Whenever I pick up a new book, I usually get a good feeling on whether or not I will like it. Because of that, I expected to enjoy this book, but I was amazed at how much I truly did. The Pledge takes place in a dystopian world, a very popular setting today, but I thought this world was a little different than the rest. While most focused on a power mad, corrupted government, this focused on one evil and powerful queen looking for an heir whose line had been banished years and years ago to put her "Essence" in. Her Essence is her soul that has lasted centuries because of her putting in a new body generation after generation.
The protagonist of the story, a Vendor class girl named Charlie, is special. Every caste in this book has their own language to seperate them, but Charlie understands them all, something she could be punished by death for. Her gift gets her caught up in the swirl of a rebellion and the evil monarch, as well as drawing the attention of a man named Max who she can't stop thinking about.
The action is high; the book is fast-paced; the characters draw you in and make you care, and the romance keeps you on your toes. I can't wait to read the sequel.