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.

Kimberly Derting is the author of The Pledge series and the Body Finder series. She lives in Washington State. Visit her at KimberlyDerting.com.