Description:

In this page-turning contemporary thriller, National Book Award Finalist, Printz Award winner, and New York Times bestselling author Paolo Bacigalupi explores the timely issue of how public information is distorted for monetary gain, and how those who exploit it must be stopped. Everything Alix knows about her life is a lie. At least that's what a mysterious young man who's stalking her keeps saying. But then she begins investigating the disturbing claims he makes against her father. Could her dad really be at the helm of a firm that distorts the truth and covers up wrongdoing by hugely profitable corporations that have allowed innocent victims to die? Is it possible that her father is the bad guy, and that the undeniably alluring criminal who calls himself Moses--and his radical band of teen activists--is right? Alix has to make a choice, and time is running out, but can she truly risk everything and blow the whistle on the man who loves her and raised her? Reviews From School Library Journal Gr 9 Up—Alix Banks lives a cushy life in a rich, mostly white, Connecticut suburb. She attends a prestigious private high school, is loved by her parents, and gets along with her ADHD younger brother. Her privileged world is shattered when her school is attacked by the enigmatic renegade 2.0, who appears to be stalking her. Alix's father is well connected, and soon the house is swarming with security professionals, including Alix's own personal bodyguard. But that doesn't protect her from a terrifying encounter with 2.0, whose real name is Moses Cruz, and the other members of his multicultural band of teen rebels. Moses tells Alix that her father's company, Banks Strategy Partners—otherwise known as the Doubt Factory—was the lead defense consultant for several major corporations that produced faulty drugs and other products that caused countless people to die. Alix's love for her father conflicts with her growing anxiety that Moses may be telling the truth. Is her devoted dad really a killer? Uncertainty causes Alix to do some investigating on her own and forces her to make a fateful decision. Bacigalupi's characters are clearly drawn and believable. This gripping, outstanding contemporary story cites actual cases of corporate greed, which adds realism to the plot. Suspense builds at a steady pace, leading to increasingly dramatic plot twists and a climax that will leave readers' hearts pounding. Some swearing and mention of drugs and sex make this suitable for older readers.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT [A] provocative thriller... Fans of Cory Doctorow's work should love this book. Publishers Weekly, starred review A suspenseful, page-turning yarn... Bound to provoke thought. Kirkus Reviews A searing indictment... Bacigalupi, unafraid to name names, makes readers question the morality of everyday decisions... and recommends that all of us be cynics when it comes to megaconglomerates...Multi-award-winning Bacigalupi is becoming an indispensable voice in YA. Booklist From the opening pages, this is an action-packed thriller with the FBI, secret service, thousands of rats, a kidnapping, and a little romance... Bacigalupi scores again. Library Media Connection, starred review An exciting read... Bacigalupi has done an impressive job of placing the reader in the front seat. VOYA This is a gripping, unsettling read that will no doubt prompt further discussion long after the climactic, cinematic finale. The Horn Book A powerful, impassioned novel that asks some uncomfortable questions Sci-Fi Bulletin A plot so expertly turned that you'll be nailed to your seat Cory Doctorow According to a criminal, everything Alix knows about her life is a lie. Drawn into his trap, she uncovers the devastating truth behind her father's role in The Doubt Factory 'Must Read', Daily Express About the Author Paolo Bacigalupi's The Windup Girl was one of the most celebrated SF debuts of all time, winning both the Hugo and Nebula awards. Following a number of award-winning novels for younger readers, The Water Knife marks his return to adult fiction. He is a New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist, and lives in Colorado with his wife and son.