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
Goodreads
Buy the Book
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.
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!
I loved this book too. I enjoyed the world-building and the characters were really well-written. The second book is excellent as well. Great review! ~Pam
ReplyDeleteI just started the second one! I am loving it so far! :)
Delete