Book & Audio Review: On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

On the Edge
Author: Ilona Andrews
Narrator: Renee Raudman
Series: A Novel of the Edge (Book 1)
Publication: Ace; Original edition (August 28, 2009); Tantor Audio (January 7, 2010)
Length: 247 p.; 12 hours and 8 minutes

Description: Step into a whole new world in the first Novel of the Edge from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Daniels series.

The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people 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...

Rose Drayton thought if she practiced her magic, she could build a better life for herself. But things didn’t turn out the way she’d planned, and now she works an 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 Rose (and her power).

But when a flood of creatures hungry for magic invade the Edge, Declan and Rose must overcome their differences and work together to destroy them—or the beasts will devour the Edge and everyone in it...

My Thoughts: The first book in Andrews' Edge series introduces a land caught between the Broken with Walmart and technology and the Weird with magic. Rose Drayton is also caught between worlds. She works on off-the-books job in the Broken so that she can feed and clothe her two young brothers. Her mother is dead and her father has abandoned the family. 

Rose has magic. In fact, she has such powerful magic that she has become a target for those who want to exploit her. She's been betrayed by the boyfriend who wanted to sell her to the highest bidder and a man from the Weird who courted her but was outed as a slaver who also just wanted to use her. Her trust in men is nonexistent.

When Declan Camarine comes to her from the Weird, her first comment is that she has no intention of marrying her. This intrigues Declan who has come to the Edge for a far different reason. A man from the Weird has goals of conquering the Edge and eating all the magic. Rose and her brothers George and Jack are brimming with magic. Declan decides that he'll find his target if he keeps close to Rose and her family.

Neither is expecting to fall in love with the other. But, as they work together to find and defeat the villain, their emotions get involved. 

I enjoyed the worldbuilding in this story. The characters were also interesting and well-rounded people. I liked that Rose was a strong woman with a deep love for her family and the determination needed to keep them safe. I liked that Declan was an honorable man who had a chance to convince Rose that all men weren't scum. 

This was an entertaining, fast-paced story with lots of action and just enough romance. 

Favorite Quote:

"A young girl is a creature of dreams, my lord. A woman with one foot in the world of fantasy, searching for the face of true love in every handsome boy she sees. Rose has no fantasies. One would expect a woman who has gone through her trials to be bitter and angry, but she isn't. She's kind, sweet, selfless, and generous, and I thank my lucky stars for this every day."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.