Powered By Blogger

Monday, November 28, 2011

Chick Pick: The Pledge--A Must-Read

The Pledge
by Kimberly Dertin
Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster)
2011
323 pages

Part fairy tale, part romance, part paranormal, The Pledge is well-written, satisfying, and sensational! Words simply cannot do this remarkable novel justice! I was hooked from the first words of the prologue.

In a world where the class lines are clearly enforced--the lower classes speak one language, the upper class another, the royalty--a language only they can understand, but Charlaina can understand and speak them all. She must keep it a secret; however, for the safety of her family and herself. She must avert her eyes and show no sign she understands the bullying of the richer Counsel students--her own merchant class is subservient and poor. They are allowed to attend a different school only because they must read and write in order to do business.

The Queen has control--but her grip is slipping. There is talk every day of rebel forces fighting and a revolutionary band of forces forming to topple the Queen's stifling regime. They want people to be free--free to speak whatever language they wish, free to attend school, free to learn and grow and to achieve higher class status. The Queen is ancient and her magic is growing weaker. She needs a younger pureblood to inhabit. She would be able to live on in a younger body, but there is no one. Or is there?

Charlie meets Max, a dangerous and dark bad boy, who causes her to have strange feelings. The tension between them is palpable; girls will love the seductive tension. When Charlie is taken "prisoner" by the rebels, she grows closer to Alex, their leader. She is confused how Max and Alex know each other. Then, her parents are taken to the castle by the Queen's forces and Charlie learns that Aron, her childhood friend, has been tortured at the castle and hangs on for dear life.

Alex, Max, and Charlie join forces to meet the Queen and save her parents and Aron. The Queen has other ideas entirely. Will Charlie's "gift" be enough to save her? Can the Queen use her magic one last time?

Highly, highly recommended grades 7-up. Max is a great new sexy addition to ya romantic lit--Edward and Jacob, you are so over! Teens will love the enticing cover and the quote on the back cover from Carrie Ryan (author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth) is reason enough to give this book a try.

There is a mention near the end that Charlie and Max are now sleeping together but no mention of sex. No language. If you have The Forest of Hands and Teeth, The Hunger Games, and Twilight, this novel is a good addition to your collection.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I got this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

22 comments:

  1. I LOVED this book! I actually am hosting a giveaway for it on my blog right now! :) Will I be seeing you at ALA in Dallas In January?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I loved this book as well and cannot wait for the sequels!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Can't wait! Added to my wishlist in case I don't get the Free one! Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This does look like a nice addition to our library. Hope I win.

    belannearley@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm sure this book will fly off my shelves! Thanks for all of these giveaway contests!

    David Bilmes
    Schaghticoke Middle School
    New Milford, CT
    bilmesd@newmilfordps.org

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hearing lots of positive reviews on this one! Could use a copy in my library!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Would love to get it into my students' hands!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Add me to your drawing! Sounds great!

    sandraca@ccisd.com
    Texas

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fingers crossed -haha! Sounds terrific-Jane

    jperry@winslowk12.org
    Maine

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds awesome! Teens would love it!

    wcolby@coebrown.org
    Northwood, NH

    ReplyDelete
  11. I can't wait to read The Pledge. Fingers crossed!

    scunningham@normanhoward.org

    Rochester, NY

    ReplyDelete
  12. My students would love a new romantic hero. Count me in!

    dahlhauserj@k12tn.net
    Brownsville TN

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oooo -- this sounds great. I have many fans of Hunger Games/Forest/Twilight.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Awesome review. The book sounds perfect for the teens at my school so count me in the drawing. Thanks!
    Leslie Ruttle
    Media Specialist
    Moore-Mickens Education Center
    Dade City, FL

    ReplyDelete
  15. LOVE your site!! Getting free books is like Christmas all year!!

    Lisa Hicks
    District Librarian
    Gunter, Texas
    lhicks@gunterisd.org

    ReplyDelete
  16. Heather Overstreet
    Tuscaloosa, AL
    hheadric@tusc.k12.al.us

    ReplyDelete
  17. WOW, I've been really wanting this book really badly! If I do win, I'll love you forever! (Okay, not really, because that would be creepy! :P)

    jenelleriane at yahoo dot com
    Riverside, CA

    ReplyDelete
  18. I find the idea of a language barrier an interesting one. Maybe because it very much exists in our own world. Thanks for the giveaway.

    hg195 at yahoo dot com

    Logan, Utah

    ReplyDelete
  19. My students can't get enough paranormal romance!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love reading your reviews. Thanks for all the work. Please consider my school for the drawing. Thanks, Kris McGlaun (kmcglaun@mccsc.edu)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I think the students at my middle school will love this book!
    Great Valley Middle School
    Malvern, PA 19355
    cdelaney@gvsd.org

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yay Paranormal!

    Lynne McHale
    Ventura, Ca
    lynnemchale@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete