the other side of Great Mountain? Join Talitha and Moses on their journey, one marked with violent drug lords, crippling jealousy, blinding anger, but also…tremendous beauty. And, the flutters of first love. Meet other villagers and colorful characters along the way, all of whom are grappling with dire loss after a recent mine explosion. Become acquainted with multiple generations of a missionary family who sacrificed all, moving out to the African bush to fulfill a driving passion—one that most would call a crazy dream. Listen, as ageless questions are carried in on the hot winds of the Great Red Do you know what it means to truly be brave ? And, what if you had to risk your life for a simple cup of water ? Dive into Brave Water and decide!
Girls are disappearing on their way to the spring... Will fear stop Talitha , the sole water gatherer for her hut, from searching for her friend—even if it means scaling the walls of the mine owners' compound, where locals are shot on sight? And will terror block Moses’ path—or can this teenage hunter battle an underground human trafficking ring with ties to the cities on the other side of Great Mountain? Join Talitha and Moses on their journey, one marked with violent drug lords, crippling jealousy, blinding anger, but also…tremendous beauty. And, the flutters of first love. Meet other villagers and colorful characters along the way, all of whom are grappling with dire loss after a recent mine explosion. Become acquainted with multiple generations of a missionary family who sacrificed all, moving out to the African bush to fulfill a driving passion—one that most would call a crazy dream. Listen, as ageless questions are carried in on the hot winds of the Great Red Do you know what it means to truly be brave ? And, what if you had to risk your life for a simple cup of water ? Dive into Brave Water and decide!
370 pages, Paperback
Published August 16, 2022
3 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 24, 2022
This book quickly caught me up in a very exciting plot. The author researched this culture and story very carefully, as evidenced by a number of details which consistely were woven together to bring the story to life. She deals with some very hard things, including sex trafficking and intense poverty, so it can be hard to read as well. Although this is listed as a YA book, I would say it is really appropriate for adults for sure. Highly recommended.
July 9, 2023
Brave Water beautifully shows how our Christian faith is universal. Though Talitha's lifestyle and environment are radically different from my own, and her challenges more grueling, we both long for the presence of our loving Father in our lives.
Kudos to the author for tackling a story in an unfamiliar culture and bringing to life a story that allows us to see through the characters' eyes the beauty of a different way of life and the gift of missionary faith.
It also puts a face to the hidden crime of sexual trafficking and the deprivation in many parts of the world, where clean water is a luxury. Through minor characters, we also witness remorse and repentance, forgiveness, and bravery.
The story is told in one three-part day with many, many flashbacks to other events in multiple characters' lives. Brave Water is a strong Christian YA debut, well-written and edited.
Kudos to the author for tackling a story in an unfamiliar culture and bringing to life a story that allows us to see through the characters' eyes the beauty of a different way of life and the gift of missionary faith.
It also puts a face to the hidden crime of sexual trafficking and the deprivation in many parts of the world, where clean water is a luxury. Through minor characters, we also witness remorse and repentance, forgiveness, and bravery.
The story is told in one three-part day with many, many flashbacks to other events in multiple characters' lives. Brave Water is a strong Christian YA debut, well-written and edited.
April 16, 2023
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Good plot, fast paced, interesting characters, and beautiful descriptions. It is Christian but well done and not at all cheesy.
August 19, 2025
I've met the author who is from my hometown and who once wrote us poetry on a typewriter in the garden at the local library. This book is full of hope and sadness, or joy and despair. It sat on my shelf too long as I didn't know if I wanted to see inside. I'm glad I finally read it.
May 3, 2023
Brave Water is a moving tale about a single day in the life of a teenage girl from a remote African village. This book highlights many difficult topics that, sadly, are daily struggles for many people around the world. This unique story is told through multiple viewpoints, as well as numerous flashbacks, but mainly unfolds from Talitha’s point of view. During her long daily trek to the only freshwater source for her village, Talitha experiences a day that completely alters her life.
In this one story, the author skillfully highlights the life-saving importance of clean drinking water, the horrors of human trafficking, the vital yet dangerous role of Christian missionaries, the brutality and corruption of wealthy mine owners, heart-breaking poverty, and the beautifully rich culture of an African village.
Living in an abundance of food, water, and medicine, it can be easy to forget that there are still places in this world that have none of that. The author has created an intriguing story that doesn’t shy away from these difficult topics but addresses them in a sensitive way at a teen level. Brave Water is a gripping story about redemption, forgiveness, love, and faith that will stay with you for a very long time.
In this one story, the author skillfully highlights the life-saving importance of clean drinking water, the horrors of human trafficking, the vital yet dangerous role of Christian missionaries, the brutality and corruption of wealthy mine owners, heart-breaking poverty, and the beautifully rich culture of an African village.
Living in an abundance of food, water, and medicine, it can be easy to forget that there are still places in this world that have none of that. The author has created an intriguing story that doesn’t shy away from these difficult topics but addresses them in a sensitive way at a teen level. Brave Water is a gripping story about redemption, forgiveness, love, and faith that will stay with you for a very long time.
January 20, 2024
Talitha lives in an East African tribe where she has to walk a very long distance every day to get water. Recently, there have been two kidnappings of teen girls at the spring. Talitha is worried that she will be next…
For a first novel, this was well done. It is clearly written for a YA audience; everything ties up pretty nicely in the end.
Parental considerations (and spoilers): Written from a Catholic perspective. A few uses of the word “damn.” Suspense. Poverty, drugs, disease, kidnapping, cruelty. Gang members threaten a character’s uncle and cut his face below his eyes. Two characters are thrown down a mine shaft by gang members. The word “prostitution” is mentioned a few times, but otherwise it is not a part of the book. The plot mostly concerns the living conditions of the tribe. Several times the main character feels prickly all over, even in her most intimate parts, when she sees or talks with her love interest.
For a first novel, this was well done. It is clearly written for a YA audience; everything ties up pretty nicely in the end.
Parental considerations (and spoilers): Written from a Catholic perspective. A few uses of the word “damn.” Suspense. Poverty, drugs, disease, kidnapping, cruelty. Gang members threaten a character’s uncle and cut his face below his eyes. Two characters are thrown down a mine shaft by gang members. The word “prostitution” is mentioned a few times, but otherwise it is not a part of the book. The plot mostly concerns the living conditions of the tribe. Several times the main character feels prickly all over, even in her most intimate parts, when she sees or talks with her love interest.
June 23, 2025
A lovely novel of Talitha, a young African girl who walks for miles daily to retrieve the clean water her family depends on. This mining community is exploited by the wealthy, and children are stolen and sold purely for the purpose of greed. Brave Water is a story of faith, and every character encountered mercy in their own way.
Some of my favorite plot points were:
- The arc of Flora giving birth was especially interesting.
- Lucian's conversion and change of heart.
- How Talitha took a long time to forgive, and how that is often reality.
- Talitha's relationships with the younger kids, especially little Nala. The village mentality really came alive.
- How Catholicism was woven into the story in a very real way, not bashing you over the head with their faith, but by living faithfully in their daily struggles as most of do.
Very well-written non-mainstream novel with short chapters and multiple narrators. Would definitely recommend!
Some of my favorite plot points were:
- The arc of Flora giving birth was especially interesting.
- Lucian's conversion and change of heart.
- How Talitha took a long time to forgive, and how that is often reality.
- Talitha's relationships with the younger kids, especially little Nala. The village mentality really came alive.
- How Catholicism was woven into the story in a very real way, not bashing you over the head with their faith, but by living faithfully in their daily struggles as most of do.
Very well-written non-mainstream novel with short chapters and multiple narrators. Would definitely recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews