I first became a fan of Ilona Andrews (husband and wife writing team) when I happened upon their Hidden Legacy Series through some persuasive Cannonball reviews. I was pleasantly surprised and ready to read some more, which is what led to The Edge series and Book 1: On the Edge (2009). Although this book was not quite as memorable or addictive as I found the Hidden Legacy Series, I could see the beginnings of what makes Andrews’ books so entertaining.
Rose Drayton is a young woman, bearing the burden of sole caretaker of her two young brothers. She barely scrapes enough money together as a cleaning woman, and they are always on the edge of not having enough. Rose’s world is a magical world, split into sections. There is the Broken, where Rose works and where people with no magical ability live. There is no magic in these spaces. On the other side is the Weird, an entire world based on magic and power. In between these two worlds is the Edge, a small area of small amounts of magic, and knowledge of both the Broken and the Weird.
Rose is defensive and desperately protective of her family. When an aristocratic stranger from the Weird, Declan Camarine, shows up at her home, she threatens him. However, the two of them both have an interest in apprehending another newcomer to the Edge. This one uses the magical energy from people to create nasty, murderous beasts. He is looking to gather power in the Edge where there is less resistance before taking over the Weird.
Rose and Declan’s relationship starts out on a bad foot and a misunderstanding, but the more time they spend together, the more they like and trust each other. Declan is a good influence on Rose’s brothers, and the two are able to keep each other safe. It should not be a surprise that they end up together.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book. I liked that Rose was independent, with powers of her own, and not wholly dependent on Declan. Rose’s younger brothers, one who can bring things back from the dead, and one who can change into a cat were interesting, unique characters. I couldn’t always buy into the romance between Declan and Rose, and I think Andrews has since improved in their romance writing, but I’m excited to see where they take it next.
“Go brush your teeth, comb your hair, put on dry clothes, and get the guns. We’re going to Wal-Mart.”
You can find all of my reviews on my blog.
Each of the books in the Edge series introduces new characters, while there is some overlap in story arc and you find out more about the world they’re in. Each book also focuses on a new couple. I think they manage the romance better in some of the later books.