On the Edge (The Edge #1) by Ilona Andrews
Publication Date: September 29th 2009 by Tantor Audio
Pages: 384
Audio Book Length: 12hrs 8min
Narrator: Renée Raudman
Source: Purchased
Rating: ★★★★★
My
Thoughts:
I read On the Edge back in 2013, and just read it
again for a read-along I’m participating in with Anne @Books of My Heart and loved it even more the second time
around! If you’re looking for a strong female character, clever banter, and a
slow burn romance look no further. Their Kate Daniels series won me over as a
fan, and The Edge series only increased my love of their writing!
Rose lives in the Edge, a world in between the Broken: our normal world, and
the Weird: a world where magic dominates. She lives with her two younger
brothers, having to take over the role of parent since her mother died and her
father took off. Rose makes barely enough money in the Broken to care for their
needs, and she struggles to keep her brothers behaving while trying to provide.
Behaving takes special restraint when you have magic powers like Rose’s little
brothers do. Rose is also gifted magically, not that this has made much of a
difference in her life so far, other than making her a target for unwanted
advances.
Enter Declan, an aristocrat from the Weird. He shows up demanding things of
Rose and used to being in charge, but Rose isn’t just going to listen to some
stranger. However, there’s something in the Edge killing, so she reluctantly
teams up with him.
This was such a strange and different story, in the very best way. Rose is a
wonderfully crafted heroine with some pretty cool powers. No TSTL. She works
with what she has and tries to get by. I was touched by Rose’s caring
relationship with her younger brothers. The boys as well as Rose’s grandmother
were well fleshed-out secondary characters that you grow to love.
On the Edge is first in a series, but this story wraps up nicely, and the next
one focuses on another secondary character. You can’t go wrong with Ilona
Andrews! I’ve loved everything they’ve written!
As for the audio narrator, you can't go wrong with Renée Raudman! She won me over with her performance of Kate Daniels and she was wonderful here as well!
5 Stars
Book Description:
Rose Drayton lives on the Edge, between the world of the Broken (where people drive cars, shop at Wal-Mart, and magic is a fairy tale) and the Weird (where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny). Only Edgers like Rose can easily travel from one world to the next, but they never truly belong in either.
Rose thought if she practiced her magic, she could build a better life for herself. But things didn’t turn out how she planned, and now she works a minimum wage, off the books job in the Broken just to survive. Then Declan Camarine, a blueblood noble straight out of the deepest part of the Weird, comes into her life, determined to have her (and her power).
But when a terrible danger invades the Edge from the Weird, a flood of creatures hungry for magic, Declan and Rose must work together to destroy them—or they’ll devour the Edge and everyone in it.
I remember really liking it, but I also remember nothing about it
ReplyDeleteHaha! I forgot a lot, too, but it was over 10 years ago since I last read it!
DeleteThis was the first Ilona Andrews book I ever read and is still one of my favs. Rose and Declan are such great characters. And the world building! So fun. You make me want to pull my copy off the shelf and reread it. :D
ReplyDeleteI didn't know this was your first Ilona Andrews! The characters were wonderful! I hope you do get a chance for a re-read, Lark! :)
DeleteI did enjoy the re-read as well, but Declan annoyed me more this time. Rose makes for a great UF Heroine; although as we discussed in chat, the first encounter with William was a bit creepy, especially when he called her! *WARNING BELLS* lol!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how different we can feel about a story and characters over time. Yes, I didn't thing Rose had some TSTL moments, but after our chat, I agree, the way she handled that encounter with William wasn't smart. And yes, if someone went and got my number after I turned him down I'd be alarmed. Still, for the most part, I thought Rose was a great heroine!
DeleteIt's great when you reread a book and love it even more. I find it is usually the opposite for me. Glad you enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this interesting book world and solid characters were just as great during the second re-listen
ReplyDeleteGreat review Rachel! I loved it again too because as you said it's Ilona Andrews! And Rose was not TSTL. She knows the harsh realities. George and Jack are my heart. Thanks so much for joining the chat and sharing your review. I'm thrilled you are in the Read-along. Don't hesitate to enter the giveaway if you haven't yet.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart