Review: Fabulous YA
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 20, 2013
Whether she's writing a story from an adult or a teen point -of-view, Cindi Madsen always manages to create strong characters with tons of heart.Cipher is a Young Adult Contemporary story with magical realism. And though that "magic" is a very important part of the story, what really impressed me about Cipher was just how truthfully Madsen was able to portray the teen experience.I won't lie, I had a pretty great experience as a teenager. I was popular and had a good family. But like almost every teen, I also had a lot of doubts, confusion and insecurities. Summer, the heroine of Cipher, is a popular girl who feels lost. Madsen did such a thorough job of bringing Summer to life that I couldn't help but to be taken back to my own teenage experience. Summer was sweet and funny and brave, but she was also real. She doesn't always make the right choice, react the "right" way, or say the right thing, but she does her best, and for me, that is what makes YA so important. Not for me, with my ability to see things in hindsight, but for a teen, who is facing many issues and decisions on a daily basis. This is the kind of story I will want my own daughter to read when she is old enough.Back to the supernatural, or magical, aspect to Cipher.... Being that I'm not reading much of anything but realistic fiction these days, I was wondering if I would be able to truly embrace that aspect. I've read many books with reapers and guardian angels and the like, but nothing with the same angle as Cipher. I found the change to bring both tension and emotion to the story, and I was hooked.Cipher was a complete win for me. Madsen's writing was as charming and nicely paced as always, the characters were well-developed with tons of heart and humor, the story was humorous, intense, and emotional. The ending left me both satisfied and ready for more. In many ways, Cipher is only the beginning, and this is going to be a great series.