Monday, May 12, 2014

Sekret Street Team: Meet the Characters

http://www.amazon.com/Sekret-Lindsay-Smith/dp/1596438924/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390164358&sr=1-1&keywords=1596438924

Yesterday I announced my role as a proud member of the Sekret Street Team, one of many teams the amazingly creative group at Fierce Reads has put together to help promote both their recent and upcoming releases. Each team was issued a set of challenges to be completed over the course of a week, and today I get to give those of you who have yet to read the book a quick introduction to main characters Yulia and Valentin. I'm also going to share a few pieces of Sekret-related artwork that feature quotes from the book, so I hope you all enjoy!

On Friday I'll be sharing my list of Sekret favorites: Favorite scene, favorite quote, favorite villain, etc., so be sure to check back for more Sekret fun!


CHARACTER PROFILE: YULIA

Name: Yulia Andreevna Chernina
Age: 17
Mother: Antonina
Father: Andre
Brother: Zhenya
Phsyical Traits: Dark hair and olive skin

Special Ability:

"Me, I've found how to focus thoughts and memories through touch, like steadying a radio antenna with your fingertips, the static sloughing off until a clear melody remains."


• • • • • • • • • • •


CHARACTER PROFILE: VALENTIN

Name: Valentin or Valya
Physical Traits: Black curly hair, glasses, leanly muscled
Loves: Music; particularly The Beatles

"Music is very important to you," I say. Stupidly, I know. Music is his soul, and all those afternoons I basked in his piano playing–he shared more of himself with me then than he could ever speak.

He nods. "It's a language for things we can't put into words."

Special Ability: Can easily slip inside the minds of others and alter their memories or create new ones.



• • • • • • • • • • •


"An empty mind is a safe mind" is a phrase Yulia's father repeated to her over and over again before she even knew of her own ability, and it becomes one she wraps around her like a warm blanket when she suddenly finds herself surrounded by those who can see or hear her every thought. Though this book is more serious in nature, there are a few lighter moments, particularly in the beginning when Yulia realizes just how tricky thoughts can be when you're suddenly aware they're no longer solely yours.

Below is one of the cuter moments when Yulia's thoughts get away from her:

But the more I look at Sergei, the more I'm compelled to think everything about him that I wouldn't want him to hear me think. Horrible things that I wouldn't think otherwise, if I weren't worried about him overhearing–

"It's all right." He smiles at me, and it feels like the sun's rays slipping around dense clouds. The sun? I'm comparing some smug boy's grin to the sun? Bozhe moi, Yulia. "The less you want to think of something, the harder it becomes to think of anything else."

"Wonderful," I mutter.

• • • • • • • • • • • 

SEKRET


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.


Find Lindsay:

25 comments:

  1. Love this post!! I remember that we talked about this book and I was not entirely sold on it before.. but.. I think I might miss out out it?? This actually sounds exciting..

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    1. Yay!!! There was a lot I really enjoyed about this one:)

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  2. What a cool post, Jenny. I tried this book some time back, but I simply couldn't get into it for some reason, but I will try to read it all over again later this year, because it seems to have such a cool concept.
    Thanks for sharing, Jenny!

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    1. Thanks Nick! I had fun pulling the quotes and making the mini-posters:)

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  3. I'm on the Love Letter Street Team. You're going down, J! =P

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  4. I really loved the setup for this novel, but it somewhat failed on the follow-through for me unfortunately. I think the love story actually detracted from it...which NEVER happens! I love how this novel is being promoted though! Yulia was a fantastic character! Thanks for sharing, Jenny :)

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    1. I really enjoyed Yulia as well, especially in her lighter moments when things weren't so serious and her personality could really shine through!

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  5. I just know by the time you are done tempting me with all of this I am going to have to pick this one up Jenny and read it!

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  6. I haven't read this one yet but I know I'd have a similar reaction as Yulia if I found out I was surrounded by people who could hear my thoughts. Just knowing that you're not supposed to be thinking of something makes it that much harder not to think of that thing.

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  7. So I love the "covers" for each character -- very cool! And I can't even imagine having powers like this especially the changing the stream of someone's thoughts. Eep!

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  8. I love the artwork for this post, and the quotes! I put this one aside but I think I should give it another try. I agree with Mary, it's hard to imagine having an ability like Valentin. I don't think anyone should ever have that kind of power. *shivers*

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  9. Thanks for sharing some of the Sekret character profiles! I like guessing who my fav is going to be, and then reading the book to see if I was right.

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  10. Oh this is awesome! I have this book on my shelf to read and now I'm even more excited!

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  11. I am most curious about this book because still even all these years later Soviet Russia fascinates me, I think because it was so scary while I was growing up.

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  12. What fun to be part of this team, Jenny! I really loved this book and these characters especially. I couldn't imagine being stuck as Yulia was within the Soviet control, and I adored that Valentin had one of the most frightening abilities, and yet he was so gentle as well. Can't wait to see what else you post about this book!

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  13. Jenny, your post makes me so curious about this book. These characters profiles you created of Yulia and Valentin and theri special abilities really gives me an great inside look - great job. Adding it to my wishlist :)

    PS I can't wait to see what's on your favoriteslist!

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  14. It's YOUR fault! Yes Jenny, I'm pointing at you! Your artwork has me wanting to read this one. Darn it! I'm blaming you! Stop being so awesome. ;) Seriously, I wasn't sure if this one was for me, but you have me wanting to read it. Yes, you did it to me AGAIN! :)

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  15. Hmm, I really didn't have an interest in this book, but now I am curious. Yulia sounds like someone I would want to know. Jenny, I have got to stay on a budget!!

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  16. I already knew I needed to read this. ;) Great post.

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  17. Love this post too, Jenny! You're making me want to break my book-buying rule!!

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  18. These posts of yours are really making me want to read this book, and I wasn't very sure of it before... Going to the wish list for sure!

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  19. This is such a creative post! Love the quotes you chose and the posters. While I didn't love this book, I thought the writing was absolutely gorgeous.

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