The Pledge by Kimberly DertingPages: 323
Grade: 8+ (some violence)
Description: (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.
Thoughts: This book is nothing like Derting's Body Finder series. It actually reminds me a lot of Graceling by Kristin Cashore (a book I really loved).
Set in an ambiguous time period where royalty rules and class lines are drawn by language, The Pledge, is part historical fiction, part dystopian, and part paranormal (there's just a hint of magic). There's a little bit of something for everyone.
Fiercely loyal to her family, highly protective of her younger sister, and a good friend to her wild classmate Brooklyn, Charlie is an easy character to like, though, not the most interesting in the book. Her friend Brooklyn and the mysterious Max move most of the action along. Charlie is just along for the ride.
The plot of The Pledge isn't overly complicated, but everyone has a secret and all of their secrets are pretty easy to guess. Despite the ease of guessing the twists, The Pledge is still a fun and engaging read. The romance between Charlie and Max isn't as intense or interesting as I'd hoped, but it's enough to be believable.
Overall, I enjoyed The Pledge. I don't think it's Derting's strongest writing, but it's a unique story and an interesting read. Not all Body Finder fans (and I'm one of them) are going to love The Pledge, but plenty of non-paranormal fans will fall for Derting after reading this one.
Interesting story, solid characters, a little something for everyone.
