Cicada

Oct 11, 2011 Giselle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, arc, paranormal

When you see a paranormal YA novel, you figure it's going to be about angels, vampires, faeries, you know, the usual. What we don't see often is something more along the lines of extraterrestrials. Cicada is one of those. It's a bit strange at times, but It's original and very imaginative.

The story starts pretty quickly with no messing around. We get thrown into Blair's life in the start of what has to be the strangest summer of her life. I did like the characters, in that they weren't annoying...more When you see a paranormal YA novel, you figure it's going to be about angels, vampires, faeries, you know, the usual. What we don't see often is something more along the lines of extraterrestrials. Cicada is one of those. It's a bit strange at times, but It's original and very imaginative.

The story starts pretty quickly with no messing around. We get thrown into Blair's life in the start of what has to be the strangest summer of her life. I did like the characters, in that they weren't annoying or irritating, but I couldn't really connect with them. I can't pinpoint exactly why, but there were a few minor details that I took notice of. The most prominent being the dialogue which was a bit too sophisticated or even professional for their age group. For example, I noticed contractions weren't used very much, and you don't usually hear teenagers say "I am here" as opposed to "I'm here". Some readers may not even notice this, but I found it made them sound less natural. That's not the only reason why I couldn't connect with Blair and the others, though. I couldn't really get a picture of them in my head, especially Blair. I think if the book would have been longer and, thus, with more character development we would have gotten to know them better. I found myself not being able to give them distinct personalities.

The plot itself was pretty fun. The first half of the book is spent trying to decipher the mystery behind Blair's dreams and what they saw in her grandfather's woods. It was pretty exciting and I was creeped out a few times. It had a good steady pace that kept the story intriguing without revealing too much. This is the first in a series, and as it was more of a build-up, we didn't get a lot a of explanations and I was a bit disappointed by that. I wish we'd at least gotten further details about the Cicada and their purpose. We did find out what was lurking in the woods, but we're definitely left with more than a few questions at the end. It could make for a good revelatory sequel.

For a debut novel it's not a bad start. Cicada is a fairly short book - a bit over 200 pages - that kept my attention throughout even though I wish it had a bit more substance. There is room for improvement, but it was still an entertaining story.(less)

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Aug 01, 2012 Juhina rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

2/5 stars

more reviews on Maji Bookshelf blog

Cicada's synopsis was very intriguing. I love books that are about uncovering a secret and also about a group of friends banding together for a cause or goal, so I was pretty excited for Cicada. However while the beginning was enjoyable, I have to say the book dragged a lot. Also the ending was out of the blue and I felt it was a bit too rushed. However, Cicada was enjoyable, it had the potential to be more but in the end it was an enjoyable read.

The...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Stefana Alexandra rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There are moments in life when keeping a secret is the most important things. No one has to know, even your best friends. Can you keep a secret?

Summer is a relaxation moment, but for Blair Reynolds, a seventeen years old teenager, summer is not what she was expecting to be. Her friends leave, the college is starting for them, so this may be the last summer they spent together. Felling that the summer will be to short, Blair is trying to keep what’s left from his friends. Until something interfer...more

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Nov 11, 2011 carole rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I started Cicada I knew only 2 things: it was a sci-fi book, and a cicada is an insect. As I tore through the pages of this fluid and easy to digest novel, I fell in love with the simple Texas story of love and more. Yes it has science fiction elements, but it's not only a book about impossibilities it is also a book about everything that is possible in life, even those things we never expect.

Cicada is a summer story, which made me yearn for long and lazy warm days. I found Belle Whittingto...more When I started Cicada I knew only 2 things: it was a sci-fi book, and a cicada is an insect. As I tore through the pages of this fluid and easy to digest novel, I fell in love with the simple Texas story of love and more. Yes it has science fiction elements, but it's not only a book about impossibilities it is also a book about everything that is possible in life, even those things we never expect.

Cicada is a summer story, which made me yearn for long and lazy warm days. I found Belle Whittington to be an author who doesn't just spell things out for the reader but makes you search for information in her writing, and I loved that. While a fun and easy read in the beginning Belle beefs up the story quite a bit by the end with twists in the story and just enough suspense to keep any reader on their toes. She also creates beautiful scenes in the readers mind of what is happening in the story. I could easily picture everything from the old ranch to the bakery that Blair's mother owns.

It's a book about so many things but when I think of Cicada the word that pops into my mind is change. Everything changes for this young group of characters in the short months leading up to college and for Blair, leading up to senior year. Some of these changes have been good and some not.

There's a love story that unfolds between the pages that really took me by surprise. That doesn't mean I'm not happy it happened, but I was kind of in shock when everything was confessed. That's great writing, when you are literally going back a few pages to see how in the world you could have missed that! Then realize the small changes in behavior leading up to the emotion filled moments. It's a beautiful love that is young yet powerful and I enjoyed reading every second of it.

Aside from Blair we meet her brother Andrew and their 3 close friends. Everett, one of their friends is a self confessed nerd and from the very beginning I knew he was something special. He was my favorite character from the book, I liked Blair and all but I don't know, I just really liked Everett. Blair comes off as young and while she grows and changes a lot through the book we definitely see the most growth in Everett both emotional and physical. Her characters have real personalities and it's a refreshing read.

The intriguing story line gets more and more developed as the story moves forward, it continues to build. I'm glad it's one of a series because there is still so much more to learn. There is a bit left unanswered but it's understandable, it's a book one and we all know how that goes "Holy Cliffhanger" although this one isn't too bad. And, a bonus, the e-book I read had a preview of book 2, so I'm a little satisfied until it releases.

So, recap.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Why? Because it's beautiful and real and very unique.(less)

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Oct 14, 2012 Stefan Eveline rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Blair is a lovely young girl caring and brave.She have a group of friends Andrew his brother Everett ,David and his girlfriend Natalie and she loves to spend time with them because they are like a family for her.She lost his father and his other brother Aaron and she misses them every day and the only family has left is his mother and his brother Andrew.She loves to work with his grandpa in his veterinary clinic and she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up
Everett is his love because she...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Rachel at theJeepDiva rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review, june-reading-challenge

Okay let me just tell you that this book took me by surprise. I did not know what it was about as the summary doesn’t give a whole lot away. I have not read any alien books (that I remember) but if this is how they are I definitely would like to read more books like this. I give this book 5 stars because that is as high as I can go.

Plot – I loved the storyline. It was unique and really drew me in and kept me reading. The first part of the book was a little slower compared to the rest of it beca...more Okay let me just tell you that this book took me by surprise. I did not know what it was about as the summary doesn’t give a whole lot away. I have not read any alien books (that I remember) but if this is how they are I definitely would like to read more books like this. I give this book 5 stars because that is as high as I can go.

Plot – I loved the storyline. It was unique and really drew me in and kept me reading. The first part of the book was a little slower compared to the rest of it because it is introducing you to Blair, her friends and family. From the time they first see something strange until the end of the book there is always something new or another mystery to figure out. They are always going and checking things out when they should just run. This book packs a lot in to a shorter story. I did not want it to end. I also liked how the pieces of the puzzle are slowly put together but then there are more questions to keep you wanting to read to figure it all out.

Characters – The characters in this story are three dimensional with everyday problems. I love that Everett wanted to be an entomologist and had his own bug room. My son was in Entomology in 4-H and I wish we had a storage unit we could have put all of that in also. I feel bad for Blair as she is the youngest in the group and is getting left behind when everyone else goes to college. She is very smart and stubborn and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. Blair’s older brother Andrew also struggles in this story. I liked this that he was going to go to seminary after high school but then ends up rethinking his life’s path.

Ending – The ending left it open for the next installment which I like but now I wish I hadn’t found this book until they were all already out because I am dying to read the next in the series. The next book sounds like it will have even more action, mystery and suspense.

All in all I absolutely loved this book. I can’t wait to read the next in the series Firefly. I would like to know why Blair’s mother and grandparents think they need to hide everything from her instead of just telling her. It makes for a more interesting part of the book but if I was living her life I would be frustrated beyond belief with my brother and Everett as well as my mother and grandparents. The only complaint I can find on this book is that it wasn’t longer.

*received book for review as part of the tour(less)

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Nov 09, 2011 Hannah (Jaedia) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, fiction, science-fiction, young-adult, received-for-review, indie

For 17-year-old Blair Reynolds and her friends, being the bearer of secrets is getting really old. But it’s something she learns to deal with, because there’s no other option. If the people in her small town ever found out what she and her friends discovered in the woods and hid in the storage room, the whole town would be up in arms, literally. You see, folks here don’t believe in aliens from outer space. Besides, if they ever found out what two of those aliens did to one of their own, well, le...more For 17-year-old Blair Reynolds and her friends, being the bearer of secrets is getting really old. But it’s something she learns to deal with, because there’s no other option. If the people in her small town ever found out what she and her friends discovered in the woods and hid in the storage room, the whole town would be up in arms, literally. You see, folks here don’t believe in aliens from outer space. Besides, if they ever found out what two of those aliens did to one of their own, well, let’s just say what would follow would be all out war.
As the months unfold, their summer becomes consumed with secrets, puzzle pieces that don’t quite fit together, and a fight for their lives that leaves one of them at death’s door.

The thing that first drew me towards Cicada, its’ gorgeous cover and book trailer, are also a perfect representation of what makes it such a unique read: its’ beauty. We follow Blair and her friends, who are a year older then she is, through their last Summer together before they go off to college and leave her behind. They have some dorky teenage fun, they discuss their futures beneath the stars alongside the music of the cicadas, and they come across a crop circle which is just the beginning of the weirdness and their struggles.

My issues with Cicada began with the characters. I struggled to feel much of a connection to them, we are simply thrust immediately into their world and expected to care with no real reasons given as to why until much later on in the book and I honestly felt more time could and should have been put into developing the characters and their story. Still, I found myself laughing with them and wondering with them. I also wanted to slap them upside the head at times, but that’s just me. There are a couple of things that go unexplained in Cicada as well which I couldn’t make much sense of. I understand that they will be touched upon again in Firefly (they will, right?!), but it felt incomplete, and the weaving of plot points sometimes felt a little choppy. I also wasn’t fond of how over-protective the guys are of Blair and Natalie. The chivalry is nice, and it does make sense especially considering they are in a small town in Texas, but I really like female characters who can hold their own. To my great joy and relief, Blair does manage that in places and I did really grow to love her as a character as she tried to take matters into her own hands. Sadly the romance fell flat for me until I heard a few songs that Belle sent my way and then it suddenly made more sense. They all have their own stories and purposes and I look forward to Blair’s enlightenment because I need to know what happens!

What I really loved about Cicada, what really pulled me in, was the absolutely wonderful story. It’s well-balanced and the pacing is good once you get into it a little. There are many tense and suspenseful moments that create excitement and plenty of foreboding and secrets, though it’s dark, it never gets too dark as there are a lot of interspersed lighter moments. I haven’t come across a story like Cicada before and by the end I was pining for the next book. I may even have cried out when I realised it had come to an end, and what an abrupt ending! Belle is evil. Trust me on that one. It is the kind of book that grips you in and you don’t quite realise it at first until you find yourself just needing to know what happens. Belle is definitely one to watch, she’s wonderfully imaginative and a good writer.(less)

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Oct 18, 2011 Nicole Storey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Today’s blog is a book review on an awesome read that I finished in one day! The book is “Cicada” by Belle Whittington and I thoroughly enjoyed it for many reasons. It’s one of those books that you think you have figured out, only to to realize that there is much left to discover.

In this book, the characters come to life. The teens in this story are not glamorous or rich, but everyday kids that are believable and easy to relate to. They are written with emotion and smoothed and polished by time....more Today’s blog is a book review on an awesome read that I finished in one day! The book is “Cicada” by Belle Whittington and I thoroughly enjoyed it for many reasons. It’s one of those books that you think you have figured out, only to to realize that there is much left to discover.

In this book, the characters come to life. The teens in this story are not glamorous or rich, but everyday kids that are believable and easy to relate to. They are written with emotion and smoothed and polished by time. I can tell that the author didn’t rush when developing them. I also liked the fact that all of the characters were likable (no snotty brats or hidden agendas) and each had their own strengths (even if they couldn’t see them) and weaknesses. Her descriptions were rich in detail and I tell ya, I want to go live on “Grandpa’s” ranch! LOL! Whittington has a simplistic and Southern flair in this particular book that I loved. The descriptions were not over-done; they felt real. Being a Georgia girl, there were many aspects of the settings that I could relate to and the whole flavor of this book reminded me of home.

You guys know that I try not to leak too many details in my reviews. I will say that this book is about a teenage girl named Blair, her older brother, Andrew, and their friends who discover and save an alien on her grandpa’s ranch. This part of the story is revealed almost upfront and I was wondering as I read why the author would play her ace so soon. However, I soon realized that this little nibblet of information was nothing compared to what she hadn’t revealed yet! Yep, Ms. Whittington knows how to play poker and she deals her cards out in a way that makes you hold your breath and wonder just how many aces can one deck have?!

As I stated above, there are other factors in this book that help make it whole and the “alien” is just a small part of that. There are secret powers, foretelling dreams, the power of twins, grief, coming of age issues, secret government agencies, and one of my favorites-the fact that a “nerdy-type” guy is defined with such grace and realism, and he is embraced by the group of friends and not ridiculed for being intelligent.

This book is the first in a trilogy and I cannot wait to read her next one titled “Firefly”. The author leaves you with questions (of course) but it doesn’t have one of those cliff-hanger endings that leaves you confused or empty. This is an excellent read for young adults (I hate it when a book is labeled YA and it is really more suited for an adult) and a strong point is that it shows what the power of friendship can accomplish-a message that all kids can learn from. I give this book 5 stars and I hope that Ms. Whittington will not make me wait too long for the next book in this series!(less)

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Mar 23, 2012 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: aliens, fantasy, ya

GENRE: YA Fantasy
THEME: Aliens
RECEIVED: Review Request for Book Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
3.5 Stars

REVIEW:
I didn’t know what to expect with Cicada the synopsis caught my attention right away and the cover didn’t give much of a hit of what to expect. But I truly enjoyed this one of a kind young adult novel. Finally! A book without the usual paranormal creatures and a plot that just kept on making me guess. Though the beginning was a bit slow for me, when it started picking up I c...more GENRE: YA Fantasy
THEME: Aliens
RECEIVED: Review Request for Book Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
3.5 Stars

REVIEW:
I didn’t know what to expect with Cicada the synopsis caught my attention right away and the cover didn’t give much of a hit of what to expect. But I truly enjoyed this one of a kind young adult novel. Finally! A book without the usual paranormal creatures and a plot that just kept on making me guess. Though the beginning was a bit slow for me, when it started picking up I couldn’t put this book down.

Blair Reynolds lives in a small town and she is about to start summer with her friends. But it’s a summer that not only is their last together before college, it’s a summer filled with secrets after finding something that know one would ever believe.

Blair is dealing with being the only one a year younger than her friends and brother, all who are going to start college in the fall. Everything started out normal for them all until Blair and her friends discover crop circles in their hometown. Blair is a young girl who lost two people in her family and is struggling with their loss. But her strength starts to show its face once the discovery of this creature is discovered and a friend becomes in danger.

As for the secondary characters my only issue was I couldn’t really connect with any. Even Blair was a bit tough for me to care about, until it got father into the story. In the end Everett won me over with his bug fanatic nerdy self and how much of a mystery he becomes later on. The ending with Everett was a huge bonus for me and now I really want to know how he’s going to grow.

Overall the story panned out to be really interesting, the ending had a big twist and I just wished the beginning had hooked me faster. The science fiction bit were such a breath of fresh air with the alien aspect. The romance was there but minimal and nicely touched on as a hint for future books. I look forward to seeing what happens next and as a science fiction fan I would say you should give this one a try.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel that has a science fiction twist, was refreshing and fun. Fans of young adult writers Angeline Kace off Descended by Blood and P.T. Michelle of Brightest Kind of Darkness with enjoy Belle Whittington’s novel Cicada.
(less)

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Sep 20, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Belle Whittington sent me Cicada for review. From the first pages, I started to love it. And after I finished it, I was so captivated with it that I had an idea – a kernel, which developed nicely and grew into a publishing campaign. I talked with my fellows, Sabryy and Ramo, about my idea, and they loved it. Then, I talked to Belle about our intention to create a publishing campaign for Cicada. As you can guess, her answer was a positive one, even impressively good for us, and at the same time f...more Belle Whittington sent me Cicada for review. From the first pages, I started to love it. And after I finished it, I was so captivated with it that I had an idea – a kernel, which developed nicely and grew into a publishing campaign. I talked with my fellows, Sabryy and Ramo, about my idea, and they loved it. Then, I talked to Belle about our intention to create a publishing campaign for Cicada. As you can guess, her answer was a positive one, even impressively good for us, and at the same time for you. Belle is super excited about the campaign. We feel the same, and we hope that our effort will not be in vain. And we hope that other readers will have the opportunity to enjoy Cicada in Romanian!
The book description intrigued me from the beginning. Why I am saying this? Because, usually, the book description gives us more detail about what are we are going to read in the book. In this case, things are a little different. And as we all know, a book without a description is like a bottomless bag. First, I will relate to the book description as it is. Afterward, I will tell you about her subject, about what I think is special about it, and what attracted me the most.
Summertime for Blair Reynolds and her friends had always been carefree and fun... until the summer they happened upon something that was not human. As they band together in a fight for their lives, Blair's true love becomes something more than human. Something unnatural. And their survival depends entirely upon their ability to keep a secret.
The novel presents us with the summer adventures of a group of friends. The action takes place in Willis, Texas. The adventures start after the graduation of Blair’s friends. Blair is the youngest in the group. Because of this, she feels a little abandoned and left out. Following the end of the summer, she will remain alone in the same town while her best friends, even her brother, to whom she is very close, leave her to create a future of their own.
Soon, Blair and her friends find themselves in the midst of a weird discovery: a crop circle, perfectly created in the grass. Investigating the place, referring to the famous “haunted forest,” they discover something: a cocoon! This cocoon is not an ordinary one, like the butterflies or other insects; it is one of extraterrestrial origin. As time passes, the creature inside the cocoon starts to transform into a human being. Blair and her friends are terrified to discover that inside the cocoon grows and develops a creature who starts to look like Everett. They call the creature "Cicada," an appropriate name for this mysterious being.
Not long after this discovery, they find out that both the Cicada and Everett are in danger. The Cicada’s existence must remain a secret, but …
Can you keep a secret?
The summer seems to be one full of mysteries and adventures for our friends in the book!
Are you curious about the following adventures in the book? Well, I am not going to reveal all to you … You will have to read it! :D
After a lot of fantasy books, especially with vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures, I must tell you that this book brings a breath of fresh air. It reinvents the idea of aliens. It lets us imagine a different type of alien than the one to which we are accustomed … the ones we feared when we were kids and watched for amidst the stars in the gentle breeze of the night.
Belle’s writing style captivated me completely. Relaxed, melancholic in some parts and alert in the others, full of visual and auditory images, it represents a delight for a lover of science fiction novels!
The finale was totally unexpected, but I believe you all will adore it! I cannot say to you how eagerly I am waiting the sequel to Cicada, because you would not believe me! :D But one thing is certain Firely – the promise to be a novel full of adventures!
My favorite character is definitely Blair. I loved her behavior, her characteristics, naturalness, and her simplicity. I felt what she felt … happiness and sadness. Her feelings are well contrasted, and this also made me feel so close to this character.
I love this book with all my heart! I am telling you this with all the sincerity and my soul. Belle came with a captivating fantasy story, a story about love and about the importance of friendship.
If I made you curious about it, please do not forget: it worth reading it and rereading it! :D It will delight you!(less)

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Jun 20, 2012 Paige Bradish rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: review-books

When I received Cicada I wasn’t exactly sure what it was about and a good way into the book I still didn’t really know, but that made the book even more enjoyable because you didn’t know what you were going to get. Blair the main character has a tight nit family and a close group of friends which we can talk about later and one night while at her grandparents farm they find a crop circle. Their not sure what it really is or how it got there but there first thoughts are aliens. One night in the w...more When I received Cicada I wasn’t exactly sure what it was about and a good way into the book I still didn’t really know, but that made the book even more enjoyable because you didn’t know what you were going to get. Blair the main character has a tight nit family and a close group of friends which we can talk about later and one night while at her grandparents farm they find a crop circle. Their not sure what it really is or how it got there but there first thoughts are aliens. One night in the woods they find this cocoon with a creature in it and it all goes down hill from there.

In this book we meet many characters which is always good, More characters the merrier! We have our main character Blair who is always really nervous about her brother and best friend Everett doing dangerous stuff because of things happened in the past but she’s strong and she let’s them do what they want. Which is something I really liked about her she wasn’t some annoying clingy girl who was always scared of letting guys leave. Andrew is brother is one of my favorite characters because of the love that he shows for his sister. He’s always making sure she’s safe and he rarely raised his voice to her, and he just sounds like the perfect brother to me.

Next up is Everett, Andrew and Blair’s best friend. I liked him because he’s a nerd and as you know I’m a nerd so he fits in. He loves bugs and animals he couldn’t hurt a fly which is why I’m glad he found the Cicada first which kept the little guy alive for a least a few days anyway. The last two characters are David and Natalie. They are the last two people in the group, and they fit in because every group needs to have a strong guy and a snotty girl and that’s exactly what these two were.

To tell you guys the truth I have never read a book about any type of Aliens before and for awhile I wasn’t exactly sure what I felt about this one but Belle did a great job keeping me interested. Especially with the added romance between Blair and Everett! (less)

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Nov 28, 2011 Alyssa Archambo rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, romance, science-fiction, mystery

One thing that Cicada definitely has going for it is its originality. I don't think I've ever read a book even slightly similar to this one. One of my favorite parts is how she combines a mythological story with her imagination to make up fairly believable creatures with an interesting history. When the action is there, it's very good, though I did find this book to be a bit slow. I think some of the romance and Blair's internal rationalization of things could have been cut out so there could ha...more

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Nov 30, 2011 Carina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review, from-author, kindle, ebooks-egalleys-etc-for-review

My Rating: 3.0 / 5

First thoughts:
Please let me point out how much I love this cover and how the novel reflects the mystery that we're already presented in this picture. For me it's a unique story, unlike anything I've read before and I definitely need to find out more about the story Belle Whittington has created. If you're looking for something else than your usual paranormal novels, pick up Cicada.

More detailed:
When I first started Cicada, I didn't expect it to be a story about aliens. I was s...more My Rating: 3.0 / 5

First thoughts:
Please let me point out how much I love this cover and how the novel reflects the mystery that we're already presented in this picture. For me it's a unique story, unlike anything I've read before and I definitely need to find out more about the story Belle Whittington has created. If you're looking for something else than your usual paranormal novels, pick up Cicada.

More detailed:
When I first started Cicada, I didn't expect it to be a story about aliens. I was surprised and completely unsure whether I would like this - after all, I haven't read any alien stories before and didn't know what to expect. But Belle Whittington's beautiful style of writing made me want to continue reading and I've definitely not regretted continuing this.

One evening in summer, Blair and her friends discover something that is both intriguing and scary at the same time. This discovery is followed by many questions, some of which have not been answered yet and make me want to have the second book already. Their world is turned upside down and I can only imagine what I would feel like if I were in their situation.

I have to admit that the first half of the book was a little bit slow, but I think this might be a subjective feeling since I was missing a few more romantic elements. Not everyone needs too much romance in their story, so it might be completely different for you. But I also have to say that the pace picked up during the second half and made it almost impossible to put down Cicada.

The characters we encounter are all very likeable and each of them has their own character traits. It's lovely to watch them interact with each other and to find out what they're thinking and dreaming about. All of them developed during the novel and I'm looking forward to see what Belle Whittington has planned for them in the future.

All in all, I'm very happy to have read Cicada. It has not only broadened my horizon since it's the first alien book I've ever read, but I'm also sure that I won't forget this story easily and will keep it with me until I can finally find out how it continues. It's a fast read and if you're looking for something different to read, you should definitely give this a chance.(less)

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Nov 27, 2011 Donna {Book Passion for Life} rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review, from-author, kindle, ya-paranormal-romance

Cicada is one of them novels that before you start, you know nothing about. Even before reading the blurb....it doesn't really give you an insight of what the story is actually about. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting but boy was I shocked when I found out.

Now I bet you think I'm going to tell you what the story is about....well....I'm not. I don't want to spoil it for you guys because like me, I'm glad it was a surprise. But I will tell you what I thought about it without giving to many...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Cathy Keaton rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs-rcs, i-own, read-in-2012, reviewed

* Plot: Things definitely happen, although, perhaps timed a little off what they should be. Blair is a high school girl whose friends have all just graduated from high school, except she still has another year left. Everyone else is going through major life changes, especially when they all encounter a creature that appears to not be of this world. Her old friend Everett ends up being the most affected by this creature, and thus changes the most, and also makes some drastic changes to his future...more * Plot: Things definitely happen, although, perhaps timed a little off what they should be. Blair is a high school girl whose friends have all just graduated from high school, except she still has another year left. Everyone else is going through major life changes, especially when they all encounter a creature that appears to not be of this world. Her old friend Everett ends up being the most affected by this creature, and thus changes the most, and also makes some drastic changes to his future post-high school plans.

* Characters: Blair is a cute country girl from an inconsequential town in east Texas. Her brother, her grandfather, and her other male friends are so convincingly southern men—it's a hoot! I like Everett the best because he is different from everybody else, a nerd-boy who loves bugs and running into daunting situations head first without fear. He is super cute and I like that he gets to play the main hero character—not some popular jock boy. Although, he ends up going through some serious changes that left me, like Blair, a bit uncomfortable because I really liked Everett as the goofy, clumsy, silly guy.

* Writing: It's simple and effective. Nothing artful, but definitely decent. The southern YA voice was also really well done.

* Storytelling: I think the story could have benefited from starting a bit sooner. There is some back-story for a little while before anything important happens to start the plot. But, it does the job of helping us to get to know the characters. I really like the ambiance of the slow, hot, humid summer on an east Texas ranch, with cicadas whining and fireflies floating around under a blanket of twinkling stars. Very relaxing. It was easy to hear the characters speaking with their southern drawls. I love Blair's mother's rhymes as she spoke in rhymes all the time. It was quaint and sweet. “My Blair with the dark brown hair,” things like that. It seems accurate as to what I know of real people from that region, particularly mothers.

* Overall Quality: Pretty decent and very compelling in parts. I would have liked more information on the inhuman element in the story and why it was around them, why it had been hiding for several years, where it came from, who were its enemies, and how all of that tied into the death of Blair's father and brother (which had already happened prior to the story). I like when I'm more in-the-know than not, but it doesn't mean it's a flaw, as it's so common in literature these days to keep things uber mysterious. Everett was such a neat character, in my personal estimation, he made me want to keep on reading, especially to see where his relationship with Blair would go.

* Favorite Moment/Scene: When the non-human life form Blair and her friends had discovered started to emerge from its pod. I thought Everett's reaction upon seeing it was very interesting and memorable. (He kind of freaked out!) What the life form resembled was also pretty shocking.

* My Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

*I received this title as a complementary copy in exchange for my honest review.(less)

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Mar 21, 2012 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed this book. Definitely worth the time. It has some beautiful prose and I could totally picture where she was (I'm sure it helps that I live not far from where the story takes place :) It does feel a little slow every once in a while...hence the four stars. But that might have just been my mood.
Fun book, I will be looking out for the next.

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Sep 14, 2012 Antonia ♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Blair and her friends -Andrew , Everett , Natalie and David - usually spent a funny summer together , that means nothing strange in their lives.
But , this summer things had changed and they must pass through some difficult obstacles if they want to live.
First , they discovered an abandoned building , one they have never seen before. But the real problem starts when they found that creepy crop circle on the pasture near Blair's grandpa ranch.
Somebody cut it in the grass , and they must figure out...more

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Jun 22, 2012 Michelle novelsontherun rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

RATING : 4 INTRIGUING MYSTERY STARS!

I joined the blog tour for Cicada, without knowing anything about the book. I liked the cover. I liked the title of the book. Sometimes I prefer to know nothing about a book, so I have no expectations or reservations. It is a whole fresh experience for me.

I am going to say, although the cover is very pretty, I am scratching my head to find the significance of the image to the story within the pages. I am not being judgemental , not unless I am missing somethi...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Alaiel Kreuz rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When the story begins we are set with Blair who is trying to enjoy her summer break despite the fact that her older brother and all his friends are going to leave town to go to college... which means she is going to be all by herself to finish senior year.
Yeah, she is not looking forward to this. At all... But she does try to enjoy the days she has left with them and pretty much succeeds until something very strange happens.

One day a a crop circle appears out of nowhere in her grandfather's land...more

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May 27, 2012 Alexia Purdy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

See my feature and review here: http://alexiapurdy.blogspot.com/2012/...

I loved this story! It is not your usual paranormal fantasy story. Throw in some intriguing sci-fi and it blows you away! It is told from the point of view of Blair Reynolds as she hangs out with her older friends as they enjoy their carefree youthful lives. In the summer, things start happening around them that can't be explained. Together they must fight for eachother's lives, accept changes to come and ultimately find eac...more

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May 26, 2012 Tiffany Mahaffy added it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, own

This book was surprising in so many ways. I have a very fragile relationship with the entire not human thing. However Belle Whittington has created a well written and intriguing story. There wasn't a point where I felt it was too much or got board with the story. The characters were so realistic and believable and to be honest the story was more about them than anything. I think that was one of the biggest things for me, that the story wasn't just about "It" but about the secrets and what was go...more This book was surprising in so many ways. I have a very fragile relationship with the entire not human thing. However Belle Whittington has created a well written and intriguing story. There wasn't a point where I felt it was too much or got board with the story. The characters were so realistic and believable and to be honest the story was more about them than anything. I think that was one of the biggest things for me, that the story wasn't just about "It" but about the secrets and what was going on in their lives. That's not to say that "It"didn't make the story but more so that it didn't run it.

"This story takes place in an outwardly unimportant little town.
Looks can be deceiving."

Blair is the baby of the group. She has always hung out with her older brothers friends and this summer everyone is getting ready to say good bye. That's kind of how everything starts. Being out on Blair and her brothers grand parents farm when things take an odd turn. Blair is having nightmares and you only get bits and pieces of what they are but they are a piece of the puzzle that I grasped every time.

"I woke up screaming. Not because of the dream, but because someone
was shaking me and telling me to wake up."

You can't help but feel a little of what each of the characters feel. I would like to be like Everett but I think my reaction would be to freak out like Natalie. I honestly love that these teens are just regular teens. They aren't the rich and famous or the popular people, they are just a tight group of friends. There is a little bit of everything in the group and everyone seems to support one another for the most part. I would like to say 100% of the time but when you read it you will understand why in certain moments they don't. The summer leaves them all changed and really there is no way to go back.

"I've been thinking about something," she checked her makeup in the
mirror. "I've been wondering which one of us is the real Cicada."

Biggest thing with this book is that I wanted more at times. By this I mean I wanted a little more in way of explanations for things. For the most part I was good but the things that I felt were missing could have changed this into an epic book. With that said I must mention that I had no desire to put this book down and got irritated when I had to put it down to do things. I can't wait to get Firefly and continue on with this sci-fi/paranormal/mystery.(less)

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Nov 19, 2011 Romancing the Book rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, ya

Review by Valerie: WARNING: Spoilers are in this preview.

I loved the preface to this book... “So, I ask again. Can you keep a secret? If not, put aside this story. Throw it away. Burn it. Tell no one what lies between the covers of this book. But if you can keep a secret, proceed with caution. And tell not a soul.” My hubby and I took a trip last year to southeast Texas, to the great piney woods during the hot summer days and nights where this story took place, and as I read, I felt like I was...more Review by Valerie: WARNING: Spoilers are in this preview.

I loved the preface to this book... “So, I ask again. Can you keep a secret? If not, put aside this story. Throw it away. Burn it. Tell no one what lies between the covers of this book. But if you can keep a secret, proceed with caution. And tell not a soul.” My hubby and I took a trip last year to southeast Texas, to the great piney woods during the hot summer days and nights where this story took place, and as I read, I felt like I was THERE again. The author did a fantastic job of creating the setting for this story and reading it at night spooked me out.

A time of celebration in a small town turns into a mystery that Blair, her brother, and friends want to solve as weird things start happening. First, an unusual building “appears” in town. Then, a crop circle is spotted in her grandpa’s pasture. While riding four wheelers, the teens spot an object in the sky hovering over the crop circle. What can all these clues mean? Noticing an unusual spot in the trees within the crop circle, they decide to check it out and find a large pod with a creature inside, growing. Although the group disagrees on whether or not to kill or save the creature, the final decision is to hide it at a local storage shed. Besides trying to figure out what type of creature they’re harboring, Blair’s worried about her brother. His behavior has changed, for the worst, and he’s stopped shaving, bathing, and doesn’t seem to care about anything anymore. Since they lost their dad and Andrew’s twin, Blair and her brother have been each other’s support.

When Blair’s best friend, Everett, first sees the hatched creature, he’s shocked. It looks just like HIM. While everyone is confused, it seems that the creature had imprinted him when they first located It. It begs them to keep It safe from the ones who would harm It. Unbeknownst to the others, the creature talks to Blair telepathically. Adding even more confusion are the weird dreams she keeps having. As the story continued, the action picked up as the creature was indeed in danger, as well as Everett. When Everett is the one tortured and almost killed, the creature passes on energy to help him heal. Soon though, Everett doesn’t need his glasses to see, nor does he need his crutches to walk. He starts dressing differently and acting cocky. Blair’s entire world has changed: her nerdy, geeky boy friend is now her boyfriend, but what is he? Her brother no longer tells her his secrets and is leaving to travel around the country on his motorcycle. Her best hope for finding answers lies in her dad’s study and when she starts poking around, the mystery gets even more bizarre. On their honeymoon, her dad took a picture with a cocoon high up in a tree, just like the one the creature was found in. WHAT was her dad involved with?

A tale with a lot of twists and turns that will keep you wondering...book two will be called Firefly.
(less)

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Nov 12, 2011 Traci (The Reading Geek) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Belle Whittington's Cicada is the story of Blair and her group of best friends who discover something one summer night that isn't human. Blair and her friends become involved in a dangerous mystery that they must keep a secret in order to survive.

Cicada is a mysterious and captivating story that I read in just a couple of hours. Blair is an interesting protagonist who hangs out with her older brother and friends. She is tough and will do anything for the people that she loves. I enjoyed the frie...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Splash Of Our Worlds *Yiota* rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm not entirely sure if i'm allowed to review the book. I mean at the start says i have to keep a secret whatever i've read, right?

*sigh*..Fine..i'll risk it..but i won't give much info..i love my life you know...

Cicada is a small, in general, book and fast. There is so many things happening in, so much action and mystery that it keeps you on the edge of your sit until the end. It's written without too many details, but enough to have you guessing and want to know more. The story has to do with...more I'm not entirely sure if i'm allowed to review the book. I mean at the start says i have to keep a secret whatever i've read, right?

*sigh*..Fine..i'll risk it..but i won't give much info..i love my life you know...

Cicada is a small, in general, book and fast. There is so many things happening in, so much action and mystery that it keeps you on the edge of your sit until the end. It's written without too many details, but enough to have you guessing and want to know more. The story has to do with alien creatures, which was something i didn't expect. And i remind me a little of E.T. and Super 8. I can also say it scared me a little at times. I didn't know if the creatures in the dark were good or bad, and the whole atmosphere was rather creepy so i might freaked a little..just a little though...

There is a big variety of characters. Geeks, "jock-like", cute-silly girls and that makes it interesting. Especially if you think they are all friends. It's a good story, to see how all have things in common and how well they can work together. Also the fact, that the company know each for years and are BFFs, it's something different than what we are used to. Usually, we just meet new people, etc, etc but here you get to follow a team already well strong bonded. The romance of the story, is really cute too. And i say cute because it's the whole best friend thing. No triangles. No anything hard. Wait...it does have some difficulties but that's because of the supernatural element.

Still, i found some things that confused my reading experience. Like, the fact that some things are happening so fast or change so fast, that you don't get to really understand them or enjoy them at their full potential. Especially the last chapters, are so so fast opposite the rest of the book. I felt like the scenes were done in a hurry and things were missing.
Also, i would love to have more of the rest town. The book is focused on the company so much, and loses on the background environment. I wouldn't mind more scenes with the people of the town, the grandpa, the mum and other things like that. Just some random facts, to get to know the world better.

In general is great read. I would totally recommend it and especially if you plan it reading it at night, outdoors. Hehe..(less)

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Oct 31, 2011 Ivana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Some books just feel like they were written for you only. That's how Cicada felt for me. When I was 13, I was obsessed with the TV show Roswell. The dormant UFO-freak in me rejoiced when I learned that Cicada featured a different kind of paranormal, my kind of paranormal (that sounds weird...)

Cicada is a wonderfully constructed story about changes and the end of childhood. After summer ends, four out of five characters are going to college, but a different kind of "change" will send them on dif...more Some books just feel like they were written for you only. That's how Cicada felt for me. When I was 13, I was obsessed with the TV show Roswell. The dormant UFO-freak in me rejoiced when I learned that Cicada featured a different kind of paranormal, my kind of paranormal (that sounds weird...)

Cicada is a wonderfully constructed story about changes and the end of childhood. After summer ends, four out of five characters are going to college, but a different kind of "change" will send them on different paths. Cicada is quite a short read, but by the end, it feels like you're reading a completely different book. Everything and everyone has changed. As summer moves on, secrets and mysteries come up one after another, and the tone grows darker and heavy with the looming danger and unanswered questions. Characters unfold and grow until you barely recognize them anymore. The superstar of Cicada is Everett, the "bug-boy". Going into details would spoil most of the book, but in short, he's the hottest nerdy ever!

As for reasons why it's not a shiny five stars...The beginning of the story seemed a bit forced, I couldn't "feel" it and the first encounter with the characters was not impressionable. It takes a few chapters, some build-up and action to start seeing them as individuals and the purpose each of them fulfills.

I loved how the romance between Everett and Blair developed. It grows out of true, lifelong friendship. It shows in face of adversity and grows stronger in hard times. That's true love.
I all but exploded with joy when I saw the songs Belle mentions in Cicada. Muse and Fireflies by Owl City. My music. My book. My precious!

Anyway. I hereby pledge my undying love for Belle for not only contacting me and letting me read the book, but also for having written it in first place. I'm really fed up with vampires and werewolves, and I can't even tell you how happy I am that I've come across a few YA novels about the extraterrestrial lately. Hooray for new horizons, new ideas, new worlds, new creatures, new books to pine for.(less)

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Jun 22, 2012 Novels On The Run rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

MICHELLE'S REVIEW:

RATING : 4 INTRIGUING MYSTERY STARS!

I joined the blog tour for Cicada, without knowing anything about the book. I liked the cover. I liked the title of the book. Sometimes I prefer to know nothing about a book, so I have no expectations or reservations. It is a whole fresh experience for me.

I am going to say, although the cover is very pretty, I am scratching my head to find the significance of the image to the story within the pages. I am not being judgemental , not unless I...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

My first thoughts we how much I loved the preface. How can you put down a book when it tells you if you cant keep secrets then dont read, I had to carry on reading to see what it was about.

Now comes the hard part, writing my review without spoling it for anyone who hasn't read it yet. I started Cicada with no idea of what it was about or what was happening, just that I liked the description and loved the preface. Belle has managed to write a book with a twist that was not expected at all, but ke...more

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Nov 13, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, blog-tour, review-on-blog

This book was pretty different than what I have been reading lately. I read plenty of paranormal books, but I have not had that much experience in alien books. I have seen plenty of alien movies, but reading about aliens is just plain different. It is creepier to me for some reason. I got pretty spooked a few times while reading Cicada. And I really liked that about the book! Although it might have been all the bug talk that creeped me out more than the aliens, I'm not sure yet. Haha.

Cicada is...more

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Oct 18, 2011 Kristan (Lost Amongst the Shelves) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook

Cicada is a really fun and fast read that is making me miss summertime... a lot. It follows a group of friends for the summer, with the focus on the main protaganist Blair, in a small town in Texas. I loved the closeness of this group of friends, how when faced with the scary reality of a certain situation (don't want to give too much away) they stick together and look out for one another at all costs. That was probably my favorite part of the book. Blair's older brother, Andrew, was especially...more Cicada is a really fun and fast read that is making me miss summertime... a lot. It follows a group of friends for the summer, with the focus on the main protaganist Blair, in a small town in Texas. I loved the closeness of this group of friends, how when faced with the scary reality of a certain situation (don't want to give too much away) they stick together and look out for one another at all costs. That was probably my favorite part of the book. Blair's older brother, Andrew, was especially protective of his sister and showcases such an intense bond with his younger sister that makes me wish I had an older brother to tag along with! Then there was also Everett, bug boy, who captured a soft spot in my heart being the science nerd that I am!

The plot of this book is something definitely new to me, since I haven't picked up a lot of sci-fi, so I was treading in unfamiliar territory for the most part. I found the story to be an original and unique creation that would peak the interest of those who like the extraterrestrials. Its very nice to see a story that strays away from the typical vampire/werewolf/faerie character. I thought the concept of the cicada was VERY creative and portrayed in a very different and creepy way! There is a definitive air of mystery to this story that give the readers (and characters) a real sense of unease...I don't want to give too much away! I will say though, that from the first page you truly feel like you're part of the secret.

I did feel as if the story was a little too quick though and I would have liked to have seen a little bit more progression in the plot. The summer just seemed to fly by! If it were to have slowed down a bit, I think that there could have been some great potential to delve a little bit deeper into the story and how certain scenarios came to be. A lot of the times we were simply being told what had happened, instead of being shown and that caused me to be a little disconnected. I will say that the ending was sadly sweet and really does envoke some heart wrenching emotion! I also wish there was a bit more detail in certain descriptions. After finishing the book I'm having a little trouble picturing what certain characters look like in my head.

Overall, Cicada is a quick read that has opened the door to a potentially new and inventive twist to the sci-fi/paranormal genre. I haven't read another story quite like it and look forward to seeing where the sequel, Firefly, will take you. I'm crossing my fingers for a happy ending for Blair, Andrew, Everett and the rest of the gang!(less)

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Oct 18, 2012 Monica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I wanted to read "Cicada" from the first second that I looked at her. I wanted to buy it, but I have not from where to, so I participated at Belle's giveaway on facebook. And guess what? I won! I was so happy! Three weeks later,"Cicada" was arriving to me, and I begun to read it. It took me so long because of school, and I haven't enought time to read. But right now, I can say that this stunning book deserve to be read by everybody!

Blair is the main character. She's sweet, strong, beautiful, a...more I wanted to read "Cicada" from the first second that I looked at her. I wanted to buy it, but I have not from where to, so I participated at Belle's giveaway on facebook. And guess what? I won! I was so happy! Three weeks later,"Cicada" was arriving to me, and I begun to read it. It took me so long because of school, and I haven't enought time to read. But right now, I can say that this stunning book deserve to be read by everybody!

Blair is the main character. She's sweet, strong, beautiful, a good friend and brave. I loved Blair. She and her friends, Andrew, her big brother, Natalie, David and Everett are very close to each other. I enjoyed that this story isn't a typical one, and that's it's complicated. Blair's father and brother died a few time ago. It's the beggining of summer, and she and her friends want to have fun, because when the school is going to begun, Blair will be kinda alone, her friends goining to college.

So...I isn't as safe as everyone thinks because they found a weird coccon, and it's complicated. The thing inside is a sort of alien, and the guys name him "Cicada". Everett fascination for bugs stunned me. He seems, at the beginning, the B-F-F guy type, but, during the book he became hot, beautiful, and you can't fall for him. Natalie is a secondary character. She's okay. David is her boyfriend. David seemed to me quite native, always purposing "Kill the Cicada", etc. Andrew is Blair's brother and he's a kind of guy who seem to be who he's not, trying to be like his father and his brother, Aaron.

In the dark woods, the kids are discovering a sort of alien, as I told, and Everett is taking this alien at his depository. The reseachs for the Cicada's origins continue, and the character's attention is catched by a big-weird building. I enjoyed a lot that the book is full of suspence. Is funny, lovely, antrenant and a quick read. I didn't get bored at all! I loved everything! My favorite character whas Blair, but I loved everyone.

Again, I was stunned by Belle's way of writing. She's so good! And more, as person she's kind and sweet and love to speak with her fans.

"Cicada" is a good book. One of my best reads. I enjoyed more and more the way that the story is disposed, beginning with a antrenant plot, continuing with mystery, and finalizing with a explozive end. So antrenant!

About the love story, she's so sweet! So much drama! (less)

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