Review: Sekret by Lindsay Smith

Sekret

Author: Lindsay Smith
Series: Sekret #1
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Genre: YA Paranormal Historical Fiction
Format: ARC
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Source: Received from Publisher
Rating: 4 Stars
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 ***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***   

Synopsis from Goodreads:

An empty mind is a safe mind.

Yulia's father always taught her to hide her thoughts and control her emotions to survive the harsh realities of Soviet Russia. But when she's captured by the KGB and forced to work as a psychic spy with a mission to undermine the U.S. space program, she's thrust into a world of suspicion, deceit, and horrifying power. Yulia quickly realizes she can trust no one--not her KGB superiors or the other operatives vying for her attention--and must rely on her own wits and skills to survive in this world where no SEKRET can stay hidden for long.

My Review:

What an interesting time period for a book to be set in. The era of The Cold War, the race to reach the moon, the KGB versus the CIA. I haven’t read any other books set during this time period and I loved the fact that it was set in Russia. I’ve been really sick of the typical American settings lately, so it was nice to break out and see something different.

The main character, Yulia, is a psychic. And because of that, she is hunted by the KGB, captured, and forced to work for them as a spy. My heart broke for Yulia. All she wants to do is protect her mother and her brother. But with a government as powerful as the Russian one and with the KGB hunting them, what is she supposed to do? She has no choice but to work for these people and hope that they don’t hurt her family.

There were moments in this novel that were so intense, I was on the edge of my seat, heart pounding in sheer terror over what the KGB would do next. The author gives us a horribly realistic picture of what it was like to live in communist Russia and it truly broke my heart to see the way people had to live. There were lots of twists and turns in this novel that I didn’t see coming and you never really know who to trust.

I was rooting for Yulia the whole time, but I was also scared for her. She was smart and defiant though and I loved that about her. Taking on the KGB is no easy feat, but Yulia proved that she would persevere until she got what she wanted. I admired her fierce determination.

Valentin was super interesting and I can’t wait to learn more about his character in the second book. I’m honestly not sure if I trust him completely yet. I like when an author can keep me on my toes though and she definitely does with his character. I wanted to trust him though, because he was dark, mysterious, and handsome. And he can play the piano. *swoon*

This was a wonderful story that showed the courage and bravery of a young Russian girl fighting for her life and her family. If you like historical fiction or paranormal stuff, this is the book for you. Happy reading all! 

Have you read this one? What did you think of the setting and the historical aspects? How did you feel about the psychic abilities? Did you trust Valentin?