Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

The Pledge

Author: Kimberly Derting
Series: The Pledge #1
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Genre: YA Dystopia/Fantasy
Format: Hardcover, 323 pages
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Source: Mid-Columbia Libraries
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Synopsis from Goodreads:

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.

My Review:

Why didn’t I read this book earlier? This was so good! I’m in love. Kimberly Derting is a new favorite author. This book was like The Girl of Fire and Thorns meets modern day dystopias like Article 5. My two favorite genres meeting! *Fangirls* *Flails*

The book is set in the war-torn country of Ludania. The country is ruled by the cruel Queen Sabara. Ludania is divided into a rigid class system. I love books with class systems! (The Selection anybody?) This system is cray. Each class has their own language along with the common language of Englaise. If a person who is a member of the class above you begins speaking in their language, you must drop your head to the ground and not look up until they switch back to Englaise. If you lift your head and look at them, you are immediately executed. Well, that escalated quickly. Sabara rules with an iron fist, making sure that none of her subjects step out of line.

Our main character Charlie can understand every language, something she is definitely not supposed to be able to do. Forced to hide her gift, Charlie lives her life cautiously. Constantly checking herself, listening carefully and remembering to drop her head whenever she hears a language she’s not supposed to know. I loved Charlie. She doesn’t trust anybody and is always careful in order to protect herself and her younger sister, Angelina. Charlie is fiercely loyal and protective of her younger sister. I was instantly able to relate to her. I have two sisters and nobody messes with them. Because if they mess with them, they mess with me and nobody wants that. The only person that can make fun of them is me. Yeah, I’m that kind of sister. But because of that, I instantly felt a strong connection with Charlie.

One night at the club, she meets a mysterious guy named Max who speaks a language she has never heard. Max=swoon worthy. He has these stormy gray eyes that just draw you in. I have a thing for eyes. Max makes a PLEDGE (see what they did there?) to protect Charlie at all costs. She’s not sure why he’s made this pledge or who he is, but she is inexplicably drawn to him. Who wouldn’t be? He’s gorgeous! He definitely has some secrets of his own though and that mysteriousness made him even hotter. Charlie also meets another mysterious guy at the club named Xander. The only thing I’m going to say about him was that I loved his character. If I say more, well… spoilers. So I won’t.

The book is written from Charlie’s perspective for the most part, but Derting slipped in the occasional short chapter from another character’s perspective such as the Queen, Max, and Xander. I enjoyed these short chapters. They gave us insight into who these other characters were and what their plans were. Of course it also made it that much tenser because you knew things that Charlie didn’t and you wanted to jump into the book and scream at her. I love books like that.  

I felt like this book was mostly fantasy mixed with historical fiction mixed with a hint of dystopia. It wasn’t historical fiction. Ludania is not a real country, but at times it read like a historical fiction which to me just meant that Kimberly Derting did an awesome job of world-building. The fantasy elements came from the special abilities that the main character and of course, the Queen possess. There is a lot of unrest in the country which is where the dystopia came into play. A rebellion is forming against Queen Sabara. They still want a queen, but one that will eliminate the harsh class lines and the even harsher punishments for breaking the law.

Literally all my favorite things were combined into one glorious book. I’m still reeling from how much I liked this. This was a book that kept me up all night. I couldn’t read fast enough. I was gripping the book so hard my knuckles turned white. My husband, Phil, looked over at me at one point and had to ask if I was okay. I waved him away impatiently. I couldn’t do anything until I had read every single word. And even after I finished, I had to sit for a few minutes to process the awesomeness I had just consumed. Seriously, if you like fantasy and dystopia, there is no way you can miss this book. Read it right now. If you liked The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Grave Mercy, or any of the modern day dystopias like Article 5, you will love love love this book! Happy reading all!