On the Edge

The Edge, Book 1

By: Ilona Andrews

Narrated by: Renée Raudman

Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Rose Drayton lives on the Edge, between the world of the Broken (where people drive cars, shop at Wal-Mart, and magic is a fairy tale) and the Weird (where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny). Only Edgers like Rose can easily travel from one world to the next, but they never truly belong in either. Rose thought if she practiced her magic, she could build a better life for herself. But things didn't turn out how she planned, and now she works a minimum wage, off-the-books job in the Broken just to survive.

Then Declan Camarine, a blueblood noble straight out of the deepest part of the Weird, comes into her life, determined to have her (and her power). But when a terrible danger invades the Edge from the Weird, a flood of creatures hungry for magic, Declan and Rose must work together to destroy them - or they'll devour the Edge and everyone in it.

Spend some more time on The Edge.

©2009 Andrew Gordon and Ilona Gordon (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[E]ngaging urban fantasy....Andrews has created a complex plot and convincing characters that will keep the pages turning." ( Publishers Weekly)

excellent story

wonderful characters, interesting story line. I love the concept and this husband and wife writing team.

love this author

Renee Raudman does a very nice job reading. There are lots of characters, accents and different ages and she doesn't flub any of them. I love this story. I'd read a grocery list if the Ilona Andrews team wrote it.

Wow I want more of Rose and the boys

I loved this I could not put it down. I read this book in one day. Loved it.

Good fantasy action romance.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I really have enjoyed reading anything from Ilona Andrews, as her books are full of action with strong women in interesting urban fantasy settings.

What did you like best about this story?

Kick-arse heroin. Novel use of magic, as of course, sword and sorcery has been done to death, but I was really engaged as Ilona Andrews has her own magic in creating a new world based on the old.

What does Renée Raudman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think much of my enjoyment comes from listening to Renee Raudman . . . she is VERY talented, and brings the characters to life. I am not in to plain romance as it is so formula driven, but I am tempted to listen to some, as Renee Raudman has done so many. I am addicted to her, and have to force myself to listen to other narrators. She brings each and every character to life.

Any additional comments?

It is not a literary work and there is a certain amount of predictability relating to the romance, but the characterisation and interesting settings and challenges for the characters makes up for it.

Getting the Rest of the Series

Story wise, this was a wonderful blend of imaginative new magical worlds, relatable characters, and a captivating story well told. I'm inclined to think that Andrews built a better world with this series than with the Magic Bites series, which has also been a joy to listen to.

Narration wise, Renee Raudman did a masterful job of giving each character their own voice, especially the boys. Though she does occasionally over fill her voice with the drama of a situation for my taste, her pacing, intonations, the timbre of the voice, and the overall experience of listening to her tell a tale is a treat for the ears.

On The Edge is a On the Edge of you seat listen...

Where does On the Edge rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Ilona Andrews has started another great series. This book keeps you interest from start to end. The characters are well developed and left in the position to continue the series.

What other book might you compare On the Edge to and why?

This ranks with the Kate Daniels series but a new story line and characters.

Which character – as performed by Renée Raudman – was your favorite?

Rose Drayton is performed flawlessly by the narrator. The voice fills you with the described image of Rose.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book gripped me and left me wanting more. It filled the void in waiting for other of Ilona Andrews to come available...

No great passion

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Needed a whole lot more passion

If you’ve listened to books by Ilona Andrews before, how does this one compare?

Haven't, not sure I will again

Which character – as performed by Renée Raudman – was your favorite?

Main character rose

Was On the Edge worth the listening time?

Nope

Any additional comments?

If you're looking for your blood to heat up with romance this isn't the right book

Powerful Punch of Wit

I listened to the audio sample and had to buy it after I heard, "Kids, get the guns, we're going to Wal-Mart." I about died! That statement fit in with the the story, but it was such a tongue-in-cheek line that I fell in love with this book.

I was not disappointed when I finished listening to this audibook in four days. There was enough tension, there was enough adventure and there were hilarious points along the way as well.

The narrator is excellent with her voices, each one consistently identified throughout and great detail to the context of the words spoken. She even made it sound like she was eating when a character was talking during a meal.

There were a couple of characters I didn't care for, but they didn't stop me from the story. And I wish the ending was a little longer in the storyline for Rose and Declan.

All in all, this is a great production and I hope the second book continues the wonderful storyline.

A Very Entertaining Listen

Very different twist on the paranormal/fantasy genre. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I wished the Weird had been developed more, however a very entertaining story. The female lead stay true to her tough girl facade but with a heart. The male lead wasn't overly demanding or brutish in his behavior. I would recommend, it is worth a credit.

The narrator did a fantastic job!

B+ rating....

My Review:
Overall.... 4.0
Performance... 4.5
Story.... 4.0

What an interesting new world. There are three layers of reality in this paranormal setting....the Edge, the Weird, and the Broken. The Broken is our reality and the Weird is where magic reigns supreme. Rose lives in the middle, the Edge.

Life is hard in the Edge for Rose. She has two young brothers who are just as magical as she that she is simply trying to keep housed, fed, and out of trouble... a task that is much harder than it sounds. Rose has learned the hard way that she can't trust anyone other than herself and her family. At an early age, she showed to have a special kind of magic...it's pure and something that all families want in their heredity. So the bluebloods...who live in the Weird...have tried to take her. By force and by coercion. It's never been about her...only her magic.

Then along come two new men into the Edge...William and Declan...who both have appeal to her. But she certainly doesn't trust either of them or their motivations for approaching her, regardless of what they say.

I like Rose...she is tough and is most certainly a fighter. It's exhausting to think about being her though. She can NEVER take anything at face value and that makes me so sad for her. She constantly has to look for hidden motives from everyone around her.

But I also really loved both Declan and William. Declan is an interesting character just because his background as a blueblood makes him so clueless on a certain level. But he never looks down on Rose. In fact, he's very impressed by her and sees her strength. He wants to know about her world and will do all he can to fit in and fix what's broken there. William has a different vulnerability to him. I loved how he connected with Jack and actually both boys. He feels real...even though it's obvious he has secrets...it doesn't feel like they are evil secrets ever.

Then there are the boys...Jack and George. Still so little but having to act so much older than they should. I loved them and both their magical skills and the way those played into the story. My heart broke for George during the second challenge, but wow...it made for some powerful emotion in the book.

Overall, this was a great intro into this world. I've already downloaded book #2 from my Audible account. I like that every book follows two different characters in this incredible world.