Belle Whittington is a fiction author whose debut novel, "Cicada," has garnered critical attention for its unique narrative voice and exploration of complex human relationships. Her work is characterized by vivid prose and a talent for crafting emotionally resonant stories that linger with the reader long after the final page.
Archivist's Choice
Cicada
Belle Whittington (2011)
Genre
Fantasy / Mystery / Science Fiction / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
12 Minutes
Key Themes
See below
Track Your Reading
Sign in to track this book
When a group of friends finds an alien in their small town, their carefree summer turns into a desperate fight for survival, complicated by a developing romance and the dangerous burden of their shared secret.
Synopsis
Blair Reynolds and her friends anticipate a typical carefree summer, but their world is upended when they stumble upon a non-human entity. This discovery thrusts them into a desperate fight for survival, forcing them to band together against an unknown threat. Amidst the chaos, Blair's romantic relationship takes an unexpected and supernatural turn, as her true love transforms into something unnatural. Their very existence hinges on their ability to guard a profound and dangerous secret, intertwining their personal struggles with a larger, mysterious conflict.
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Mysterious, thrilling, romantic, suspenseful, adventurous
Plot Summary
The Summer Begins
The story opens with Blair Reynolds and her friends Lucas, Chloe, and Sam celebrating the start of summer. They are at their usual spot, a clearing by a creek called 'The Hollow.' They joke about crushes, future plans, and avoiding summer jobs. Blair finds comfort in Lucas's presence; their unspoken affection is a familiar part of their friendship. They discuss local legends and ghost stories, a common pastime, but nothing prepares them for what is about to happen. These first scenes feel normal, creating a sharp contrast with the supernatural events that will soon unfold, making this their last truly carefree summer.
The Discovery in the Woods
During a hike through the woods, Blair, Lucas, Chloe, and Sam find a strange, glowing cocoon. Curious, they approach it carefully. The cocoon cracks open, revealing a being that is clearly not human. It is slender, with long limbs and eyes that seem to absorb light. The creature appears disoriented and vulnerable. Their initial shock turns into fear and fascination. Lucas, always protective, tries to keep Blair and the others safe. Blair feels an unexplained pull towards the creature, a strange empathy overriding her fear. This discovery changes their summer forever.
First Contact and the Whisperer
Against their better judgment, the friends take the creature to an abandoned shed on the edge of town, hoping to hide and study it. They name it 'Cicada' because of its appearance and the buzzing sound it makes. Cicada is unresponsive at first but soon begins to communicate not with words but through telepathy, sending images and feelings directly into their minds. Blair seems most sensitive to these messages, experiencing vivid flashes of Cicada's alien world and journey. They learn that Cicada is not hostile but is in danger, hunted by others of its kind or another species. This new communication strengthens Blair's bond with the creature.
The Hunters Emerge
Their efforts to keep Cicada a secret are challenged when strange people start appearing in town. These figures, always in dark, plain clothing, seem to be looking for something. Their presence is unsettling, and their stares are unnervingly focused. They are seen near the woods and even around the friends' homes. The group realizes that Cicada's pursuers are getting closer, and their secret is harder to keep. Lucas becomes more cautious and protective, while Chloe and Sam struggle with the fear. Blair, however, feels a growing responsibility towards Cicada, understanding that its survival depends on them. The danger is now clear and immediate.
Lucas's Transformation
During a desperate attempt to move Cicada to a safer, more remote location, the group is ambushed by the mysterious hunters. In the fight, Lucas is badly injured while protecting Blair and Cicada. As he bleeds, Cicada, in an act of self-preservation or perhaps an instinct to heal, sends a powerful burst of energy directly into Lucas. The hunters are temporarily driven back, but Lucas is significantly changed by the encounter. His wounds heal incredibly fast, and his eyes gain a subtle, unnatural glow. Blair is horrified and fascinated, realizing that Lucas is no longer entirely human, a direct result of his interaction with Cicada. This event permanently alters their relationship and Lucas's very nature.
The Secret Burden
With Lucas now having abilities beyond human, the group's dynamic shifts. Lucas shows enhanced strength, speed, and sharp awareness, but also periods of confusion and a growing detachment. Blair is torn between her love for the Lucas she knew and her fear of what he has become. Chloe and Sam are terrified, their youthful innocence shattered by their situation. They understand that revealing Lucas's condition or Cicada's existence would have terrible consequences. The weight of their secret isolates them from their families and town. They are forced to grow up quickly, making life-or-death decisions in secret.
Unveiling the Hunters' Motive
Through more intense telepathic communication, Cicada gives Blair a clearer story. It reveals that the hunters are not just trying to capture it but to destroy it because its species has a unique energy signature that can be used as a weapon or is seen as a threat. Cicada is a refugee, a last hope for its kind, and its presence on Earth is a desperate attempt to find safety. The hunters, it explains, are a rival alien group or perhaps a human organization that has discovered alien life and wants to control it. This revelation clarifies the immense danger they are all in, turning their situation from a local mystery into an interstellar conflict.
The Plan to Escape
Realizing they cannot keep Cicada hidden forever, and with Lucas's condition becoming more unpredictable, the group plans a daring escape. Cicada communicates that it needs to reach a specific place, a natural energy point hidden deep in the forest, to send a signal for rescue or to return to its home world. The friends, now more united despite their fears, decide to help. Lucas's new abilities are vital to their plan; he uses his enhanced senses to detect the hunters and his strength to create diversions. Blair, with her strong connection to Cicada, guides and interprets for it, leading them towards their dangerous goal.
The Confrontation at the Nexus
The journey to the energy point is full of danger, as the hunters relentlessly pursue them. When they reach the ancient, overgrown site, a big fight breaks out. The hunters, now revealed to be well-armed and organized, engage the group in a desperate battle. Lucas, fully using his transformed state, fights with a power that amazes even Blair, protecting his friends with his new abilities. Chloe and Sam, despite their fear, help by creating distractions and using their knowledge of the local area. Blair focuses on Cicada, helping it channel its energy into the nexus, racing against time as the hunters close in, determined to stop them.
Cicada's Departure and a New Beginning
In a final burst of energy, Cicada successfully activates the nexus, creating a portal or sending a powerful signal. As it prepares to leave, it gives Blair a last message, a sense of gratitude and a promise of connection. The hunters are defeated, scattered, or retreat as Cicada disappears. The immediate danger ends, but the friends are left with the aftermath. Lucas, though still changed, seems more at peace; his connection to Blair has deepened. They survived, but their innocence is gone, replaced by a deeper understanding of the universe. They vow to keep their secret, forever bound by the summer that changed their lives.
Principal Figures
Blair Reynolds
The Protagonist
Blair transforms from a typical teenager into a brave and resourceful leader, her empathy evolving into a powerful connection that guides their survival.
Lucas
The Supporting
Lucas's transformation from a human protector to a supernaturally enhanced being challenges his identity and deepens his bond with Blair, forcing him to adapt to his new existence.
Chloe
The Supporting
Chloe confronts her fears, evolving from a hesitant bystander to a supportive and resilient member of the group, demonstrating loyalty under extreme pressure.
Sam
The Supporting
Sam matures from a lighthearted friend into a resourceful and quick-witted member, using his practical skills to aid the group's survival.
Cicada
The Supporting
Cicada's journey from a vulnerable refugee to a beacon of hope for its species drives the plot, culminating in its successful departure and the safety of its newfound allies.
The Hunters
The Antagonist
The Hunters remain a constant, malevolent presence, their relentless pursuit forcing the protagonists into increasingly desperate measures until their ultimate defeat or retreat.
Themes & Insights
The Loss of Innocence
The carefree summer of Blair and her friends is broken by their encounter with Cicada. This theme explores how extraordinary and dangerous events force young people to face harsh realities, make difficult decisions, and grow up quickly. Their perfect world is replaced by a secret burden, fear, and the understanding that the universe is more complex and dangerous than they imagined. The shift from summer fun to a fight for survival marks their change from childhood to a more experienced state.
“The long, lazy days of summer faded, replaced by shadows and secrets that twisted the familiar into something terrifyingly new.”
The Nature of Humanity and Otherness
This theme explores what it means to be human when faced with something 'other' – an alien being and a friend changed into something 'unnatural.' It questions the limits of identity, love, and acceptance. Lucas's transformation forces Blair to deal with loving someone who is no longer fully human, exploring if love can go beyond physical differences. Cicada, despite being alien, inspires empathy and protection, challenging ideas of what makes a 'person' worthy of compassion, regardless of origin.
“He was still Lucas, but beneath the surface, something ancient and powerful now stirred, a whisper of the stars in his very blood.”
The Power and Burden of Secrets
The main conflict comes from the huge secret Blair and her friends must keep: Cicada's existence and Lucas's transformation. This theme explores the mental cost of secrecy, the isolation it creates, and the constant fear of being found out. It shows how shared secrets can create strong bonds but also cause great pressure on relationships. The need to protect their secret drives many of their actions, forcing them to lie, hide, and fight for their lives, knowing that telling the truth would have terrible consequences for them and the world.
“The secret was a living thing between them, binding them tighter than any spoken promise, but also choking their every breath.”
Love and Sacrifice
The story explores the depths of love, both romantic and friendly, in extreme danger. Blair and Lucas's growing romance is tested and strengthened by his transformation and their shared experience. Their willingness to sacrifice for each other and for Cicada is a repeated idea. The entire group's decision to protect Cicada, despite the risks to their own lives, shows deep selflessness and loyalty. This theme emphasizes that true love often requires great personal cost and a willingness to put others' well-being first, even when facing the terrifying unknown.
“She would walk through fire for him, for all of them. This was their fight now, and she wouldn't back down.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The MacGuffin (Cicada)
The object of desire and conflict, driving the entire plot.
Cicada itself functions as the primary MacGuffin. While it is a sentient being and integral to the story's themes, its initial role is to be the mysterious object that everyone wants or is trying to protect/destroy. Its unique energy signature and status as a refugee are the core reasons for the conflict. The hunters pursue it, Blair and her friends protect it, and its presence directly leads to Lucas's transformation. Its true nature and purpose are gradually revealed, but its initial status as a mysterious catalyst drives the plot forward and creates the central tension.
The Transformation
A character's fundamental change, altering their identity and abilities.
Lucas's transformation from human to a supernaturally enhanced being is a key plot device. It serves multiple purposes: it raises the stakes, introduces new abilities and challenges, and deepens the thematic exploration of identity and otherness. His altered state creates internal conflict for Lucas and external conflict for Blair, who must reconcile her love for him with his new, 'unnatural' self. This transformation also provides the group with a powerful asset in their fight against the hunters, while simultaneously making their secret even more dangerous to keep.
Telepathic Communication
Direct mental communication, bypassing language barriers.
Cicada's ability to communicate telepathically, primarily with Blair, is a crucial plot device. It allows for the gradual revelation of Cicada's backstory, its species' plight, and the hunters' motives without relying on conventional language. This direct mental link deepens the bond between Blair and Cicada, making Blair the central figure for understanding the alien's needs and intentions. It also creates moments of intense emotional connection and vivid imagery, immersing the reader in Cicada's alien perspective and enhancing the mystery and wonder of its presence.
The Secluded Setting (The Hollow/Woods)
A hidden, natural location providing refuge and mystery.
The use of 'The Hollow' and the surrounding dense woods serves as a critical plot device. Initially, it's a place of youthful freedom and escape, but it quickly transforms into a hiding place for Cicada and a battleground for their survival. Its isolation allows the friends to keep their secret for a time, fostering a sense of claustrophobia and increasing the tension as the outside world encroaches. The natural energy nexus hidden within the woods also provides a mystical, ancient backdrop for the climax, connecting the alien elements to the Earth's natural power.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
Quiz
Test Your Knowledge
Ready to see how well you understood this book? Take our interactive quiz with 10 questions.
10
Questions
~5
Minutes
?
Best Score
Key Questions (FAQ)
"Cicada" by Belle Whittington is a young adult novel that blends fantasy, mystery, science fiction, and romance. It follows a group of friends who discover a non-human entity during their summer vacation, leading to a fight for survival and a deepening romance with something unnatural.
