In a society where language defines class and knowing other languages is prohibited, Charlie possesses the forbidden knowledge of all tongues.
Title: The Pledge
Author: Kimberly Derting
Genres: Fantasy > Dystopian > Magic
Read Format: Kindle Edition
Total Pages: 944
Reading Date: 11th April 2025 – 23rd April 2025
The reading order – How to Read the Pledge Series by Kimberly Derting
- 1 The Pledge
- 2 The Essence
- 3 The Offering
The Pledge
In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution.
Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed.
Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom….
My thoughts…
In a time when citizens are segregated and stratified by language, with each class having its own distinct language, Englaise serves as the common language spoken across all classes. However, Charlie understands them all.
This is a fantastic start to the Pledge series. The story is engrossing and beautifully written, with exceptional world-building. While the narrative includes multiple perspectives, it primarily focuses on Charlie, the lead character at the heart of the story.
The details are fantastic. I felt as though I was right there with Charlie, absorbing every detail, understanding where she stood, and enduring the hardships of facing the temptations of just biting off the tongue from responding to the language she understood.
However, I’m not a fan of the instant attraction between Max and Charlie. I hope there is more depth to their relationship in the next book to compensate for this aspect.
I’m also excited to explore more about Charlie’s little sister, Angelina, who has a unique gift, and I’m equally curious to see if there’s something more to Brooklynn and Xander’s story.
The Essence
At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.
Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.
As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.
My thoughts…
This second book isn’t as engaging as the first one. I loved a story that left me guessing the villain and mystery, but since we already know the identity in this one, there’s less to ponder, and it feels more like just going through the story. It takes away some of the fun.
However, I did enjoy reading Brooklynn’s POV, and I’m still going to finish the last book to find out how they’ll resolve Sabara being inside Charlie’s mind and what kind of happy ending Ludania and the main couples (Brooklynn & Aron, Charlie & Max) have in store.
The Offering
True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy.
Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks.
When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom.
But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost.
My thoughts…
The final book isn’t better than the second one. The first book was significantly better. While I enjoyed exploring this unique and imaginative dystopian world, it didn’t make it onto my list of five-star series.
I liked the concept of a society divided by language thingy, but that was about it. I didn’t feel connected to the characters, there were no admirable friendships, and even the romance felt flat, lacking chemistry.
Still, I have one more series by Kimberly to read, the Body Finder Series, and I hope it doesn’t disappoint. It was actually the series I picked up first, which led me to discover the Taking and the Pledge series. I’m saving the best for last🤞.
