Author bio (62 words)

Gregory Greunke is a speculative fiction author dedicated to exploring the intersection of nature, technology, and the human spirit. He creates immersive worlds that pose important questions about society, survival, and hope. He loves playing with his two kids and impressing his wife with meals from the backyard, but every day, he’s happiest near water—on it, in it, or under it.

The Water Carriers book information

Logline (43 words)

In a drought-stricken, post-apocalyptic world where two powerful water families rule, the son of the Cambodian water tycoon abandons his AI dating empire to launch a bold environmental venture—only to be blamed for unleashing a rainstorm that triggers a dangerous new rival.

Press Summary (74 words)

The Water Carriers takes readers into a near-future world where prolonged drought has elevated water to a status of power and privilege. In this landscape, two powerful families rule the water supply. The story follows the son of a Cambodian water tycoon, who leaves behind his thriving AI dating empire to pursue an ambitious environmental project—only to find himself at the center of blame for a rainstorm that triggers a new, dangerous competitor.

Short summary (118 words)

In the near future, the balance of power shifts dramatically when all the world’s water falls in only two locations, leaving Cambodia and the Ivory Coast as unexpected water-rich havens.

Kasemchai, the heir to Cambodia’s water family, recklessly transitions from the business of AI dating to an audacious plan to end fuel-powered tanker ships, a move complicated by his clandestine relationship with the daughter of the African water family and his partnership with a brilliant yet initially unassuming engineer.

When rain suddenly appears in Brazil, due to the success of the battery-powered ships, Kasemchai faces the shifting loyalties of his family, partners, and hidden enemies. A third water nation is rising—and it could destroy his family’s empire.

Book blurb (182 words)

Where water is power, ambition runs deep—and betrayal cuts deeper.

In a post-apocalyptic world, the balance of power shifts dramatically when all the world’s water falls in only two locations, leaving Cambodia and the Ivory Coast as unexpected water-rich havens. Kasemchai, the heir to Cambodia’s water family, recklessly transitions from the business of AI dating to an audacious plan to end fuel-powered tanker ships, a move complicated by his clandestine relationship with the daughter of the African water family and his partnership with Liv, a brilliant yet initially unassuming Dutch engineer.

Liv’s ambition transforms the shipping industry, but her groundbreaking innovations and controversial military contracts force the company’s founder out and ignite the collapse of an oil-rich nation. When rain suddenly appears in Brazil, spurred by the widespread adoption of battery-powered ships, Kasemchai faces shifting loyalties among his family, partners, and hidden enemies. A third water nation is rising—and it threatens to destroy his family’s empire.

With themes of power, greed, and survival, this gripping tale explores the fragile balance of ambition in a world on the edge of ruin.

Long summary (329 words)

In a post-apocalyptic world devastated by catastrophic floods and droughts, rain falls relentlessly in only two locations, earning them the name “Rain Walls.” Two developing countries emerge from these rains, harnessing their abundant water supplies to become global superpowers.

Philippe Labonne leads the most potent water family in the Ivory Coast, while Preap Seng heads the second-most powerful water family in Cambodia. Kasemchai, the heir of the Seng family, is fabulously wealthy but desires more. However, he is dismissed when he attempts to gain his father’s respect by negotiating oil prices with the Saudis.

After a secret tryst, Philippe’s daughter urges Kasemchai to escape his discontent by diving with giant manta rays off an island in Japan. There, he meets Liv, a beautiful Dutch engineer who works for Sol-vang, a company which aims to revolutionize the shipping industry with solar-powered ships. In an act of spite, Kasemchai invests in this company and elevates Liv to the role of president. However, Liv’s ambition and success triggers a series of events that threaten to destroy the Seng family’s empire.

The founder of Sol-vang is pushed out of the company when Liv shifts its focus to a revolutionary battery system. Enraged by the company’s decision to convert military vehicles to battery power, the disgruntled founder descends into a downward spiral, ultimately aligning with communist revolutionaries who believe that Cambodia has long planned to take over the world. Together, they conspire to destroy the Seng family’s fleet of ships.

As the earth’s environment changes due to the rise of battery-powered ships, tensions flare when a Rain Wall appears in Brazil. Kasemchai realizes his only true friend may be a refugee from Hawaii as he navigates the dangerous waters of ambition, power, and greed.

If you enjoyed Wool by Hugh Howey, The Ministry of the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson, or Dune by Frank Herbert, you’ll also love this gripping tale of power, ambition, and family in a world on the brink of destruction.

Book metadata

Paperback ISBN: 979-8-9918682-0-4

Hardcover ISBNs: 979-8-9918682-1-1

e-Book ISBN: 979-8-9918682-2-8

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024925793

Genres: Post-apocalyptic, dystopian, climate, cli-fi, speculative, and science fiction

Self-published under Greunke Haus™ – www.greunke.com