Series Read: The Edge Series by Ilona Andrews

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

The Edge Series Series



☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★


What is a buddy read?

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book

Rules:
1. Identify the book you are discussing
2. Always post comments under a spoiler

EXPECT SPOILERS!
book 1 (2009) book 2 (2010) book 3 (2011) book 4 (2012)

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

reserved

[RachelvlehcaR]

This looks good and it has high ratings from Felicia Day. I will start with the first book, On the Edge.

[Esther]

I have the 1st one in my TBR. I do not think i will not be able to read it for a bit, but i will join at some point.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I read book 1 a while ago and I quite enjoyed it. I'll be starting book 2 soon

[Cynthia]

I'm on the third book. I really enjoyed the first two.

[~Leslie~]

I've read all 4 and loved them. It's been awhile since I've read the first one. I will not be able to start until later in the week however.

[Mary X]

I read the first 3 and really enjoyed them. I'll keep an eye on this and join when someone is up to book 4.

[Steven]

Okay, I've read books 2, 3, and almost done with 4 since tower teams started, so I'm going to jump in a leave some comments (with spoiler tags) for each book and get the fun of discussing AND some bonus buddy read points :)

[Steven]

Bayou Moon:

Wow, I didn't realize that these books would be so different from each other! Each book has different protagonists and different settings than the last, but has some recurring characters and storylines.

This one stars Cerise Mar and her family, along with (view spoiler)[William the changeling from On the Edge (hide spoiler)].

I really enjoyed the storyline in this one. The villain felt a little stock, but was still creepy as heck. And the weird powers/alterations on the villain and his crew of Hand agents were all very creative and almost scary.

The secondary cast in this one is great as well. I like that some of them become the main characters of the next two books. (view spoiler)[I think Kaldar is hilarious, and his betting/odds power is fantastically original. :) (hide spoiler)]

Great addition to the world of the Weird/Edge/Broken.

[Steven]

Fate's Edge:

This might be my favorite in the series, but I can't really decide. I really love the male lead in this one (view spoiler)[ Kaldar Mar from book two (hide spoiler)] and his power.

The thievery/conmen/heist aspects of the storyline and characters were fun, and I liked that we got to see (view spoiler)[ George and Jack (hide spoiler)] some more.

I think Aubrey's power is pretty interesting too. In fact, that's one of my favorite things about the whole series -- the diversity and originality of the powers (or the original take on the ones that aren't new ideas).

Such a fun series. Tis a shame it's only four books long.

Now, I'm 52% of the way into Steel's Edge, the last book, and loving it as well... so I'll post more when I'm done (or respond to some of you lovely people as you read through the series :) )

[Steven]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I read the first 3 and really enjoyed them. I'll keep an eye on this and join when someone is up to book 4."

I'm on book four! And I love our almost matching profile pictures :)

[Audrey Jane]

I'm in, read the first during the wheelathon a couple of months ago. I liked it but I remember that the ending was bit weird (view spoiler)[weren't they in some other world or something meeting Declan's parents? I don't remember clearly anymore. (hide spoiler)]. I will start Bayou Moon somewhere this week.

I can't wait to read Ilona Andrews again, I've been on Kate Daniels withdrawal since the last book in the series. I'm desperately on a quest to find another UF series that compares to KD.

[Steven]

Yes, Audrey Jane, that's how the first one ends.

There are three lands in the series... the Broken (our world, no magic, called Broken because it makes magic users feel empty and broken since their magic isn't there), then the Edge (the inbetween place, where magic is less but exists), and then the Weird (where magic rules and is strong).

[Steven]

Also, Audrey Jane, you could check out the Dresden Files or the Mercy Thompson/Alpha & Omega series if you're interested in some really good UF.

[Mary X]

Steven if you are on book 4 then I will try to start it soon. I have a couple of buddy reads to finish up first. Plus I might have to wait for it from the library.

[Steven]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "Steven if you are on book 4 then I will try to start it soon. I have a couple of buddy reads to finish up first. Plus I might have to wait for it from the library."

No rush, I'll remember the book well enough to discuss it for the next few weeks at least :)

[Lauren]

is up next for me. Will read it when everyone has caught up

[Audrey Jane]

Steven wrote: "Yes, Audrey Jane, that's how the first one ends.
There are three lands in the series... the Broken (our world, no magic, called Broken because it makes magic users feel empty and broken since thei..."

Nice, that will be useful before I'm diving into this series again :) I forgot about that.

I concur, the Mercy Thompson/A&O series are really good! I'm liking A&O better than Mercy Thompson lately, I was a bit disappointed with the last book in the MT series. Also I like reading about Bran's pack (or rather I like to read about Bran). I haven't read the Dresden Files yet, adding it now.

[Steven]

Audrey Jane wrote: "Steven wrote: "Yes, Audrey Jane, that's how the first one ends.
There are three lands in the series... the Broken (our world, no magic, called Broken because it makes magic users feel empty and bro..."

The first two or three are good, but it really hits its stride at book four and takes off from there!!!

I loved both Mercy and A&O, but I do kind of enjoy the A&O more. Not sure why, really. But I love the supporting cast of Mercy so much! :D

[Rose]

I'll be starting with book one in a couple of days. I'll jump in when I do. I typically can't resist binging on their work (Kate Daniel's was a book a day for a week). Anyone else have this "problem"?

[Steven]

Rose wrote: "I'll be starting with book one in a couple of days. I'll jump in when I do. I typically can't resist binging on their work (Kate Daniel's was a book a day for a week). Anyone else have this "problem"?"

I definitely do. Once I find a series I like, I usually binge read them all (unless a stupid challenge gets in the way of that haha)

[Rose]

Ha, or 18 million conflicting buddy reads that I keep on signing up for... I have issues ;)

[Steven]

Rose wrote: "Ha, or 18 million conflicting buddy reads that I keep on signing up for... I have issues ;)"

That too. It's hard not to do that because it's always more fun to read with someone else to discuss it with later!

[Audrey Jane]

Steven wrote: "The first two or three are good, but it really hits its stride at book four and takes off from there!!!
I loved both Mercy and A&O, but I do kind of enjoy the A&O more. Not sure why, really. But I love the supporting cast of Mercy so much! :D "

A bit the same like KD series (book 3 just blew my mind away), I can't wait to check it out :)

I always come back for the characters, MT is mainly character driven (unlike KD which is both plot and character driven in my opinion). I'm really looking forward to the 4th book in A&O series.

[Steven]

ME TOO!

[Mary X]

I just checked #4 out from the library but it will take me a few days to get around to it.

[Mary X]

D'oh. I completely forgot that I own the audio version of Steel's Edge. Oh well. At least I didn't pay for it again.

[Steven]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "D'oh. I completely forgot that I own the audio version of Steel's Edge. Oh well. At least I didn't pay for it again."

That sounds just like me haha!

[Steven]

I tore through the rest of Steel's Edge today. Couldn't put it down. Ilona Andrews is truly talented. I'm going to miss this world, these characters. I've grown attached to them, especially (view spoiler)[ Jack and George (hide spoiler)].

It was definitely a great storyline, with lots of intrigue and some great powers. My biggest gripe was that (view spoiler)[ the end of Spider, after multiple books leading to a big confrontation, felt forced. It felt tacked on to finish the series since the authors weren't going to write anymore. I wish they had written one more to tie up this loose end, rather than squeezing it into this book. (hide spoiler)]

But, to make me happy, I've heard that Clean Sweep and the Innkeeper Chronicles has some links to this series, so I'll be reading that soon to see what I can find. :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Steven wrote: "Bayou Moon:

Wow, I didn't realize that these books would be so different from each other! Each book has different protagonists and different settings than the last, but has some recurring charact..."

I started the audio of this one today and I was also surprised about the characters. I keep waiting for Rose to come into it! I guess based on your comments I should stop waiting...lol

[Steven]

The only character from book one in book two is William, that I recall, though Declan and Rose are mentioned.

But books three and four intertwine the casts of books one and two :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Yes Declan has been mentioned, and I remember William although not too well as it has been a while since I read the first book.(view spoiler)[ was he the one who was trying to get Rose to marry him? (hide spoiler)] I'll have to google!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapter 6

Quick note... (view spoiler)[ I love the "Lord Leatherpants" quote! (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Karen wrote: "Yes Declan has been mentioned, and I remember William although not too well as it has been a while since I read the first book. I'll have to google!"

(view spoiler)[ Yes, William is the guy/changeling from town that was trying to date Rose. He was best friends with William but they had a falling out years ago.

He was an interesting character and I enjoyed the 2nd book featuring him. I do hope we get back to Rose and William in the next book, though. I want to know how the boys are doing. (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

Cynthia, while Rose and Declan aren't the main characters in books two, three, or four... you're going to get your wish of (view spoiler)[more George and Jack, as they are big players in both three and four. (hide spoiler)] :)

[Steven]

Karen wrote: "
Chapter 6

Quick note... [spoilers removed]"

Yes, I cracked up so hard at that!!!

[Cynthia]

Steven wrote: "Cynthia, while Rose and Declan aren't the main characters in books two, three, or four... you're going to get your wish of [spoilers removed] :)"

Aaah! I already have 3 on my Kindle, so I may have to get into it tonight.

[Steven]

:) I thought you might be happy with that. :)

[Mary X]

I think book 2 was my favorite. I loved William's Wolf thought process.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Cynthia wrote: "Karen wrote: "Yes Declan has been mentioned, and I remember William although not too well as it has been a while since I read the first book. I'll have to google!"

Yes, William is the guy/changel..."

Ah, yes that is who I was thinking. Thanks for confirming for me!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Here's a question for you all:

Where would you rather live? The Weird, The Edge or The Broken? Why?

[Steven]

Karen wrote: "Here's a question for you all:

Where would you rather live? The Weird, The Edge or The Broken? Why?"

I'd say the Edge for sure. Well, we already know all about the Broken, but I need a little bit of magic in my life :) Since I'd never be a blueblood, I'd say the Edge is for me!

And if we got to PICK our powers, I'd love to have something similar to (view spoiler)[ Charlotte in book four (healing) or Kaldar's fun betting magic. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I think book 2 was my favorite. I loved William's Wolf thought process."

I love that too, just like I love when we get to see through Jack's eyes. They walk this fine line between wild and human, and it's a very interesting perspective.

It sure is a creative world that the Andrews have come up with. I love it! And I'm sad it's over for me! :(

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Steven
I think I'd like to try The Weird just for a little while. Although I'm not sure I could stand living with bluebloods! :o

And The Edge just makes me think... gosh can I really speak with an accent like that?! haha (if you haven't listened to the audio you may not understand what I mean....)
But I agree, The Edge would be pretty cool and I would want to choose my powers too (naturally), although I may have to finish more books before I make up my mind which ones I want :o

[Steven]

I wouldn't mind living with the bluebloods if I got to live with their riches. ;) It would be a pain to be formal and proper all the time.

Plus, I just love that, even though they struggle, families like Rose's and Cerise's seem to thrive and be tight knit and close.

I haven't listened to the audio, so in my head, they all just talk "normal" to me haha.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

teehee
well download a sample if you can... and then try and imagine an Australian speaking with that kind of Southern American twang....lol

Yes the formality and their views on women would not work for me too well, but I could do with a visit.

Good point about the families in The Edge. Although they don't seem to interact too much with other families in The Edge which is a shame. I think it would be a tough life

[Mary X]

I think I'd also want Kaldar's talent.

[Steven]

Hahaha, a deep south American accent mixed with an Australian one would be rather difficult. :)

I like to think that as the books progress, the female characters all seem to be accepted as strong, confident, capable women... and especially in book four, you get to see that at least some of them are massively respected even in the weird. But I do understand what you mean, that would be difficult. Who knows how they'd feel about a gay man like me!?

There's a little interaction, but the limitations based on location and defense would make it hard to get to know your neighbors. I guess I'd like to think I'd be able to make it different and work it out to my liking?

Who knows? Maybe the Broken isn't so bad ;)

[Steven]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I think I'd also want Kaldar's talent."

YES! It's just... FUN!