In the Edge no one can hear you scream...

Well a few people can, but not the sort you would want hanging around if you feel the need to belt one out. On the EdgeIlona Andrews first in The Edge series, takes a well worn and almost over concept and makes it shiny and new. Most any one who has read Science Fiction or Fantasy is familiar with the idea of alternate realities, ones that touch ours, but are just a half a second away. Andrews takes this idea and expands on it. The world as we know it is there, but laid over top or next to, or what ever metaphor floats your boat, are the countries of the Weird. The Weird is the mystical magical place of flying ponies and cotton candy grass. Well not really but it is the place of magic. Our world, our reality is considered The Broken, we have no magic and are mostly immune to any influence. I just consider this the spectacular ability for humanity to plug its ears and go "lalalalalala". Between these two places lay a land that is a little of both and a whole lot of its own place. The Edge. The Edge is a sort of Wild West, they deal with their own and don't take no outsiders word on the Only the people of the edge can safely cross the borders between the Broken and the Weird, as they are of both worlds.
The plot of the book revolves around Rose, an outcast amongst the outcasts. In and attempt to show up the bullies who have plagued her, she proves herself to be a strong magic user and a possible bastard child of the Weird. What ensues is really a preamble for the book, but leaves fascinating consequences. Rose is hounded to breed for her magic ability, with the loss of her family she is stuck taking care of her two younger brothers, both of whom have issues of their own. An unlikely romance sprouts between an Earl of the Weird and Rose when he comes to track down the big nasty antagonist. All of that aside, this really is a story of trust, of learning to trust and knowing when strength is needed and when to allow another to hold your back. The story kept me engaged, the romance did not over power the plot, the peripheral details of the world didn't make me want to keep a concordance of terms. For an Urban Fantasy it is very well done and extremely enjoyable to read. Just look past the less than stellar cover art.