Helpful Score: 10
I am SO in love with this book. It has gone straight to the top of my "Best of" list (don't hold it against me that I actually don't have a "Best of" list but if I did, this book would be on it). I loved this book so much that this morning, I walked my dog while reading the book. Thankfully, my dog is very well trained and knew that oncoming cars meant stop.
Now about the book, Rose is a wonderful character. If you ever read Jeaniene Frost's "Night Huntress" series, Rose is very similiar to Kat. Rose has an incredible heart, very loving to her two brothers, will do whatever it takes to care for them but is also suffering from some serious self esteem issues. She righfully doesn't trust anyone but her own small family but she also doesn't want to let in someone who may/or may not truly care for her. She wonders how someone could possibly really want her, considering her circumstances. The only part of Rose that Rose is confident about is her own magic. Of course, Rose's magic is what has made her more of an outsider in a world of outsiders.
The other characters are truly wonderful. The boys (Rose's brothers) absolutely make you laugh and cry. Even though they are different from "normal" kids, you will find yourself relating to your own siblings and how you felt about them. Declan is arrogant, snobby and powerful. William is mysterious, sweet and innocent in a weird way. The Grandma cracked me up. Each character surrounding Rose is well thought out and is essential to the story. Please read this book. You won't regret it.
Now about the book, Rose is a wonderful character. If you ever read Jeaniene Frost's "Night Huntress" series, Rose is very similiar to Kat. Rose has an incredible heart, very loving to her two brothers, will do whatever it takes to care for them but is also suffering from some serious self esteem issues. She righfully doesn't trust anyone but her own small family but she also doesn't want to let in someone who may/or may not truly care for her. She wonders how someone could possibly really want her, considering her circumstances. The only part of Rose that Rose is confident about is her own magic. Of course, Rose's magic is what has made her more of an outsider in a world of outsiders.
The other characters are truly wonderful. The boys (Rose's brothers) absolutely make you laugh and cry. Even though they are different from "normal" kids, you will find yourself relating to your own siblings and how you felt about them. Declan is arrogant, snobby and powerful. William is mysterious, sweet and innocent in a weird way. The Grandma cracked me up. Each character surrounding Rose is well thought out and is essential to the story. Please read this book. You won't regret it.
Helpful Score: 7
Just finished this book. I really liked it alot. Absolutely loved the supporting characters especially Rose's little brothers Jack and Georgie.
This book is has a very different feel to it than Ilona Andrews 'magic' series. To me, it reads more like a PNR rather than urban fantasy. But thats just fine with me. My only complaint, it had such a 'complete' ending that I'm not sure there will be any more books in this series. I liked Rose and Declan. And the 'Broken, Edge, and Weird' were interesting places to visit. Hope we see more of this world. Maybe Williams story?
This book is has a very different feel to it than Ilona Andrews 'magic' series. To me, it reads more like a PNR rather than urban fantasy. But thats just fine with me. My only complaint, it had such a 'complete' ending that I'm not sure there will be any more books in this series. I liked Rose and Declan. And the 'Broken, Edge, and Weird' were interesting places to visit. Hope we see more of this world. Maybe Williams story?
Helpful Score: 4
A book that actually lives up to the hype!
I really thought I'd be meh about this book. Even though it got great reviews by everybody I thought the descriptions about the characters made me less inclined to like them. This was especially obvious with Declan who was described as aloof and arrogant and hard to like at first. I had no problem falling in love with him. He was great! A perfect and befitting knight in shining armor for Rose and her situation. I've never been much of a fan of children in most romances as they often feel like deadweight and there to get rescued or be brats. But I LOVED Georgie and Jack. They were witty, adorable, and lovable--something that most of my friends would be shocked to hear me say about children. Hedgewitch Grandma was another great character whose magic was handled with the right amount of respect. She was a little bit Wicca and a little bit fantasy witch.
If I had one complaint about this book, it would be that the bad guy resorted to explaining his evil plans on several occasions like a bad Saturday morning cartoon villain who incessantly makes the fatal mistake of talking and showing off when he should be killing. However, the book was so well-written and conceived that I enjoyed even the one-dimensional bad-guy.
I really thought I'd be meh about this book. Even though it got great reviews by everybody I thought the descriptions about the characters made me less inclined to like them. This was especially obvious with Declan who was described as aloof and arrogant and hard to like at first. I had no problem falling in love with him. He was great! A perfect and befitting knight in shining armor for Rose and her situation. I've never been much of a fan of children in most romances as they often feel like deadweight and there to get rescued or be brats. But I LOVED Georgie and Jack. They were witty, adorable, and lovable--something that most of my friends would be shocked to hear me say about children. Hedgewitch Grandma was another great character whose magic was handled with the right amount of respect. She was a little bit Wicca and a little bit fantasy witch.
If I had one complaint about this book, it would be that the bad guy resorted to explaining his evil plans on several occasions like a bad Saturday morning cartoon villain who incessantly makes the fatal mistake of talking and showing off when he should be killing. However, the book was so well-written and conceived that I enjoyed even the one-dimensional bad-guy.
Helpful Score: 2
This was the first book in The Edge series by Ilona Andrews. I read somewhere that this is going to be a duology. I wasn't able to find the second book's title, but it is supposed to be released in September of 2010. This was an excellent book! I love Andrews' writing style. Those who love Andrews' Kate Daniel's series will not be disappointed.
In this book Rose is raising her two brothers Jack and Georgie in the Edge. The Edge lies between the Broken (the world we live in) and the Weird (a magic analogue of our world). Rose is special in that she can "flash" brighter and hotter than anyone else in the Edge; her brothers are also significantly magical. Jack can shapechange into a cat and Georgie can raise the dead. Rose is just trying to eek out a living for her and the boys in the Edge by working as a maid in the Broken. Unfortunately things are starting to go wrong. Rose's family is being stalked by horrible creatures that ooze evil; and then one day Declan stumbles into Rose's life. Will Declan be a help or is he there to bring an even greater evil to Rose's life?
Of course a lot of people were introduced to the Andrews writing team through the Kate Daniels series so it is hard not to compare this series to that one. This is definitely a different series and a different type of book. Rose is a very different type of person from Kate (as she should be). Rose is kind of a one-trick-wonder. She can flash and that is her thing; other than that she is just trying to make a living and give her brothers a decent life in whatever way she can. This book has a bit more romance than the Kate Daniels series too and is a bit more graphic about love scenes, there is also a different tone to the story. Rose is not a bad-ass, although she has her moments. Declan has a lot of the alpha-male personality that Curran has in the Kate Daniels series, but a lot of the aspects of his personality are also quite different.
That being said I really loved all of the characters. They are complex and interesting. I love how the Andrews incorporate children into the story and treats them realistically; the children aren't forgotten or conveniently removed from the plot at tough spots. Jack and Georgie are always there and are, in their own right, extremely interesting and complex characters. They also play a major part in the story and plot itself.
The things I love about the Kate Daniels series also hold true for this book. Very creative and complex world-building. Tons of action scenes that are very well-written. A plot that is complex but easily followed and clips forward at a fast rate. The writing style of this books is fabulous. Most of the action scenes are no-nonsense in their writing style, but detailed and beautiful descriptions are added in at the parts where it really benefits the story for it to be there. The book is completely engrossing and engaging; it was super hard to put down.
All in all? A wonderful, wonderful read. I can't wait for the next book. I can't wait for the next Kate Daniels book either. My husband also likes Kate Daniels and I am trying to get him to read this book to see what he thinks the differences are. He has been a bit put off by the cover which is kind of romancy looking; I have to agree with him....the cover gave me pause and made me wonder if this book was going to involve some pretty heavy romance. No worries though! It is a wonderful urban fantasy with a bit more romance than the Kate Daniels series. I think anyone who has read the Andrews before should read this one, and anyone who hasn't should give it a go too! Now if only I could get past the sadness of having to wait for more books from Andrews!
In this book Rose is raising her two brothers Jack and Georgie in the Edge. The Edge lies between the Broken (the world we live in) and the Weird (a magic analogue of our world). Rose is special in that she can "flash" brighter and hotter than anyone else in the Edge; her brothers are also significantly magical. Jack can shapechange into a cat and Georgie can raise the dead. Rose is just trying to eek out a living for her and the boys in the Edge by working as a maid in the Broken. Unfortunately things are starting to go wrong. Rose's family is being stalked by horrible creatures that ooze evil; and then one day Declan stumbles into Rose's life. Will Declan be a help or is he there to bring an even greater evil to Rose's life?
Of course a lot of people were introduced to the Andrews writing team through the Kate Daniels series so it is hard not to compare this series to that one. This is definitely a different series and a different type of book. Rose is a very different type of person from Kate (as she should be). Rose is kind of a one-trick-wonder. She can flash and that is her thing; other than that she is just trying to make a living and give her brothers a decent life in whatever way she can. This book has a bit more romance than the Kate Daniels series too and is a bit more graphic about love scenes, there is also a different tone to the story. Rose is not a bad-ass, although she has her moments. Declan has a lot of the alpha-male personality that Curran has in the Kate Daniels series, but a lot of the aspects of his personality are also quite different.
That being said I really loved all of the characters. They are complex and interesting. I love how the Andrews incorporate children into the story and treats them realistically; the children aren't forgotten or conveniently removed from the plot at tough spots. Jack and Georgie are always there and are, in their own right, extremely interesting and complex characters. They also play a major part in the story and plot itself.
The things I love about the Kate Daniels series also hold true for this book. Very creative and complex world-building. Tons of action scenes that are very well-written. A plot that is complex but easily followed and clips forward at a fast rate. The writing style of this books is fabulous. Most of the action scenes are no-nonsense in their writing style, but detailed and beautiful descriptions are added in at the parts where it really benefits the story for it to be there. The book is completely engrossing and engaging; it was super hard to put down.
All in all? A wonderful, wonderful read. I can't wait for the next book. I can't wait for the next Kate Daniels book either. My husband also likes Kate Daniels and I am trying to get him to read this book to see what he thinks the differences are. He has been a bit put off by the cover which is kind of romancy looking; I have to agree with him....the cover gave me pause and made me wonder if this book was going to involve some pretty heavy romance. No worries though! It is a wonderful urban fantasy with a bit more romance than the Kate Daniels series. I think anyone who has read the Andrews before should read this one, and anyone who hasn't should give it a go too! Now if only I could get past the sadness of having to wait for more books from Andrews!
Helpful Score: 2
Basically, I loved this book! It was addictive to say the very least. Rose is strong, dedicated, family oriented, and a little spit fire! Declan can be arrogant, annoying, and overbearing yet so kind and fiercely loyal. Also the little boys Jack and George were adorable without being annoying. Even when the POV shifted to them I just wanted to hug them and pinch their cheeks and admire how strong they were!
True the story was a bit on the romance-y side for a urban fnatasy, but it made it better if you ask me. No wondering/questioning when/if the characters would ever get off their butts and get together. You see it happening from the very beginning. It's all just a question if they will survive this insanity to be together!
The team of Ilona Andrews has impressed me once again and now I will be awaiting the release of Bayou Moon like I am Magic Bleeds!!
True the story was a bit on the romance-y side for a urban fnatasy, but it made it better if you ask me. No wondering/questioning when/if the characters would ever get off their butts and get together. You see it happening from the very beginning. It's all just a question if they will survive this insanity to be together!
The team of Ilona Andrews has impressed me once again and now I will be awaiting the release of Bayou Moon like I am Magic Bleeds!!
