The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 336


Summary: 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: I love the Body Finder series so I knew once Derting wrote another book, I would be first in line to read it! I'll read anything she writes!

We are introduced to Charlie who can hear different languages. This is not normal where she lives and you're only supposed to talk/hear in your own language. There are many different kinds of people, and each language only goes with those people. It kind of reminds me if people believed only  mexicans were allowed to speak spanish or caucasians were only allowed to speak english. She has a little sister named Angelina who is 4 years old. She has her own gifts.  We are also introduced to her best friends and the two guys she meets along the way. Max and Xander.  Oh Max, you were so mysterious and I loved finding out all your secrets. Xander, I also liked you.  

Max worked for the military and has his own secrets and Xander works for the resistance, trying to change the world.  These two awesome boys kept showing up all over the place, everywhere Charlie seemed to be.

There is also a queen who sets out to make everyone obey her every command.

I loved how Charlie could understand all the languages. I loved watching her hear what other people said and trying to act all secretive like she couldn't understand. I also liked all the side characters along the way.

I really liked the things we found out and the ending of course. I was satisfied with it!

I loved how Charlie was so protective of her sister and her parents. She was determined not to let anyone or anything hurt them. Same with her friends. She was a great person to have on your side.

I was so surprised about who Charlie was. I knew something was up, but I never suspected that about her and Max! She was a little special, huh?

The Pledge was a pretty good read. About halfway through, I almost gave up. It just seemed like nothing was happening and it just wasn't holding my attention but that soon stopped and I felt myself sucked in and read the whole book in just a few hours.

Overall: I really enjoyed this one once I got into it. I liked the plot, the funny and snarky comments, the friendship, the love she felt for her family. The boys were a plus too!  At least give this one a try, even if you end up not liking it, or enjoying it like me!

Cover: Like it but it seems too ordinary for this novel.

What I'd Give It: