REVIEW: CIPHER by CINDI MADSEN

Series: Cipher #1

Category/Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: 7/22/13

Format: eARC

Pages: 325

Source: Received from author for review

Summer Davis sees deaths before they happen. She attempts to live a normal life by focusing on the dance team and her quarterback boyfriend. But then the way-too-cheery Angel of Death shows up and tells her she’s a Cipher—a person chosen to help people who are going to die resolve problems with their loved ones. Ashlyn Moore, one of Summer’s classmates, is going to die, and she needs Summer’s help before that happens.

It’s nearly impossible to get through to Ashlyn, who surrounds herself with chess nerds and geeks and makes it clear she doesn’t want to be friends. Desperate to complete her Cipher task before it’s too late, Summer turns to Troy, the guy who’s always been there for her and one of the few people she can trust. With his help, she makes progress. In fact, the closer she gets to Ashlyn and her friends, the more she feels like she’s finally found where she belongs.

As the clock starts running down on Ashlyn’s life, Summer decides to change her objective. She’s going to save her new friend before it’s too late—even if it means messing with fate.

 

 

Whether she's writing a story from an adult or a teen point -of-view, Cindi Madsen always manages to create strong characters with tons of heart. 

Cipher is a Young Adult Contemporary story with magical realism. And though that "magic" is a very important part of the story, what really impressed me about Cipher was just how truthfully Madsen was able to portray the teen experience.

I won't lie, I had a pretty great experience as a teenager. I was popular and had a good family. But like almost every teen, I also had a lot of doubts, confusion and insecurities. Summer, the heroine of Cipher, is a popular girl who feels lost. Madsen did such a thorough job of bringing Summer to life that I couldn't help but to be taken back to my own teenage experience. Summer was sweet and funny and brave, but she was also real. She doesn't always make the right choice, react the "right" way, or say the right thing, but she does her best, and for me, that is what makes YA so important. Not for me, with my ability to see things in hindsight, but for a teen, who is facing many issues and decisions on a daily basis. This is the kind of story I will want my own daughter to read when she is old enough.  

Back to the supernatural, or magical, aspect to Cipher.... Being that I'm not reading much of anything but realistic fiction these days, I was wondering if I would be able to truly embrace that aspect. I've read many books with reapers and guardian angels and the like, but nothing with the same angle as Cipher. I found the change to bring both tension and emotion to the story, and I was hooked. 

Cipher was a complete win for me. Madsen's writing was as charming and nicely paced as always, the characters were well-developed with tons of heart and humor, the story was humorous, intense, and emotional. The ending left me both satisfied and ready for more. In many ways, Cipher is only the beginning. and this is going to be a great series.

Favorite Quotes:

  "Sometimes I do feel a little lost, though." To her dismay, her voice cracked. "I don't even know how to get back to the person I used to be." And I don't even think it's possible with everything that's happening to me.

  His hand brushed across her shoulder and then he gently lifted her chin with his fingers. "You're still in there." His eyes locked onto hers, and it felt like he was peering inside of her, pulling out all her secrets.   ~eARC, 46%

  Troy smiled down at her, and her heart jumped into her throat. The lights turned his skin colors. Red, green, blue. Glimpses of every shade of Troy, and they all looked good. The song ended, and the world seemed to stop, just her and Troy, standing in the middle of the floor.  ~eARC, 58%

  "Be good. You're awesome. I love you"  eARC, 66%

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About the author:

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA books All the Broken Pieces, Cipher, and Demons of the Sun and adult romances Falling for Her Fiancé, Act Like You Love Me, and Cinderella Screwed Me Over.

Connect with Cindi at:
her website | Twitter | Facebook | blog