On the Edge by Ilona AndrewsMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
2020 Re-Read
Yes, I'm still rereading Ilona Andrews books as an antidote to social isolation. Although this story lacks an evil stepmother and nasty stepsisters, it is very much a Cinderella retelling. Rose works like a dog at a minimum wage job in the Broken, enduring the humiliations that poor people endure in our society. She's smart, talented, and attractive, but she lacks the all-important paperwork that would allow her to get ahead. How many people live like this? (Try Barbara Erlich's book Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America if you want details).
Declan may not be a prince, but he is a nobleman. And he's on a mission when he runs across Rose. They may not dance at a ball, but they fight side by side. No need for her to lose a glass slipper, Declan knows where she lives.
The nice thing about fairy tales? There's a happy ending.
2019 Re-Read
Enjoyed this book more the second time around. I saw more details this time, when not reading at speed to find out how the plot works out. I really like how this series intersects with the Innkeeper series and observing how the Andrews’ writing has evolved over the books.
Original review:
This is probably my least favourite Ilona Andrews offering to date, but I still really enjoyed it. I feel like I am reading historical background to books 2 and 3 of the Innkeeper Chronicles, learning the backstory of the arbiter, George. I can also see this particular book as a blue-print for Burn for Me, which is, in my opinion, a stronger offering (and both BfM and OtE tip further into the paranormal romance direction than the Kate Daniels series did).
There is at least one obvious fairy-tale element here—Declan can win Rose’s hand by performing three difficult tasks. Plus, she is living in poverty and working a minimum wage job, evoking Cinderella comparisons. Also obvious is a fairly standard romance trope—reluctant allies developing genuine feelings for one another. Add in a Romeo-and-Juliet type angle, with Rose and Declan being from extremely different family backgrounds, and how can you miss? There are built-in communication problems to confound the couple as they try to navigate their relationship.
Another solid offering from the Andrews writing team. I will definitely read book two and I’ve already picked up books three and four second hand, so they are a foregone conclusion. I am worried that I am almost caught up-to-date on their published works—rereading will be my solution until more are published!
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