Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy
The Pledge Series, Book 2
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Description (taken from Kimberly Derting's website):
Though it has been months since Charlaina—Charlie—defeated the tyrant Sabara and took control of the Ludanian crown, Sabara has not disappeared. The old queen's Essence has fused itself to Charlie's psyche and is viciously fighting to overpower Charlie.
Balancing her new duties as Queen and battling both Sabara's voice and a growing resistance to her rule push Charlie to the brink of exhaustion. She wants to be the same old Charlie she has ever been but now she is Your Majesty.
As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with the leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages is 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.
I'm trying to figure out why I've been striking out on so many 'second' books. Maybe it's because all the enthusiasm I had for the first books didn't hold for the whole year I had to wait for the next book. Or I've forgotten too much of the plot to continue with satisfaction. Maybe I need to quit reading debut novels until after the whole trilogy is out, so I don't lose the story while waiting.
Ugh, so I felt like this book just kind of made me question the whole world that Charlie lives in. I questioned the fantasy part, what actually happened in the first book, Charlie herself, her friends, and the plot. The first book seemed a little more clear cut: there's an evil queen, destroy her and let good triumph. And then the second comes along, and we find out it's a lot harder to keep the good triumphing. It's also hard to try to make the good look bad and give a reason for rioters.
Reading this book, we start to lose ourselves a little with who the evil threats really are. Who we thought were good and evil in the first book suddenly begin to loosen and move towards the other end in this book. And I don't think it set well for me. And I feel like the characters were flat here; they didn't continue to develop.
Agh, I don't think I'll continue this series. I wanted it to be something great for me, but it feels like time away from this series was not a good thing for me.
Challenges: Dystopia Reading Challenge
It's so sad to hear that The Essence didn't reach your expectations. he first book wasn't for me so I don't think i'll be reading this one.
ReplyDelete- Ellie at The Selkie Reads Stories