forsakenfates's review against another edition
4.0
Book 1 for #TBRTakedown. This was so good! I loved the plots and the characters. Now I need to get my hands on Skandal.
From the start of this book I was pulled into the world of espionage, spies, and kids with psychic abilities. Lindsay Smith has crafted an amazing world in the 1960s with the events of the Cold War. While this is clearly fiction, there were so many elements that seemed so real to me. Smith clearly did her research on Russian and that time period for this series.
The plot of this series is incredibly deep and while I have no clue where things are headed, I'm perfectly okay with that. I loved not knowing where things were going and what to expect. I did figure out the one big reveal early but I was not overly disappointed in that. I think there were clues there to help you come to that prediction on your own.
As for the characters, I absolutely loved the group of misfit, psychic children. While I absolutely hated Misha and Masha, they were still their own unique characters that had a role to play. As for Sergei, on a purely personal note, I loved the hockey knowledge and obsession he had. As an avid hockey fan who knows how important that sport is in Russia, I loved the tribute to the sport through Sergei. I also loved Yulia and Valentin and the course of their friendship. It was definitely not thrown in your face like other books.
Overall, this was a fascinating read and a great start to what I assume is a fantastic series. I have high hopes that Skandal will live up to this book and I will enjoy it just as must and the story unravels further. There are a lot of loose ends to tie up and I cannot wait to see how that is accomplished.
From the start of this book I was pulled into the world of espionage, spies, and kids with psychic abilities. Lindsay Smith has crafted an amazing world in the 1960s with the events of the Cold War. While this is clearly fiction, there were so many elements that seemed so real to me. Smith clearly did her research on Russian and that time period for this series.
The plot of this series is incredibly deep and while I have no clue where things are headed, I'm perfectly okay with that. I loved not knowing where things were going and what to expect. I did figure out the one big reveal early but I was not overly disappointed in that. I think there were clues there to help you come to that prediction on your own.
As for the characters, I absolutely loved the group of misfit, psychic children. While I absolutely hated Misha and Masha, they were still their own unique characters that had a role to play. As for Sergei, on a purely personal note, I loved the hockey knowledge and obsession he had. As an avid hockey fan who knows how important that sport is in Russia, I loved the tribute to the sport through Sergei. I also loved Yulia and Valentin and the course of their friendship. It was definitely not thrown in your face like other books.
Overall, this was a fascinating read and a great start to what I assume is a fantastic series. I have high hopes that Skandal will live up to this book and I will enjoy it just as must and the story unravels further. There are a lot of loose ends to tie up and I cannot wait to see how that is accomplished.
nighthawk921's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting story, mostly because it is from a Russian point of view during the space race. I was disappointed in how little there actually was about the space race or the Russians getting a man to the moon before the Americans. In fact, that whole "plot" of the story seemed like an after thought tacked on at the end. I didn't quite understand the "need" to have these psychics at some of the events they went to, they seemed very ineffective. Looking back there seem to be quite a few holes in the story but if you can get past that it was a decent read. Last complaint will be on the love triangle. Its getting old, if its not done really well then I'm quite against it. And this one was very forced and not well explained. Why where the two single good-looking guys interested in Yulia? I'm not entirely sure what she brought to deserve both their affections, aside from being "the new girl".
snarkyshibes's review against another edition
3.0
I seem to be on a bit of a "psychic teens" kick -- there's this novel set in an American high school, that I reviewed recently, and also this one about a secret agent teen (review to be published March 10). And a while ago, I read the sequel to Shadow and Bone, a series with Russian characters, special powers, people who can amplify psychic powers. So forgive me if I find Sekret by Lindsay Smith to be vaguely familiar at times. The story is set in the 1960s and Smith integrates details from that period. I think this novel could supplement a history class unit on the Cold War since it tries to reveal what life in Russia may have been like during that time.
My quibbles: Some of the relationships between Yulia and the others on her team weren't always believable. For example, I found it hard to believe that Sergei liked her upon first sight. Yulia can sometimes be impulsive and gullible, so I found myself cringing at some of her thoughts and actions. The plot with the American "scrubber" psychic was a little too convenient. Their teacher/mission supervisor, Kruzenko, a psychic Russian with a bob reminded me too much of Cate Blanchett from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. And there are lots of reveals near the end which made it feel like too much was being thrown at me.
What I liked: Yulia has a lot of unanswered questions about her past, and this made me keep reading. Why did her father abandon the family? Why are there gaps in her memory? Her relationship with Valentin and his power is intriguing. Is he on her side, or just out for himself? Their boss, Rostov is a horrible person; I wanted to know what his back story was. There are some really descriptive passages and appreciative references to music. I don't know music history that well, but if the song choices in the novel are correct for the setting, then music history could be another tie-in for students reading this novel.
Sekret is the first novel in this series by Lindsay Smith. I'm interested enough in Yulia and Valentin to want to read the sequel when it comes out.
My quibbles: Some of the relationships between Yulia and the others on her team weren't always believable. For example, I found it hard to believe that Sergei liked her upon first sight. Yulia can sometimes be impulsive and gullible, so I found myself cringing at some of her thoughts and actions. The plot with the American "scrubber" psychic was a little too convenient. Their teacher/mission supervisor, Kruzenko, a psychic Russian with a bob reminded me too much of Cate Blanchett from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. And there are lots of reveals near the end which made it feel like too much was being thrown at me.
What I liked: Yulia has a lot of unanswered questions about her past, and this made me keep reading. Why did her father abandon the family? Why are there gaps in her memory? Her relationship with Valentin and his power is intriguing. Is he on her side, or just out for himself? Their boss, Rostov is a horrible person; I wanted to know what his back story was. There are some really descriptive passages and appreciative references to music. I don't know music history that well, but if the song choices in the novel are correct for the setting, then music history could be another tie-in for students reading this novel.
Sekret is the first novel in this series by Lindsay Smith. I'm interested enough in Yulia and Valentin to want to read the sequel when it comes out.
storytimed's review against another edition
1.0
Generic, muddled plot with inconsistent character motivations. Yulia feels like a basic American girl transposed into 1960s Russia. She spend the whole novel planning to run away, except her plans to run are incredibly stupid, and she has no idea what to do afterwards. Love triangle also generic and frustrating.
jerseygrrrl's review against another edition
3.0
The good: Compelling, rarely seen context (1960s Soviet union). Interesting implementation of a familiar concept (psychics). Mood (very 1960s Soviet).
The meh: The love triangle and, in fact, the entire romance felt obligatory. The real energy and draw in this book is the tension between individual and state, between repression and freedom, between individual morality and survival.
The meh: The love triangle and, in fact, the entire romance felt obligatory. The real energy and draw in this book is the tension between individual and state, between repression and freedom, between individual morality and survival.
pikasqueaks's review against another edition
THIS WAS SUCH A FUN READ.
ONTO THE SECOND.
ONTO THE SECOND.
silea's review against another edition
3.0
There's something odd about this book, i can't quite place it. Every time i started reading, i was utterly engrossed. But every time i put down to attend to life, i found myself looking for excuses to avoid picking it up again.
The beginning of the book was definitely stronger than the middle, as Yulia's life on the run in soviet Russia is more compelling than her angsting about being well fed and cared for by the KGB. The last 50 or so paged finally pick up the pace again.
Overall, i definitely enjoyed the story, even if one of the major plot twists was obvious from very early in the book. Yulia's story pulled me along, and some of the supporting characters were quite entertaining. However, other support characters were a bit of a mess. Sergei and Ivan, for example, i couldn't really tell them apart. They were almost one character, split in half to fill the space.
I'd probably give this book two stars for the writing, since the pacing (or whatever it was) kept driving me away, but probably four stars for the story itself.
The beginning of the book was definitely stronger than the middle, as Yulia's life on the run in soviet Russia is more compelling than her angsting about being well fed and cared for by the KGB. The last 50 or so paged finally pick up the pace again.
Overall, i definitely enjoyed the story, even if one of the major plot twists was obvious from very early in the book. Yulia's story pulled me along, and some of the supporting characters were quite entertaining. However, other support characters were a bit of a mess. Sergei and Ivan, for example, i couldn't really tell them apart. They were almost one character, split in half to fill the space.
I'd probably give this book two stars for the writing, since the pacing (or whatever it was) kept driving me away, but probably four stars for the story itself.
ilikecows321's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cnstamper's review against another edition
1.0
Meh. I don't know why I disliked this book as much as I did...but I did. I was just utterly bored by it.
snowmitts's review against another edition
5.0
I got this book off of Indigo's "blind date with a book" shelf for $5. Best $5 book I've ever bought, that is for sure.
I really enjoyed the plot, I thought it was refreshing from what I usually read. The main character could have been overpowered (and often is in other books like this) but wasn't; she slowly worked her way up from knowing pretty much nothing about her situation to getting a better hold of her powers and figuring out who she is.
I found the characters to be quite interesting too, their backgrounds were not always explained fully, but that only made them more mysterious and realistic. Actually, the whole book made sure to put you in Yulia's shoes, finding things out as she does and not knowing more or less than her. I found this perfect for a story based on the protagonist's experience with the KGB and dealing with psychic powers in herself and others.
Overall, I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh read, but make sure to have the next one (Skandal) available because you'll find yourself in my situation, wanting more but having to wait for the order to arrive!
I really enjoyed the plot, I thought it was refreshing from what I usually read. The main character could have been overpowered (and often is in other books like this) but wasn't; she slowly worked her way up from knowing pretty much nothing about her situation to getting a better hold of her powers and figuring out who she is.
I found the characters to be quite interesting too, their backgrounds were not always explained fully, but that only made them more mysterious and realistic. Actually, the whole book made sure to put you in Yulia's shoes, finding things out as she does and not knowing more or less than her. I found this perfect for a story based on the protagonist's experience with the KGB and dealing with psychic powers in herself and others.
Overall, I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh read, but make sure to have the next one (Skandal) available because you'll find yourself in my situation, wanting more but having to wait for the order to arrive!