Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Pledge
Author:  Kimberly Derting
Series: The Pledge (#1)
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Rating: 5/5 Stars

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.

(From Goodreads)

Source: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion on the book; it's my true opinion only.

I just want to say a great big massive thank you to Allison & Busby for sending me this fantastic novel. I can't believe I hadn't read it before! 

The story is different to any that I have read. The fact that languages control situations is so fascinating. 
Straight away I was hooked at the synopsis, and the book didn't let me down.

Derting never ceases to amaze with her writing. I have read The Body Finder; the first book in her other series, and I was compelled by her writing then, and yet again I am sucked in. 

Derting creates such fantastic characters. All have believable personalities and I connect with them.

Charlie was the main girl protagonist for the majority of the book, and I found her to be very like-able. She is a character I admire as she fights for her friends and family, and will even give the public a chance.

Max was just an ultimate heart-throb. I fell in love with him. He is mysterious and a right hunk, and I just couldn't stop reading about him.  I was completely obsessed with the scenes of him and Charlie. Like omg <3 

Angelina is one of my favourite characters from this book. Although she is quiet, she is very brave and strong for a young girl. She is adorable and I love her.

Brook I occasionally found a little annoying, as she wasn't the best of friends to Charlie. She always abandoned her and was never for her at times. But this is actually explained later in the book why she was like that, so I let her off for that.

Xander I really liked. I wanted to see more of him as soon as I met him, and was satisfied when he was back near the end.

I really like how this book was structured. We have Charlie telling the story from her perspective when the chapters are numbered. The chapters can also revert to Max, the Queen or Xander, but not told from their views, just from where they are, what they are doing and the conversations they have.  It is labelled well when it is the characters. For example, if the chapter went to Max and where he was, the chapter would be named "Max". I think this is a good idea as it doesn't let people get confused to the character that the chapter is referring to.

What was intriguing was the abilities and secrets that some people had. I was amazed at some and was in complete awe.

The beginning of the book started well. It was straight into the story and I wasn't confused. 
The book ends in such a way where I can't wait for the sequel. 

I completely recommend for anyone to read this book, and that is why I gave it a score of five out of five stars!

I hope you have enjoyed this review.

 

Happy reading =)

 

~Katie~