Review: “Catalyst”
A fast-paced time-travel medical romance thriller mystery with a twist
This was my twenty-seventh book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.
If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.
The Premise
Awakening in a hospital after a fatal accident that killed her sister, Taylor discovers that though she survived, she now faces debilitating medical episodes that may threaten her life. Surrounded by medical professionals who can’t diagnose or treat her illness, and unable to make sufficient progress to be discharged, she becomes depressed and plagued by the emotional trauma of reliving her own past mistakes. With the help of her doctors — especially the handsome and intriguing Dr. Riaz, and her ailing friend Carrie, she must fight against time to visit her past and discover the clues that led to her condition — and that may lead her out.
The Pros & Cons
This was a fast-paced time-travel medical romance thriller mystery with a twist — quite the mouthful, but the novel manages to blend these genres skilfully and satisfyingly!
I appreciated that each character was really well developed, and we get to see relationships bloom even within the sterile, cold environment of a hospital. Despite the boredom and fear of living with an ongoing traumatic brain injury, there is a lot of humour interlaced throughout, and Taylor’s personality is both believable and endearing as she tries to connect with others. Her relationship with Carrie was lovely, and I loved their people-watching “Cubies” game they played to pass time!
When Dr. Riaz begins to investigate her case, they soon grow close as they interact, but he tries to maintain a professional distance, particularly when her condition seems to be getting worse and her organs begin to fail. As she shares her story with him, the mystery builds, revealing piece by piece the history and sequence of events that led to Taylor’s existence in the hospital.
As she jumps back and forth, patterns emerge: she seems to be going back in time in a particular sequence, and apart from just being able to observe, she has the power to change things. But could this threaten her own present timeline?
As with any time-travel story, there are points that get a wee bit confusing if you try too hard to follow the science, so you need to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride! There was also a bit of dialogue here and there that detracted from the novel’s pacing (in order to flesh out the blooming love story — quite a delicate balance!); but above all, this was a thrilling joyride of a novel that keeps you intrigued all the way through and satisfies you as it winds to an end.
Conclusion
Overall, this was an excellent genre-mashup read that packs a powerful punch. Though the main characters are in their twenties, I believe that this would also suit a younger audience of teenage girls. There are beautiful messages interwoven into the story about self-development, family, love, and dealing with (or avoiding!) domestic abuse — so though on its surface it may appear to be a lighthearted time-travel story, there is a much deeper substance here that is empowering for young women. I can’t imagine what’s next in this series as it ties things up nicely, but I would love to read more with these same characters or perhaps meet new ones. I really look forward to more by this author.
