I am so happy to join the blog tour for the final novel in
The Pledge Trilogy, titled
The Offering hosted by Kathy from
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. Kimberly Derting is one of my favorite authors and I am glad I can share my love for her latest novel with you! You can find the rest of the tour stops
here.
The Offering (The Pledge #3)
by Kimberly Derting
Release Date: December 31, 2013
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
304 Pages
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.
Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 01/21/14
This review has spoilers for the first two novels in the trilogy.
With the end of The Offering, comes the end of the Pledge trilogy. Kimberly Derting truly packs a punch with this novel. She is not afraid to force her readers into a tizzy with the twists and turns that take place within its pages. This is a book that will leave you full of sadness, full of hope and full of complete satisfaction.
Charlie still suffers from the Essence of Sabara, who resides within her, waiting for the day she can regain her title of queen and take over Charlie's body. Though just as things seem to have made a turn, her life and queendom begin to unravel around her. Now Sabara is that much closer to accomplishing her goal, her kingdom is on the verge of war and the relationships she cares for and needs are falling apart. It is up to Charlie and her friends to put an end to the evil, bring peace to Lundania and to themselves.
Besides the villains (of course), I utterly adore these characters. The bonds and relationships between them felt so real and honest. Derting has a real knack for writing realistic emotion and character interaction. That is one of my favorite parts of her stories. It's not often that I am introduced to so many characters, and can tell you who each person is and talk in depth about them after finishing a series. But this author knows what she's doing. The minor characters are anything but minor. Each has their own history that is shown in the story and each plays a great role in how the events of the novel unfold. I love that! I like feeling like I actually know and understand the characters about whom I am reading. Charlie, Max, Xander, Aron, Brook, Eden (and the many more we are introduced to over the course of the series)… They all have made their mark on me as phenomenal characters--as I'm sure they have on many others. Reading about their lives, and seeing how they developed as the story progressed truly made this trilogy for me.
This is a fast-paced story. The tale begins on the very first page, and continues until you close the book for the last time. I never found the story to drag as there was always a new struggle, or event lurking around the corner. Every time I planned to put the book down, I was unable because a new hook would yank me back in. I read this book in one sitting and missed a night of sleep because I was so enthralled by the adventure that is The Offering. This story is wonderfully original, full of heartbreak (oh did my heart break--and several times at that), romance and is utterly action-packed. I'm highly impressed.
This trilogy seemed to get better with every book. I found that while I enjoyed The Pledge, and loved The Essence, The Offering was my favorite and a fantastic finale to a grand series. This is one of the few times that I'm so satisfied with the way the book ended, that I don't feel desperate for more. I'm happy with the direction that the author took and I think she used this book well closed this series in the best way--she stayed true to the darkness of the entire story, but gave us a shining light at the end of the tunnel that is filled with a bittersweet happiness. This is another work that truly puts me in Kimberly Derting's corner. I cannot wait to read what she comes up with next--I'm sure it will be beyond brilliant!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review.
Big thanks to Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Simon and Schuster for allowing me partake in this tour.
Release Date: June 4, 2013
