The Essence,The Pledge,#2.

 The Essence
The Pledge,#2.

Kimberly Derting.

Publisher:Margaret K. Mcelderry.

Publication Date:January 1,2013

Genre:YA Dystopian.

Format|Pages:Hardcover|352.

Source:Owned|Goodreads.

5 STARS

The Essence was incredible book, it kept be observed, engaged till I reached the end. It took my breath away. Even though I loved The Pledge . I found myself liking The Essence bit more, I felt like there was bit more going on in this book. I loved how different this book seemed, how different Charlie seemed since becoming the Queen. I was curious what would happen, how Charlie would do as a Queen, what changes there would be. The ending had me craving for me. I’m already in love with the series and excited, to see what Derting comes up with next, in the series.

GOODREADS SUMMARY

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.

I have been waiting on this book, since I read The Pledge at end of 2011. I wanted to see what would happen to Charlie once she became a queen, defeated Sabara, and how she would deal with her, still being inside of her. This book did not disappoint me. There wasn’t a page, a chapter that didn’t keep me on edge of my seat. Especially to see with Charlie struggling with Sabara’s soul that was inside of her. I was curious if she find a way to get rid of her, or she would have to deal with her, for rest of her life, or at least the years that she is Queen. I wish she would told Max sooner, and maybe what had happened, could been avoid it somehow. I felt like Charlie didn’t trust him and that’s why she didn’t tell him, and I hated that she hurt him way she did. Even if it wasn’t really her who kissed Niko. After what she put him through, I am curious to see what happens between two of them next.


I loved that Brooklyn’s point of view was added in the book. I was always curious about Brook, since the first book, what she was thinking. After reading from her point of view, I found myself loving the character; I wasn’t too fond of her in the first book. Brook is pretty amazing character; I wouldn’t want to mess with someone like her. I find myself being able to connect with her after this book and know why she is, way she is. I was surprised about her and Aron, because I didn’t think that she even liked him and I was sure that he had something for Charlie, not Brook. It took me by surprise when he kissed her. After that, I’m curious if there be anything else between the two of them in the next book, anything serious. I would like to see Brook happy with someone, I know that feelings that she has for him, are real. Now, Charlie and Brooklyn, I wonder if she ever be able to forgive Charlie for killing her father. I am hoping that maybe she be able to put it behind them. But to me, it seems like it might be end of their friendship, but not like I can blame her.


I felt like this book had bit more going on then The Pledge, even if here it didn’t seem like there was that much physical action. The Essence deal more with emotional, mental actions, at least that is how it seemed to me, while I was reading it. Charlie was dealing with so much more in this book then the first, she had much more responsibilities, considering that she was a Queen now. I thought that she did pretty good job, considering that she became Queen all of sudden, she made a lot of positive changes, though there were some people that were against it. Charlie seemed like she was going through so much in this book, besides being the Queen, also she had to deal with Sabrara’s soul inside her, plus top of that, someone trying to kill her. It was for that reason that it was hard to put down, I needed to see what would happen, if anything would get resolved. I didn’t actually want reach the ending, knowing that I have wait for next book to come out.


  I kind of wish Max was bit more in this book, it seemed like he was less in this book then the first. I love Max and hoping he’ll be mentioned more in the next book. If you like dystopian books and enjoyed The Pledge, The Essence will take your breath away; keep you on edge of your seat, till the end.