Ripple by Katharyn R. King

Nestled in the desolate desert off Highway 15 between California and Las Vegas lies ZZYZX ROAD, where a seemingly idyllic hot springs destination called Soda Springs Resort is concealing a dark, twisted reality. This resort serves as a sanctuary for beings evolved from primordial pools of...something. They resemble humans but harbor a sinister secret: they can absorb and replace unsuspecting humans in a grotesque cycle of parasitism.

Ellis, a blind woman equipped with bionic eyes, arrives at the resort seeking clarity and escape from her chaotic life, haunted by voices and a sense of alienation. As she immerses herself in the surreal world of Soda Springs, she discovers that the staff claim that they possess the means to cure her blindness.

As Ellis undergoes her transformative experience, the narrative explores the dichotomy of euphoria and dissociation that accompanies her immersion in the resort's pools. The resort staff, many of whom grapple with their own malevolence, engage in acts that blur the lines between survival and violence, all while treating their twisted performances as a “show.”

The resort becomes a backdrop for Ellis’s exploration of her identity and the psychological toll of transformation. The pools symbolize the beings' connection to their origins and serve as a catalyst for her journey. As Ellis navigates this chaotic environment, she confronts the deeper implications of her metamorphosis and what it means to be both human and something else entirely.

Ripple is a tale of transformation, existential dread, and the quest for connection in an increasingly alien world. With immersive prose that captures Ellis’s unique perspective, the novel weaves together elements of body horror and a sharp commentary on society and identity, leading to a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to truly see oneself.