I first wish to open by stating I have had the pleasure of reading several of Author Karen A. Wyle books in the past. She has always been able to create very believable world settings combined with characters readers will find themselves relating to as they read the pages of her books. As expected, Karen A. Wyle does it again in her latest book, Water to Water.

In the pages of Water to Water, readers will find a world that is unique and new to readers. It is a world with multiple beings living upon the planet with each type of being having its own belief systems and part to play within the pages. The book will tackle topics from death to the wonder of discovery. At the same time, as we all find, sometimes discovery comes at a cost.

Water to Water setting is that of an alien planet which allowed author Karen A. Wyle to utilize her imagination when creating the world that will be discovered thru the eyes of the books main characters. These characters will not be familiar either as they will have multiple appendages in some cases. They may be considered non-human to some, but their relationships and emotions are all too human. This adds an additional complexity to the characters in my humble opinion.

As readers will find the book opens with a scene that sees a member of the Vushla race preparing for his final walk to the sea. The Vushla believe that they need to go to the sea and allow the water to reclaim them at the moment of their death. It falls on Terrill’s hands to be the one to walk with his father to his final rest as he is reclaimed.

At the same time,, this is taking place a young Vushla hides away in a traders cart. The trader Kititit, a Weesah,  has engrossed this young Vushla in his tales of what Kititit has seen and learned thru his travels. Thus, Honnu has hidden away leaving just a note for his family to know where he is going. A brief moment on the road will find Terrill returning with family from taking his father to the sea run into Kititit and his cart. It is not long after this moment that the book will really begin to open up the world of the Vushlu and the Weesah. A world that is vast and at times will have the two Vushlu boys questioning the things they have been told and believed.

As I read the book I found myself thinking of other tails of boys running off to explore their world. I thought of books like Stand by Me, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Like these books, both took the reader into a world of adventure that allowed the reader to explore the world around the boys thru their eyes. Each of those books is set in many different times than today, some of their lessons are not what is politically correct in today’s world. The fact is they told a tale of exploration that left others wondering what would it be like to throw all aside and take a risk and wonder.

You see, this is what comes from the feelings and emotions that are conveyed within the pages of Water to Water. The boys will work for their passage, but at the same time, their predetermined beliefs will be questioned. They will learn things that may shatter their worldviews, but at the same time, they will see wonders they would not have gotten had they not taken the urge to travel.  This urge going against much of what the Vushlu may believe, but in reality, the experience is the best teacher for someone.

The connection between our three main characters will grow strong. We also cannot forget the beast like creature that pulls the cart. The group will reach for wonders, and Kititit will do all he can to help the young Vushlu learn about their world.

Author Karen A. Wyle again does an amazing job in developing the characters within the pages of Water to Water. She may be writing a book set on an alien world, with alien species, but again they can be seen to be all too human.  In truth, the trip these two Vushlu take is one that many would probably love to take today. A chance to get outside of what they consider the norm, and really learn about others. Something you will find yourself doing at least thru the eyes of the characters within the pages of the book.