Rippler

Ripple Series Book 1

By: Cidney Swanson

Narrated by: Sarah Mollo-Christensen

Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Samantha yearns to shed the label of that girl whose mom died, but finding she can turn invisible isn't what she had in mind. Especially when she learns the neo-Nazi who killed her mom may be after her next. Sam's crush Will offers help and secrecy, but the time is coming when Sam will have to choose between keeping her secrets and keeping Will safe.

©2011 Cidney Swanson (P)2015 Cidney Swanson

Interesting premise, definitely want some more

Any additional comments?

I really liked Rippler, but then I didn’t like it as much as hoped I would. Let me explain, and start with what I liked. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded, the way we were immediately throw into finding out what was special about Samantha, and knowing that Will knew all about it and could help her. I appreciated that our main character believed and understood her condition, and even could point out times in the past when this rippling (going invisible, well, immaterial) thing happened before, even if she didn’t realize it was happening. I loved that the book let us in on its secrets slowly and over time. I enjoyed the way it plays out like a mystery, with Will and Sam investigating the condition, reviewing research, translating journals, etc. while at the same time keeping it a secret because they know their lives are in danger. I liked the audiobook narrator’s voice and thought she was pleasant to listen to. The accents were well done and I liked how people had different sounding voices so you could distinguish between who is speaking.

So what is my complaint? I’m bothered here by the same issue that plagues me in other series books – the book is not a complete thought, it does not have its own story arc that gets resolved. Don’t get me wrong, I get it. One big story arc over the entire series makes sense. But I do like my individual books to feel like a complete read; from start to finish it should be able to stand up as a story. I felt this book did a great job painting the world for us and the villains and their cruelty. But, it raised so many questions and answered very few. It didn’t have a main conflict that got resolved, but instead it felt like the book should continue to the next chapter to continue building on the plot, but it was done. So while I enjoyed the book overall, I was left unsatisfied by the non-ending. I’m very curious to see how this story plays out and how all the characters who are briefly introduced end up connecting. So the book did its job by making me want to read the rest of the series by piquing my interest, but it also makes me wonder if each subsequent book will leave me hanging.

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Blast dot com".

I want to be invisible!

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Rippling is awesome! I spent the entire book wishing I could have that ability, but I had to settle for living vicariously through the characters. Fortunately, I enjoyed the ride. I did find myself longing for more action, but I was still pleased with what I got.

Audiobook review from original ebook fan

Would you listen to Rippler again? Why?

Yes! I love the Ripple series, and the audiobooks are awesome because now that I'm in college and working two jobs, listening to books while driving, cooking, or housekeeping is really the only way I have time anymore to read non-homework.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sam is definitely my favorite character, because I can identify with her personality and she responds to the events of the story realistically. Of course, Gwen is hilarious and Will is totally sweet and endearing.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I felt like the reader's pace was a little slow, for this story in particular and just in general compared to most audiobooks I read. (I read a lot of audiobooks, and I'm really picky about (a) a reader's voice matching the character, and (b) being able to distinguish between various characters, and having them sound right, too.) Her voice was a good fit for Sam, though, and her depiction of Will was absolutely spot-on.

Different

Would you listen to Rippler again? Why?

Probably not. I don't usually go back and re-read/listen/watch something twice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rippler?

When Sam goes invisible and follows the "bad guy" into the college.

What about Sarah Mollo-Christensen’s performance did you like?

I liked the distinction between voices/characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When they fled in the end and I was scared that the male rippler (can't remember his name) had died.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Case of Invisibility

Rippler starts with Samantha (Sam) Ruiz unexpectedly turning invisible while canoeing with her classmates. The only person who saw her is her running partner Will Baker. Will doesn't seemed shock or surprise. He seemed to know more about her ability than she does and it does help that he also has the same ability as Sam. As Sam is learning to control her ability, Will has included her into his and his sister, Mickie's secret. They are hiding from someone who is killing people having the same genetic ability as they do.

Sam also have to chose between her best friend Gwen and Will, who she has feelings for. It is a question of friendship and protecting people she cares about. I would like to know if Sam will reconcile her friendship with Gwen and will Will be able to trust and share his secret with Gwen.

Mickie is forever, cautious in keeping Will from harm. Mickie has isolated herself and Will from being close to anyone. The only thing that they have is a memoir of experiments being conducted during World War II and mysterious communications from an unknown scientist. Yet there are no correlations between the experiments and Will and Sam's ability to become invisible.

When Sam discovered that her mother's death is not an accident and that someone killed her mother, Sam is curious as to the why and what is so unique about her genetics. At the same time Sam also knows that she has to tell Will and Mickie of her discovery. Will they be safe from those who hunts them?

Rippler is Book 1 of the Ripple Series. The book provides the foundation of each of the characters and also the conflicts and plots of which to carry the story forward. Rippler brings the readers to want to discover how Sam and Will have the ability to be come invisible, to discover their limitations to their ability, the mysterious geneticist who is supposedly on their side, and what do the geneticists want with Sam. It is a good beginning of intrigue and secrecy. I would like to find out more of what the memoir and its experiments contribute to Sam and Will's ability to turn invisible.

The narrator Sarah Mollo-Christenson, was able to keep me intrigue. I do enjoy the voice, the narrator provided for Mickie. Mickie is probably the most entertaining character in the story because she brusquely says what's on her mind.

I was given this audiobook by the author/narrator via Audiobook Blast in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated or influenced in any way in writing the review.

Great storyline!

i love this series! it has a twist to the story, that really makes you think.

WOW!

I absolutely loved this book. So unique in its story line. It isn't a twist on the same old story you've always heard. Cidney has a way to write that brings you from the first chapter and you become part of the story. The details of the story were well integrated into the story without making the story feel weighted and wordy. The characters were well created. They are written in a way that their personalities come through. I highly recommend reading this series and bonus points the other books in the series are already released so you can binge read without waiting for the next one :)

Very Interesting but...

I was provided a free copy of this audiobook by the author, publisher or performer in exchange for an honest review.

I found myself flying through the chapters. The story grabbed my attention and the mystery surrounding the main characters kept my interest. The main characters were very likeable and well rounded for the most part. That being said the ending of the story just came out of nowhere without giving me a chance to even realize this was the ending. I do realize that this is a trilogy and other audiobooks are coming but I just found myself wanting a more bang for my buck ending. This is not to say I didn't like the book, because I really did. I just wanted more. I will definitely be picking up the other audiobooks in the series as they are released.

WOW!

I love everything about this book and I’m so happy there are more. Thought I will say this does provide a complete story and while there are open ends, I did not feel that I was left hanging. Ms. Swanson is a new author for me, but she is certainly one I will be reading more from. This story is well written an inventive take on turning invisible. I appreciate that Ms. Swanson did not throw the reader into a world they do not understand and used this book as a learning period for both the main character and the reader. I love the thoughtful descriptions of what it feels like to move through objects. I also enjoy the unique way in which the journal is used.

The narration was great! Ms. Mollo-Christensen did an excellent job of providing different voices for the characters and was great with the multiple accents. I can’t wait to continue reading the series and find out what else is to come for these characters.

I was provided with a free copy of this audio book for my honest review. The views expressed here are entirely my own.

Like Shifters Maybe?

Narration - Sarah Mollo-Christensen - Pretty Good! She's a good storyteller and does a credible job of varying her character voicing.

So this is a weird one. There are parts that I didn't like and parts that I really liked. Samantha has a rare gene - in some folks, it causes a disease, in others, they have the ability to "ripple" or become invisible. In the beginning - when they are describing this whole "gene" thing and her ability to become invisible, I was a little - I don't know, rolling my eyes a bit, but once we got that all established, I bought more into the concept and just really enjoyed it. I think if you look at it as almost a book about "shifters" it's a more tolerable concept, but it was a little Scooby Doo in those parts.

There's a strange dangerous mystery involved in all of this as well and a sort of sweet romance. I loved the parts when she was establishing her relationship with Will and he was helping her to understand and control her 'gift'. Overall, I'm calling this one a keeper and am really interested in continuing this series!

I received a copy of this audiobook free of charge from audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review