Author: Kimberly Derting
Genre: YA Dystopian
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Source: Bought
Description:
In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.
Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.
Review:
The Pledge is the first book in a YA dystopian series that follows the main character and heroine - Charlie - as she discovers secrets her family has kept hidden for years. While the threat of war presses down on her country of Ludania, the queen is desperately seeking to find a hidden female heir who will take her place on the throne. On top of all that Charlie is facing in her life, she meets the mysterious and handsome Max at a club one night. Charlie is unsure of her feelings for Max and doesn't know if he can be trusted. He's definitely hiding things from her, and Charlie has secrets of her own that nobody can ever find out.
This book had me hooked from the first sentence and didn't let go until I finished. The world building of the dystopian society is very detailed and in depth, which I found unique and very interesting. I enjoyed reading the descriptions of the city, the country, and the history of all that had happened beforehand. It immediately sucked me into the setting and the story. The characters were all very well done and interesting. They were easy to relate to and I found myself rooting for Charlie early on in the book. Charlie is a strong character from the beginning, but we really get to see her grow and mature throughout the story. I loved the romance and tension between Charlie and Max. It wasn't overdone or corny - which is a huge plus for me - and I was definitely rooting for them to get together. The plot itself was original and highly intriguing. The dystopian setting made it seem all the more realistic, even when dealing with the magic of the queen and the Essence. The narrative was very well written and fast paced, which made it impossible for me to put down. Overall, this was a fantastic and enchanting book and I absolutely can't wait to continue the series to see what will happen next.
Be sure to check back on January 2nd for my review of The Essence and my stop on the tour!
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