The Pledge

This book is quite possibly the best novel I have read this year and I read a lot. Rob Kean should be praised for his debut work. This novel has many pages, which some consider a fault, but it reads so fast. The story begins with the mysterious death of a Pledge, hence the title, at a rich, powerful and shady Frat house. This fraternity will do anything in it's power to conceal the truth, and they do have the resources at their fingertips! This is a story of money, power, greed, love, and the author combines them so well. The characters are deep and you will feel for them. You get to know them and how they think. Mark Jessy is the Super hero, a mysterious, yet intelligent young man with a complicated past. Shawn Jakes is the beautiful, extremely intelligent, motivated star. There are so many well developed characters. The Dean is a interesting person, to say the least. The frat brothers are muscular, brainy, good looking and Dangerous. My favorite, of course, is the former Marine who will crush anyone who crosses his path. The freshman Pledges are so perfectly portrayed. This book will make you cry, be happy, smile and imagine the possibility of this really happening. You won't be able to put it down. I can't wait to read his next book, which I hope is on the horizon. The movie, which he was reportedly advanced $1,000,000 for the rights, should be spectacular. Critics have also stated that the events in this book are farfetched, they must have not noticed the words FICTION in the cover. Enjoy this book, I did.

Simply written, with the pace of a James Patterson, the story line of a Sydney Sheldon and the plot of a Pat Conroy (Lords of Discipline) - this book held my attention for the three nights it took me to read it. Though reviewers seem to worry about whether it could happen or not, I'm thinking "who cares?" It's a good read, there are NO slow parts, and Mark Jessy is a hero, a la Will McClean of Conroy fame. Good for you Rob Kean, good for you. I eagerly await your next syllable.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't have predicted it if I tried. It is well written, and well thought out. I can hardly wait until the next one is on the shelves. Mr. Kean is obviously an insightful and talented writer.

I devoured my fingernails, laughed out loud, and even had to dab a tear or two! Rob Kean's ability to evoke so many emotions may be unprecendented among first-time authors. Sure to inspire some unhappiness among short-sighted "brothers," it really shouldn't offend fraternity boys any more than the work of Thomas Harris angers doctors or caucasians. And this former Greek finds it every bit as compelling as Harris' "Silence of the Lambs."

I read the advance copy of this book so it might be different than the published version, but I really enjoyed it. It is well thought out, and it makes you think in order to follow the story, you can't just read the first hundred pages and figure out the whole story from that. This was not the very best book I've ever read, but it is a very good book.