Same Book, Second Look - The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Published: November 2011

Publisher: Margaret K McElderry

Pages: 323

Copy Provided by: Borrowed

Summary: Goodreads

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.

Review:

First off, let me explain that I LOVE Kimberly Derting.  Not only is is an amazing writer, she is humble and reaches out to her audience.  I've said it before but I do love a writer who reaches out to their fans via email, commenting on blogs, participating in chats, tweeting and going on tour.  

I first started reading Kimberly Derting's series - The Body Finder and have recommended it to just about anyone who will listen.  Its a supernatural mystery about a girl who can see the echoes of dead things.  A little creepy but the storytelling is wonderful and the characters are stellar.  Plus, another thing I love about her novels is that she doesn't have to bring out the sexuality and violence to captivate the audience.  The suspense is what keeps you reading.  Great work Ms. Derting!  Because I enjoyed The Body Finder series so much, I wanted to check out The Pledge.  Originally I thought it was another supernatural type spin but boy was I wrong!  When you first open the book, you'll discover that The Pledge was inspired by a personal account from World War II.  Keeping this in mind, I was able to delve deep into understanding what life must have been like in a world where you had to keep your identity a secret.  

The Pledge is complicated to explain and review because I don't want to give anything away.  I found the suspense to be just perfect for me to read non-stop.  I love to be surprised by a book and this one certainly surprised me. I really couldn't guess what was going to happen and it was incredibly satisfying to see how everything played out.  Can't wait for book #2!  Curlypow enjoyed it as well and you can read her original review here.

Unfortunately, I missed Kim on the Chicks Kick it Tour and she also did a signing in BC that I missed as well.  If you'd like to learn more about Kim, you can visit her blog here.  Uhh....I did notice that The Paperback Princesses was not one of the blogs she follows...I'll let it slide THIS time.... :P  And I'm still going to recommend you read her titles.  I like her that much....