thegabecole's review against another edition
Action-packed and very enjoyable sequel to SEKRET! :)
sarahthenerd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
If I'm being completely honest, I like the sequel more.
It’s also interesting that the life, ideology and culture in Russia and America is so different to one another. But in the end, both wants to achieve the same goal which is demolished everything for their own purpose.
Reading this reminds me of the wars that these two countries started in Ukraine, Iran, etc. And also country like Palestine (IMO, it's still a country), India and Bangladesh. A lot of these countries started wars bcs of the difference in ideology and wants others to accept their ideology (hope this make sense).
But I want to focus more on the war that the mainstream keeps pushing in the early of 2022. Russia-Ukraine war. (If I'm not mistaken) like the war between them started again bcs Russia doesn't want Ukraine to join NATO bcs Russia believes that Ukraine is a part of Russia. That's why Putin declared war between those two countries. Fact check me if I'm wrong. And some theorists said that Russia actually wants to take over the world. Which is not shocking at all bcs America terrorized and started wars in the middle east long time ago AND IT'S STILL ONGOING!!!
In conclusion, let's not forget all the wars that these big, ego countries started.
It’s also interesting that the life, ideology and culture in Russia and America is so different to one another. But in the end, both wants to achieve the same goal which is demolished everything for their own purpose.
Reading this reminds me of the wars that these two countries started in Ukraine, Iran, etc. And also country like Palestine (IMO, it's still a country), India and Bangladesh. A lot of these countries started wars bcs of the difference in ideology and wants others to accept their ideology (hope this make sense).
But I want to focus more on the war that the mainstream keeps pushing in the early of 2022. Russia-Ukraine war. (If I'm not mistaken) like the war between them started again bcs Russia doesn't want Ukraine to join NATO bcs Russia believes that Ukraine is a part of Russia. That's why Putin declared war between those two countries. Fact check me if I'm wrong. And some theorists said that Russia actually wants to take over the world. Which is not shocking at all bcs America terrorized and started wars in the middle east long time ago AND IT'S STILL ONGOING!!!
In conclusion, let's not forget all the wars that these big, ego countries started.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Sexual harassment, Suicide, and Sexism
bethanymiller415's review against another edition
3.0
In this sequel to Sekret, Yulia and Valentin have escaped from communist Russia to the United States with the help of Yulia’s father and are working with the CIA using their psychic abilities in an attempt to thwart the plans of General Rostov. Although she wants to stop Rostov, Yulia is worried about her mother’s continued involvement with his program and doesn’t want to do anything that could hurt her. Her father embraces American culture, and seems like a different man from the father she grew up with. Yulia knows that the Americans only want her because of her abilities and feels like an outsider except when she’s with Valentin, who is still struggling with memories of a past he won’t talk about. When Yulia receives a psychic communication from Rostov’s son, she realizes that they haven’t fully escaped his control, and she must decide how much to reveal to the Americans who don’t care if her mother lives or dies.
I really liked the blending of historical fiction with an element of the supernatural. There’s not a lot of YA fiction that is set during the Cold War, and the historical details were interwoven in a way that readers wouldn’t have to know much about it going in but could gain some insights about the time period as they read. Though the novel had a promising premise, the execution fell flat at times. It just did not have the page turning intensity of a spy thriller which is what it is set up to be. Yulia and Valentin didn’t have the spark and chemistry that I wanted them to. Though the stakes were high throughout the book, it just didn’t have intensity to make me want to keep turning the pages. Optional purchase where historical fiction is popular.
I really liked the blending of historical fiction with an element of the supernatural. There’s not a lot of YA fiction that is set during the Cold War, and the historical details were interwoven in a way that readers wouldn’t have to know much about it going in but could gain some insights about the time period as they read. Though the novel had a promising premise, the execution fell flat at times. It just did not have the page turning intensity of a spy thriller which is what it is set up to be. Yulia and Valentin didn’t have the spark and chemistry that I wanted them to. Though the stakes were high throughout the book, it just didn’t have intensity to make me want to keep turning the pages. Optional purchase where historical fiction is popular.
lexaloo1210's review against another edition
1.0
SO BORING
There was no character development (or characterization in any way... nothing stands out about Yulia) and I didn't care about the context at all. So glad to be done with it!
There was no character development (or characterization in any way... nothing stands out about Yulia) and I didn't care about the context at all. So glad to be done with it!
lyderature's review against another edition
“But when I look past the rainbow landscape, the shops with overflowing shelves, the rattle and hiss of daily life that spills from every mouth and machine, I can see the difference. It's an absence — an absence of guards, of bindings, of rabid fear to comply. And in that absence, human will and creativity and resourcefulness have grown, unchecked, filling every possible crevice like some tenacious, lovely weed. These people refuse to be stopped. There is nothing to stop me here.”
Mmm. Lindsay Smith's writing is good for the souuuul.
Add in some Cold War, cover operations, and psychic abilities and you have a match made in heaven.
Although I did see every twist coming in this, and you know how I feel about predictability in books. Skandal's plot wasn't quite as riveting as Sekret's, but this was still a solid 3.5 stars.
Mmm. Lindsay Smith's writing is good for the souuuul.
Add in some Cold War, cover operations, and psychic abilities and you have a match made in heaven.
Although I did see every twist coming in this, and you know how I feel about predictability in books. Skandal's plot wasn't quite as riveting as Sekret's, but this was still a solid 3.5 stars.
loveisnotatriangle's review against another edition
Didn't like quite as much as the first book but enjoyable nonetheless. No love triangle at all, thankfully. Settled end, but opened enough for another installment, if there was one. Full review to come.
erincorrine's review against another edition
3.0
Really enjoyed the last third. First two thirds took some diligence to continue forward.
freadomlibrary's review against another edition
5.0
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
Check out my series review here: https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/series-review-sekret-duology-by-lindsay-smith/
Critically
Plot – 4 out of 5 stars
exciting, intriguing, suspenseful, full of action and mystery, new setting and new characters, lots of twists and turns, a lot more emotionally deep than the first, really intense
Writing Style – 4 out of 5 stars
historically accurate, elaborate, descriptive, detailed, vivid, poetic, emotional, precise, intense
Characters – 4 out of 5 stars
Yulia is still one of my faves but she’s in shaky ground in this book. She’s in a whole new place, with a completely different kind of culture and it’s tough for her to get her bearings. She’s still incredibly brave and determined and powerful. However, she has a lot of doubts about herself and her insecurity shows and we get a glimpse into a more vulnerable part of her life. She’s angry and emotional and scared a bit. I loved her development and really enjoyed the ending.
I wasn’t captivated by the new characters in this series as much as I was in the first book. I liked them but I didn’t find them as intriguing as the group from the first book. They made an appearance and I was blown away by them once again. The romance developed in a very natural way, I loved how it wasn’t just all sunshine and roses. It reflected what was happening in the plot and what the characters had been through, while still tugging at my heart and pushing me to root for them. I feel like it was a great way to end the duology though I want more of the world.
Emotionally
I was anxious to finish this duology because I loved the first book so much and this second book did not disappoint.
The plot is suspenseful. Yulia has traveled somewhere new and she is now a part of the CIA, thanks to the connections her dad has in America. However, she does not recognize him at all, he’s changed completely, and she’s put to work to stop the KGB, the people who held her captive as well as her mother and brother, and end their plans. One of my favorite parts about this book is the world building. We’ve moved from Russia to America, so there’s a little bit more freedom to explore the surroundings. The music, the clothes, the slang terms and the roles in society were all totally on point and amazing. It really helps transport you to a different time. But I feel like that was the part that really caught my attention not the plot. I was intrigued and interested enough but it was a lot slower and a bit less mysterious than the first book. The beginning was interesting but it wasn’t until halfway that I was really snagged into the plot and got me to that edge of my seat feeling. I wish it could’ve been just as exciting as the first book but I also understand why it wasn’t that way. There’s a lot of other factors at play when you are in the US than when in Russia specially at that time in history. The ending was really bittersweet and not really what I was expecting but realistic and actually quite on the hopeful side.
Yulia is all over the place in this book but again it’s understandable. She’s in a new country, new city where things are completely different than where she’s from. She’s reunited with her father after years apart but he’s not how she remembers him and she has no idea why. However, the character traits that I loved about her are still relevant: her tenacity and determination. Her strength is actually quite awe inspiring for me.
Overall, I really need more people to read this duology! I feel like it’s completely underrated. It’s a great representation of historical fiction and I highly, highly recommend it.
Check out my series review here: https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/series-review-sekret-duology-by-lindsay-smith/
Critically
Plot – 4 out of 5 stars
exciting, intriguing, suspenseful, full of action and mystery, new setting and new characters, lots of twists and turns, a lot more emotionally deep than the first, really intense
Writing Style – 4 out of 5 stars
historically accurate, elaborate, descriptive, detailed, vivid, poetic, emotional, precise, intense
Characters – 4 out of 5 stars
Yulia is still one of my faves but she’s in shaky ground in this book. She’s in a whole new place, with a completely different kind of culture and it’s tough for her to get her bearings. She’s still incredibly brave and determined and powerful. However, she has a lot of doubts about herself and her insecurity shows and we get a glimpse into a more vulnerable part of her life. She’s angry and emotional and scared a bit. I loved her development and really enjoyed the ending.
I wasn’t captivated by the new characters in this series as much as I was in the first book. I liked them but I didn’t find them as intriguing as the group from the first book. They made an appearance and I was blown away by them once again. The romance developed in a very natural way, I loved how it wasn’t just all sunshine and roses. It reflected what was happening in the plot and what the characters had been through, while still tugging at my heart and pushing me to root for them. I feel like it was a great way to end the duology though I want more of the world.
Emotionally
Spoiler
I was so surprised that I enjoyed this duology when I read it. It’s now one of my favorite of all times.I was anxious to finish this duology because I loved the first book so much and this second book did not disappoint.
The plot is suspenseful. Yulia has traveled somewhere new and she is now a part of the CIA, thanks to the connections her dad has in America. However, she does not recognize him at all, he’s changed completely, and she’s put to work to stop the KGB, the people who held her captive as well as her mother and brother, and end their plans. One of my favorite parts about this book is the world building. We’ve moved from Russia to America, so there’s a little bit more freedom to explore the surroundings. The music, the clothes, the slang terms and the roles in society were all totally on point and amazing. It really helps transport you to a different time. But I feel like that was the part that really caught my attention not the plot. I was intrigued and interested enough but it was a lot slower and a bit less mysterious than the first book. The beginning was interesting but it wasn’t until halfway that I was really snagged into the plot and got me to that edge of my seat feeling. I wish it could’ve been just as exciting as the first book but I also understand why it wasn’t that way. There’s a lot of other factors at play when you are in the US than when in Russia specially at that time in history. The ending was really bittersweet and not really what I was expecting but realistic and actually quite on the hopeful side.
Yulia is all over the place in this book but again it’s understandable. She’s in a new country, new city where things are completely different than where she’s from. She’s reunited with her father after years apart but he’s not how she remembers him and she has no idea why. However, the character traits that I loved about her are still relevant: her tenacity and determination. Her strength is actually quite awe inspiring for me.
Overall, I really need more people to read this duology! I feel like it’s completely underrated. It’s a great representation of historical fiction and I highly, highly recommend it.