The Essence, by Kimberly Derting (The Pledge #2)

After the supposed defeat of the evil Queen Sabara, Charlaina is now queen and has installed a New Something-or-other in her that represents freedom in her kingdom. No longer are the classes separated by tongue, school or work-everybody is now equal (except for the fact that there's a queen of course). However, now everybody is happy with this new regime, and some would like to go back to the days of free labor and superiority. While trying to deal with the threat of rebellion, Charlie is also invited to a summit of queens. She must dodge would-be assassins and lovers along the way and must also deal with the secret evil inside her head. No one but her sister knows of the essence lurking in Charlie's body, eager to find a new host, and Charlie must fight not only rebels and assassins, but the woman trying to take her over.

Just like The Pledge, I unintentionally read this book really fast. I didn't mean to, just once I started I felt an urge to finish it. The Essence was a very good sequel and middle book of a trilogy in that it continued the first book with minimal disappointment and it had a good and satisfying ending of its own while still leaving something unsolved so the reader will come back for book #3.

It was interesting to read about Sabara's history. In The Pledge she came off as as evil as Voldemort, with no redeeming qualities at all leading everyone including her own grandsons to hate her. Her backstory didn't explain where any of that comes from but it did show that she does have a heart. The ancient essence of evil didn't come from nowhere, and it was refreshing and tormenting to read her memories.

4.0 stars

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.