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)

Great listen

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

I have been so disappointed lately with several selections.....the story lines have been boring. NOT THIS ONE......

What was one of the most memorable moments of On the Edge?

When Rosie finally lets her guard down

What about Renée Raudman’s performance did you like?

Love it

What a great summer treat!

Enjoyable read, looking forward to next book. Loved the 3 world concept and am curious to see it fleshed out.

Excellent.

I read this book December 2017 and finally listened to the story January 2022. Loved it a much as the first time. I believe the Ilona Andrews team writes some of the most creative Urban Fantasy around. The world, the characters, the plot, the settings - all amazing. Renee Raudman did a very fine job narrating, of course.

Loved it.

This was a very entertaining story. the characters we rich and caring. it was preformed really well.

Fantastically fun ride

If you're a fan of the Kate Daniels series of novels you will love this series. The book is fast paced and action packed.

Powerful...

Would you consider the audio edition of On the Edge to be better than the print version?

I have never read the print edition so I have nothing to compare it to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of On the Edge?

Aside from the sweet way Rose and Declan fell in love, a very memorable spot for me.. was with Georgie.. Rose's youngest brother.. he was so fragile and sickly. It was because he kept bringing things back to life.. people and animals because he could not let go. Declan finally got Georgie to see the error of his thinking by showing Georgie how the earth would get terribly overcrowded and people and animals would die.. from lack of food, etc. Georgie made up his mind to let all the things he kept alive.. he would let go and let die. They went into the yard and he started summoning all the animals and his grandpa.. he kept grandpa alive too. by the time Georgie had gotten all in his yard.. there were literally hundreds and hundreds of animals. It was breath taking to hear. Now they knew why Georgie was so sickly. He was keeping all alive with his own white light. they were sucking his life from him minute after minute.. till they all died and Georgie slowly regained his health.

What three words best describe Renée Raudman’s voice?

scratchy and irritating. I hated Declan's voice the most of all.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

definitely. But it was good to take in small bites as well. I enjoyed this book plenty.

Fantastic Story, Fantastic Narration!!!!!!

It starts out a bit slow but I guarantee you that you will be so hooked on this book that instead of listening to it on way to work and breaking it up over a few weeks, you will stay up all night listening to it like I did. I just couldn't get enough, I was sucked in, I was part of the story! A fantastic story with fantastic characters. I could visualize them all as I lived in the story while it was being told. When it ended, I was so sad to return to the real world.

Great surprise

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

I bought this book during a sale. Buy two books for one credit. But you had to chose from their list, so since I read tons I thought why not. wow am I surprised. I was entertained right from the start. Rose and her brothers are trying to stop their small town on the edge from someone or something trying to consume their magic. With the help of a handsome stranger of course!

Who was your favorite character and why?

THe brothers where my favorite. I can just imagine theirs big puppy dog eyes and look of admiration as they spill all the secrets they hear, just like all little kids.

What about Renée Raudman’s performance did you like?

I always knew which character she was portraying without playing super close attention. I clean and bake while I listen! And she wasn't a cheese reader. Very good.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! And I almost did.

Romance Novel Masquerading as Fantasy

Simply not what I was expecting. If romance is your thing it was well written and well read. The only problem I had with the reading is that its was set in a southern setting and clearly ment to pronouced with a southern accent and did not play well without.

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.