The Pledge series

Soooo - warning - I'm doing something different this time.  This summer, I read a series of three books, and rather than write three blogs, I'm just going to write the one.  Because I'm lazy.  And probably no one cares that much if I switch it up.

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting (ISBN: 978-1-4424-2201)

In Ludania, the population is segmented by status, and each stratum has their own language.  For example, the merchant class speaks a completely different language than the politicians.  Speaking another language is completely illegal, and even looking up while someone is speaking a different language is punishable by death.  There is a common language: Englaise, but we meet in the first chapter a very uncommon girl.  Charlaina keeps secret that she can actually understand every language she hears, and touching ancient manuscripts or symbols reveals the meaning for her as well.  In a world in which this could spell her end, she hides her truth carefully, even from close friends.

Ruling Ludania is a queen with unspeakable powers - the ability to kill by simply raising her hand in the direction of a person.  But not everyone wants to serve this queen, and an underground rebellion is gaining power.  What are they looking for?  An ancient bloodline that might usurp the current monarchy - someone who could truly govern the land fairly.

Now here is where I have to pause.  If I'm going to talk about three books, how do I not give away important plot twists?  How do I keep you interested in an entire series without ruining book one or two?

Well I'll tell you this - of course Charlaina survives!  She's the main character (sort of like how you know that Harry Potter isn't going to die because the entire series bears his name).  You know that she's eventually going to come in contact with royals, and have to choose sides.  You know that secrets involve lies and sometimes the truth gets out. 

Don't want spoilers?  Don't read on... because... this story evolves into...
The Essence by Kimberly Derting (ISBN: 978-1-4424-4559-8)

What if a usurped queen actually lives on?  What if her essence remains to both torment and advise the next leader?  Charlaina has to figure out how to stay true to herself when Sabara is constantly clawing at the back of her mind, trying to regain power.  She struggles daily to remember that there is good and light in the world, that she loves who she loves and not who the queen previously preferred.  Charlaina also has to make sacrifices to save her family and friends when they are constantly under attack because of her position.  Furthermore, she has to figure out how to navigate political alliances and nation-building when previously her biggest concern was bullies in the school yard.  What will she become if she starts to use the same murderous tactics as the previous monarch?

Still curious what becomes of our fearless heroine?  Then you'll have to read the action-packed conclusion:

The Offering by Kimberly Derting (ISBN: 978-1-4424-4562-8)

Having found her stride as a ruler, and still desiring what is truly best for her kingdom, Charlaina realizes that sometimes leaders have to sacrifice their own desires for the good of others.  She wants technology to flourish, and the impoverished to more than just survive, for children to be free of slavery and orphanhood, and for those with magic to be safe in the open.  All of these must come at a cost - and other countries exact payments the way Shylock demands a pound of flesh.  Charlaina is advised in several directions, and none of them seem compatible with the desires of her heart.  So she ventures out, putting herself at risk, in order to save Ludania from what she believes is its greatest threat: dictatorship.

Don't worry - lots of people die, sure - but the ending of this series is still satisfying in its own way.  There is nothing worse than sticking with a series for three (or four... or seven) books only to find that it ends poorly.  This isn't one of those series.  Also, there are some pleasant kisses throughout.  Nice tender ones.  Nothing too avert-your-eyes-PG-13-warning for readers who just want a story without the ooo-la-la.  Overall, I'd highly recommend this fun series from Derting. 

Want more?
Here is a quick video of the author talking about The Pledge and how she got the idea for this book and series!

Homemade tees:
Sometimes in life, you dream about being a princess or a butterfly catcher or the first female quarterback in the NFL.  #JustSayin  Sometimes, a mantle is thrust on you and you wish you could trade it away.  Either way, Charlaina has to come to grips with her destiny and here's the perfect shirt to help her do it: