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Book Reviews of On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1)

On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1)
On the Edge - Edge, Bk 1
Author: Ilona Andrews
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780441017805
ISBN-10: 0441017800
Publication Date: 9/29/2009
Pages: 326
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 279

4 stars, based on 279 ratings
Publisher: Ace
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

22 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

mreneerouser avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 127 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
I am SO in love with this book. It has gone straight to the top of my "Best of" list (don't hold it against me that I actually don't have a "Best of" list but if I did, this book would be on it). I loved this book so much that this morning, I walked my dog while reading the book. Thankfully, my dog is very well trained and knew that oncoming cars meant stop.

Now about the book, Rose is a wonderful character. If you ever read Jeaniene Frost's "Night Huntress" series, Rose is very similiar to Kat. Rose has an incredible heart, very loving to her two brothers, will do whatever it takes to care for them but is also suffering from some serious self esteem issues. She righfully doesn't trust anyone but her own small family but she also doesn't want to let in someone who may/or may not truly care for her. She wonders how someone could possibly really want her, considering her circumstances. The only part of Rose that Rose is confident about is her own magic. Of course, Rose's magic is what has made her more of an outsider in a world of outsiders.

The other characters are truly wonderful. The boys (Rose's brothers) absolutely make you laugh and cry. Even though they are different from "normal" kids, you will find yourself relating to your own siblings and how you felt about them. Declan is arrogant, snobby and powerful. William is mysterious, sweet and innocent in a weird way. The Grandma cracked me up. Each character surrounding Rose is well thought out and is essential to the story. Please read this book. You won't regret it.
MissyC323 avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Just finished this book. I really liked it alot. Absolutely loved the supporting characters especially Rose's little brothers Jack and Georgie.
This book is has a very different feel to it than Ilona Andrews 'magic' series. To me, it reads more like a PNR rather than urban fantasy. But thats just fine with me. My only complaint, it had such a 'complete' ending that I'm not sure there will be any more books in this series. I liked Rose and Declan. And the 'Broken, Edge, and Weird' were interesting places to visit. Hope we see more of this world. Maybe Williams story?
sfvamp avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 108 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
A book that actually lives up to the hype!

I really thought I'd be meh about this book. Even though it got great reviews by everybody I thought the descriptions about the characters made me less inclined to like them. This was especially obvious with Declan who was described as aloof and arrogant and hard to like at first. I had no problem falling in love with him. He was great! A perfect and befitting knight in shining armor for Rose and her situation. I've never been much of a fan of children in most romances as they often feel like deadweight and there to get rescued or be brats. But I LOVED Georgie and Jack. They were witty, adorable, and lovable--something that most of my friends would be shocked to hear me say about children. Hedgewitch Grandma was another great character whose magic was handled with the right amount of respect. She was a little bit Wicca and a little bit fantasy witch.

If I had one complaint about this book, it would be that the bad guy resorted to explaining his evil plans on several occasions like a bad Saturday morning cartoon villain who incessantly makes the fatal mistake of talking and showing off when he should be killing. However, the book was so well-written and conceived that I enjoyed even the one-dimensional bad-guy.
reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 55 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Basically, I loved this book! It was addictive to say the very least. Rose is strong, dedicated, family oriented, and a little spit fire! Declan can be arrogant, annoying, and overbearing yet so kind and fiercely loyal. Also the little boys Jack and George were adorable without being annoying. Even when the POV shifted to them I just wanted to hug them and pinch their cheeks and admire how strong they were!

True the story was a bit on the romance-y side for a urban fnatasy, but it made it better if you ask me. No wondering/questioning when/if the characters would ever get off their butts and get together. You see it happening from the very beginning. It's all just a question if they will survive this insanity to be together!

The team of Ilona Andrews has impressed me once again and now I will be awaiting the release of Bayou Moon like I am Magic Bleeds!!
ophelia99 avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This was the first book in The Edge series by Ilona Andrews. I read somewhere that this is going to be a duology. I wasn't able to find the second book's title, but it is supposed to be released in September of 2010. This was an excellent book! I love Andrews' writing style. Those who love Andrews' Kate Daniel's series will not be disappointed.

In this book Rose is raising her two brothers Jack and Georgie in the Edge. The Edge lies between the Broken (the world we live in) and the Weird (a magic analogue of our world). Rose is special in that she can "flash" brighter and hotter than anyone else in the Edge; her brothers are also significantly magical. Jack can shapechange into a cat and Georgie can raise the dead. Rose is just trying to eek out a living for her and the boys in the Edge by working as a maid in the Broken. Unfortunately things are starting to go wrong. Rose's family is being stalked by horrible creatures that ooze evil; and then one day Declan stumbles into Rose's life. Will Declan be a help or is he there to bring an even greater evil to Rose's life?

Of course a lot of people were introduced to the Andrews writing team through the Kate Daniels series so it is hard not to compare this series to that one. This is definitely a different series and a different type of book. Rose is a very different type of person from Kate (as she should be). Rose is kind of a one-trick-wonder. She can flash and that is her thing; other than that she is just trying to make a living and give her brothers a decent life in whatever way she can. This book has a bit more romance than the Kate Daniels series too and is a bit more graphic about love scenes, there is also a different tone to the story. Rose is not a bad-ass, although she has her moments. Declan has a lot of the alpha-male personality that Curran has in the Kate Daniels series, but a lot of the aspects of his personality are also quite different.

That being said I really loved all of the characters. They are complex and interesting. I love how the Andrews incorporate children into the story and treats them realistically; the children aren't forgotten or conveniently removed from the plot at tough spots. Jack and Georgie are always there and are, in their own right, extremely interesting and complex characters. They also play a major part in the story and plot itself.

The things I love about the Kate Daniels series also hold true for this book. Very creative and complex world-building. Tons of action scenes that are very well-written. A plot that is complex but easily followed and clips forward at a fast rate. The writing style of this books is fabulous. Most of the action scenes are no-nonsense in their writing style, but detailed and beautiful descriptions are added in at the parts where it really benefits the story for it to be there. The book is completely engrossing and engaging; it was super hard to put down.

All in all? A wonderful, wonderful read. I can't wait for the next book. I can't wait for the next Kate Daniels book either. My husband also likes Kate Daniels and I am trying to get him to read this book to see what he thinks the differences are. He has been a bit put off by the cover which is kind of romancy looking; I have to agree with him....the cover gave me pause and made me wonder if this book was going to involve some pretty heavy romance. No worries though! It is a wonderful urban fantasy with a bit more romance than the Kate Daniels series. I think anyone who has read the Andrews before should read this one, and anyone who hasn't should give it a go too! Now if only I could get past the sadness of having to wait for more books from Andrews!
jai avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 310 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is much more romance focused than the Kate Daniels series and falls under paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy, but the great world building I'm used to is still there. The idea of the different worlds is a really interesting one, sort of a spin on a faerie world we can't see except it's really just down that road there. It's just that only people who have the right bloodlines can see it and walk past the boundary. I'm always a fan of Andrews' detailed world building, because it's so well thought out. Like they've said, "You can build a most fantastic world, if you take care to make it logical and follow its own rules." This is what I always appreciate in an Ilona Andrews' series: a fantastic world that makes sense.

The Edge is like the Wild West. They don't belong in the Broken, where magic doesn't exist, but they aren't part of the Weird either, where pureblood magic families rule. In the Edge, it's everyone for themselves, but families band together. The Edgers are poor, some rather trashy, lawless, and feisty. There are some real characters living in the Edge, especially with magic thrown in the mix. Rose herself has two younger brothers, Georgie and Jack who exemplify the oddness of the Edge. Georgie is a little necromancer with a soft heart. He resurrects animals he feels sad have died, and their grandfather Cletus (who gets drunk on dog brains). Jack was born a changeling, and like the cat his other half is, is easily distracted by birds and climbing trees.

So Rose has her hands full raising her two brothers because their parents aren't in the picture, but they're good kids (who also bring something to the story). Rose also has to deal with all the people who are after her because of her amazing control over her flash, and when Declan arrives at their door, a pureblood from the Weird who says he will have her, Rose isn't pleased. At first Declan's statements would dismay me. He would often spout some really over-the-top alpha hero stuff, but Andrews manages to fix this for me later on with a viable explanation (thank goodness). Maybe there's also a touch of Pride and Prejudice here: Declan making his remarks and Rose taking offense, thinking that he's the typical blueblood. Rose's circumstances are much lower than Declan's but she's being avidly courted by someone who is obviously a catch. The book takes on a romance feel with Rose's awareness of Declan's appearance (I imagined He-Man) and breeding, and his alpha male assertions that he will get what he wants. On the other hand, Rose is pretty cool, and it makes sense that Declan realizes this. She's a good sister, working hard and going without so that she can buy her brothers those Inu Yasha comics they're obsessed with (Inu Yasha, good choice kids), and she's smart and determined, but just has a hard life where she has to be independent in order to survive.

The paranormal/contemporary fantasy aspects of this story had probably about equal footing as the romance. Creepy rotting creatures in hound like form start terrorizing the Edge, and the mystery of what's going on keeps Declan and Rose busy. The results aren't pretty, but it makes for a great story.
reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 270 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I absoutely LOVED this book! I'm not usually really into this genre, I mainly read historical fiction but the story line in this was so fast paced and easy to understand that I found it hard to put down. Looking forward to the next in the series!
reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 296 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Picked this up because Ilona Andrews was compared to Carrie Vaughn and Patricia Briggs and I like both of them a lot. Found this one much more predictable with a more traditional "romance" (as predicted by the hot Fabio guy on the cover, for which I was given attitude at work) than either of their works. Aside from that, the world setup was interesting, there was some good writing snuck in, and I had fun getting to the not really surprising ending. Good beach read.
LaurieS avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 504 more book reviews
Rose is barely eking out a living working a minimum wage job and trying to keep her two younger brothers fed and clothed. Rose lives on the edge between the broken (the mundane world) and the weird (the magical world). Her parents are dead and because she possesses a coveted magical power shes in fear of becoming someones brood mare and is constantly on alert for would-be kidnappers.

Rose doesnt trust men, with good reason, and steers clear of relationships. Blue-blooded men are the worst but this is a romantic urban fantasy so wouldnt you know it; a blue blood shows up and wreaks havoc on her already chaotic life. She resists Declan's obvious charms but not for too long. Hes a gorgeous, hot hunk of man with a large sword and hes nice to her brothers. Theres a lot more that goes on here but I read this weeks ago and things are fading.

This is a fun read, with great characterization. The plot of demon hounds was interesting and gritty enough to hold my attention and I thought the world building, magic, mundane and in-between unique and well described.

Theres romance, a few awwww my heart just melted moments, a warm family unit, action (but not too much, Im not a big action girl), adventure and most of all wit and warmth. An all-around fantastic read. I cant wait for the next one.
reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 1450 more book reviews
On the Edge by Ilona Andrews - weird fiction/new weird: Imagine that your home exists between two dimensions, on the edge so to speak. On one side of your home is the world as we know it. On the other is a world where magic is an everyday occurrence for its citizens. While you are not accepted into either world your home in the edge is all you have and now it has become threatened by beasts known as the hounds who are killing those who live in the edge. Those who live in the edge have some magical abilities. The hounds are killing to absorb their magic. Comes a stranger from the magical side who can protect you and your brothers. The problem is that he wants you and is using you to locate the hounds and their origin to destroy the threat. Can the love this stranger offers be genuine? Can he help citizens of the edge destroy the threat to their home? Will the citizens accept the help of this stranger? This innovative tale is exciting and creative and the tale flows so well that I ordered the second book in the series.
reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 113 more book reviews
3.5/5.0

While entertaining, this story fell short of the genius that is in the Kate Daniels series. It moved along a little slowly and the relationship between the H/h suffered because the reader is never allowed any insight into the hero, Declan's perspective. Without it, we are forced to stay on the surface, questioning the reality of the romance until the very end of the book.
reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 77 more book reviews
I had high hopes for this book having really enjoyed the author's Kate Daniel series. However, I found this book to be not as good as the author's other stuff.

The good: The characters are very good. They were very well written, interesting and easy to connect with. I like the idea the alternate worlds (one High Magic and one High Technology) separated by world that is half and half. The story was all right.

The bad: World development. My biggest complaint is inconsistency, especially in the world building. The rules for the interactions of the 3 worlds seem to change to whatever is consistent at the time.
ra7 avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 1026 more book reviews
This took a little bit of time to get into, but once I did, it was hard to put down. In this world, you have the "Broken:" non-magical, "real" world, the "Weird:" magic exists, and the "Edge:" the place between. Most in the Weird are unable to cross into the Broken. Those in the Broken are ignorant of the existence of the other 2. The Edgers (as they are called) can easily cross into the Broken and may cross into the Weird if they have enough magic. Generally Edgers don't because they are seen as "less" since they were born outside the Weird.
Rose is one of the stronger Edgers in magical ability (she's pretty kick ass). She is the primary caregiver for her brothers; George- 10 (a necromancer) and Jack- 8 (a changeling- lynx). It took me some time to warm up to Declan, but he grew on me. I could understand why he didn't come clean right away and I got Rose's distrust. I would have liked more at the end in the Weird.
Also introduced to William- a wolf changeling. In the Weird, changeling children are separated from the families for education/training. It's worse for those without families- one becomes a ward and you pretty much become a well trained drone. William just wants a family. His story is next and I liked him in this one.
barbsis avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 1076 more book reviews
Rose Drayton has wild flash magic which Weird blueblood Declan Martel wants for his heirs. He is in the Edge "courting" Rose which is a good thing considering something like hellhounds (only worse) are terrorizing the residents of the Edge, especially Rose's family. Rose's younger brothers Georgie and Jack have gifts as well. Georgie raises the dead and Jack is a changling cat-shifter. The sparks really fly (no pun intended) between Rose and Declan. He may be an opportunist but he is sexy as hell and Rose is having a very hard time resisting his charms.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Declan is a hero to love and respect, definitely a knight in shining armor. Ilona Andrews has a flare for words and actually draws a picture in your mind so you can understand the new concepts no matter how far out there they are.
KellitaJ avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 550 more book reviews
A good book with magic in use. The logic in the story sways all over the place, but at least you never know where it's going to go, and I was interested enough to pick up the next book.
reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
Excellent book! Wonderful world building and characters who learn and grow through-out the story. Makes you want to read more about Declan and Rose and especially Jack and Georgie!
imnellen avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 246 more book reviews
A fast paced urban fantasy that is very enjoyable.
jilld avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 156 more book reviews
Grade: B+

On the Edge is the first in a new series by Ilona Andrews. Rose Drayton lives in The Edge. It is a narrow strip of land that divides our world, known as The Broken and the magical world, known as The Weird. Rose can cross over to the Broken. She holds a job there to support her two young brothers. However, Rose has never entered the Weird. Even though her magic is strong in the Edge she is afraid to cross over to the Weird where it might not be strong enough.

Rose is quite a prickly heroine. She has good reason. She is living on the edge of poverty, the guardian to two rambunctious boys and has lived through attempted abductions from people wanting to use her as a brood mare. You'll have to forgive her for not extending trust to anyone who comes her way. One such traveler finds himself at the mercy of that attitude when he stumbles into her front yard.

Declan and Rose work together to fight an evil army that has been infiltrating Rose's small world and threatening her loved ones. Regardless of whether or not Rose wants Declan's help, she can't turn him away all the while fighting her attraction to him. This book is chock full of sexual tension. Declan and Rose fire up the pages. The world building is very creative and thorough. If readers can get past Rose's prickly disposition they are in for a treat. Ilona Andrews has written an intense story that fantasy fans will find hard to put down.
reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on
Good start to the series. I really liked the heroine. Sass and pluck are always a plus. Hero was a little too stiff, but he came around in the end. Will definitely be reading the next book.
reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 104 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book. Fascinating world, one I'd love to visit. Don't miss it.
seongeona avatar reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 40 more book reviews
After discovering Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series and falling in love with them, I had to read something else by this author. I admit to being afraid of having this Edge series be too much like Kate Daniels with a different title (you know how that goes with some authors). I was not disappointed. This series is nothing like Kate Daniels. I found this one to be far less captivating with characters who didn't hold my attention in the least and who seemed rather immature. I felt this series was aimed for a much younger audience despite no evidence that that was the intention. I really wanted to love this series from an author I adore. Not to be.
reviewed On the Edge (Edge, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
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 didnt 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 themor theyll devour the Edge and everyone in it . . .