Kimberly Derting 
Essence 
A Pledge Novel

Danger, dread, mystery, and romance (Booklist) continue in the second book of The Pledge trilogy, as Charlies reign is under siege from the most unusual of enemies.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 queens Essence is fused to Charlies psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness. Charlie is not weak, but shes being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, shes busy being queenand 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 shes Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two. As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendomsan event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost assetshe is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.