Sekret

Starred review from February 17, 2014
In this smart and fresh supernatural take on the spy novel, it’s 1963, and the Soviet Union and United States are deep into the Cold War, with spycraft a necessary trade on both sides. Yulia Andreevna Chernina, 17, has the unfortunate luck of getting scooped up by the psychic branch of the KGB for her ability to “read” the past when she touches an object. She is quickly swept into a world of Soviet spies, imprisoned in a house with other similarly gifted young men and women, all conscripted to unearth top-secret information from the Americans. Though Yulia yearns for escape and reunite with her family, she also learns valuable skills from the KGB’s psychic guardians, including how to shield her mind from other psychics through music. Debut novelist Smith’s background in foreign affairs and Russian culture shines through in the historical context of her story and the political savvy of her characters and plot. As one character puts it: “Space, weapons, psychics. Arms races, all of them, going nowhere.” Ages 12–up. Agent: Mandy Hubbard, D4EO Literary Agency.

March 1, 2014
Cold War espionage smoothly blended with psychic romance. It's 1963, and 17-year-old Yulia is a starved "ration rat" in Khrushchev's Moscow. Her family, once high-ranking Communist Party members, has been on the run since her father vanished. Yulia thinks the mysterious psychic ability she uses in the black market is a secret until the KGB arrests her family. If she wants to protect her mother and brother, Yulia must join six other teenagers training for the KGB's "psychic operations wing," learning to smoke out dissidents and American spies. The teens protect their thoughts from one another--though not from their KGB masters--by filling their heads with subconscious music: the symphonic cellos and tympani of Shostakovich for Yulia, jazz improvisations for beautiful but dangerous Valentin, ancient Russian balalaika for Maj. Kruzenko. Yulia narrates with prose that ably reflects the sometimes-discordant cacophony of these disparate musical styles, as she seeks the simple melody that will explain family secrets and earn her freedom. Smith strikes an inexpert contextualizing balance, teetering between unexplained Russian and giving Yulia an outsider's view of her own culture. Still, the Soviet setting (uncannily similar to many a sci-fi dystopian future) is a flavorful backdrop for psychic espionage. A sudden cliffhanger sets up this fast-paced thriller (full of blaring brass and pounding drums) for a sequel. (historical note) (Science fiction. 13-16)

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May 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-Set in the Soviet Union in the early 1960s, this bildungsroman follows Yulia Andreevna Chernina, 17, as she discovers a secret her parents have kept hidden her entire life: she is psychic. Yulia can soak up memories and emotions of anything or anyone she touches. Her journey to realizing her abilities and discovering love is told through dazzling first-person narration, thought-provoking flashbacks, and vivid memories. Yulia's father had left in search of help and a better life, but before he could return, his family is captured by the KaGeBezniks (KGB). Yulia is terrified to find herself locked in a warehouse with other psychics and a monstrous "scrubber" who can scrub away memories and control thoughts. With the fates of her brother and her mother hanging over her head, Yulia agrees to develop her powers in the psychic school while biding her time to snatch her freedom. The teen is a vivacious, clever character with a voice full of spellbinding imagery and wit. Smith mesmerizes readers with sprints and twists in the plot while revealing the incredible level of abuse doled out by the Russian government. Readers will be begging for Yulia and Valentin to make their escape into the sunset. A debut historical thriller.-Jamie-Lee Schombs, Loyola School, New York City

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2014
Grades 9-12 In Communist Russia, Yulia has always been told that an empty mind is a safe mind. But she has never told anyone about her secret power: she can read the minds of those she touches. She learns that there are others like her when, in 1963, she is captured by the KGB as part of a clandestine program intent of developing psychic spies. While on a mission to hide details about Russia's space program from the U.S., Yulia uncovers secrets about her family and begins to see a world full of deceit and power. She becomes torn between trying to figure out a way to escape and the handsome, charming Sergei, who wants her to cooperate with the KGB. Everyone around her has powers and secrets, so whom can she trust? Smith's history adventure debut includes both paranormal and romance elements, and while it begins slowly, the momentum becomes breakneck when secrets are revealedreaders will never know what is to be believed. Yulia's story does not feel fully completed, which may mean there is more yet to come.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)