Rippler

by CIDNEY SWANSON

received from the author for review

synopsis (from Goodreads)

Samantha Ruiz has a freak gene that makes her turn invisible, or ripple. She can’t control it, and it’s getting worse. Afraid of becoming a lab-rat, Sam keeps her ability secret, until fellow runner Will Baker sees her vanish into thin air. Will promises secrecy and help, and Sam begins to fall in love. Together, the two discover there are worse things than being a scientific curiosity. Someone’s been killing people who possess Sam's gene. A mysterious man from France sends letters that offer hope for safety, but also reveal a sinister connection with Nazi experiments. The more time Sam spends with Will, the less she can imagine life without him. When Sam uncovers secrets from her past, she must choose between keeping Will in her life or keeping Will safe

MY REVIEW:

To begin, the cover of this book is just stunning.  I am always drawn to a book with a great cover.  

The book itself does not disappoint.  Imagine being able to make yourself invisible.  

This book is a very quick, easy read written by an extremely talented debut novelist named Cidney Swanson.   This is a combination of sci fi, romance and thriller, specifically genetic experimentations, the eugenics movement and Nazi's.  Still following me?  The Nazi experiments have long term consequences.  Rippling, or becoming invisible, is one such consequence.  

Samantha Ruiz is our main protagonist.  She is an intense individual.  You can 'feel' the fear she experiences when she ripples.  I was able to identify with her quite early in the book, not that I can become invisible (I wish) but because she has experienced deep, life changing sorrow and tragedy.  This is not an easily recreated emotion.  You feel for Samantha without becoming overwhelmed by her grief.  She has a friendship with Will.  His sister is studying about the Ripples.    This friendship has the potential to become much more.  I look forward to seeing the progression in book 2.

Make certain you have Chameleon (book 2) available.  You won't want to wait too long before starting it after finishing Rippler.

Overall, awesome read.

Book two in the series also has an amazing cover:

Sixteen-year-old Samantha Ruiz has a lot on her mind. The crush who kissed her but changed his mind. The BFF who thinks Sam is in an abusive relationship. The geneticist who wanted Sam dead but now wants her ALIVE. And of course, Sam’s still dealing with a tendency to disappear into thin air.
When Sam learns of her nemesis Helmann’s Nazi-like plan to establish a Thousand-Year Reign, she’s determined to fight him. Along with Will and Mickie, Sam flees to France to meet Sir Walter—their best hope for stopping Helmann’s brave new world.
But Sam isn’t any safer in France. Someone is following her. Someone invisible. Sam will have to figure out how to hide from an enemy she can’t even see.