Book Review: Sekret by Lindsay Smith

The historical aspect of Sekret was compelling and that's probably why I had problems meshing the paranormal aspect into that setting.

Yulia is trying to survive in the USSR in 1963. This is a world of long lines for rations, hiding from the KGB, and using the black market just to survive. Yulia has a special ability that helps her make good deals -- if she touches someone she can read their thoughts and emotions.

Yulia gets captured and taken to a house where several children with these types of abilities have been training to spy for the government. Yulia knows they have taken her mother and brother somewhere, and her only goal is to escape and rescue them. It is difficult to trust any of the students, since they have varying types of mind reading and pushing abilities. Also, their captors have the same abilities, sometimes even stronger.

So Yulia is trying to survive and keep her captors happy, all the while trying to figure out how she's ever going to escape. They are being hunted by the CIA and Yulia decides maybe they would be better so she's trying to get to them to escape to the west.

I'm not sure what set wrong with me about Sekret. I enjoyed the atmosphere. This was also the time of the space race, and you get the Russian perspective on that. I think the alternate history bothered me a bit. Usually I love this type of story, but some of the powers that the characters had were a bit vague, or maybe too convenient? I had trouble believing the tension as it built. I didn't feel my heart pounding like I think I should have. Like I said, I'm not sure.

I did enjoy reading Sekret. It is written well; it's quick and easy.  I think teens who enjoy alternate history fueled by a paranormal element will enjoy Sekret. The second book in the series, Skandal, was just released.

Published by Roaring Book Press, 2014
Copy obtained from the library
345 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

---

Back to Annette's Book Spot Homepage Copyright © 2015 Annette's Book Spot. All Rights Reserved

Book Review: Across a Star-Swept Sea, by Diana Peterfreund

Across a Star-Swept Sea surprised me with it's political intrigue and interesting world building all wrapped around a slow building romance.

Across a Star-Swept Sea is really a spy novel. There's a revolution on one island, Galatea, and a secret spy from the other island, Albion, in what is left of the world. Then we have Justen, who has escaped the revolution because all he wants is to find a cure for the drug that his island is giving the aristocrats that damages their brains and turns them into slaves.

Justen convinces Isla, the ruler of Albion, that he needs to be able to do research to continue to find a cure -- research that his famous grandmother started years ago. Isla thinks Justen and her best friend, Persis, should pretend to be in a romantic relationship. What Justen doesn't know is that Persis is the secret spy who is rescuing aristrocrats of Galatea. Persis finds out things about Justen that causes her to believe his motives may not be truthful.

The politics, and the history of how the islands got to this point is complex, but interesting. The characters are well developed. I really liked Persis. She acts pretty much like a rich airhead -- but is really an intelligent and very successful spy. There are subtle nuances that add a lot to Across a Star-Swept Sea. The intricacies of the disease, how it affects the "regs" as opposed to the "aristos" and how the disease has changed over the years is all very intriguing. The technology is unique, and the differences between Galatea and Albion technology just adds to the tension.

The plot is steady, although I wouldn't consider Across a Star-Swept Sea to be unputdownable. The ending provides much tension, but up until that it's just a really interesting, well-paced story that I really enjoyed.

Because of the details, I wouldn't recommend Across a Star-Swept Sea to reluctant readers or younger teens. Although it adds a bit to the story to have read For Darkness Shows the Stars, it isn't necessary. I haven't read The Scarlet Pimpernel, so I can't comment on Across a Star-Swept Sea as a retelling. Those teens who like a bit of espionage with their romance will enjoy this one for sure.

Published by Balzer + Bray, October 15, 2013
Copy obtained from Edelweiss
464 pages

Rating: 4/5

---

Back to Annette's Book Spot Homepage Copyright © 2013 Annette's Book Spot. All Rights Reserved

Book Review: Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein @EWein2412

While the story of Code Name Verity is interesting, the rambling, disjointed narration may be enough to keep many teens away.

Our narrator has been captured by the Germans after her plane crashed in France during WWII. She has been tortured and is writing a confession to save her life. She's a radio operator, and she's giving up secret radio codes. But she also tells her story and the story of her best friend, who was also on the plane.

I've read many reviews that said Code Name Verity is hard at the beginning but stick with it. Let me tell you, I quit two different times to read different books, but after reading more reviews, I was determined to make it through this one.

It does get better, but I really found it difficult to follow through most of the book. There is a bit more action during the second part, but still the narration left me confused at times. The plot is very clever. Whatever you read you can pretty much disbelieve. The end was exciting, tragic, explained a lot, and was too drawn out.

I love WWII stories -- especially those NOT about the holocaust and those where the U.S. part in the war isn't the main focus. Code Name Verity meets those requirements, as well as being about women's roles in the war and  is an interesting, unique story with lots of surprises.

So, I guess I'm going to jump on the band wagon and tell you to put up with the difficult narrative style and get through Code Name Verity. The afterword written by the author is very interesting and there's an extensive bibliography.  I can see Code Name Verity being used as a classroom read. I think the discussions this book provokes would be very interesting. Anyone interested in WWII, especially the French resistance or women in the war should be directed to Code Name Verity.

Published by Hyperion, May 15, 2012
eARC obtained from NetGalley
352 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

---

Back to Annette's Book Spot Homepage Copyright © 2012 Annette's Book Spot. All Rights Reserved