Release Date: November 25, 2011
Series: The Pledge, #1
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 323
Source: Bought
Interest: YA Dystopia & Fantasy
Buy the Book: IndieBound | B&N | Amazon
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.(
Rating: 3.5 / 5 Riceballs
Book Review:
The Pledge is definitely one of the most unique and/or fascinating books I’ve read, since I’ve always been fascinated by languages. While its quick pace and beautiful world were great and made for an enjoyable read, I have to admit that the romance and some parts of the plot bugged me. Nevertheless, overall I enjoyed reading The Pledge!
Especially in dystopian or fantasy fiction, building a unique or fascinating world is almost a must. On a positive note, the whole idea of the world itself was fascinating: Kimberly’s world surrounding languages is just so interesting, and the fantasy surrounding Charlaina and her sister were fun to read about. Certain places or scenes in the book were also spectacularly described, like the different shops, allies, or certain nightclubs you get to explore. My one qualm, however, was that I wish some of the history surrounding the world would be described, like how the Queen was able to separate classes by languages, or maybe how Charlaina’s power worked. Overall, however, I was captivated by the fantasy & world of the book!
The plot was also quick-paced and had some great surprises along the way. When I was reading, I never was really bored with the book - there was always something exciting or mysterious happening! I have to admit there were a number of twists considering the royal family that surprised me, too. However, there are some things that were a bit predictable, like Charlaina’s true identity and the... feeling, I suppose, of the ending. As a whole, I thought it was enjoyable though!
My biggest issue with the book then was probably the romance :/ It’s the same trend over and over again - girl meets a mysterious, dark, and handsome guy, they’re undeniably attracted to each other and can’t stop thinking about each other, BUT WAIT! can’t be together, although somehow they eventually fall head over heels in love. There were times I was just doing so many mental eye rolls, because the romance seemed cliche, or typical of some YA paranormal romance. Hopefully there also won’t be the dreaded triangle either in the next book...
Overall, The Pledge was a unique and quick read, with a fascinating concept but an if-y romance :/ If you’re looking for a unique or different type of read, or are a fan of Kimberly Derting’s other works, you may enjoy this book! (:
Especially in dystopian or fantasy fiction, building a unique or fascinating world is almost a must. On a positive note, the whole idea of the world itself was fascinating: Kimberly’s world surrounding languages is just so interesting, and the fantasy surrounding Charlaina and her sister were fun to read about. Certain places or scenes in the book were also spectacularly described, like the different shops, allies, or certain nightclubs you get to explore. My one qualm, however, was that I wish some of the history surrounding the world would be described, like how the Queen was able to separate classes by languages, or maybe how Charlaina’s power worked. Overall, however, I was captivated by the fantasy & world of the book!
The plot was also quick-paced and had some great surprises along the way. When I was reading, I never was really bored with the book - there was always something exciting or mysterious happening! I have to admit there were a number of twists considering the royal family that surprised me, too. However, there are some things that were a bit predictable, like Charlaina’s true identity and the... feeling, I suppose, of the ending. As a whole, I thought it was enjoyable though!
My biggest issue with the book then was probably the romance :/ It’s the same trend over and over again - girl meets a mysterious, dark, and handsome guy, they’re undeniably attracted to each other and can’t stop thinking about each other, BUT WAIT! can’t be together, although somehow they eventually fall head over heels in love. There were times I was just doing so many mental eye rolls, because the romance seemed cliche, or typical of some YA paranormal romance. Hopefully there also won’t be the dreaded triangle either in the next book...
Overall, The Pledge was a unique and quick read, with a fascinating concept but an if-y romance :/ If you’re looking for a unique or different type of read, or are a fan of Kimberly Derting’s other works, you may enjoy this book! (:
