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Cipher #1
Cipher
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.
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.
325 pages, ebook
First published July 18, 2013
33 people are currently reading
1027 people want to read
About the author
Cindi Madsen
64 books2,257 followersCindi Madsen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. She loves music and 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 and her family also take their Marvel addiction very seriously, as their one-eyed cat, Agent Fury, and their kitty named Valkyrie can attest.
You can visit Cindi at: www.cindimadsen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to get all the up-to-date information on her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 8, 2013
When Lisa Burstein blogged about this, I immediately contacted the publicist to ask for a copy so I could review it. I am very happy to say it lived up to the advance hype and I'd love to have it come out in print at some point so I could add it to my library.
Summer Davis is barely holding together. On the outside, she looks cool and popular but inside, she continues to be on the thin edge of screech. It started when she realized there were times when she would pass someone on the street and see their imminent death. When she saw her mother's and couldn't warn her in time, she fell into a huge hole. She tries keeping it together by having a hot boyfriend and being a member of the dance team, but it's not cutting it.
When she has the angel of death, Gabriella, appear in her bedroom and assign her first job as a Cipher, Summer has some real difficulty wrapping her head around it. It's not that she doesn't believe she has some abilities that are well beyond normal, but she's completely not believing that she's whatever this dizzy woman calls her. She's more interested in crawling back to normal.
Gabriella will have none of it. Summer must make friends with Ashlyn before she dies and figure out a way to get the girl and her mother to fix the disaster that they call a relationship before it's too late. Easy for the Angel of Death to decree, far from easy for Summer to wrap her head around, let alone do. It will require her to make friends with the kids who eat lunch together at what everyone else calls the Reject Table. Summer sits with them, but not without a ton of misgivings. It's not easy breaking with the popular herd, especially since their ringleader, Kendall, can make life ugly at will.
Summer discovers something interesting, in fact she discovers several something interestings. The kids who sit at the reject table are a lot funnier and cooler than she ever imagined and she begins to feel very comfortable there. She also realizes she doesn't have strong enough feelings for Cody, her football star boyfriend to give in to him where sex is concerned. She dumps him and starts having to pay the price; snubs, sabotage when the dance team is practicing. Her angst keeps growing too, because she's made friends with Ashlyn, but can't figure out a way to get her new friend and her mother to bridge the gap created by the mom obsessing with Ashlyn's supposed excess weight and dietary habits.
Summer would probably implode if it wasn't for the support of Troy, a super-cool guy who gets along with every faction/clique in school. She's falling for him and doesn't know how to deal with this new distraction.
How she survives the ostracism from the dance team, how her growing friendship with Ashlyn makes her rebel against her new role as a Cipher and has her wracking her brains to find a way to prevent her new friend from dying, as well as what happens between her and Troy make this a page-burner that has a delicious blend of high school romance, teen cattiness and self-discovery. I'm excited that another book follows to expand on both Summer's role as a Cipher and her relationship with Troy.
Summer Davis is barely holding together. On the outside, she looks cool and popular but inside, she continues to be on the thin edge of screech. It started when she realized there were times when she would pass someone on the street and see their imminent death. When she saw her mother's and couldn't warn her in time, she fell into a huge hole. She tries keeping it together by having a hot boyfriend and being a member of the dance team, but it's not cutting it.
When she has the angel of death, Gabriella, appear in her bedroom and assign her first job as a Cipher, Summer has some real difficulty wrapping her head around it. It's not that she doesn't believe she has some abilities that are well beyond normal, but she's completely not believing that she's whatever this dizzy woman calls her. She's more interested in crawling back to normal.
Gabriella will have none of it. Summer must make friends with Ashlyn before she dies and figure out a way to get the girl and her mother to fix the disaster that they call a relationship before it's too late. Easy for the Angel of Death to decree, far from easy for Summer to wrap her head around, let alone do. It will require her to make friends with the kids who eat lunch together at what everyone else calls the Reject Table. Summer sits with them, but not without a ton of misgivings. It's not easy breaking with the popular herd, especially since their ringleader, Kendall, can make life ugly at will.
Summer discovers something interesting, in fact she discovers several something interestings. The kids who sit at the reject table are a lot funnier and cooler than she ever imagined and she begins to feel very comfortable there. She also realizes she doesn't have strong enough feelings for Cody, her football star boyfriend to give in to him where sex is concerned. She dumps him and starts having to pay the price; snubs, sabotage when the dance team is practicing. Her angst keeps growing too, because she's made friends with Ashlyn, but can't figure out a way to get her new friend and her mother to bridge the gap created by the mom obsessing with Ashlyn's supposed excess weight and dietary habits.
Summer would probably implode if it wasn't for the support of Troy, a super-cool guy who gets along with every faction/clique in school. She's falling for him and doesn't know how to deal with this new distraction.
How she survives the ostracism from the dance team, how her growing friendship with Ashlyn makes her rebel against her new role as a Cipher and has her wracking her brains to find a way to prevent her new friend from dying, as well as what happens between her and Troy make this a page-burner that has a delicious blend of high school romance, teen cattiness and self-discovery. I'm excited that another book follows to expand on both Summer's role as a Cipher and her relationship with Troy.
February 18, 2017
This and other reviews can be found on The Psychotic Nerd
ACTUAL RATING: 3.5 Stars
MY THOUGHTS
Summer has the ability to foresee deaths. Ever since she foresaw her own mother's death, unable to stop, Summer has hated her gift. Now, an Angel of Death comes to her and tells her that people with her ability have a name. They are Ciphers and they are meant to help those who are about to die finish what needs to be done. Apparently, a girl named Ashlyn at Summer's school is about to die and Summer needs to befriend her and fix Ashlyn's relationship with her mother. Easier said than done. Not only does Ashlyn want nothing to do with her, but how can she fix a mother daughter relationship when the mother is constantly criticizing the daughter's weight? And when Summer is able to break through Ashlyn's walls, how can she sit and watch her new best friend die?
I've seen the idea of someone foreseeing deaths before, but this one had an interesting new take. I've never come across one where the MC has to help the person before they die. Usually books have ghosts with unfinished business, but this is pretty much the opposite. Another interesting thing would be how this book has a very contemporary feel. Yeah, the whole plot revolves around Ashlyn future death, but the book has a large focus on the growing friendship between Summer and Ashlyn, as well as family dynamics. In fact, this book had a very realistic feel to it.
Character wise, Summer is a great MC and she grows a lot throughout this book. In the beginning, Summer was with the popular, shallow girls and saw them as their best friends. It took Ashlyn for her to see that those girls were not her real friends and what she has with Ashlyn is a real, fun friendship and it's absolutely fantastic. It's amazing how close these girls become in such a short amount of time. Ashlyn is also an amazing friend and she's such a fun girl! This is really the kind of friendship you want to have!
For issues, I didn't have any huge problems. In the beginning, I found the appearance of the Angel of Death kind of oddly placed. I don't know how to word that, but I felt like things went along too quickly. It could've have also been the fact that this felt like a contemporary book except for her random appearances. Another picky thing I have is that the pacing was a bit slow, but that's not that bad because I enjoyed seeing their friendship grow.
IN CONCLUSION
This book was very different with a fun friendship, yet it was still sad. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoy paranormal books with realistic contemporary elements and I do plan on continuing with this series!
ACTUAL RATING: 3.5 Stars
MY THOUGHTS
Summer has the ability to foresee deaths. Ever since she foresaw her own mother's death, unable to stop, Summer has hated her gift. Now, an Angel of Death comes to her and tells her that people with her ability have a name. They are Ciphers and they are meant to help those who are about to die finish what needs to be done. Apparently, a girl named Ashlyn at Summer's school is about to die and Summer needs to befriend her and fix Ashlyn's relationship with her mother. Easier said than done. Not only does Ashlyn want nothing to do with her, but how can she fix a mother daughter relationship when the mother is constantly criticizing the daughter's weight? And when Summer is able to break through Ashlyn's walls, how can she sit and watch her new best friend die?
I've seen the idea of someone foreseeing deaths before, but this one had an interesting new take. I've never come across one where the MC has to help the person before they die. Usually books have ghosts with unfinished business, but this is pretty much the opposite. Another interesting thing would be how this book has a very contemporary feel. Yeah, the whole plot revolves around Ashlyn future death, but the book has a large focus on the growing friendship between Summer and Ashlyn, as well as family dynamics. In fact, this book had a very realistic feel to it.
Character wise, Summer is a great MC and she grows a lot throughout this book. In the beginning, Summer was with the popular, shallow girls and saw them as their best friends. It took Ashlyn for her to see that those girls were not her real friends and what she has with Ashlyn is a real, fun friendship and it's absolutely fantastic. It's amazing how close these girls become in such a short amount of time. Ashlyn is also an amazing friend and she's such a fun girl! This is really the kind of friendship you want to have!
For issues, I didn't have any huge problems. In the beginning, I found the appearance of the Angel of Death kind of oddly placed. I don't know how to word that, but I felt like things went along too quickly. It could've have also been the fact that this felt like a contemporary book except for her random appearances. Another picky thing I have is that the pacing was a bit slow, but that's not that bad because I enjoyed seeing their friendship grow.
IN CONCLUSION
This book was very different with a fun friendship, yet it was still sad. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoy paranormal books with realistic contemporary elements and I do plan on continuing with this series!
August 2, 2013
I just love Cindi Madsen's books and I was really excited to read her latest release, Cipher. Cipher is the story of Summer Davis, a teenage girl who can see people's deaths before they happen. Summer started having her "visions" when she was just a young teen. She tried to brush them off, but when one of them struck too close to home, it pretty much threw her for a loop and into a deep depression. Summer finds out that she is a Cipher, someone whose job it is to help people who are going to die reconcile and make peace with loved ones before they pass on, which is a job Summer really doesn't want. Nevertheless, she takes on her first assignment, Ashlyn, which proves to be a bigger challenge than she anticipated.
Before finding out she was a Cipher, Summer was very popular, had the jock football star boyfriend, hung with the popular crowd, etc. When she tries to get to know Ashlyn, she finds herself associating with the not so popular crowd, a group who her friends call the rejects. When Summer breaks up with her boyfriend, she soon finds that the girl she is supposed to be helping, and her group of misfit friends, wind up helping her more, making her feel more welcome and accepted than she has ever felt with her popular friends. Meanwhile, she begins to see her best friend Troy, who is a total hottie that gets along with everyone, in a whole new light. Feelings she had for him that had been pushed back into the friend zone begin to resurface, but she isn't sure if Troy feels the same way.
In Cipher, Summer discovers what it means not only to help others, but what true friendship is all about, the importance of relationship, and even finds love and romance along the way. I loved Summer's character and enjoyed watching her grow and come to terms with her past, her present, and her future. I loved Troy and enjoyed watching the romance between them develop. I really hope these two can stick it out together as the series progresses. Cindi Madsen did a wonderful job in this paranormal story of depicting issues and situations that real teenagers have to face and deal with, while adding a little magic and excitement to the mix. Cipher is an enchanting story, the characters are well written and fun to get to know, the romance was sweet, and the magical/paranormal aspect was fresh and from a different perspective than I've seen before, which made the story even more enjoyable. If you enjoy YA paranormal romance, then Cipher is a really fun book that you might want to check out.
Before finding out she was a Cipher, Summer was very popular, had the jock football star boyfriend, hung with the popular crowd, etc. When she tries to get to know Ashlyn, she finds herself associating with the not so popular crowd, a group who her friends call the rejects. When Summer breaks up with her boyfriend, she soon finds that the girl she is supposed to be helping, and her group of misfit friends, wind up helping her more, making her feel more welcome and accepted than she has ever felt with her popular friends. Meanwhile, she begins to see her best friend Troy, who is a total hottie that gets along with everyone, in a whole new light. Feelings she had for him that had been pushed back into the friend zone begin to resurface, but she isn't sure if Troy feels the same way.
In Cipher, Summer discovers what it means not only to help others, but what true friendship is all about, the importance of relationship, and even finds love and romance along the way. I loved Summer's character and enjoyed watching her grow and come to terms with her past, her present, and her future. I loved Troy and enjoyed watching the romance between them develop. I really hope these two can stick it out together as the series progresses. Cindi Madsen did a wonderful job in this paranormal story of depicting issues and situations that real teenagers have to face and deal with, while adding a little magic and excitement to the mix. Cipher is an enchanting story, the characters are well written and fun to get to know, the romance was sweet, and the magical/paranormal aspect was fresh and from a different perspective than I've seen before, which made the story even more enjoyable. If you enjoy YA paranormal romance, then Cipher is a really fun book that you might want to check out.
tbr-later
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June 13, 2013
The perfect blend of snark and heart, Cipher is one fresh take on death you've never seen before!
September 25, 2013
Loved this! including Troy (another book boy to add to the list of why can't real guys be like this)
August 5, 2013
A Cipher, is a shortened version of a decipher, but it means (according to the book and I quote):
“You get a person assigned to you, and then you help them before it’s too late.”
Cipher, being the first book in the series, showed so much potential. It managed to show what and where the story revolved. It was about a Cipher, what a Cipher must do and what the Cipher must look forward to. Aside from that, it was genuine— the story about friendship and romance was not forced; and that there was a connection between the characters (and also a heartfelt connection with a reader). It lived up to my set expectations and it left me looking forward for the next book.
Cipher is a Young Adult Paranormal book that really dealt on teens. And what made me enthralled to it, aside from the cover, was its purity in delivering the story and the transition of showing the ‘normal’ teen to face her ‘gift’. At the start of the book, it portrayed how normal the heroine was then what one ‘vision/instinct’ had changed everything.
Before I regard Cipher, there was a book that kept on popping in my head: ‘Before I Fall’ by Lauren Oliver. I would not deny that I like these types of books—something that deals with the reality, of dilemmas, of death (or substance abuse) along the lines of teenagers (and troubled teens). It made you look into a teens’ mind and what you can do to help.
So to those who read ‘Before I Fall’:
Remember countless times the same day happened for the heroine to figure out what to do?
How she found out things bits by bits?
How she reached out to know the person, that person’s story?
Mostly, how to fix things and save that person (even if it was the heroine who died) in the end?
It was not just making a way for things to happen the way it should happen. The story dwelt on fixing things before the right time comes. Just like Cipher, the thing was: whatever happens, the person will still face death but along the way he/she must fix something before it was too late and have peace with death.
The first chapter made an impact by showing what Summer had and what she must do. It enlightened me, as the story progressed and there were no mediocre events that made the story lose its focus. As what I had written above, there was this unexpected person who told Summer, the heroine, what she was needed to do. This person was Gabriella or what Summer called her at first: Cotton Candy– the angel of death. It was so girly and unexpected for an angel of death (blame the stereotypical reaper image); I did not know what to make-up for what was happening. My turbo mind was tuned up and I cannot help but ask myself: What if you’re in Summer’s situation and a fairy-godmother-looking (pink bubbly dress; Marilyn Monroe hair; and oh yeah, glitters and sparkles before disappearing) was telling you that you need to help someone to resolve their friendship before someone dies? Also, that gift really was a curse in itself too— it was passed through generations: through the eldest daughter. Not really an ideal job, it was very tedious and responsible.
The gift, which is also a nightmare flashes when a physical encounter—like arms brushing, occurs.
To see how someone dies.
To have an urge to warn them but must not.
And to think of yourself as crazy? One tough job.
Just like Summer, I was dumbfounded at the start. I mean, a huge “WHAT” was primarily etched on my forehead. And honestly, I was thinking: “Is this book some sort of guardian angel thingy?” Well, I’ll make it clear: a huge NO. It was different and Ciphers were different from Guardian Angels. They, the Ciphers, were not to intervene and were only supposed to help resolve relationship.
They (Ciphers)were to help resolve a relationship but not to save. Which was, I think, a little confusing on Summer’s part; or just because she was stubborn? I would say that I got infuriated with both Summer and Gabriella. Gabriella knew something but she was not much of help, which Summer really needed. But then, Summer kept on delaying and there was the time that she was trying to save Ash—which was a task not for her. Though I understood Summer, because her life got so confusing after knowing she was a Cipher and she has her own life: a cheerleader, a best friend, a daughter and a girlfriend; all was getting hard to her, put in her mother’s death (which on she kept on blaming herself), her Dad dating someone, the pressure to swipe her V-card to her boyfriend and a somehow faux best friend. Yet, whatever she was dealing with, she must do this task.
After all, you can’t mess up with fate. If you alter it, things get tricky or sometimes don’t end well, but the bottom line: it will happen.
The story was spontaneous. It was not confusing and that there was a natural flow in the story; it was like a jigsaw puzzle put in together: it fits and had created a story shifting to normalcy into the paranormal, then back. It also dealt with a teenagers’ life— losing your virginity or not; choosing between friends; feeling pressured; widowed/separated/single parents; being strong or succumbing fear; and of course, having fun. It was easy to understand. Their stance, the social strata, just everything was a normal high school setting. It was simple to grasp, imagine an American-based TV series or movies or teenage books, it was how it worked there. There were the shallow popular girls and the disadvantaged-nerds. The nerds were cool and very tight with each other. It was not just being smart; that was though already but then you’ll see how these nerds were, like normal people, they have: talents, skills, just with a higher IQ.
I loved how the story dealt with friendship, both the real and faux ones. The friendship with Kendall (Summer’s best friend) was bordering shallow-fake and real—she did show an authentic interest in helping Summer before but then her jealousy and somehow Summer’s ignoring her made her the typical backstabbing bitch friend. There was the typical jock and virginity issues that I will gladly say, Summer fought to not puddle on Cody’s feet (even if she was having guilty thoughts). Then the real friends, The Misfits (or the reject group), Summer found real friends and a boyfriend in them—the friends you can count on and will cheer you up, even if you had a bad day.
As the story progressed, I liked Summer and I understood her better, aside from my head-nodding to her Oreos (double-stuffed) and milk fandom; she was a dancer, music-lover, and not a shallow person (like the stereotypical cheerleader)—who also made her own choice. Then there was the moment when it showed how her mother died, it was morbid. And countless times, she blamed herself, succumbing to what ifs and had a depression before she resided in California. Then there was this need to focus on getting her mission to be a success, it was very difficult because the relationship between Ashlyn and Pamela (Ashlyn’s mother) was somehow hinder by Ashlyn’s friendship with Summer. They had become best friends and it was so entertaining to read!
Along the way, aside from friendship, as simmering love story was surfacing. Another entertaining and a much needed flutters in the stomach feeling was being brewed. Is it wrong to love Troy when he said Sunshine, the very first time? I mean, a hot Cali boy + smiling voice (metaphorically, if not blatantly written). Le best friend then he was the one Summer wanted to call that particular night Cody ditched her! Troy was like a golden boy, he was loved and he was friends with anyone. He was a character that I was looking forward to, every time (freely blame the girl in me). Also, I wouldn’t deny the connection or chemistry between him and Summer, because it was really there. Then there was their kisses which were natural, not forced and not making it have much emphasis but you do know it was intense and have meaning even if it was brief. Troy was a real friend; he was there all the time and he didn’t make Summer feel any less, even if Summer decided to vent out three quarters of her secret.
Then there was this dreadful event that I wanted to get away from: Ashlyn. Because Summer and Ashlyn were getting so far along, then of course there was this inevitable. When things get too good to be true; you just know something bad will happen. Like Summer, I knew it was going to happen very very soon; but like her, I was being optimistic; that maybe it would not be as immediate as that or that maybe her visions/instincts were somehow incorrect. I kept on pretending that maybe there will be a twist that everything will be all right. But then, I just know. Sooner or later, more on later, it will happen.
Bear with me, I feel saddened but also happy when I remember Ashlyn and Summer’s friendship.
I cried, I laughed. Mostly, I used my reserved pent-up emotions.
I would be a hypocrite if I say the story was mediocre. Honestly it was not, it strikes pure genuine emotion in a reader. Everything, as I said awhile ago, was spontaneous. Well, yes it was planned: to meet Ashlyn (to help resolve the barely-there relationship with Ashlyn’s mother, Pamela) but their (Ashlyn and Summer’s) friendship was real.
I cried most was when I was reading it… Towards the end, I was in front of a box of pizza (if you read the book, you will understand me): call me crazy but I mopped out, yes, the ugly cry. I was thankful no one saw me but really, I felt my heart constrict. It was tough. I had the memories flowing before me of what happened.
I felt bad for Pamela, because it was just heartbreaking, not even a whole 24 hours to enjoy the company of her daughter. Pamela was in deep grief and regret but then felt somewhat comforted. As much as I grieved with Pamela, I felt in despair for Summer, and for myself too. I felt that chest-tightening feeling when she remembered how Ashlyn’s face would lit up and uttered words. I felt like I saw in Summer’s shoes (metaphorically, of course), feeling whatever she was feeling but at the same time, sensing my own sorrow and feeling this strong connection with them: I felt like I lost Ashlyn too. Honestly, I also missed Ashlyn. That was how I felt connected with the story, like I was part of it.
Ash and Summer’s bond was something worth envying. It was true friendship and I agree what they jokingly-described themselves: they were awesome. Their friendship blossomed into something so wonderful, that as a reader, I enjoyed very much; that I had the urge to call my friends and have some get-together, watch some movies, have a slumber party; just doing nothing but feel sated.
This book was all I could ask for, a fantasy and a reality. A refreshing read that was heart-wrenching that made me felt hollow yet full. It was emotional but enjoyable.
For me, this was a merge of original concept and a link with John Green’s ‘Looking for Alaska’ and ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ and Lauren Oliver’s ‘Before I Fall’. Well, mostly the moments. I had written awhile ago its comparison with Before I Fall; as regards with John Green: the events there was very high school, just having fun and the moment they were looking for Alaska and how they cope with it was similar to what happened in Cipher. The emotions I felt during The Fault in Our Stars came crashing through, the event in Cipher was raw, then the eulogy also made me remember Gus; I was just a major wreck afterwards.
This was a story that will make you show how emotions run wild. How teenagers’ life do revolve; Cindi Madsen knows what she was writing, she had shown a real life story in high school; it might be set in a paranormal genre but when you think of it—it does happen. Our Ciphers maybe our family, friends or a nuisance who wants to interfere; but does knows how to help resolve our relationship with others (sans the visions). It must be taken into consideration how the story was plotted— it was remarkable: the family, friends, faux friends, tragedy, romance, just about everything or life itself; and the natural flow of the story were written in perfect cognizance to a YA reader.
Rating: 4.75 out of 5.
“You get a person assigned to you, and then you help them before it’s too late.”
Cipher, being the first book in the series, showed so much potential. It managed to show what and where the story revolved. It was about a Cipher, what a Cipher must do and what the Cipher must look forward to. Aside from that, it was genuine— the story about friendship and romance was not forced; and that there was a connection between the characters (and also a heartfelt connection with a reader). It lived up to my set expectations and it left me looking forward for the next book.
Cipher is a Young Adult Paranormal book that really dealt on teens. And what made me enthralled to it, aside from the cover, was its purity in delivering the story and the transition of showing the ‘normal’ teen to face her ‘gift’. At the start of the book, it portrayed how normal the heroine was then what one ‘vision/instinct’ had changed everything.
Before I regard Cipher, there was a book that kept on popping in my head: ‘Before I Fall’ by Lauren Oliver. I would not deny that I like these types of books—something that deals with the reality, of dilemmas, of death (or substance abuse) along the lines of teenagers (and troubled teens). It made you look into a teens’ mind and what you can do to help.
So to those who read ‘Before I Fall’:
Remember countless times the same day happened for the heroine to figure out what to do?
How she found out things bits by bits?
How she reached out to know the person, that person’s story?
Mostly, how to fix things and save that person (even if it was the heroine who died) in the end?
It was not just making a way for things to happen the way it should happen. The story dwelt on fixing things before the right time comes. Just like Cipher, the thing was: whatever happens, the person will still face death but along the way he/she must fix something before it was too late and have peace with death.
The first chapter made an impact by showing what Summer had and what she must do. It enlightened me, as the story progressed and there were no mediocre events that made the story lose its focus. As what I had written above, there was this unexpected person who told Summer, the heroine, what she was needed to do. This person was Gabriella or what Summer called her at first: Cotton Candy– the angel of death. It was so girly and unexpected for an angel of death (blame the stereotypical reaper image); I did not know what to make-up for what was happening. My turbo mind was tuned up and I cannot help but ask myself: What if you’re in Summer’s situation and a fairy-godmother-looking (pink bubbly dress; Marilyn Monroe hair; and oh yeah, glitters and sparkles before disappearing) was telling you that you need to help someone to resolve their friendship before someone dies? Also, that gift really was a curse in itself too— it was passed through generations: through the eldest daughter. Not really an ideal job, it was very tedious and responsible.
The gift, which is also a nightmare flashes when a physical encounter—like arms brushing, occurs.
To see how someone dies.
To have an urge to warn them but must not.
And to think of yourself as crazy? One tough job.
Just like Summer, I was dumbfounded at the start. I mean, a huge “WHAT” was primarily etched on my forehead. And honestly, I was thinking: “Is this book some sort of guardian angel thingy?” Well, I’ll make it clear: a huge NO. It was different and Ciphers were different from Guardian Angels. They, the Ciphers, were not to intervene and were only supposed to help resolve relationship.
They (Ciphers)were to help resolve a relationship but not to save. Which was, I think, a little confusing on Summer’s part; or just because she was stubborn? I would say that I got infuriated with both Summer and Gabriella. Gabriella knew something but she was not much of help, which Summer really needed. But then, Summer kept on delaying and there was the time that she was trying to save Ash—which was a task not for her. Though I understood Summer, because her life got so confusing after knowing she was a Cipher and she has her own life: a cheerleader, a best friend, a daughter and a girlfriend; all was getting hard to her, put in her mother’s death (which on she kept on blaming herself), her Dad dating someone, the pressure to swipe her V-card to her boyfriend and a somehow faux best friend. Yet, whatever she was dealing with, she must do this task.
After all, you can’t mess up with fate. If you alter it, things get tricky or sometimes don’t end well, but the bottom line: it will happen.
The story was spontaneous. It was not confusing and that there was a natural flow in the story; it was like a jigsaw puzzle put in together: it fits and had created a story shifting to normalcy into the paranormal, then back. It also dealt with a teenagers’ life— losing your virginity or not; choosing between friends; feeling pressured; widowed/separated/single parents; being strong or succumbing fear; and of course, having fun. It was easy to understand. Their stance, the social strata, just everything was a normal high school setting. It was simple to grasp, imagine an American-based TV series or movies or teenage books, it was how it worked there. There were the shallow popular girls and the disadvantaged-nerds. The nerds were cool and very tight with each other. It was not just being smart; that was though already but then you’ll see how these nerds were, like normal people, they have: talents, skills, just with a higher IQ.
I loved how the story dealt with friendship, both the real and faux ones. The friendship with Kendall (Summer’s best friend) was bordering shallow-fake and real—she did show an authentic interest in helping Summer before but then her jealousy and somehow Summer’s ignoring her made her the typical backstabbing bitch friend. There was the typical jock and virginity issues that I will gladly say, Summer fought to not puddle on Cody’s feet (even if she was having guilty thoughts). Then the real friends, The Misfits (or the reject group), Summer found real friends and a boyfriend in them—the friends you can count on and will cheer you up, even if you had a bad day.
As the story progressed, I liked Summer and I understood her better, aside from my head-nodding to her Oreos (double-stuffed) and milk fandom; she was a dancer, music-lover, and not a shallow person (like the stereotypical cheerleader)—who also made her own choice. Then there was the moment when it showed how her mother died, it was morbid. And countless times, she blamed herself, succumbing to what ifs and had a depression before she resided in California. Then there was this need to focus on getting her mission to be a success, it was very difficult because the relationship between Ashlyn and Pamela (Ashlyn’s mother) was somehow hinder by Ashlyn’s friendship with Summer. They had become best friends and it was so entertaining to read!
Along the way, aside from friendship, as simmering love story was surfacing. Another entertaining and a much needed flutters in the stomach feeling was being brewed. Is it wrong to love Troy when he said Sunshine, the very first time? I mean, a hot Cali boy + smiling voice (metaphorically, if not blatantly written). Le best friend then he was the one Summer wanted to call that particular night Cody ditched her! Troy was like a golden boy, he was loved and he was friends with anyone. He was a character that I was looking forward to, every time (freely blame the girl in me). Also, I wouldn’t deny the connection or chemistry between him and Summer, because it was really there. Then there was their kisses which were natural, not forced and not making it have much emphasis but you do know it was intense and have meaning even if it was brief. Troy was a real friend; he was there all the time and he didn’t make Summer feel any less, even if Summer decided to vent out three quarters of her secret.
Then there was this dreadful event that I wanted to get away from: Ashlyn. Because Summer and Ashlyn were getting so far along, then of course there was this inevitable. When things get too good to be true; you just know something bad will happen. Like Summer, I knew it was going to happen very very soon; but like her, I was being optimistic; that maybe it would not be as immediate as that or that maybe her visions/instincts were somehow incorrect. I kept on pretending that maybe there will be a twist that everything will be all right. But then, I just know. Sooner or later, more on later, it will happen.
Bear with me, I feel saddened but also happy when I remember Ashlyn and Summer’s friendship.
I cried, I laughed. Mostly, I used my reserved pent-up emotions.
I would be a hypocrite if I say the story was mediocre. Honestly it was not, it strikes pure genuine emotion in a reader. Everything, as I said awhile ago, was spontaneous. Well, yes it was planned: to meet Ashlyn (to help resolve the barely-there relationship with Ashlyn’s mother, Pamela) but their (Ashlyn and Summer’s) friendship was real.
I cried most was when I was reading it… Towards the end, I was in front of a box of pizza (if you read the book, you will understand me): call me crazy but I mopped out, yes, the ugly cry. I was thankful no one saw me but really, I felt my heart constrict. It was tough. I had the memories flowing before me of what happened.
I felt bad for Pamela, because it was just heartbreaking, not even a whole 24 hours to enjoy the company of her daughter. Pamela was in deep grief and regret but then felt somewhat comforted. As much as I grieved with Pamela, I felt in despair for Summer, and for myself too. I felt that chest-tightening feeling when she remembered how Ashlyn’s face would lit up and uttered words. I felt like I saw in Summer’s shoes (metaphorically, of course), feeling whatever she was feeling but at the same time, sensing my own sorrow and feeling this strong connection with them: I felt like I lost Ashlyn too. Honestly, I also missed Ashlyn. That was how I felt connected with the story, like I was part of it.
Ash and Summer’s bond was something worth envying. It was true friendship and I agree what they jokingly-described themselves: they were awesome. Their friendship blossomed into something so wonderful, that as a reader, I enjoyed very much; that I had the urge to call my friends and have some get-together, watch some movies, have a slumber party; just doing nothing but feel sated.
This book was all I could ask for, a fantasy and a reality. A refreshing read that was heart-wrenching that made me felt hollow yet full. It was emotional but enjoyable.
For me, this was a merge of original concept and a link with John Green’s ‘Looking for Alaska’ and ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ and Lauren Oliver’s ‘Before I Fall’. Well, mostly the moments. I had written awhile ago its comparison with Before I Fall; as regards with John Green: the events there was very high school, just having fun and the moment they were looking for Alaska and how they cope with it was similar to what happened in Cipher. The emotions I felt during The Fault in Our Stars came crashing through, the event in Cipher was raw, then the eulogy also made me remember Gus; I was just a major wreck afterwards.
This was a story that will make you show how emotions run wild. How teenagers’ life do revolve; Cindi Madsen knows what she was writing, she had shown a real life story in high school; it might be set in a paranormal genre but when you think of it—it does happen. Our Ciphers maybe our family, friends or a nuisance who wants to interfere; but does knows how to help resolve our relationship with others (sans the visions). It must be taken into consideration how the story was plotted— it was remarkable: the family, friends, faux friends, tragedy, romance, just about everything or life itself; and the natural flow of the story were written in perfect cognizance to a YA reader.
Rating: 4.75 out of 5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2013
4/5 HEARTS at www.heatherheartsbooks.com
(A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.)
From the beginning to the end, I thoroughly enjoying Madsen's Cipher. The characters were engaging, the story was unique, and the pace was fast. It didn't take me long to plow through the book.
As a former dancer myself, I really appreciated the fact Summer was a dancer and that it was something so important to her and defining for her. I also really enjoyed the careful crafting of the individual characters.
For example, Summer's best friend at the beginning of the book is a girl named Kendall. Kendall is that friend that almost everyone has had -- the fair weather friend. The one who is the when times are good and never when they are bad. The friend that walks all over you to get to the top and smiles while she does it, saying sorry along the way, but never means it. She's the one who wants you around to validate her behavior and her life choices (good or bad), but doesn't want to have to call on her own conscience.
I also really, truly loved the development of Summer and Ashlyn's friendship. Even though Summer knows that Ashlyn is going to die, she eventually (after some prodding and some soul searching) commits herself fully to the friendship. Her bravery in loving Ashlyn and being her best friend and growing to need her and be needed by her shows a selfless side that you don't necessarily think Summer is capable of at the beginning of the book. Her character growth is so impressive and the story of their friendship is not at all contrived and is so authentic and real.
Another huge selling point for this book is that it carefully and realistically depicts some very big issues for teen. One of these issues is the topic of sex. At the beginning of the novel, Summer is in a relationship with Cody, the star quarterback, who is constantly pressing Summer towards something she isn't ready for. How Summer feels about it and the way that Madsen depicts this is so honest -- it's the way any teen or young adult who has been in this situation has felt. The thoughts that raced through Summer's mind, the issues that kept getting stuck in her mind, yet her deep desire to not want to let go of yet another person in her life -- it was all so accurate.
This is one of Madsen's gifts as an author: Writing the thoughts of her characters in a way that is so believable. They are consistent with the way any teen would feel. As an adult who is far enough separated from her high school experience to reflect honestly, but also someone close enough to still remember how these things felt, I can honestly say I feel like Madsen was in my head.
It was hard for me to review this book because there were so many things that I loved and I think the premise is amazing and unique. I enjoyed the book thoroughly. But I did have a few things that I didn't love ...
I felt like some of Troy and Summer's arguments were unrealistic and unclear and I felt like they should've gotten together a little sooner. I also felt that there were some scenes that were kind of choppy and that didn't flow.
However, those things in general didn't change the fact that I did really, really like this book and that I would recommend it to anyone! This book has so much character and heart and in reality, it deals with some of life's toughest questions. Everyone on earth dies. Yet we choose to establish relationships and love in the face of that, even once we've been burned death before and have felt that pain. This book will be successful and will really resonate not only with teens who are just starting to contemplate these things, but with people of all ages. Cipher will inspire readers to be brave and courageous, even when life is at its most difficult, and will possibly even change the way readers relate to those important people in their life in the face of uncertain futures.
(A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.)
From the beginning to the end, I thoroughly enjoying Madsen's Cipher. The characters were engaging, the story was unique, and the pace was fast. It didn't take me long to plow through the book.
As a former dancer myself, I really appreciated the fact Summer was a dancer and that it was something so important to her and defining for her. I also really enjoyed the careful crafting of the individual characters.
For example, Summer's best friend at the beginning of the book is a girl named Kendall. Kendall is that friend that almost everyone has had -- the fair weather friend. The one who is the when times are good and never when they are bad. The friend that walks all over you to get to the top and smiles while she does it, saying sorry along the way, but never means it. She's the one who wants you around to validate her behavior and her life choices (good or bad), but doesn't want to have to call on her own conscience.
I also really, truly loved the development of Summer and Ashlyn's friendship. Even though Summer knows that Ashlyn is going to die, she eventually (after some prodding and some soul searching) commits herself fully to the friendship. Her bravery in loving Ashlyn and being her best friend and growing to need her and be needed by her shows a selfless side that you don't necessarily think Summer is capable of at the beginning of the book. Her character growth is so impressive and the story of their friendship is not at all contrived and is so authentic and real.
Another huge selling point for this book is that it carefully and realistically depicts some very big issues for teen. One of these issues is the topic of sex. At the beginning of the novel, Summer is in a relationship with Cody, the star quarterback, who is constantly pressing Summer towards something she isn't ready for. How Summer feels about it and the way that Madsen depicts this is so honest -- it's the way any teen or young adult who has been in this situation has felt. The thoughts that raced through Summer's mind, the issues that kept getting stuck in her mind, yet her deep desire to not want to let go of yet another person in her life -- it was all so accurate.
This is one of Madsen's gifts as an author: Writing the thoughts of her characters in a way that is so believable. They are consistent with the way any teen would feel. As an adult who is far enough separated from her high school experience to reflect honestly, but also someone close enough to still remember how these things felt, I can honestly say I feel like Madsen was in my head.
It was hard for me to review this book because there were so many things that I loved and I think the premise is amazing and unique. I enjoyed the book thoroughly. But I did have a few things that I didn't love ...
I felt like some of Troy and Summer's arguments were unrealistic and unclear and I felt like they should've gotten together a little sooner. I also felt that there were some scenes that were kind of choppy and that didn't flow.
However, those things in general didn't change the fact that I did really, really like this book and that I would recommend it to anyone! This book has so much character and heart and in reality, it deals with some of life's toughest questions. Everyone on earth dies. Yet we choose to establish relationships and love in the face of that, even once we've been burned death before and have felt that pain. This book will be successful and will really resonate not only with teens who are just starting to contemplate these things, but with people of all ages. Cipher will inspire readers to be brave and courageous, even when life is at its most difficult, and will possibly even change the way readers relate to those important people in their life in the face of uncertain futures.
August 5, 2013
Originally Reviewed At: Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 5 Controllers, Crown Rating
Review Source: Blog Tour/Blast
Reviewer: AimeeKay
OK. I know this is a giant spoiler but I’m giving Cipher a 5 controllers out of 5 Royalty award! OMG! This book was amazing. If you don’t read the rest of my review that’s fine, but definitely take my advice on this one and go pick up a copy of this book. Pick up a box of tissues while you’re at it.
I have to say when I started this book I struggled at first. Not because of the book itself, but because I’ve been reading A LOT of first person pov lately and this one is written in third person past tense so it took a minute. But the perspective issues wore off quickly and Cipher sucked me in completely.
First let’s start with the non-spoilery things. Madsen’s world she has created is awesome! (It’s also heartbreaking, but more on that later.) The way she works Summer’s abilities and all into our world is amazing. Not only does it feel realistic, but at one point the main character even gets busted for talking on her cell and driving at the same time. (Don’t think that will spoil too much.)
Her characters are also uber-realistic. From the way Summer reacts to her world around her, the way the mean girls react to pretty much everyone, to how the Misfits are with each other. It all rang true. Also her characters are awesomely true to themselves.
As for the heartbreaking….tears started leaking before I was even halfway done. Needless to say by the end I was a hot mess. Without giving too much spoilerage, I think I started tearing up because I knew one of the characters I was attached to was supposed to die at the end. By the end I just couldn’t stop. This author was that good. I mean I got attached to the characters without even thinking about it. They were awesome. Thank goodness the author offered some positive points near the end so it provided some comfort. But, OMG, still I couldn’t stop crying! The worst (best?) part is that I wasn’t crying because of some sappy stuff, but because the author really had me invested in this book.
I am recommending this book to pretty much everybody. There really aren’t any over PG-13 scenes so I want to get a copy of this one to share with my own girls. Definitely read it through first if you are thinking of buying it for a younger teen though, since it deals with some REALLY heavy stuff.
There is a teaser for the second book in the series at the end which I haven’t started yet. But I plan to, and I plan to try to get my hands on the next book as soon as it becomes available, even though it will probably have me in tears too.
Go get this book, read this book, share this book. It is awesome. It is moving. It has hysterically funny scenes that probably made me cry even harder knowing from the summery how the book would end. But still they were laugh out loud funny. I hope I haven’t completely ruined the book with this review. Just go out and get a copy and read it for yourself if you don’t believe me, just have the tissues nearby and don’t say I didn’t warn you about how awesome it is!
Rating: 5 Controllers, Crown Rating
Review Source: Blog Tour/Blast
Reviewer: AimeeKay
OK. I know this is a giant spoiler but I’m giving Cipher a 5 controllers out of 5 Royalty award! OMG! This book was amazing. If you don’t read the rest of my review that’s fine, but definitely take my advice on this one and go pick up a copy of this book. Pick up a box of tissues while you’re at it.
I have to say when I started this book I struggled at first. Not because of the book itself, but because I’ve been reading A LOT of first person pov lately and this one is written in third person past tense so it took a minute. But the perspective issues wore off quickly and Cipher sucked me in completely.
First let’s start with the non-spoilery things. Madsen’s world she has created is awesome! (It’s also heartbreaking, but more on that later.) The way she works Summer’s abilities and all into our world is amazing. Not only does it feel realistic, but at one point the main character even gets busted for talking on her cell and driving at the same time. (Don’t think that will spoil too much.)
Her characters are also uber-realistic. From the way Summer reacts to her world around her, the way the mean girls react to pretty much everyone, to how the Misfits are with each other. It all rang true. Also her characters are awesomely true to themselves.
As for the heartbreaking….tears started leaking before I was even halfway done. Needless to say by the end I was a hot mess. Without giving too much spoilerage, I think I started tearing up because I knew one of the characters I was attached to was supposed to die at the end. By the end I just couldn’t stop. This author was that good. I mean I got attached to the characters without even thinking about it. They were awesome. Thank goodness the author offered some positive points near the end so it provided some comfort. But, OMG, still I couldn’t stop crying! The worst (best?) part is that I wasn’t crying because of some sappy stuff, but because the author really had me invested in this book.
I am recommending this book to pretty much everybody. There really aren’t any over PG-13 scenes so I want to get a copy of this one to share with my own girls. Definitely read it through first if you are thinking of buying it for a younger teen though, since it deals with some REALLY heavy stuff.
There is a teaser for the second book in the series at the end which I haven’t started yet. But I plan to, and I plan to try to get my hands on the next book as soon as it becomes available, even though it will probably have me in tears too.
Go get this book, read this book, share this book. It is awesome. It is moving. It has hysterically funny scenes that probably made me cry even harder knowing from the summery how the book would end. But still they were laugh out loud funny. I hope I haven’t completely ruined the book with this review. Just go out and get a copy and read it for yourself if you don’t believe me, just have the tissues nearby and don’t say I didn’t warn you about how awesome it is!
August 13, 2013
Wow. I really, really didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. And I never expected that I would be on a rollercoaster ride full of feelings - I even cried during this book, people! And you know how rarely that happens. The plot may seem cliche and over-used "teenage girl sees deaths before they happen" but I'm so glad to say that it's not just about that. There's so many factors in this story that I adored and once I finished the book, I still couldn't stop thinking about it.
Even though it does have some paranormal elements within the story, in my opinion it reads more like a YA contemporary. Which I liked. The main focus of the story wasn't about hot guys (though they are there - hey Troy!!) or about being a Cipher mostly, it's about friendship. Like some of you guys, I've been wanting to read a YA that's more about female friendships than anything else. And this one is that. The friendship between Summer and Ashlyn was so realistic and fun and loyal.
Summer wasn't a character I thought I would like very much. She starts out that popular, spoiled rich girl who's on the dance team and going out with a quarterback. It wasn't until she was friends with Ashlyn that I really began to like her. Troy on the other hand, was one I fell in love with quickly! How could you not? And even though I love bad boys, Troy is a nice guy (though he does have some moments) and exactly just what Summer needs. I need my own Troy too, come to think of it.
I really don't want to spoil anything for you, but just be prepared for this book. I really like the direction the author took in this book - she didn't shy away from anything, and even though you may hate what happens, you kinda get why it happened. Cindi Madsen is a hell of a writer, and I can promise you that I'll read anything she writes. This start of a brand new exciting series is one I'd highly recommend.
Even though it does have some paranormal elements within the story, in my opinion it reads more like a YA contemporary. Which I liked. The main focus of the story wasn't about hot guys (though they are there - hey Troy!!) or about being a Cipher mostly, it's about friendship. Like some of you guys, I've been wanting to read a YA that's more about female friendships than anything else. And this one is that. The friendship between Summer and Ashlyn was so realistic and fun and loyal.
Summer wasn't a character I thought I would like very much. She starts out that popular, spoiled rich girl who's on the dance team and going out with a quarterback. It wasn't until she was friends with Ashlyn that I really began to like her. Troy on the other hand, was one I fell in love with quickly! How could you not? And even though I love bad boys, Troy is a nice guy (though he does have some moments) and exactly just what Summer needs. I need my own Troy too, come to think of it.
I really don't want to spoil anything for you, but just be prepared for this book. I really like the direction the author took in this book - she didn't shy away from anything, and even though you may hate what happens, you kinda get why it happened. Cindi Madsen is a hell of a writer, and I can promise you that I'll read anything she writes. This start of a brand new exciting series is one I'd highly recommend.
July 21, 2013
*I got a free copy from the author for review purposes and blog tour*
Death has always been my weakness. Well, besides the goody-goody and kissy-kissy scenes. I mentally went crazy after reading such a book! It is indeed a fact that a good book can give you can give you a real and unforgettable cry. This has been the third one on my list.
I've been on and about crazy when I saw the cover. It was magnificent and when I started reading this, I cannot accept the fact that the girl, Summer, has been really annoying. That was at first, though, but sooner you'll really love it. When I got to the good part, I just can't put my reader down (a.k.a. Kindle on my iPhone). Troy was in fact the best part for me. He's perfect like real perfect. And Ashlyn! Let's not forget about this amazing and awesome girl that I have encountered in this book. She totally rocks!
And have I mentioned that I cried before the book ends? Well, yeah I did! I did!
I suggest you all go start buying an reading this one, you won't even regret it!
Death has always been my weakness. Well, besides the goody-goody and kissy-kissy scenes. I mentally went crazy after reading such a book! It is indeed a fact that a good book can give you can give you a real and unforgettable cry. This has been the third one on my list.
I've been on and about crazy when I saw the cover. It was magnificent and when I started reading this, I cannot accept the fact that the girl, Summer, has been really annoying. That was at first, though, but sooner you'll really love it. When I got to the good part, I just can't put my reader down (a.k.a. Kindle on my iPhone). Troy was in fact the best part for me. He's perfect like real perfect. And Ashlyn! Let's not forget about this amazing and awesome girl that I have encountered in this book. She totally rocks!
And have I mentioned that I cried before the book ends? Well, yeah I did! I did!
I suggest you all go start buying an reading this one, you won't even regret it!
July 25, 2013
Well that was all kinds of awesome. Can't wait for book 2
October 13, 2013
4.5 stars
TROY!!!!
TROY!!!!
August 18, 2013
Loved it. Swooning over Troy. Can't wait for book 2.
April 25, 2020
To be fair to the book and author, I am not the target audience for this book and it IS well written.
That said, I do enjoy a good YA novel or series often enough. It's just fun to escape to paranormal worlds as a teenager.
The problem I had with this one was at first the whole death woman showing up, like this is light and fluffy. While some people enjoy that kind of thing, I don't.
The main character's friends were shallow, cookie-cutter popular people who were jerks and self-centered. Ick.
But what killed it for me was the main character going back to her boyfriend after his behavior with absolutely no drama or backbone. I'm absolutely sure it probably gets better.
It just doesn't say much for the main character that these people are who she chooses to associate with in the beginning.
That said, I do enjoy a good YA novel or series often enough. It's just fun to escape to paranormal worlds as a teenager.
The problem I had with this one was at first the whole death woman showing up, like this is light and fluffy. While some people enjoy that kind of thing, I don't.
The main character's friends were shallow, cookie-cutter popular people who were jerks and self-centered. Ick.
But what killed it for me was the main character going back to her boyfriend after his behavior with absolutely no drama or backbone. I'm absolutely sure it probably gets better.
It just doesn't say much for the main character that these people are who she chooses to associate with in the beginning.
July 6, 2019
This young adult drama grabs you and won't let you go
I was expecting more paranormal events but was pleasantly surprised by clean and wholesome dialog containing romance without any of the usual unnecessary steamy bedroom scenes. The Grimm Reeper with a sense of humor and a touch of humanity brought the Angel of Death our characters can relate to. I highly recommend this tale for the young and young at heart.
I was expecting more paranormal events but was pleasantly surprised by clean and wholesome dialog containing romance without any of the usual unnecessary steamy bedroom scenes. The Grimm Reeper with a sense of humor and a touch of humanity brought the Angel of Death our characters can relate to. I highly recommend this tale for the young and young at heart.
September 7, 2019
Four and a half stars!
There isn't much I can say about this book without spoilers. I couldn't put it down. I cried at the end even though I knew what was coming. I got the first book for free and I am seriously considering buying the rest of the series.
There isn't much I can say about this book without spoilers. I couldn't put it down. I cried at the end even though I knew what was coming. I got the first book for free and I am seriously considering buying the rest of the series.
December 12, 2020
Unbearable main character
October 25, 2013
I really enjoyed this! I was a little unsure of how well I'd like it going in, since my previous experience with Cindi Madsen's work is All the Broken Pieces, which I thought was pretty decent (although not particularly memorable, as I've forgotten most of what happens), and Falling for Her Fiance, which I thought was very mediocre. But this was easily my favorite thing of hers I've read thus far. It actually reminded me a little of Pivot Point (although it's not incredibly similar in terms of plot or anything, there were just a couple of factors that reminded me of it, such as the main romance, and just the overall tone). I really loved Summer's friendship with Ashlyn, and I was hoping that I also thought Troy was really cute, and I liked his easy friendship with Summer, and how that turns into more. And Summer's relationship with her dad was also pretty wonderful!!! I like when there are good parents in YA novels.
I did have some issues with the story, which knocked this down to 4 stars for me. I feel like, even though I liked this more than the other books I've read from her, the author does have the tendency to tell rather than show in her writing. But my biggest problem with the book was Ashlyn's relationship with her mother. I'm also not sure how I feel about there being a sequel. I think it really works well as a standalone novel, and I don't actually know that I need more. But I'll probably end up checking out the sequel once it's out.
I did have some issues with the story, which knocked this down to 4 stars for me. I feel like, even though I liked this more than the other books I've read from her, the author does have the tendency to tell rather than show in her writing. But my biggest problem with the book was Ashlyn's relationship with her mother. I'm also not sure how I feel about there being a sequel. I think it really works well as a standalone novel, and I don't actually know that I need more. But I'll probably end up checking out the sequel once it's out.
March 17, 2014
Just the beautiful cover alone makes you want to pick up this book, which Living Fictitiously had the honor of being a part in the revealing. And behind this beautiful cover lies an awesome, authentic, interesting story.
I knew from the moment I read this opening -->> 'Nothing to worry about. I'm only going to remember this night for the rest of my life.' <<-- that my eyes would be dancing around the pages of Cipher by Cindi Madsen.
As the clock starts running down on Ashlyn’s life, Summer decides she's going to tweak her objective. She’s going to save her new friend before it’s too late—even if it means messing with fate.
Summer learns she inherited a trait, which is quite an interesting characteristic to have in dealing with death. Summer is a Cipher. She's like a mediator for the soon to be deceased and brings unity between the dying and their loved ones. Her responsibility can be beautiful and with great purpose, but yet a burden. While Summer struggles with her responsibility, the dying would want to have her on their side to ensure their death is guilt free and to help them achieve a peaceful passing. Maybe?
And then there's the whole becoming attached to your assignment thing. During her mission, not only does Summer gain an awesome friendship that is very heart felt, but she also gains herself back.
I really like Summer's personality. She is sarcastic and sincere and we have the same taste in music. She does all the sports I would love to do- dancing, surfing, skating. She falls into the 'I think I'm the shit' girl squad- but what counts is she finds herself. She is totally someone who I'd want to be great friends with in high school.
And there's this guy. Troy! A skater. A music connoisseur! I'd get all electrified every time he touched Summer. I love their encounters and how they act around each other; their development and curiosity towards each other. There is something mysterious about him that makes him not only hot, but intriguing. His mysteriousness wasn't what I thought it would've been, but totally suiting.
This is an author whose stories do not disappoint and if you haven't read any of her work, you are missing out on some major literary entertainment, heart pumping goodness.
Madsen can nail a break-up scene and the feelings to go with it. She can snag some death scenes too. I love how her stories are really original and different and interesting and emotional. That's some pretty cool adjectives to describe her work and I'm quite confident and honest you'll feel the same way.
I knew from the moment I read this opening -->> 'Nothing to worry about. I'm only going to remember this night for the rest of my life.' <<-- that my eyes would be dancing around the pages of Cipher by Cindi Madsen.
As the clock starts running down on Ashlyn’s life, Summer decides she's going to tweak her objective. She’s going to save her new friend before it’s too late—even if it means messing with fate.
Summer learns she inherited a trait, which is quite an interesting characteristic to have in dealing with death. Summer is a Cipher. She's like a mediator for the soon to be deceased and brings unity between the dying and their loved ones. Her responsibility can be beautiful and with great purpose, but yet a burden. While Summer struggles with her responsibility, the dying would want to have her on their side to ensure their death is guilt free and to help them achieve a peaceful passing. Maybe?
And then there's the whole becoming attached to your assignment thing. During her mission, not only does Summer gain an awesome friendship that is very heart felt, but she also gains herself back.
I really like Summer's personality. She is sarcastic and sincere and we have the same taste in music. She does all the sports I would love to do- dancing, surfing, skating. She falls into the 'I think I'm the shit' girl squad- but what counts is she finds herself. She is totally someone who I'd want to be great friends with in high school.
And there's this guy. Troy! A skater. A music connoisseur! I'd get all electrified every time he touched Summer. I love their encounters and how they act around each other; their development and curiosity towards each other. There is something mysterious about him that makes him not only hot, but intriguing. His mysteriousness wasn't what I thought it would've been, but totally suiting.
This is an author whose stories do not disappoint and if you haven't read any of her work, you are missing out on some major literary entertainment, heart pumping goodness.
Madsen can nail a break-up scene and the feelings to go with it. She can snag some death scenes too. I love how her stories are really original and different and interesting and emotional. That's some pretty cool adjectives to describe her work and I'm quite confident and honest you'll feel the same way.
November 2, 2013
Taken from my book review site: http://tinalizreads.blogspot.com/
First of all, I want to say that I probably would have given this book 3.5 stars instead of 4 if it wasn't for the Friday Night Lights reference. The main character goes to see a band that is from the TV show Friday Night Lights and there is someone there who plays football and his name is "Tyler". So Landry's band was playing and Tim Riggins (played by Taylor Kitsch) was in attendance and that just made me so happy that I immediately loved the book much more. The author is clearly AWESOME.
Anyway, I did like this book. It was a quick, simple read. The main character, Summer, didn't annoy me, which is always a plus. I liked pretty much all of the characters, good and bad, and loved the "coming of age" spin the author puts on the book with Summer finding out who she really is. It might seem trivial or shallow to some, but I remember high school and how much popularity and the group you're in mattered. I totally admired Summer's ability to realize how immature she was being and change herself.
Summer finds out she is a cipher which means her job is to help people make amends and fix relationships before they die. Her first job is a girl named Ashlyn who needs to get closer to her mother before she dies. Although I did really like the whole idea, sometimes Summer said certain things that made me cringe because of how un-smooth she was about it. She took to the whole thing pretty easily, meaning she didn't freak out and check herself into a mental institution, but then sometimes it was annoying that she was reluctant to do her job correctly. But then again, who the hell knows how I would have reacted.
The book made me sad when it was supposed to and made me root for Summer and a certain love interest so it did it's job. I would definitely recommend this book if you like YA or slightly paranormal books.
Because it wasn't a huge slam dunk of a book I'm going to wait until reading the 2nd installment, but I know that I will in the future. Actually, I don't even know if it's out yet, haha. But you get a preview of the first chapter at the end of this book and I can already tell it might be a little annoying. Her next job is a guy in college and I can already sense the love triangle that is bound to happen. Or might not happen but her boyfriend might THINK is happening and so there will probably be lots of relationship issues. Hate that shit!
First of all, I want to say that I probably would have given this book 3.5 stars instead of 4 if it wasn't for the Friday Night Lights reference. The main character goes to see a band that is from the TV show Friday Night Lights and there is someone there who plays football and his name is "Tyler". So Landry's band was playing and Tim Riggins (played by Taylor Kitsch) was in attendance and that just made me so happy that I immediately loved the book much more. The author is clearly AWESOME.
Anyway, I did like this book. It was a quick, simple read. The main character, Summer, didn't annoy me, which is always a plus. I liked pretty much all of the characters, good and bad, and loved the "coming of age" spin the author puts on the book with Summer finding out who she really is. It might seem trivial or shallow to some, but I remember high school and how much popularity and the group you're in mattered. I totally admired Summer's ability to realize how immature she was being and change herself.
Summer finds out she is a cipher which means her job is to help people make amends and fix relationships before they die. Her first job is a girl named Ashlyn who needs to get closer to her mother before she dies. Although I did really like the whole idea, sometimes Summer said certain things that made me cringe because of how un-smooth she was about it. She took to the whole thing pretty easily, meaning she didn't freak out and check herself into a mental institution, but then sometimes it was annoying that she was reluctant to do her job correctly. But then again, who the hell knows how I would have reacted.
The book made me sad when it was supposed to and made me root for Summer and a certain love interest so it did it's job. I would definitely recommend this book if you like YA or slightly paranormal books.
Because it wasn't a huge slam dunk of a book I'm going to wait until reading the 2nd installment, but I know that I will in the future. Actually, I don't even know if it's out yet, haha. But you get a preview of the first chapter at the end of this book and I can already tell it might be a little annoying. Her next job is a guy in college and I can already sense the love triangle that is bound to happen. Or might not happen but her boyfriend might THINK is happening and so there will probably be lots of relationship issues. Hate that shit!
September 15, 2014
Goodreads Synopsis: 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.
My Review: A cute book. I liked it. It's not my favourite, but I definitely didn't hate it. The characters were interesting and not really flat at all, they were like people I could know in real life. Outside of bookland, if you will. Anyways. The story was alright. I feel bad for Summer. She tries so hard, just to fail again and again. I don't know how she keeps at it, all those people dying even with her trying so hard. Sure, she wasn't really a nice person at the beginning of the book, I mean she is a nice person, but she tried not to be to fit in. I know what that's like, everyone goes through that at some point in their lives, I'm sure. Ashlyn was probably my favourite character. She's sweet, and she sticks up for what she believes in. She didn't want to let Summer into 'The Misfits', their group in school, but once she realized that Summer wasn't what she appeared to be, she calmed down and they became friends. This book is a typical high school story for most of the book, and there are parts where that small Cipher twist is embedded. It's a good read. Definitely check it out if you get the chance. I like the cover, too. Thanks for reading!
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
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.
My Review: A cute book. I liked it. It's not my favourite, but I definitely didn't hate it. The characters were interesting and not really flat at all, they were like people I could know in real life. Outside of bookland, if you will. Anyways. The story was alright. I feel bad for Summer. She tries so hard, just to fail again and again. I don't know how she keeps at it, all those people dying even with her trying so hard. Sure, she wasn't really a nice person at the beginning of the book, I mean she is a nice person, but she tried not to be to fit in. I know what that's like, everyone goes through that at some point in their lives, I'm sure. Ashlyn was probably my favourite character. She's sweet, and she sticks up for what she believes in. She didn't want to let Summer into 'The Misfits', their group in school, but once she realized that Summer wasn't what she appeared to be, she calmed down and they became friends. This book is a typical high school story for most of the book, and there are parts where that small Cipher twist is embedded. It's a good read. Definitely check it out if you get the chance. I like the cover, too. Thanks for reading!
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
November 12, 2016
Rating: 2.5 stars.
This is one of those books that you read one day and you forget almost everything about the day after.
It wasn’t exactly anything special and what really bumped me was that it could have been so much better because it actually had some potential but no, why bother?
Summer can see people’s death if she touches them and if their death is imminent. She tries to ignore this ability until one day a woman shows up in her room telling her that Summer’s a Cipher: she has to help people solve their problems with their loved ones before they die.
Her first mission is a girl named Ashlyn and she’s not exactly a piece of cake. She hates cheerleaders and what Summer represents: the cool side of high school. Eventually they end up being best friends and Summer can’t just let her go anymore, no matter the cost.
So… the characters were okay, I guess. Nothing special, really, and lots of stereotypes.
I mean, Summer is obviously beautiful and she hangs out with the cool girls of her high school because she wants to have friends and so she pretends to be what she is not. So original. And she’s the girlfriend of the quarterback, of course. But she is actually interested in her best friend and they both have a secret. Yeah, I hadn’t seen that coming.
And Troy’s secret… let me tell you one thing, dear Troy: play the drums without your mother knowing is not that big of a secret, you know? It’s just stuff that teenagers do.
And Gabriella, the so called Angel of Death? She remembered me the fairies from Sleeping Beauty. She was so happy and just weird all the time! Not exactly what I wanted from the Angel of Death.
The ending was a bit of a surprise! Just a bit, don’t get too excited. I mean, the love part was so predictable but I don’t know.
Overall, it was a nice story. A bit too plain but it is a light read to spend the time.
This is one of those books that you read one day and you forget almost everything about the day after.
It wasn’t exactly anything special and what really bumped me was that it could have been so much better because it actually had some potential but no, why bother?
Summer can see people’s death if she touches them and if their death is imminent. She tries to ignore this ability until one day a woman shows up in her room telling her that Summer’s a Cipher: she has to help people solve their problems with their loved ones before they die.
Her first mission is a girl named Ashlyn and she’s not exactly a piece of cake. She hates cheerleaders and what Summer represents: the cool side of high school. Eventually they end up being best friends and Summer can’t just let her go anymore, no matter the cost.
So… the characters were okay, I guess. Nothing special, really, and lots of stereotypes.
I mean, Summer is obviously beautiful and she hangs out with the cool girls of her high school because she wants to have friends and so she pretends to be what she is not. So original. And she’s the girlfriend of the quarterback, of course. But she is actually interested in her best friend and they both have a secret. Yeah, I hadn’t seen that coming.
And Troy’s secret… let me tell you one thing, dear Troy: play the drums without your mother knowing is not that big of a secret, you know? It’s just stuff that teenagers do.
And Gabriella, the so called Angel of Death? She remembered me the fairies from Sleeping Beauty. She was so happy and just weird all the time! Not exactly what I wanted from the Angel of Death.
The ending was a bit of a surprise! Just a bit, don’t get too excited. I mean, the love part was so predictable but I don’t know.
Overall, it was a nice story. A bit too plain but it is a light read to spend the time.
September 26, 2013
Originally published at Rookie Romance.
Summer appears to be a popular girl on the high school dance team with a quarterback boyfriend, but underneath the surface she struggles to keep herself from falling apart. She sometimes sees people's deaths before it happens, and soon discovers from the Angel of Death that she is a Cipher. It's her job to help people resolve their issues with loved ones before their deaths. And it's not a job Summer wants. She has to befriend Ashlyn, a girl at her school, before it's too late to repair the relationship with her mother.
Summer is easily relatable, she just wants to live a normal teenage life, and works hard to do just that. But her world is turned upside down by a visit from the Angel of Death. She struggles to understand and accept her responsibilities as a Cipher, as any sane girl would! Summer has such a journey to make in this book, her mother's death has made her lose her way a bit. Her friendship with Ashlyn helps her rediscover who she really is, and wants to be.
The romance between Troy and Summer is a slow starter, for most of the book they're just friends- understandable since she's dating Cody at the beginning. I'm definitely intrigued to see where this goes in the rest of the series, because they're very sweet together.
Cipher is filled with heartfelt emotion, and that's what really made this book. It's about friendship, grief and love and you feel such a spectrum of emotions throughout. The ending was just so genuinely moving.
I love Cindi Madsen's writing, and I'm looking forward to seeing where Summer and Troy's relationship will go in the next book.
*I received a review copy from the publisher, for my honest review. Thank you!
Summer appears to be a popular girl on the high school dance team with a quarterback boyfriend, but underneath the surface she struggles to keep herself from falling apart. She sometimes sees people's deaths before it happens, and soon discovers from the Angel of Death that she is a Cipher. It's her job to help people resolve their issues with loved ones before their deaths. And it's not a job Summer wants. She has to befriend Ashlyn, a girl at her school, before it's too late to repair the relationship with her mother.
Summer is easily relatable, she just wants to live a normal teenage life, and works hard to do just that. But her world is turned upside down by a visit from the Angel of Death. She struggles to understand and accept her responsibilities as a Cipher, as any sane girl would! Summer has such a journey to make in this book, her mother's death has made her lose her way a bit. Her friendship with Ashlyn helps her rediscover who she really is, and wants to be.
The romance between Troy and Summer is a slow starter, for most of the book they're just friends- understandable since she's dating Cody at the beginning. I'm definitely intrigued to see where this goes in the rest of the series, because they're very sweet together.
Cipher is filled with heartfelt emotion, and that's what really made this book. It's about friendship, grief and love and you feel such a spectrum of emotions throughout. The ending was just so genuinely moving.
I love Cindi Madsen's writing, and I'm looking forward to seeing where Summer and Troy's relationship will go in the next book.
*I received a review copy from the publisher, for my honest review. Thank you!
September 24, 2013
This book starts fast and keeps going. I loved all the drama of the teen world: friends who start nasty rumors, boyfriends who pressure for sex, friends where you don’t expect them, and those parents who are both annoying and cherished. Summer is a great character who the reader instantly identifies with, and the whole cipher thing fits right in, bringing in an extra Whomp! of surprise. And that Gabriella—what a funny angel-messenger-task master. Also, the addition of surfing as a main action, very cool.
November 3, 2014
This was so nice. Suprisingly actually. It was sad, it was funny, it was cute, it was horrible it was everything a book needs. And it was for free. o_o I even loved the love story in this one. It didn't seem fake...as in "omg you so hot *Drool*". No it was actually real. Slow growing and subtle and not so forced. They were adorable <3
And the story itself...I felt like crying in the end when shit went down. I had so much hope Q_Q I have to buy the second one, and I will write a better review when I have more time.
And the story itself...I felt like crying in the end when shit went down. I had so much hope Q_Q I have to buy the second one, and I will write a better review when I have more time.
August 7, 2013
Wonderful YA Romance! Madsen cleverly portrays a teenager with an unusual ability and the difficulties that come with it. The characters are well-developed and stick with you long after you finish reading the book. This is a great story of first love and friendship. I look forward to the next book in the series!
April 8, 2015
This was really good. The character interaction is, to put it simply, awesome. It was very easy for me to lose myself in this book and to emphasize with the characters. I'd smile, laugh, roll my eyes, and yes, I even cried with them. Highly recommend this read and will definitely be continuing this series!
August 1, 2013
3.5 stars. Shaky start but solid finish. Overall, CIPHER is a likeable and enjoyable read, and I'm interested to see where the series goes.
Check out my full review on August 8th @ The Demon Librarian as part of the Cipher Blog Tour!
Check out my full review on August 8th @ The Demon Librarian as part of the Cipher Blog Tour!
May 29, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. it is a must read for anyone who enjoys this type of ya book. It was a fast read and i enjoyed her story telling, I cried, laughed and felt for her as i read through this book
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