Rating: 
Summary: An Exciting Debut But A Bit Too Far-fetched!
Review: The Pledge is a fast-paced and exciting debut by Ron Kean that will most likely find wide appeal among both younger and older readers. It will definitely hold your attention from beginning to end. So why a "3" rating and not higher? Basically because the plot and characters, while interesting, tended to stretch my willingness to extend credibility beyond the breaking point in too many instances. While I understand this is a work of fiction and some implausability is 'allowed" in order to maintain suspense, The Pledge, for me, went too far too often to rate it more than three stars. Nonetheless, The Pledge is worth reading and I'm looking forward to Kean's next book.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Rob Kean did an excellent job on his debut. Once I started reading The Pledge I couldn't put it down. He keeps you on the edge of your seat. I would recommend this book to anyone. I look forward to reading more from Rob Kean in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good for a First-Timer
Review: As a whole, I thought the book was very, very intriging. However at some points of the story it got somewhat confusing, without giving too much of the plot away, regarding certain members of the Sigmas, and what was their motivations for certain things. My favorite, however, is Mark Jessy and I thought he handled the investigation perfectly. The ending was rather good, and justice was served.
Rating:
Summary: Good....Could have been better
Review: I will admit that this book did a good job of pulling me in. The action and intrigue were well paced and written in an easy and flowing manner. The characters were cookie-cutter but still interesting to see. The dean, frat brothers and alumni made for a nice villan and an interesting alternative to the whole "one big bad guy" idea. Instead of one head honcho, we have three to contend with. Each with their own motives and mission. However, there is one thing that spoiles a book for me and makes me give a bad review. With all the words in the English language, why is it that authors feel they must use the four-letter ones? The "f" word was on every page...used as a noun, a verb and an adjective. There are many words in the English language...perhaps the author should have taken some time and found them....
Rating: 
Summary: Adjective Overload
Review: I read the first chapter of this book at the bookstore one night and it was pretty catchy. I then decided to buy the book and was extremely disappointed. This kind of prose would never make it past any self-respecting college professor. How it got past an editor at a major publisher is beyond me. The writing is so childish and predictable. The author seems to have a vast knowledge of adjectives and somehow feels that no noun is complete without one. The story is filled with many subplots that take far too long to develop and only serve to annoy, not add suspense. Obviously the author never learned one of the golden rules of creative writing: more words (700+ pages for a murder mystery/thriller??) does not always equal better.
Rating:
Summary: An AMAZING book... Loved every moment!
Review: I'm going to keep this review extremely short. This is the first book that I've read in a LONG time that kept me reading all day. I couldn't put the book down. In fact, when I sat down for supper, I kept this book on the table, so I could read it as soon as I was done eating.If anyone's looking for a book that's a *really* quick read, this book is for you. I can hardly wait to see what Rob Kean comes out with next, and I"m already looking forward to the movie!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding
Review: As an active alumnus of a major international fraternity, I wasn't sure how I was going to respond to this book. However, I found that I could not put it down. Outstanding. To the average reader it may be an indictment against the fraternity system. I would disagree. I shows what many so-called fraternities have become in the U.S. But it also explains what fraternities are supposed to be. Although some fraternties chapters have become the hazing, evil institutions this book represents, I still believe most chapters are trying to provide the true brotherhood and "family" that these characters where searching. Excellently written and captivating.
Rating:
Summary: Greek Mafia in New England
Review: Imagine the nice college boy, the son of your neighbors, this well-educated guy being member of one of the most famous fraternities, this friendly person is about to become a member of a corrupt trust undermining the market, political power, law, and order. In order to maintain and enlarge their world wide web of business, money, and power, this mafia recruits young students for their fraternity Sigma Delta Phi. The selection process for the "pledges" is pretty hard, and it is vital for the fraternity that the "wrong" people never become brothers. They have to be removed from the pledges, from the brothers. Chad Ewing is removed from the list of pledges by his untimely death. For some strange reasons, the only official investigation of his passing is in the hands of a "disciplinary squad" formed of three students: Former Sigma brother Mark Jessy, his girlfriend Shawn, and Simon, a prospective law-school student. This gang is headed by Dean Templeton, a corrupt man without reasonable qualification besides the fact that he is from Oxford. The book describes the squad's search for evidence to relate Chad Ewings death to the pledge activities of Sigma. Their efforts are permanently undermined by the Dean and by the mighty alumni of Sigma. The description of this process is well written, gripping, and makes it hard to put the book down. The effect is enhanced since for quite a while, no happy ending is in sight (and I leave it to the reader to judge the actual end of the book). "The Pledge" reminds me a bit of the good old "Dallas"/"Dynasty" soap operas: A few good guys surrounded by a world of evil brothers. The power of money and economic strength is clearly displayed. However, like in "Dallas" the characters remain relatively simple (although the author grants some of them - especially Mark, the main figure of the novel - at least a certain evolution). Another question is of course why reasonably intelligent people should want to become members of a fraternity with those pledge activities. An interesting plot - conspiracy - students - sex&crime (I must have been at the wrong university) - silly rituals - a strong polarization of characters - 3 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome debut!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down and I highly recommend to others!
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