Reverse Ripples by M.E. Strautmanis
Reviewed by Laura Patterson
As I sit wrapped in a blanket, the morning sun streaming through the window, and an electric heater on full blast, I close my eyes and dream about Vieques. A few weeks ago, I had no idea that an island called Vieques even existed but now, since reading Reverse Ripples, the magic of that place calls to me. In Reverse Ripples her debut novel, author M.E. Strautmanis gives us a magical journey, from New York City to the tip of the Bermuda Triangle, full of friendship, love, and suspense which will have you questioning reality and the great scientific mysteries of this world.
“This story is an amazing blend of genres, from romance to science fiction, to thriller and a bit of everything else in between.”
To celebrate their graduation from university, best friends Pia and Sam decide to spend the summer on the island of Vieques before beginning their careers. Pia, who grew up in New York but spent the summers of her youth with her grandmother in Vieques, is beyond excited to take Sam to the island to explore and unwind. Their magical vacation goes by without a hitch, and both are sad to see the summer come to an end, but before they depart Pia knows she absolutely needs to show Sam the magical waters of the bioluminescent bay. While paddling the sparkling bioluminescent waters of the bay, Pia falls overboard. Momentarily submerged in the glowing waters, she feels a hypnotizing electrical current run through her. The next morning, Pia realizes the cuts she had on her hands and leg from a snorkelling incident the previous day had magically healed overnight.
Upon returning home to New York, Pia begins suffering from headaches, visions, and strange disruptions in time as she tries to fit into her new role at the Chief Medical Examiner’s office. One day, while transporting a body to the morgue, she experiences a time altering incident that will change her life forever and cause her to question her own sanity. As Pia fights an internal battle over the strange occurrences she is experiencing, her absent father suddenly walks back into the picture, bringing a lifetime of unanswered questions with him. With her two best friends falling in love, her father’s reappearance, a long-distance relationship, and several strange occurrences, Pia’s life is full of anxiety and only time will tell if she can carry the weight of her new abilities on her own.
From the first page to the last page, Reverse Ripples captured my entire attention. This story is an amazing blend of genres, from romance to science fiction, to thriller and a bit of everything else in between. With so much going on, one would think the plot could get a bit confusing, but Strautmanis weaves each element together seamlessly with her smooth story-telling skills. The novel’s title, Reverse Ripples, hints at the magic that lies within this story. Without giving too much away, I will just say that the story deals with fate, moral responsibility, and what could happen if pivotal events in life could be reversed or changed. The entire story is very much a blending of science and phenomena, with water being a very symbolic connection between the two.
The strong female characters in Reverse Ripples made for a very enjoyable read. Getting to know Pia and her mother was interesting because they were complete opposites who perfectly complimented each other, both highly successful in their own way. Sam was a sparkling light, adding colour and order to Pia’s chaotic life. Even Pia’s grandmother had a magical quality about her. Overall, the confidence these characters radiated in varying ways was empowering and made me feel like everything was going to turn out ok no matter what happened. Two other characters I found intriguing were New York City and Vieques. I know, you are thinking, these are places not people, but through beautifully detailed descriptions, the author was able to bring them to life with both serving important roles in the story.
With science, phenomena, true love and beautifully detailed descriptions of New York City and the island of Vieques, Reverse Ripples will whisk you away into Pia’s incredible life. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys suspense and a bit of romance, since the two go together in this book. Yes, the book is also science fiction, but it is mild enough to make it somewhat believable, so do not let that label sway you from reading this amazing story. Even though Reverse Ripples wrapped up nicely, I was left wanting more, so I was happy to read the author’s note which stated that a sequel is already in the works. I will be patiently awaiting the continuation of Pia’s remarkable story.
About the Author
M.E. Strautmanis, short for Mary Ellen, grew up on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. She is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada, and the New York School of Interior Design in New York City. After eight years of design work in Toronto, M.E. relocated with her growing family to Soho, New York, where she has lived most of her life. She recently returned to her roots and currently resides in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
About the Reviewer
Laura Patterson is a Registered Acupuncturist and a Food Inspector from rural New Brunswick, where she lives with her husband and twin boys. When she’s not busy with life’s craziness, you’ll find her with a warm drink in hand and her nose in a book.
Book Details
Publisher : Purple Porcupine Publishing
Publication date : May 27 2023
Language : English
Print length : 332 pages
ISBN-10 : 1777821185
ISBN-13 : 978-1777821180
Thanks Seaboard Review of Books and Laura Patterson! Such a thorough review of the elements that make Maryellen’s debut novel such a fun ride! 💖💫
I wrote Reverse Ripples with determination. I wanted my characters to be real, for New York City to be alive and for the magic of Vieques to captivate the reader enough to maybe add a bio- bay to their bucket list. There are billions of stories, let’s read them all!!!!