On the Edge (The Edge, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Dec 05, 2009 The Flooze rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, vanquished_2010, urban-fantasy-paranormal

**3.5**

On the Edge might be called a romance by some. I prefer to think of it as UF with a happy ending. For the most part, it lacks many of the trappings associated with romance. Instead it focuses on intricate world-building, strong characterization, and adrenaline highs--the hallmarks of any good urban fantasy.

That's not to say there isn't some steam, but the tension between Rose and Declan grows gradually. He wins her over bit by bit using bravado, kindness, cunning and consideration. He has **3.5**

On the Edge might be called a romance by some. I prefer to think of it as UF with a happy ending. For the most part, it lacks many of the trappings associated with romance. Instead it focuses on intricate world-building, strong characterization, and adrenaline highs--the hallmarks of any good urban fantasy.

That's not to say there isn't some steam, but the tension between Rose and Declan grows gradually. He wins her over bit by bit using bravado, kindness, cunning and consideration. He has a healthy dose of the "protector" to him, but he also acknowledges Rose's talents and doesn't discount her ability to help in the crisis they face. Both hero and heroine are remarkable as individuals, and I appreciate that neither needs to fall at the other’s feet to make the romance work.

Declan possesses a mysterious air. He’s arrogant and haughty when they first meet, but it quickly becomes clear there is much more to him than meets the eye. There are surprises in store for Rose right up until the very end, with each twist more fun than the last. Most endearing is Declan’s interactions with Rose’s brothers. He sees their potential. He treats them as important, and cares for them while encouraging them to test their limits. Forget Rose falling for him; Declan’s attitude toward Jack and Georgie is what reeled me in.

Rose Drayton herself is a wonderful, complicated heroine. Forced into independence at only 18, she provides for her two small brothers and struggles to make ends meet. They live in a world called the Edge where magic exists in a trickle, and the residents utilize it with varying degrees of success. Rose and her family are special in terms of their magic. They are far more powerful than their neighbors--Rose in particular. Unfortunately, this makes her a target. With so many obstacles set before her, Rose has grown into a determined and proud young woman. Yet, despite her exhaustion and disappointments she still retains a warmth that makes her instantly likable. In the words of her grandmother:

"She's put her life on hold, so her brothers would never know what it's like to be abandoned. A young girl is a creature of dreams, my lord. A woman with one foot in the world of fantasy, searching for the face of true love in every handsome boy she sees. Rose has no fantasies. One would expect a woman who has gone through her trials to be bitter and angry, but she isn't. She's kind, sweet, selfless, and generous, and I thank my lucky stars for this every day."

My only problem with Rose’s portrayal is her change in tone once she realises she loves Declan. Suddenly, everything is high drama. She loses some of that sharp, practical, witty edge borne of suspicion and careful assessment; I found myself missing it. I suppose it’s only natural for her to soften in light of her falling in love--regardless of the responsibilities she bears, she’s still a young woman daring to hope for more. Condensing their connection into one neatly packaged story may not have done the characters full justice, but these off-moments didn’t lessen my enjoyment. Let’s chalk it up to my nitpicky dislike of romance conventions and move along.

One thing I love about this duo’s writing is their ability to craft meaningful peripheral characters. Since reading Magic Burns, I particularly love the way they depict children.

By virtue of their magic and their lifestyle, both Jack and Georgie (Rose’s brothers) are more serious than boys their age should be. They are incredibly quick and observant, keeping a wary eye on Declan. At the same time, they are in awe of him, and latch onto his every move in an effort to learn what being a man means. They’ve never really had a male influence in their lives, and with the blueblood's arrival they’re torn between their hero-worship and their fear for their sister. Georgie and Jack are brave and selfless, and their every action speaks volumes for Rose's parenting skills. They are filled with a certainty and melancholy that belies their age…yet they still have the capacity to be silly, playing and getting into trouble as young boys should. I thought the most poignant statements came from them, delivered with their simple honesty and loyalty. They struck me as the real stars of the story.

If there is one flaw to On the Edge, it’s the villain. Casshorn is on the cheesy side. He comes from the school of hollow, drawn-out, evil speeches. A megalomaniac with a god-complex, he’s almost a caricature of a villain rather than a truly manipulative threat. Far more effective at inspiring terror are the creatures he unleashes on the Edge. Cruel and unearthly animals, they are a force to be reckoned with, the stuff of nightmares. I think much more could’ve been made of them, and I am a little dissatisfied at the minimal role Casshorn plays in his own malevolent plot.

Recalling my reaction to book one of the Kate Daniels’ series, On the Edge is a more solid opener. The world-building is much easier to understand, and the notion of the Broken, the Edge, and the Weird is fascinating. Ilona Andrews has created a very different universe to play in, and the possibilities within seem endless. I notice the next book will focus on William. His introduction here was intriguing, if not a little…unsettling at times. Seeing more of him should prove maddeningly entertaining. I’m looking forward to it, and to learning more about this fresh new world.
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Apr 05, 2011 D.G. rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, reviewed, audiobook, re-read, favorite-author

Re-read: Dec 2020
I'm really glad I re-read this book for challenge because I remembered very little about it! And it definitely stood the test of time. After 8 years, my rating and feelings are exactly the same - isn't that wonderful? I always find the books written by Ilona & Gordon to be so wonderful nuanced, specially the characterization. They feel so real to me that many times I find myself thinking "this is exactly how a guy would react".

Original Review: **4.5 stars**

I've started this boo ...more

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Sep 30, 2010 Yz the Whyz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010-reads, ilona-andrews, nook-others

(A Pick-It-For-Me Challenge book recommended by Suzanne)

This book has a strong urban fantasy feel, but in the end, turned out to be a sweet adventure-romance.

This is my first time reading Ilona Andrews and I'm definitely impressed. The heroine is strong without being overtly stubborn, the hero is arrogant but not too much, the plot is complex enough to keep me riveted, and there is enough action to make it all entertaining.

I got this in audiobook format and Renee Raudman's performance just made ...more

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Sep 29, 2009 Samantha rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, ebook-own

I'm not going to delve too far into the synopsis, but mostly because I think that reading it is really the best way to understand all of the influences/genres that are present in this story.

For the most part I did enjoy this story. I have heard many good things about her Kate Daniels series, but I decided to start with this one since there are already 3 out in the other series. In On the Edge the characters were interesting and the description of some of the nasty critters in this story were gri ...more

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May 01, 2011 Kaity rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy, owned, paranormal-romance

I put off reading the Edge series for quite a while. Kate Daniels is my one of my absolute favorites, love everything about that series so I dug my heels in when it comes to reading On the Edge. To be honest I didn't want to fall in love with characters after being spoiled by an amazing series where it stars the same main characters. Ilona Andrews has this amazing ability to create a burning need to desperately require more. I've reread the Kate Daniels series an absurd number of times but I alw ...more

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