fantasy book reviews science fiction book reviewsurban fantasy book reviews Ilona Andrews The Edge 1. On the EdgeOn the Edge by Ilona Andrews

As I started reading On the Edge, my biggest question was, would lightning — or magic — strike twice? Could Ilona Andrews write something just as great as her Kate Daniels series, in a completely different universe? The answer, it turns out, is yes!

The world-building is a little more familiar, but Andrews puts an original spin on it. There’s an Otherworld full of magical beings, called the Weird, and there’s our mundane world, called the Broken. Andrews’ twist is the Edge, a realm that lies between the two. “Edgers” can travel freely among the three worlds, but are second-class citizens in the Weird and the Broken. They often have magical abilities, but these abilities are usually not as strong as those of Weird-dwellers.

The heroine, Rose, is an Edger. As an outcast teenager, she put in years of grueling practice to develop her magical ability to an astounding degree. She did it to thumb her nose at the bullies who tormented her, but her skills just brought her more trouble instead. For years, she’s been fighting off slimy Edge and Weird men determined to use her for breeding stock.

Rose is also raising her two brothers, Georgie and Jack, ages ten and eight, each of whom possesses a dangerous magical talent. The boys are delightful, and bring to mind Phédre no Delaunay’s description of Imriel as a boy: “heart as vast as the plains of Jebe-Barkal and twice as fierce.”

Then, Declan, an arrogant blueblood from the Weird, walks into Rose’s life, declaring that he intends to marry her. Obviously, she wants none of this. He promises to go away if she can stump him with three challenges. But before long, Rose has more on her mind than outsmarting Declan. Horrifying beasts are stalking her Edge village, threatening to devour Rose and her brothers. Only by working together can Rose and Declan hope to defeat them.

A Novel of the Edge Ilona AndrewsOn the Edge combines a suspenseful fantasy plot with a terrific love story. It’s a little more “romancey” than Kate Daniels, but I don’t say that as a complaint. The romance is lots of fun, and sometimes hilarious. Rose and Declan may come from different worlds, but they’re well-matched in spirit, brains, and courage. (Note: if you find Declan insufferable at the start, hang in there.)

Speaking of courage, one of the things I loved about On the Edge, and that I’ve also noticed in earlier books by Andrews, was the bravery of the central characters. Some urban fantasies feature protagonists who can’t really be termed “heroes.” Andrews’ protagonists can. Their willingness to risk their lives for their loved ones is admirable and moving. I had tears in my eyes more than once.

There’s a twist to the ending; I saw it coming, but it was gratifying anyway. It’s familiar like a fairy tale is familiar, not the way a cliché is familiar.

On the Edge stands satisfactorily on its own but also leaves room for sequels. I’d love to see further Edge books; there are several characters just dying to have their stories told!

~Kelly Lasiter


urban fantasy book reviews Ilona Andrews The Edge 1. On the EdgeI’m a big fan of Ilona Andrews‘ Kate Daniels series. In fact, Andrews is one of my favorite urban fantasy authors, so my expectations were high when I picked up On the Edge, and I was not disappointed.

On the Edge is set in a world like ours where magic and our reality are separated by a mixed area called the Edge. Magic works there, but so does technology, so it’s an interesting blend and a real no-man’s land. (I felt like I was looking into some really rural area where people knew about the outside world, but were not very interested in it.) The Edge is threatened by a force that seeks to steal all the magic, and kill everyone who has magic in the process.

On the Edge features a lot of the usual urban fantasy themes and characters. The main character, Rose Drayton, is super-talented, very pretty, selfless, but twisted by life’s misfortunes and her family situation. In this regard I was a little disappointed because Rose was really nothing new. But she was likable and entertaining, and I enjoyed how Andrews directed her. Declan, the uber-male who falls for Rose is magical, handsome, and super cliché, but again, Andrews used him well. One thing I love about Ilona Andrews is that she writes great urban fantasy without crossing into paranormal romance. It’s a fine line and she walks it well.

Ilona Andrews is a wonderful author who I have enjoyed for quite a while and The Edge series looks to be a nice addition to her work — the dialogue is good, there’s plenty of action, and it’s a lot of fun.

~John Hulet

Published in 2009. 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 the beasts will devour the Edge and everyone in it …

Authors

  • Kelly Lasiter

    KELLY LASITER, with us since July 2008, is a mild-mannered academic administrative assistant by day, but at night she rules over a private empire of tottering bookshelves. Kelly is most fond of fantasy set in a historical setting (a la Jo Graham) or in a setting that echoes a real historical period (a la George RR Martin and Jacqueline Carey). She also enjoys urban fantasy and its close cousin, paranormal romance, though she believes these subgenres’ recent burst in popularity has resulted in an excess of dreck. She is a sucker for pretty prose (she majored in English, after all) and mythological themes.

  • John Hulet

    JOHN HULET is a member of the Utah Army National Guard. John’s experiences have often left a great void that has been filled by countless hours spent between the pages of a book lost in the words and images of the authors he admires. During a 12 month tour of Iraq, he spent well over $1000 on books and found sanity in the process. John lives in Utah and works slavishly to prepare soldiers to serve their country with the honor and distinction that Sturm Brightblade or Arithon s’Ffalenn would be proud of. John retired from FanLit in March 2015 after being with us for nearly 8 years. We still hear from him every once in a while.