⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. Despite a very rocky start, a seemingly impossible romance develops amidst a complicated plot for revenge and domination, set against a unique background.

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.

MY THOUGHTS

This was my second read of this book and it was just as compelling as the first time. The authors created a world that was quite different from what you might be used to in an urban fantasy. On one side was the regular, mundane, human Earth, with a wholly magical world on the other side. And what lies between them came across almost like a post-apocalyptic type of world, where the inhabitants were doing their best to survive with the scant resources at their disposal.

The world building was excellent and thorough, with details subtly revealed as the story progressed. We saw everything mostly through Rose’s eyes, but occasionally Jack or George would get to drive the narrative and I just loved those two boys. They could not be more different in temperament and magical abilities, but they were united in their love for Rose. I adored their curious natures and Rose sure had her hands full with keeping them in line.

Declan was a treat and continuously surprised Rose (and us). The back-and-forth between him and Rose had me smiling and I was anticipating every heated interaction between them with bated breath. He just couldn’t stop provoking Rose in some way and that was so delightful.

The story developed at a good, steady pace and the action was thrilling and had me at the edge of my seat. While this is not my favourite by Ilona Andrews, I can highly recommend this book and the series if you like steamy urban fantasy romance. It is best to read them in order.

I am reading this series as part of a read-along hosted by Anne at Books of My Heart.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Fantasy Romance
Published: September 29, 2009
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Series: Book 1 of The Edge