On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

April 11th, 2016 Kimberly Review 68 Comments

11th Apr
On the Edge by Ilona Andrews
On the Edge
by Ilona Andrews
Series: The Edge #1
Narrator: Renée Raudman
Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne Flame
Narration: 5 cups

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 the beasts will devour the Edge and everyone in it . . .

Fave Narrator UNIQUE urban well written

On the Edge was brilliant! The Edge series by Ilona Andrews was on my wish list because I cannot get enough of this writing duo. After listening to Sweep in Peace and realizing there was a crossover in characters, I grabbed the audiobook.  On the Edge delivered incredible world building and a slow burning haters-to-lovers’ romance filled with delicious heat.

Five “Caffeinated” reasons to grab your earbuds and listen to On the Edge

  • Rose Drayton our protagonist is kick-ass, and snarky. Picture Kate Daniels minus the sword. She lives in the Edge, and has some unique magical powers, which of course cause her problems. For example, her boyfriend tried to sell her! Rose is raising her two younger brothers in what we know as the south. One might define them as rednecks. Food, clothing and other expenses are a struggle, and I had to admire Rose etching out a life for them. I connected with Rose and loved her witty comments and kick-ass ask questions later attitude.
  • The world building as I have come to expect from Andrews was spectacular. Rose and her family live in the Edge a place between the Broken (our world) and the Weird. ( A place where magic exists) Edgers have some magic and most are very poor. Rose actually works in the Broken as a cleaner and I loved how Andrews captured the south. As I closed my eyes and listened to Renee Raudman narrate I could see Rose’s home in vivid detail.
  • The characters!! I absolutely love the characters Ilona Andrews create. Rose is snarky; her brothers are curious children who made me laugh and pity Rose all at the same time. The connection between Sweep in Peace and The Edge characters made me cry. Declan, a Blue Nobleman from the Weird was swoony, even if at first I wanted to shoot him. Rose’s grandmother was a hoot and her brothers have some interesting abilities.
  • The romance was brilliant. This was a slow burning haters to lovers’ romance filled with snark, bickering and a surprising amount of heat. Rose and Declan’s interaction and bickering had me laughing aloud even as the chemistry between them curled my toes. Watching their relationship turn to passion was deliciously wonderful.
  • On the Edge was a rich, unique story. I quickly slipping into the world and immediately downloaded the next audiobook. Declan shows up at the edge of Rose’s wards to wed Rose. Things get heated and Rose agrees to go with him if he can complete three challenges. The challenges and a threat from creatures hunting in the Edge forest kept things interesting. Fans of the Kate Daniel Series and Innkeeper Chronicles will want to add The Edge series if they haven’t already devoured them.

I love how the writing team of Ilona Andrews pushes the boundaries of urban fantasy stamping their own brand on one of my favorite genres. This is another series that will appeal to fans of paranormal romance.

Listen to Sample: On the Edge

Quotes

“It’s awful to be rich and mind-boggingly handsome and have women fawn over you. My heart bleeds for you. Poor dear, how do you manage?”

“Give me a few minutes.”
“You have time.” He sat in the grass.
“Are you just going to sit there and watch me?”
“Yes. Watching pretty peasant girls is what we poor little rich boys do best.”
“Peasant?”
He shrugged. “You started the name calling.”

“You’re a prickly, stubborn, spirited woman.”
“Don’t forget crude, rude, and vulgar.”
“Only when it suits you. You’re sly when occasion calls for it, direct to the point of forgetting tact even exists, sarcastic, fierce, I did mention stubborn, didn’t I?”
“Yes,” she said dryly.
“You’re also smart, kind, gentle, beautiful, and always cling to your personal integrity, even when it’s in your best interests to abandon it.” A little warm feeling spread through her chest, and even her natural suspicion that he was lying couldn’t quite extinguish it. Where was he going with this? “You’re also quite funny,” he said.
“Oh, I amuse you?” He gave her one of his devastating, slightly wicked smiles.
“You have no idea.” Arrogant ass.
“And all of that means what?”
“Just that I mean to have you.” She frowned at him. “I mean to have you, Rose, you and all of your thorns. I’m a disagreeable and stubborn bastard, but I’m not a fool. You didn’t really expect me to pass you up, did you?”

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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68 Responses to “On the Edge by Ilona Andrews”

  1. MarthaE

    This sounds pretty good. I have shied away from this author as I am not sure of the heat.
    Glad you enjoyed it.
    Thanks.

  2. Jennifer

    I am finally caught up on the Kate Daniels series so I am eager to read this one now. They really do know how to build engaging worlds and providing some killer characters. Thanks for convincing me to move this up on my reading queue.

  3. Samantha

    Yay! So glad you enjoyed this one. This wasn’t my favorite in the series, but I still enjoyed it. The next book Bayou Moon was my favorite one. Loved everything about it.

  4. Lark

    I love the quotes, and your review has me thinking this would be a great series to start reading Illona Andrews.

  5. Katiria Rodriguez

    Ohh wow amazing review Kim now I really want to pick up this book just by your review and the quotes alone makes me want too pick it up asap. lol Thank you for your awesome post Kim.

  6. Tanya

    I haven’t read the Sweep in Peace books yet, but this one sounds amazing. This week is full of TBR worthy books. This pile is wobblin!

  7. AngelErin

    Great review! I love kick ass & snarky characters. This one definitely is up my alley. Love that first quote! Haha. 😀

  8. Candace

    Once I get through the Kate Daniels books I’ll definitely have to listen to the other series’ they have. I know I even have some of them. This definitely sounds fantastic!

    My blog is broke at the moment but I’m working on it (for 5 days now…)

    • kimbacaffeinate

      OMG..is that what has been happening. I wondered.. Can’t you restore it? I have VaultPress and pay about 50 a year..it restores in seconds.

  9. Leona

    Since for the life of me I can’t get into the Kate Daniels series (I tried again recently and it’s still a no go) I think I might pick up this series instead. Rocking review…my TBR pile begrudgingly thanks you lol

  10. Melliane

    My sister bought me the first book a long time ago and I still need to get into it! I really need to!

  11. Bookworm Brandee

    Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed On the Edge, Kimberly! It’s been quite awhile since I read it but I loved the world building and the characters as well. The Andrews certainly know how to write fantastically entertaining stories. 🙂

  13. Christy LoveOfBooks

    I neeeeeeeed to start this series. Especially since I’m caught-up on KD. I’m leaning towards listening to this series, though. Renee really is a great narrator.

  16. Quinn's Book Nook

    I’m wanting to try out more subgenres of romance, and this sounds really fun. I do struggle with paranormal romance, but this might be just enough of the paranormal and enough of the every day. So glad that narrator was great!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This is UF, and can be dark at times but has delightful humor and swoon-worthy romances. I have enjoyed everything I have read/listened to by this team.

  19. Katherine

    I had no idea that Ilona Andrews is a husband/wife team. That’s really interesting. I’ve been wanting to read books them for quite awhile and I”m really intrigued by how good the world building is. Adding it to my list!

  22. Sophia Rose

    I had my eye on this series when I knew I loved the Kate Daniels series. Good to know that this one has a minor connection to the Clean Sweep series. Haters to Lovers sounds great!

  23. kindlemom1

    I have yet to try this series even though I’ve had the first book since it came out. I can see now that I need to read it. Great review Kim!

  24. Angela

    Fabulous review! I love this series. I’m sad that it’s only 4 books long, but the ended it spectacularly and well some of the characters show up in Sweep in Peace. This series has a phenomenal world building. Hope you enjoy all the books!

      • Angela

        I want more in this world. It’s really quiet a big a vide place the created, but they will not be writing that world anymore as of now, so I will have to just suck it up and enjoy the other creations they come up with ^_^. Of course this is not a hardship for me since I love everything they have written to date.

  25. Cyn

    Yay! Glad you enjoyed this! I loved the humour and the writing in this book (and loved the quotes you picked!). Yes, the romance was awesome! I think I still need to read the last book in the series, haha. Great review, Kim!

  27. Kristin

    Yay!!!! I’m so happy this is good!! I started this a year ago but never really got into it. I must finish!!! It’s a paperback and you know how hard it is to carry those around these days 😉

  28. Lekeisha

    I plan to read all of their books soon. I have the first 2 Sweep books already, I’m just waiting to catch up on my other books before I dive in. I’ve seen this at my library, so I’m gonna put it on my wish list there. Great review!

  29. Ro

    Ooh! Looks like you went way back in time to grab this one, Kim! You know my track record with audio reads, but this is definitely a novel I would pick up to read because it’s unique. I can also see a book like this being turned into a movie. Hugs…and thanks for such an awesome review! RO

    • Jennifer

      (oops hit submit comment too soon. LOL)

      Our first sentences of the review are pretty similar. “Imagine Kate Daniels without a sword and two little brothers in toe.”

      All of Andrews’ books have a similar feel to them because of the magic elements and the snarky characters but each series brings fun and action.

      • kimbacaffeinate

        Great minds think alike. I just kept picturing Kate 🙂 I just finished Bayou Moon last week and loved it even more 🙂 William made me swoon.

  31. Melanie Simmons

    Great review Kimberly. I just loved this series. I was so sad when I heard that they were stopping at four books. I’m so glad that I will get to revisit this series through your reviews. It helps me not have to relisten to every series that I love so much. But then it does make me want to do just that. I loved this series so much. Such a unique world with wonderful characters. Great review. I can’t wait to read the next three. 🙂

  32. Nick

    This sounds fantastic, Kim! I’m already sold on Rose and her relationship with Declan. I love a good hate to love! And of course, I expect nothing but spectacular world building from this duo!
    I’m going to look to get this on audio, Kim!
    Fab review!

  33. Priscilla

    Sell her?! The boyfriend sounds horrible D: It’s interesting that it’s written by a husband-wife team 🙂