Salt Water Blood

Summary

“A compelling mystery wrapped in a searing tale about family, siblings, culture, and community. Listen to me and the sea and let this incredible book sweep you away.” —Dhonielle Clayton

An Indigenous teen who hears the sea’s prophetic thoughts must rely on the gift she’s always feared to save her brother—and her island home—in this “riveting and original page-turner” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

Eighteen-year-old Moe hears the sea’s prophetic thoughts—not just hears them…she feels them. That’s how she experienced her father’s death before he did and how she felt her mother’s relief when she abandoned Moe and her younger brother, Tao, months after.

So when the sea warns Moe that Tao will drown, she’s determined to get in fate’s way and secures them passage off their island home. But those plans are ruined when Tao’s girlfriend goes missing and Tao is found where she was last seen, with blood on his hands—and no memory of what happened.

Moe will do anything she can to clear her brother’s name, even if it means swallowing her pride and teaming up with her annoyingly clever school rival, Temanea. And even if it means relying on the sea’s prophecies. Because her dreaded gift may be the only way to save her brother—and uncover the truth behind the sickness poisoning her community.