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stephxsu's review against another edition
3.0
My favorite Edge novel was probably the first one, and subsequent novels in the series just haven't quite been doing it for me. I wish I liked George and Jack more than I do, but I don't, and thus the book dragged whenever they were messing around in a scene. It's cool how Kaldar and Audrey work together to pull off one last big con. As always, Ilona Andrews shows her prowess in developing a convincingly complex world of magic and weird things. I just wish this book had been shorter by a chunk, to really hold my attention.
mollywetta's review against another edition
I didn't like this one nearly as much as the first in the series. The plot was slow to start.
sophiarose1816's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The world of the Edge is captivating, magical, and full of gritty adventure and romance. I was excited to come back to it after several years away when I spotted the audio edition.
Fate’s Edge is the third in the Edge series and could be treated as a standalone Paranormal Romance, but it was much more satisfying getting it in order since there is a clear connection of characters and overall series story that come with the hero’s side of things.
With a few years since reading book two, Kaldar’s cousin Cerise’s story, I was a bit hazy on some bits in the beginning. There was enough explained to jog my memory about the world and the previous stories. I love these stories of the Edge a rough, living place between the non-magical human world and the fully magical Weird. There is danger and intrigue as well as some memorable characters. I was particularly taken with first the Draytons in the first book, On the Edge, and the intro to another Edger family, the insane, quirky Mars clan in book two, Bayou Moon.
Audrey Callaghan is the newest character introduction and she comes from another shady Edger family. She’s gone legit after giving up on her family to ever change, but she has a bit of larceny in her. I loved her complicated personality. She associates the larceny in herself with the pain her family has brought her and sees Kaldar as just another manipulative user like her dad and brother so she resists the pull of what she’s good at and thrills to even while needing to set right a wrong. Kaldar is exactly what she thinks he is, but also more. He’s a natural, but his dark painful past also shaped him as much as Audrey’s did her. Kaldar’s a swashbuckling charmer and sees Audrey’s resistance as a challenge at first and doesn’t even get that there is more to the pull of attraction between them until his glam smile and smarmy words convince Audrey there is nothing behind all the dazzle and he had his work cut out for him for most of the book. While I liked this pair as mission partners and individuals, and, I could even see them happily together eventually, I did feel that their actual romance needed a bit more time to get there and it felt rushed at the end.
Alongside the mission and romance of Kaldar and Audrey, there are the grisly villains of The Hand led by a beautiful aristocratic woman who likes to skin her victims and has her sights on revenge against any Mar she comes across. The formidable villains ups the ante on the action and I was excited to see what happened when the inevitable clash came after a laborious series of tasks the heroic band had to complete before they could get where they needed to be.
What grabbed me most was George and Jack. Originally, I spotted them as crossovers- years later- in another series, The Innkeeper Chronicles, by the authors and I was so curious that I wanted to come back and find them in this series. On the Edge introduced them in their sister’s story, but they held the secondary storyline in this one and I could see how they came to be the men they were later and had the career they did as well. They are a pair of rascals, but their magical lethal talents saved the day more than once.
As to Renee Raudman’s narration work, it was superb as always. Her distinct voicing of characters, rhythm and tone kept me deeply engaged. This was a larger cast and I had no trouble distinguishing individuals, where they were from, and what was going on.
All in all, it was an exciting, enthralling venture back into the world of The Edge and I won’t wait long to snatch up the last book featuring more of the Mar family and another gritty, paranormal romantic adventure. Solid Paranormal Romance that I can easily recommend.
Fate’s Edge is the third in the Edge series and could be treated as a standalone Paranormal Romance, but it was much more satisfying getting it in order since there is a clear connection of characters and overall series story that come with the hero’s side of things.
With a few years since reading book two, Kaldar’s cousin Cerise’s story, I was a bit hazy on some bits in the beginning. There was enough explained to jog my memory about the world and the previous stories. I love these stories of the Edge a rough, living place between the non-magical human world and the fully magical Weird. There is danger and intrigue as well as some memorable characters. I was particularly taken with first the Draytons in the first book, On the Edge, and the intro to another Edger family, the insane, quirky Mars clan in book two, Bayou Moon.
Audrey Callaghan is the newest character introduction and she comes from another shady Edger family. She’s gone legit after giving up on her family to ever change, but she has a bit of larceny in her. I loved her complicated personality. She associates the larceny in herself with the pain her family has brought her and sees Kaldar as just another manipulative user like her dad and brother so she resists the pull of what she’s good at and thrills to even while needing to set right a wrong. Kaldar is exactly what she thinks he is, but also more. He’s a natural, but his dark painful past also shaped him as much as Audrey’s did her. Kaldar’s a swashbuckling charmer and sees Audrey’s resistance as a challenge at first and doesn’t even get that there is more to the pull of attraction between them until his glam smile and smarmy words convince Audrey there is nothing behind all the dazzle and he had his work cut out for him for most of the book. While I liked this pair as mission partners and individuals, and, I could even see them happily together eventually, I did feel that their actual romance needed a bit more time to get there and it felt rushed at the end.
Alongside the mission and romance of Kaldar and Audrey, there are the grisly villains of The Hand led by a beautiful aristocratic woman who likes to skin her victims and has her sights on revenge against any Mar she comes across. The formidable villains ups the ante on the action and I was excited to see what happened when the inevitable clash came after a laborious series of tasks the heroic band had to complete before they could get where they needed to be.
What grabbed me most was George and Jack. Originally, I spotted them as crossovers- years later- in another series, The Innkeeper Chronicles, by the authors and I was so curious that I wanted to come back and find them in this series. On the Edge introduced them in their sister’s story, but they held the secondary storyline in this one and I could see how they came to be the men they were later and had the career they did as well. They are a pair of rascals, but their magical lethal talents saved the day more than once.
As to Renee Raudman’s narration work, it was superb as always. Her distinct voicing of characters, rhythm and tone kept me deeply engaged. This was a larger cast and I had no trouble distinguishing individuals, where they were from, and what was going on.
All in all, it was an exciting, enthralling venture back into the world of The Edge and I won’t wait long to snatch up the last book featuring more of the Mar family and another gritty, paranormal romantic adventure. Solid Paranormal Romance that I can easily recommend.
jbpenn21's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
masquerader888's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a GOOD game, which is high praise from me when it comes to books. It managed to lift me out of the doldrums, and take me on an adventure that had me jumping in place, running around with happy giggles, and practically bursting with the feeling that I had just discovered the greatest thing ever! This is not just a candy book; it’s a whole delectable chocolate cake, smothered in rich ganache, and liberally peppered with the sweet-tart freshness of ripe raspberries. With all of the satisfaction and none of the calories, this book is a win/win and on my must read list for the year.
Fate’s Edge was a fun book from start to finish; filled with the epic world-building that Ms. Andrews so excels at, it expanded on the universe that the previous two books in this series built and mastered the depiction of some pretty particular characters. The plot of this book served to both further the overall story-ach of the Edge series and to help us explore the characters in this story in new and fascinating ways. Both old and new characters find new light in this book; all while keeping a pulse-pounding pace one step ahead of disaster and a humorous voice that made this volume a joy to experience. My one critique would be that the ending pulled together too quickly for me; it is hard to say that a 372 page book was too short, but I would have loved an extra hundred pages or so to give the ending as much build-up as some of the capers in the middle of this book. And if wanting another hundred pages of the same doesn’t give a high opinion of a book, I don’t know what does.
This series just keeps getting better and better, and I cannot wait to see what Ms. Andrews comes up with next in the Edge.
http://masquerader.harshmage.com/category/book-reviews/
Fate’s Edge was a fun book from start to finish; filled with the epic world-building that Ms. Andrews so excels at, it expanded on the universe that the previous two books in this series built and mastered the depiction of some pretty particular characters. The plot of this book served to both further the overall story-ach of the Edge series and to help us explore the characters in this story in new and fascinating ways. Both old and new characters find new light in this book; all while keeping a pulse-pounding pace one step ahead of disaster and a humorous voice that made this volume a joy to experience. My one critique would be that the ending pulled together too quickly for me; it is hard to say that a 372 page book was too short, but I would have loved an extra hundred pages or so to give the ending as much build-up as some of the capers in the middle of this book. And if wanting another hundred pages of the same doesn’t give a high opinion of a book, I don’t know what does.
This series just keeps getting better and better, and I cannot wait to see what Ms. Andrews comes up with next in the Edge.
http://masquerader.harshmage.com/category/book-reviews/
drorraifnesher's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
amym84's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favorite book of "The Edge" thus far. The only thing I can say is I really wish that it were longer, just because I think that Ilona Andrews really hit their stride with Audrey and Kaldar. They have been my favorite couple of the edge series so far, I wish we got to spend more time with them. One book doesn't seem like enough. I do like how the other couples (Rose and Declan and Cerise and William) have been showing up in the other books so we at least know what is going on with them.
Audrey is a former grifter trying to turn her life around and make an honest living when she is approached for one last job. She takes it with the understanding that it will be her last job and she will never be asked to steal again. Little does she know the job she helps with has major repercussions. In comes Kaldar Mar working for the Mirror looking to get revenge upon the Hand for the loss of some of his family members. Sent to retrive the item that Audrey helped steal, they now have to work together to get it back.
Audrey and Kaldar are great characters. They play off each other very well. The witty banter that is great in the Kate Daniels series abounds in Fate's Edge. The actions scenes are also precisely written. There is a nice balance of both. I also appreciate that the villains in this book are truly vile. They do awful things to people and they are scarey. I like that in Ilona Andrews's writting that they back up what the character's say. Example: Audrey knows she's good at picking locks and she is. We get to read about how good she is at her job. In other words, we (the reader) aren't told she's good at picking locks but within the circumstances of this book things occur that actually keep us from seeing she's good at what she does and we have to assume it's true. Same with the villains. We read that they are bad and scarey, but they are time and again thwarted and we never see them being bad and scarey. Well not in Fate's Edge (or any Ilona Andrews book for that matter), the villain can back up their threats.
George and Jack (Rose's brothers first seen in "On the Edge") are featured a lot in this book. We get to see how much they've grown and changed from the little boys in the first book. While still young you can see how mature they are because of all the things they've already seen in their lives. I believe these two will be a premanent fixute in the books, and if the series goes on long enough I imagine we will see books with them as the main characteres.
Mentioning main characters, I'm really not sure who will be featured in the next book as the main couple. "On the Edge" introduced us to Rose and Declan, but William was also a character who was them the lead in "Bayou Moon" which then led us to Kaldar Mar who is the hero in "Fate's Edge".I guess we'll have to find out. I'll admit I wasn't as dedicated to this series as I was to the Kate Daniels series (probably my favorite series of all time), but with this installment I find that I want more books in this world, and I can't wait until the next comes out! Until Then!
Audrey is a former grifter trying to turn her life around and make an honest living when she is approached for one last job. She takes it with the understanding that it will be her last job and she will never be asked to steal again. Little does she know the job she helps with has major repercussions. In comes Kaldar Mar working for the Mirror looking to get revenge upon the Hand for the loss of some of his family members. Sent to retrive the item that Audrey helped steal, they now have to work together to get it back.
Audrey and Kaldar are great characters. They play off each other very well. The witty banter that is great in the Kate Daniels series abounds in Fate's Edge. The actions scenes are also precisely written. There is a nice balance of both. I also appreciate that the villains in this book are truly vile. They do awful things to people and they are scarey. I like that in Ilona Andrews's writting that they back up what the character's say. Example: Audrey knows she's good at picking locks and she is. We get to read about how good she is at her job. In other words, we (the reader) aren't told she's good at picking locks but within the circumstances of this book things occur that actually keep us from seeing she's good at what she does and we have to assume it's true. Same with the villains. We read that they are bad and scarey, but they are time and again thwarted and we never see them being bad and scarey. Well not in Fate's Edge (or any Ilona Andrews book for that matter), the villain can back up their threats.
George and Jack (Rose's brothers first seen in "On the Edge") are featured a lot in this book. We get to see how much they've grown and changed from the little boys in the first book. While still young you can see how mature they are because of all the things they've already seen in their lives. I believe these two will be a premanent fixute in the books, and if the series goes on long enough I imagine we will see books with them as the main characteres.
Mentioning main characters, I'm really not sure who will be featured in the next book as the main couple. "On the Edge" introduced us to Rose and Declan, but William was also a character who was them the lead in "Bayou Moon" which then led us to Kaldar Mar who is the hero in "Fate's Edge".I guess we'll have to find out. I'll admit I wasn't as dedicated to this series as I was to the Kate Daniels series (probably my favorite series of all time), but with this installment I find that I want more books in this world, and I can't wait until the next comes out! Until Then!
janina_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Despite a low around the two third mark, I still enjoyed this book very much. I wonder who the next one is about? Off to check. And seriously, I can't be the only one hoping for a George and Jack book in the near future ...
bingley's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
(240201) More Claws of Bast, honestly!!!
Anyway, Kaldar's story is the one I read last, probly bc I wasn't too keen since William/Cerise still scream OTP for me. I didn't quite believe Kaldar/Audrey's... emotional journey to love since they play too much.
TLDR: The kids were the best part. LOL
The trouble with having a conman as a character is that he has to be v scheme-y and v good at being fake to be believable, BUT those same qualities are what make it hard to for him to plausibly fall in genuine love. Everything's fake except for love for his lady. That's hard to make convincing, u know?
So I love Kaldar as a supporting character (Bayou Moon still my fave book in the series lol), he has the perfect temperament to lift the gravitas of the plot, but it's just a little harder for me to slip into his head empathetically as the MC.
I appreciate the Audrey wasn't a fighter/flasher, since almost all the other women in the series are. It's cool to see a different type of magic, tho that might be the coolest thing about her. EEK. sry. I suppose she's a good match, tho... she's not the most memorable, now that I'm writing this review.
The main plot action is actually similar to Cerise's plot problem, where it seemed like multiple side quests to do accomplish/retrieve unnecessary things in order to get to the actual plot climax. And Audrey/Kaldar even acknowledge the winding series of events in the book when they're plotting, lol.
And the ending also feels rushed again, Author tends to do that sometimes: pack everything in at the end in a short big burst.
POV: multi, 3rd person
SPICE: mostly taunting, pining, and wanting. 1 actual scene
CLAWS OF BAST: honestly THEY sound the COOLEST, I want a book with them!!!
Anyway, Kaldar's story is the one I read last, probly bc I wasn't too keen since William/Cerise still scream OTP for me. I didn't quite believe Kaldar/Audrey's... emotional journey to love since they play too much.
TLDR: The kids were the best part. LOL
The trouble with having a conman as a character is that he has to be v scheme-y and v good at being fake to be believable, BUT those same qualities are what make it hard to for him to plausibly fall in genuine love. Everything's fake except for love for his lady. That's hard to make convincing, u know?
So I love Kaldar as a supporting character (Bayou Moon still my fave book in the series lol), he has the perfect temperament to lift the gravitas of the plot, but it's just a little harder for me to slip into his head empathetically as the MC.
I appreciate the Audrey wasn't a fighter/flasher, since almost all the other women in the series are. It's cool to see a different type of magic, tho that might be the coolest thing about her. EEK. sry. I suppose she's a good match, tho... she's not the most memorable, now that I'm writing this review.
The main plot action is actually similar to Cerise's plot problem, where it seemed like multiple side quests to do accomplish/retrieve unnecessary things in order to get to the actual plot climax. And Audrey/Kaldar even acknowledge the winding series of events in the book when they're plotting, lol.
And the ending also feels rushed again, Author tends to do that sometimes: pack everything in at the end in a short big burst.
POV: multi, 3rd person
SPICE: mostly taunting, pining, and wanting. 1 actual scene
CLAWS OF BAST: honestly THEY sound the COOLEST, I want a book with them!!!