Pledged By Gwynneth White -Review -Giveaway too

Pledged by Qwynneth White

Everyone has a soul mate. But what do you do when your soul mate would rather give his soul to the demons than be with you?

Seventeen-year-old Erin has a problem. Seth has been hers forever, but now an ancient promise is tearing him away. And Reuel, the demon to whom the promise was made, will stop at nothing to force Seth to forsake Erin and to worship him.

How can Erin win against a pledge so binding that it has damned countless others to the same fate she and Seth will face if Reuel wins – an eternity alone?

The answer lies in the past. To find it, Erin and Seth must risk all, travelling back in time to a dangerous world where love is forbidden, and life – and death – hang on a promise.

Follow Erin and Seth as they travel to ancient Shenaya to break the pledge that has plagued their families for millennia. Caught in a war between the Angelic Guardians and the Gefallen, the disembodied dead, they must fight to keep their souls in tact and their love untainted.

My Review:

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, though it is quite long, its worth it. I really enjoyed the characters, got to really get to know them. I like when an author gives us the time to get to know them, and care, it makes the story that much better.

Seth did get on my nerves to me, seemed somewhat selfish, but as i got into the book more, past the halfway point, then I was able to understand that there was a reason, a very good reason he acted the way he did toward his soul mate Erin. I wont say, I will leave that for your to discover, this will be a spoiler free review. I will have a few teasers, but nothing to give anything away.

I really like the other main charachter Erin, she was strong, and easy to like. I felt really bad for her on how she was at times treated by Seth. But then there were sweet times too.

I liked the time travel that happened in this story, it was very interesting to see how this same curse that has started back in the early 800's AD or so. They get to see first hand, how this Pledged curse had started. This is where they meet Caleb and Talithia, and Jared and Sophia. As well as meet with Gidian, Kate and Stephanie in the Mist of Time, who are Gaurdians, and help them on this journey. They are not able to change anything in the past, but are there to hope to learn something from the friends their souls are friends with (hard to explain that part, so I wont, its explained well in the book) so basically they get to see the mistakes made by their longtime friends. There is action, some violence (not too bad) and it takes you on an emotional rollarcoaster.

It does get off to a slow start, not boring or anything, but much needs explained to understand it all, and its best to read when able to absorb it, its very intriguing, but one of those books you need to pay attention. Its a great story, that is very different than anything I have ever read. But what I didn't like, and this is more me being impaitient, is where it left us hanging at. Major cliffhanger, and I mean Major!! I was like freaking, as it left me wondering about what was to happen! It has a start of the next book, called Sacrificed Book 2 in the Soul Wars Saga., and its due out January 2013 with the next June 2013 (Saved may be title, seems its not concrete in that) I did not read that sneak peak of Sacrificed yet, as I wanted to write this review first, so that would not sway my review at all, or slip something in by mistake. 

Here is a sweet teaser for you between Seth and Erin:

Erin closed her mouth over his. She knew exactly how important this first kiss was in her fight for Seth against Kyle. For a split second he hesitated; then, no longer willing to resist, he opened his mouth to hers. As their tongues met, a fountain of fiery sparks surged through Erin’s body, reminding her of the sensation in the prism when her spirit had accepted Custodianship of the diamond. Just like that decision had been right, kissing Seth was right too. More than right. It was the most natural thing in the world to do. Erin slid her hands under his shirt, caressing his back, praying that he felt as at home in her arms as she felt in his. They were both breathless when Seth burst into joyful laughter and pulled away from her. 

 There were a few sweet moments like that. Not as many as there should have been, but enough considering the story that took place.
This is another cute scene too:

“I’ve been wanting to kiss you ever since Maun. Forget Maun . . . almost since the moment I met you at the airport in Gaborone.”“All that time wasted.” Erin lay back on the bed and pulled him down with her. With her face close to his, she asked, “So why didn’t you?”He sighed. “Sparkles, I thought that was obvious.”“Not to me, it wasn’t.”He traced the outline of her mouth with his finger. “Well, I had just met you in Gaborone. Imagine how you’d have reacted if I’d done the whole Conan the Barbarian thing by throwing you over my shoulder and dragging you off to my cave?”She giggled. “And later?”“You know what happened later. I was so freaked out about it all that I was ready to get on the next plane home. Then we hit the Mists of Time–”“Yes. Where you rejected me.”

I really love how Gweynneth weaves complex characters, Guardians, protectors and soul mates from the beginning of time. Its all mixed up with some murder, intrigue and major plays for power in a fantastical setting of early Botswanna which at that time was called Shenaya. We have prophecies, curses and destined fates, all in Pledged. Its a complex story that spans across time.
The world building in this book is amazing, getting to feel your really in ancient times, in as foreign country. 
Everything is centered around this Seer-Stone. Its the one of the most important parts of the story.

If you like adventure with some fantasy, and a little romance, then you will like this bool.  I recommend you pick it up. 
5 out 5 stars!

I received this book for a book tour, and my honest review.
Here is the new book trailer below, for Pledged (I personally do not care for it, they show too young of characters, the way they are described in book, is 17 going on 18, these kids look 12, that's my opinion, though one part, with the blood brothers part, they are supposed to be that young, but seems they showed a too young Seth with Erin, both did not look 18 which Seth is)
Links to other post for Pledged, with experts, and other info
Last Post, with Extra continuation of meeting Seth and Erin
Meet Seth and Erin here 1st then the continuation above
Meet Jared and Sophia expert here
Meet Caleb and Talitha here
You can enter to win a copy of Pledged at any of the above post, the rafflecopter is in them all. Or click here 
If the trailer blow fails to load, you can see it here at youtube
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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received this book free from the author/publisher as part of an online book tour from Swallow Press. Although payment may have been received by Swallow Press, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”