Archetype
Set in a futuristic dystopia where women are scarce—fertile women, especially—Waters’ debut thriller opens as Emma wakes up in a hospital, unsure of who she is or why she is there. The handsome man at her bedside assures her that he is her husband, and she lets him fill her head with details of their life together. But Emma has terrible nightmares in which she is trapped, as if she is being prepped for some bizarre experiment. The dreams intensify, as do daytime flashes of memory, and she is haunted by images of being held in some sort of camp or training ground where women are bred to be wives. Back in reality, Emma is slowly realizing the truth about the world around her, where wives are bought and branded and treated like property. What do her dreams have to do with reality—and which is the more frightening scenario? Waters has created a fascinating world in this well-plotted tale. A sequel, Prototype, is set to follow in less than a year. Definitely a writer to watch. --Rebecca Vnuk