Title: The Pledge
Author: Kimberly Derting
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon and Schuster Canada)
Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 336
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
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." (http://kimberlyderting.com/pledge.php)
About the Author:
"I was born and raised in the Seattle area, with the exception of a few short stints in Phoenix, Boise, and San Jose. I had a colorful childhood, raised by a single mother who worked her butt off to make ends meet. She showed my brother and me how to enjoy life on a shoestring budget. She was the kind of person who, given the choice between paying a bill and taking us to the circus, would always opt for the circus...and somehow, she always managed to pay the bill. She was the one who taught me how to laugh.
My publishing career began at an early age, when I started making homemade coloring books with sheets of blank paper and a stapler, and then went door-to-door to sell them. Unfortunately, my neighbors had limited disposable income for such frivolous purchases, so I was forced to seek my fortunes elsewhere.
I first fell in love with writing (giving up my childhood dreams of being a Veterinarian, and then my later aspirations of "lady trucker") when I signed up for Journalism as my 7th grade elective. It was supposed to an easy A, but it soon became my passion. I moved on to be Copy Editor of the high school yearbook so that I could correct other people's writing mistakes and fill in when they missed their deadlines (and, hey, it was high school...deadlines were frequently missed!).
I still live in the Pacific Northwest, which is the ideal place to be writing anything dark or creepy...a gloomy day can set the perfect mood. I live with my husband and our three beautiful (and often mouthy) children, who serve as an endless source of inspiration for my writing." (http://kimberlyderting.com/kimberly.php)
My publishing career began at an early age, when I started making homemade coloring books with sheets of blank paper and a stapler, and then went door-to-door to sell them. Unfortunately, my neighbors had limited disposable income for such frivolous purchases, so I was forced to seek my fortunes elsewhere.
I first fell in love with writing (giving up my childhood dreams of being a Veterinarian, and then my later aspirations of "lady trucker") when I signed up for Journalism as my 7th grade elective. It was supposed to an easy A, but it soon became my passion. I moved on to be Copy Editor of the high school yearbook so that I could correct other people's writing mistakes and fill in when they missed their deadlines (and, hey, it was high school...deadlines were frequently missed!).
I still live in the Pacific Northwest, which is the ideal place to be writing anything dark or creepy...a gloomy day can set the perfect mood. I live with my husband and our three beautiful (and often mouthy) children, who serve as an endless source of inspiration for my writing." (http://kimberlyderting.com/kimberly.php)
Review:
I randomly found this book at the library one day and thought I should read it. I did not know much about it, had not really heard anything, so I just decided to give it a shot. I think this is one of my favourite dystopian novels so far. I was sucked in from the beginning, I loved the characters, the setting, the ranking in society (although I strongly disagree with this kind of set-up in society, it makes for an interesting read), and the abilities a couple of the characters have. In this story, no one is who you think they are. Literally. There are so many surprises revealed towards the end and I found myself gasping out loud at a few different parts. I could not (and did not) put this book down until I finished it. It was wrapped up pretty well at the end so I think (?) this might be a stand alone, but I'm really not sure. Authors always seem to find something more they can say about a story. Not that I'm complaining, I would LOVE to read more about the adventures of Charlie, Max, Brooklynn, and Xander!!!!
Thanks for reading this and Happy Reading all!
Related Links:
Author Website http://kimberlyderting.com/kimberly.php
Simon and Schuster Canada http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Pledge/Kimberly-Derting/9781442422018
amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca/Pledge-Kimberly-Derting/dp/1442422017/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330266179&sr=8-1
readbreatherelax.com http://www.readbreatherelax.com/teen-book-review-the-pledge-by-kimberly-derting/
This is definitely the genre-of-the-year right now. It is great that you are reviewing these so I know what I should, and should not be reading! I'm still not sure if this is the one that saw at work as the one I am thinking of had a different cover. I guess I will have to research this more. Not too often you see stand-alone books anymore. Thanks for the review it sounds like something that is worth reading.
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