{Review}The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

The Pledge
by Kimberly Derting
Series: The Pledge #1
Published: November 15th 2011
Publisher: McElderly Books (S&S imprint)
ISBN: 1442422017 (ISBN13: 9781442422018)
Pages: 323
Source: Bought Myself
Reading Level: 15+
Shelf Award: Notable Dystopian Series
Rating: 4 Stars

Where To Buy: TBD ChaptersIndigo

Summary 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 Thoughts

Cover Love: There is something beautifully dark and twisted about this cover. A mystery that transcends into the story. The flourish around the “P” is so pretty! And the depressed “PLEDGE” in the background is perfect for Cover Strokers like me! All in all a 5 Star Cover!

Review:

The concept of language castes and a touch of fantasy all wrapped up in a dystopian world make for an unforgettable read! 

The story was great! I mean I read it in two days and that can be hard to do with a toddler screaming “MOMMY, MOMMY!” every 5 minutes. The characters were nicely developed for the most part. Sometimes the story felt a little hmmm, well, wobbly (for lack of a better word). It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book but sometimes it made me wonder where exactly Kimberly Derting wanted to take her story. Sometimes it lagged but I still REALLY wanted to read on! 

OH AND THE TWISTS! I do not know how I didn’t see it coming. I guess Ms. Derting just has a knack for literary surprises I guess. 

Charlie was heroine of epic proportions (no she isn’t a giant) I could really feel how much she cared and loved her family. She was well developed and lovable. Although she could have trusted her friends a smidge more. That was her only flaw. Although understandable given the world she lives in.

The Queen, Sabara… Well she’s scary bad! I got goosebumps and even nauseous at times. She is cold and cruel and a perfect villain for the story!

Another notable Character was her best friend Brooklynn. I loved her SO MUCH in the second part of the book! Now, I can’t explain why because it would be all kinds of spoilery business!

So that’s it!

NO IT ISN’T! Oh yeah that is right…  The SWOON. The oh so protective and devoted and HOT Max. And that is all I am saying. 

Then there is Xander who equally Swoon worthy in a more rugged way. 

Take your pick! I’ll take both!

So all in all I gave it a well-deserved 4 Stars rating!

What did you think? I’d love to know what you thought or if you would like to read it!