The Cicada Tree starts off like a Carson McCullers or Harper Lee novel, then gets darker like a Flannery O'Connor novel, then goes full-blown supernatural horror like an Andy Davidson novel (or like The Vines by Christopher Rice). Robert Gwaltney uses Southern idioms and dialects well, without ever resorting to stereotypes or overly-florid dialogue. As a child of the American South I found his characters to be thoroughly believable, and I was captivated by the storyline. The novel ends with a few loose ends, so I'm hoping there's a sequel at some point. This is an amazing debut novel, and I look forward to reading more by Robert Gwaltney.

It was an interesting premise, but the pace for the first 2/3 of the book was too slow for my liking. The last part got very interesting, but the ending left so many things too vague or unanswered. I think this novel would do well to have an epilogue that sums things up and gives the readers a little closure. This would have been a three star read for me if the ending was more clear.

Since the majority of this book was the day to day of eleven year old Analeise, it came across to me as more of a coming-of-age YA novel then an adult book.

It was very well written with beautiful prose. The characters were complex and the descriptions brought everything to life.

Thank you Net Galley and Moonshine Cove Publishing for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #TheCicadaTree

Unlike anything I've ever read. Moments of calm interspersed with moments so full of tension, I found I didn't want to read this one at bedtime, but at the same time I didn't want to put it down. It was a page-turner.

Every time I thought I knew where the plot was going, it went somewhere else. There are twists and surprises galore. Analeise, the main character, had me rooting for her. Gwaltney is very, very good at making a reader feel what Analeise is feeling - the good and the bad. The other characters were abundantly fleshed out, but unpredictable enough to make the story exciting.

My only quibble is with the ending. I'm still not sure exactly what happened - could there be a sequel coming?

Thank you to NetGalley, Robert Gwaltney and Moonshine Cove Publishing for an ARC of this book.

Oh how I love me some southern historical fiction...especially ones with young girls growing up as a protagonist. In this one we learn about Analeise and it is the summer of 2956 in Providence, Georgia. I loved Analeise and was amazed that a male author could write as the voice of an eleven year old girl so well. The writing is beautiful and flows well. The feeling of time and place puts the reader right in the thick of things, such a hauntingly beautiful, magical story. I will be thinking of this one for a long time. I don't think it will ever leave me.

this was a wonderfully done historical fiction novel, I loved the characters and the time period used in this book. I enjoyed Mr. Gwaltney's way of writing and creating the world.

This story dances beautifully between nostalgia and fantasy. I really enjoyed this book. The author plays each sentence like notes of music.

This book follows seemingly ordinary Analeise in the summer of 1956. She is 11 years old and a piano prodigy. During the summer when the cicadas wake up, strange things occur that ultimately lead to an ending of flames and death.
This book was different and unique compared to my normal reads. I enjoyed Analeise and felt that her thoughts really fit what an 11 year old might be thinking in many situations. My only dislike is that the ending seemed abrupt and lacked more closure into other parts of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book for my honest opinion.
First, I loved the title and the cover. I am 100% a cover buyer and it is perfect for the Cicada year.
This book is about a young girl named Analeise. Analeise is obsessed with the family that lives in the MIstletoe mansion, where her mother has worked all of her life. Analeise and her best friend Etta Mae are both musical prodigy and the bring down the house <literally>. This book was written wonderfully. The development of the characters was awesome. Analeise's feelings were felt. My only disappointment was the ending. I felt the book just stopped. I felt like there was more to the story that needs to be told! Maybe book 2?

Well, not sure about my feelings on this book. For the most part it was really good! I couldn't put it down until I finished of course.
I liked how the story was told from Analiese's point of view.
This is actually how I like a story told! It makes it easier for me to understand what the character is feeling and I feel that sometimes I can even relate to them.
The main thing I didn't like was the secondary character's point of view about God. In fact, I was absolutely floored about it and I very much disapproved.
The ending sort of confused me. On how it ended I mean.
It makes me feel like there's maybe more to come? I don't know.
There were some things that made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck too.
So yes in a way, I have those kinds of feelings that Analiese had. I knew what she was talking about.
In other scenes I had to laugh/snicker at the girl's antics and then I really laughed out loud at Analiese and Marlissa. I felt she got what she deserved.
Surprises throughout the book. Some delightful and some well..... we'll leave it at that.
4 stars!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.