Book Review: On The Edge by Ilona Andrews

One The Edge by Ilona Andrews
Ace
309 Pages
Copyright 2009

In Ilona Andrews' most recent world, reality is divided into three parts: the Broken, The Weird, and The Edge. The Broken is the human world, where Wal-Mart exists and magic is for books and movies. The Weird is a parallel world where magic is the norm, ruled by 'bluebloods' and the strength of your magic can make or break your destiny.

The Edge is between. It is a place where outcasts from the Weird live and where people can travel between the Broken and the Weird. Their lives are not easy; they live a sort of non-existent life, working and buying things in the Broken to trade with The Weird.

Rose Drayton lives in the Edge, an outcast amongst outcasts. Her father has vanished. Her mother has died, but not before leaving behind the reputation of a whore. Rose is left to care for two younger brothers - one a shape-shifter, the other a necromancer unwilling to let the things he loves die.

As a child, Rose lived for one thing - to show all those who tormented and teased her that she was something special, so she worked with her magic night and day until it is the strongest, purest magic in the area. Then demonstration upon graduation meant to show everyone goes wrong, making her even more of an outcast. The Edgers think her worth only what they can get by selling her. The bluebloods want only to use her as a brood mare. And Rose finds herself fighting to keep either thing from happening while she provides for and protects her brothers.

Enter Declan, strong, handsome blueblood warrior from the Weird who seems intent on possessing Rose for both her body and her magic. He agrees to face three challenges from Rose. If he wins, she goes back with him to the Weird. If she wins, he goes away and leaves them alone.

But there is something evil in the Edge, something that means not only to possess Rose but everything and everyone else in the Edge in the process.

Rather a long synopsis but I really couldn't think how to cut it back and do the book justice and, if you're a fan of fantasy and romance, it's important that I do so.

Rose is a strong young woman, but she is at her breaking point. Living in the shadows doesn't provide for a very good life; not for her and certainly not for her brothers. Two young boys growing up without a strong male figure to held teach and guide them is hardly a good thing but when you add Georgie and Jack's problems into the mix, it is potentially disastrous. Rose knows it and she's doing the best she can, but she knows it's not enough.

Declan is strong, handsome, arrogant, everything a hero, or villain, should be. Rose is attracted to him but, after all of the hurt and betrayal she's faced, there's no trust left in her and it doesn't help that Declan is clearly hiding something.

One final piece of the puzzle is William, a strong, mysterious stranger who attempts to befriend Rose in the Broken. Rose likes William, but again, there's just something about him…

Andrews, a writing duo of husband and wife, Ilona and Andrew Gordon. Their Kate Daniels series put them on my favorite authors list and this book has cemented their place on that last.

Their worlds are well defined and easily believable. Their characters are real - they have strengths and flaws, which I find refreshing. Rose isn't above doubts or the need for help. She can't do it all but she has the will to try. Declan is strong, arrogant, everything a rich aristocrat should be. And there are agendas within agendas that definitely keep you reading. The romance element makes the outcome known going in; Rose and Declan will end up together, but it's the getting there that makes the story.

Recommendation: Paranormal romance at its best. There's nothing else I really need to say.