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sheila713's review
4.0
I received a copy of "The Edge of Over There" as a giveaway recipient. Since I haven't read "The Day the Angels Fell", I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, other than a fantasy world created by the author. The characters were realistic and the story made me think of it as an allegory.
I really enjoyed reading this book and plan to read the previous one. I'm also hoping there is another one to follow.
I really enjoyed reading this book and plan to read the previous one. I'm also hoping there is another one to follow.
rmmcdowell's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
thedeathmaven's review
5.0
Full review at: http://lauramorningstar.com/review-the-edge-of-over-there/
The Edge of Over There is the sequel to The Days the Angels Fell, having not read the first book I had no idea as to what to expect. I think a lot of YA fiction can be enjoyed by people of all ages, especially if you enjoy fantasy, urban fantasy and dystopian genres. At the same time being a Mum and in my 30s I also recognise that occasionally I will struggle to connect with the characters in YA fiction. With The Edge of Over There when I first picked it up this was the case, I couldn’t connect with the characters, and I was bored.
I put the book down and read some of the other books on my TBR list, joys of being a reviewer though and having made an agreement with the publisher meant that I was compelled to give it a second try. On the second read attempt, I initially felt the same and yet persevered, and I am bloody glad I did.
This wasn’t an easy read for me in the beginning by the fifth chapter however I was hooked, I didn’t want to put the book down. The characters were mesmerising and just begging to tell their stories and I was drawn in.
Every page was filled with suspense as the author switched between characters viewpoints, and with each change left you at a cliff hanger. Constantly wanting to whizz through the next chapter to see what had happened to the character at the end of the last one.
Dystopian fiction seems to be taking over my bookcase and my kindle at the moment and this is a worthy addition. The Edge of Over There melds dystopian fantasy, along with adventure journey while dabbling with spiritual overtones. It is a book that will leave younger readers questioning the meaning of life and what happens when we die, which in my opinion is not a bad thing.
This book was a slow start for me but I quickly became enthralled, my eyes gobbled the words on each page and I couldn’t put it down. My own children are a little young for this at the moment but I do think young readers from 12+ years would enjoy.
The Edge of Over There is the sequel to The Days the Angels Fell, having not read the first book I had no idea as to what to expect. I think a lot of YA fiction can be enjoyed by people of all ages, especially if you enjoy fantasy, urban fantasy and dystopian genres. At the same time being a Mum and in my 30s I also recognise that occasionally I will struggle to connect with the characters in YA fiction. With The Edge of Over There when I first picked it up this was the case, I couldn’t connect with the characters, and I was bored.
I put the book down and read some of the other books on my TBR list, joys of being a reviewer though and having made an agreement with the publisher meant that I was compelled to give it a second try. On the second read attempt, I initially felt the same and yet persevered, and I am bloody glad I did.
This wasn’t an easy read for me in the beginning by the fifth chapter however I was hooked, I didn’t want to put the book down. The characters were mesmerising and just begging to tell their stories and I was drawn in.
Every page was filled with suspense as the author switched between characters viewpoints, and with each change left you at a cliff hanger. Constantly wanting to whizz through the next chapter to see what had happened to the character at the end of the last one.
Dystopian fiction seems to be taking over my bookcase and my kindle at the moment and this is a worthy addition. The Edge of Over There melds dystopian fantasy, along with adventure journey while dabbling with spiritual overtones. It is a book that will leave younger readers questioning the meaning of life and what happens when we die, which in my opinion is not a bad thing.
This book was a slow start for me but I quickly became enthralled, my eyes gobbled the words on each page and I couldn’t put it down. My own children are a little young for this at the moment but I do think young readers from 12+ years would enjoy.
patty_creatively_bookish's review
4.0
First and foremost I want to thank the author and Netgalley for sending me an e-book to review.
Honestly, I did not know this was a sequel until I was already sucked into the story, so thumbs up for that.
The spoopy creeps that Abra's dream gave me, made sure that I continued reading and needed to find out more about K.N. , the other characters and of course the Tree of Life.
The book is filled with all sorts of fantastical mystery elements that really matched the writing and story telling and the world building style I can only describe as poetical, the only book I would compare this with would be Strange the Dreamer. If you did not like that book though, don't let it scare you off, like I said before, the story will make sure you want to keep reading.
Honestly, I did not know this was a sequel until I was already sucked into the story, so thumbs up for that.
The spoopy creeps that Abra's dream gave me, made sure that I continued reading and needed to find out more about K.N. , the other characters and of course the Tree of Life.
The book is filled with all sorts of fantastical mystery elements that really matched the writing and story telling and the world building style I can only describe as poetical, the only book I would compare this with would be Strange the Dreamer. If you did not like that book though, don't let it scare you off, like I said before, the story will make sure you want to keep reading.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
4.0
If you are looking for a YA book filled with descriptive text and a look at what might be heaven or hell, then check out this series. The first book is The Day the Angels Fell and it is probably best to start with this book. I have not read the first book and while the author does a great job of filling in gaps, I think any reader would have a better grasp on the characters and setting reading that book first.
The book starts with a brief recap of what I can assume was part of the first book. I appreciated that set up because it made a little more sense as I read the book. There is an interesting cast of characters with several story lines. There is Leo, Ruby, and Amos. Ruby is deathly ill and her father, Amos, will do anything to save her, including taking her to "Over There". Leo, her brother, is left behind but he doesn't forget about Ruby and 8 years later is able to try and find her. Samuel and Abra are neighbors and grew up together from the time they were born, their mothers were best friends. There is an even bigger twist about this whole situation at the end that was very intriguing and wasn't anything I expected to read. There are some evil characters that throw kinks into everyone's plans.
The main story is that Abra has a task to fulfill as the keeper of the keys (or the sword that acts as a key). Her story is being told to Samuel because he has inherited them from Abra's husband after her passing but doesn't know what to do with either the sword or the atlas. Only in the telling of this story by Mr.Henry to Samuel, do we learn the truth of what happened to Abra over the course of her life. The story does end abruptly but in a good way because it left me wanting another hundred pages or so to know what happens next.
One of my favorite lines was - "Fear always comes with a door, a door that leads straight through." This could be interpreted so many different ways and I think each reader will take it mean something different.
The author weaves this tale and you do need to pay attention because the various story lines intersect multiple times and while dark at times, there is light and hope you just have to grab hold at various points in the book.
The book starts with a brief recap of what I can assume was part of the first book. I appreciated that set up because it made a little more sense as I read the book. There is an interesting cast of characters with several story lines. There is Leo, Ruby, and Amos. Ruby is deathly ill and her father, Amos, will do anything to save her, including taking her to "Over There". Leo, her brother, is left behind but he doesn't forget about Ruby and 8 years later is able to try and find her. Samuel and Abra are neighbors and grew up together from the time they were born, their mothers were best friends. There is an even bigger twist about this whole situation at the end that was very intriguing and wasn't anything I expected to read. There are some evil characters that throw kinks into everyone's plans.
The main story is that Abra has a task to fulfill as the keeper of the keys (or the sword that acts as a key). Her story is being told to Samuel because he has inherited them from Abra's husband after her passing but doesn't know what to do with either the sword or the atlas. Only in the telling of this story by Mr.Henry to Samuel, do we learn the truth of what happened to Abra over the course of her life. The story does end abruptly but in a good way because it left me wanting another hundred pages or so to know what happens next.
One of my favorite lines was - "Fear always comes with a door, a door that leads straight through." This could be interpreted so many different ways and I think each reader will take it mean something different.
The author weaves this tale and you do need to pay attention because the various story lines intersect multiple times and while dark at times, there is light and hope you just have to grab hold at various points in the book.
jdsutter's review against another edition
Wow. I can't believe I didn't see that twist at the end coming but I really had no clue. But it totally makes sense.
afro8921's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It's like the walking dead meets game of thrones.
lily_english's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, and War
nicoletwalters's review against another edition
5.0
Not since the first book of this series have I encountered a book that I stayed up late to finish in just a couple days. Smucker weaves a page-turning story with new characters whose lives you become immediately invested in. He manages to look at age-old stories (angels, the Tree of Life) with a surprising and intriguing spin that makes you think more deeply about what you believe about death, good/evil, and heaven. You'll be pondering these ideas for many days after finishing the book and dying to read the final chapter of this saga. Read the Day the Angels Fell first and then this one right after!
michellef's review against another edition
4.0
The Edge of Over There is a young adult spiritual novel by author Shawn Smucker. To save his daughter’s, Ruby, life Amos had to take her to The Edge of Over There. Once there they were able to eat fruit from the tree with ever changing fruit. But, they could not return home.
I don’t usually read YA but this book caught my eye. The cover is intriguing. The novel reminded me of the novel Rooms by author James Rubart. This novel can be read as a stand-alone however there is mention of scenes from the first novel so I would like to go back and read that novel.
I do not like what Beatrice said on page 155 and she was not corrected with what the Bible says. “Anything is better than death. It’s a black nothing that waits for you. Darkness and shadows and a long sleep, nothing more.”
Disclaimer: I received this book complimentary publisher Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
I don’t usually read YA but this book caught my eye. The cover is intriguing. The novel reminded me of the novel Rooms by author James Rubart. This novel can be read as a stand-alone however there is mention of scenes from the first novel so I would like to go back and read that novel.
I do not like what Beatrice said on page 155 and she was not corrected with what the Bible says. “Anything is better than death. It’s a black nothing that waits for you. Darkness and shadows and a long sleep, nothing more.”
Disclaimer: I received this book complimentary publisher Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.