Dark Watershed: The Breaking of America

Eerily evocative of current events, the latest in David More’s Smithyman saga is a psychologically nuanced, deftly rendered imagining of a near future that sees the U.S. invade Canada, seeking to gain control of increasingly scarce water resources. The tale unravels slowly at first, steadily gathering momentum before detonating into a series of gripping war scenes that showcase More’s deep knowledge of military tactics, equipment, and strategy. This is political military fiction that rewards patient reading—intelligent, thoughtful, and meticulously constructed.

More’s ability to convey detailed accounts of political and military systems without his novels reading like a textbook is a true strength. We see Prime Minister Smithyman, a physician turned Prime Minister, at board tables and on tense calls with her counterpart in the U.S. as she fights with keen intelligence to avoid war. Yet, we also see her at home with her family in a portrait of the human behind this saga. It’s a refreshing choice to place a capable, clear-eyed female protagonist at the helm of this high-octane political thriller where male protagonists tend to dominate, and More’s layered portrayal adds emotional depth to the novel’s broader geopolitical themes. The near-future setting is so plausible that it can occasionally confuse the reader, blurring the line between fiction and reality. But this isn’t due to flaw or lack of cohesion—rather, it underscores the impressive realism and intricacy of Dark Watershed’s world-building. We are asked to consider the chilling possibility of Manifest Destiny rearing its head once again as the U.S. attempts to forcibly annex Canada, a deception that feels all too easy to imagine in 2025.

More’s commitment to authenticity means its first half may feel dense to readers unfamiliar with military jargon or technical terminology. While those with a background or interest in military affairs will find the early strategy sessions breezy and engaging, others may find it difficult to get invested until the pace picks up in the latter half. Still, persistence is well rewarded: the novel eventually hits a fierce stride, pulling readers into immersive, cinematic battle scenes and shifting perspectives—from boots on the ground to pilots in the air and Royal Navy vessels at sea. Detailed yet digestible, the military strategy sessions deliver a believable behind-the-scenes look at high-stakes wartime decisions. Subversive movements using guerrilla tactics to fight for the cause of peace and sovereignty ramp up their actions as the plot comes to a crescendo, and we are inspired to remain true to our values in thought and deed.

Now more than ever, the kind of thought experiment More proposes—asking his characters how scrappy, brave, and inventive they can be in the face of an overwhelming enemy—is an important consideration for Canadians, and indeed all readers, regardless of nationality. Timely and vital, this novel invites us to look up at the red-and-white flag flying over the Peace Tower and reflect on a quote More includes from renowned Canadian philosopher and media expert Marshall McLuhan: “Canada is the only country in the world that knows how to live without an identity.”

By the end of More’s novel, readers will certainly see that “knowing how to live without an identity” is more than enough to fire the heart of a country in the face of invaders. With a commanding female protagonist and a chillingly plausible plot, Dark Watershed is a smart, slow-burning thriller that will grip military fiction fans and political junkies alike.

—CANREADS BOOK REVIEW

Published by Raspberry Press

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