The Pledge - by Cale Dietrich (Hardcover)

About the Book

Scream meets Clown in a Cornfield in this young adult horror novel by bestselling author Cale Dietrich featuring a masked killer who targets frat boys.

Book Synopsis

Scream meets Clown in a Cornfield in this young adult horror novel by bestselling author Cale Dietrich featuring a masked killer who targets frat boys.

Freshman Sam believes that joining a fraternity is the best way to form a friend group as he begins his college journey - and his best chance of moving on from his past. He is the survivor of a horrific, and world-famous, murder spree, where a masked killer hunted down Sam and his friends.

Sam had to do the unthinkable to survive that night, and it completely derailed his life. He sees college, and his new identity as a frat boy, as his best shot at living a life not defined by the killings. He starts to flirt with one of the brothers, who Sam finds is surprisingly accepting of Sam's past, and begins to think a fresh start truly is possible.

And then... one of his new frat brothers is found dead. A new masked murderer, one clearly inspired by the original, emerges, and starts stalking, and slaying, the frat boys of Munroe University. Now Sam will have to race against the clock to figure out who the new killer is - and why they are killing - before Sam loses his second chance - or the lives of any more of his friends.

Elements of horror, mystery, and a gay romance make this a story readers won't want to miss.

Review Quotes

"Scream gets a gay romance makeover.... A blood-soaked, heart-filled homage to slashers." --Kirkus Reviews

"Adrenaline-pumping mysteries--elevated by Sam and Oren's earnest developing romance in the face of imminent danger--make for a bloody thrill ride that will appeal to fans of slasher movies." --Publishers Weekly

"With a little romance, a little bro talk, and a little bloody murder, this fast-moving slasher will appeal to fans of the Scream franchise and those with an interest in the ethics of true-crime fandom." --Booklist

"A queer college-set slasher novel? Yes, please!" --Buzzfeed

Praise for IF THIS GETS OUT:

"Fun, heartwarming, and a vital purchase for all collections serving teens." --School Library Journal (starred review)

"This unexpectedly poignant love story... subverts expectations in refreshing ways.... A lively novel with as much appeal as the band itself." --Kirkus

Praise for THE FRIEND SCHEME:

A Buzzfeed "Brand New LGBTQ YA Books To Devour This Summer" Selection

"When the closeted son of a mob boss meets the boy of his dreams in Florida, he's forced to juggle familial loyalty with the growing suspicion that his crush is part of a rival crime organization. ... a sympathetic love story that captures his protagonists' insecurities and interests."--Publishers Weekly

"Suspenseful and sexy, The Friend Scheme is a brilliant novel about not knowing if you should trust someone else, or even yourself, when you're in the closet." - L.C. Rosen, author of Camp

Praise for THE LOVE INTEREST:

A 2018 ALA Rainbow List Selection

"Dietrich both flips and examines certain stereotypes in regards to gender and sexuality while also serving up some high stakes spy adventures."--Entertainment Weekly

"This sci-fi young adult novel is the answer to all of our cliché love triangle woes. Caden, the kindhearted boy-next-door, and Dylan, a brooding bad boy complete with dark poetry and a leather jacket, are in competition for the genius Juliet's heart. The winner gets the girl, and gets to live out his life in peace. If you're looking for something funny, action-packed, and romantic this summer, then this is your next read."--PBS Newshour

" There's a Hunger Games vibe here to be sure--a deadly teen-on-teen competition--and this is packed with similar questions of morality. High stakes, well-developed characters, and an LGBTQ slant on the classic spy story make it all the more intriguing. Stock up--this one has something for everyone."-- Booklist, starred review

"In this subversive take on the quintessential YA love triangle, two guys--the clean-cut boy next door and the brooding bad boy--compete for a girl's affections. But nothing is as it seems: the guys are actually secret agents, trained to follow a script and fulfill specific romantic roles, and whoever doesn't win his target's love will be killed by his ruthless employer. ... Dietrich's debut is impressive, provocative, and a clever take on well-worn romantic tropes. ... while the thriller elements add tension and numerous surprises."--Publishers Weekly

"Caden is a spy. He's spent most of his life so far in an underground facility being groomed physically and mentally to become a Love Interest for someone influential. Now he's finally been chosen. Caden's been pegged as a Nice, the nerdy-boy-next-door type with perfect abs and ocean blue eyes...fans of spy fiction and LGBTQ titles will find the novel worth reading."-- School Library Journal

About the Author

Cale Dietrich is a Young Adult devotee, lifelong gamer, and tragic pop punk enthusiast. He was born in Perth, grew up on the Gold Coast, and now lives in Brisbane, Australia. He is the author of The Love Interest and The Tower.