Ledge Book Review: On the Edge of the Ledge
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In a place known solely as the Ledge, a “town” trapped by a vast chasm and sheer mountain face. There’s nowhere for them to escape the frozen wasteland without falling due to the deathly drop. They know nothing of the outside world. But what they do know are The Glacians. Vicious winged creatures bringing them meagre rations in return for a periodic human sacrifice. Dawsyn is the only remaining member of her family. She has avoided being taken but now her luck has run out. Dawsyn finds herself chosen, ripped from her icy home, the only world she’s known. No one knows what will happen once taken from the land of the Ledge by the Glacians. Least of all Dawsyn.
Fortunately, a half-Glacian called Ryon offers to help them both escape. But how can Dawsyn trust the one creature that she has always hated? The very creatures that have plagued her life with so much strife?

Title: Ledge
Author: Stacey McEwan
Genre: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance
Pages: 271
Star Rating: 4.5 stars
Spice Rating: 2 chili peppers
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers
Ledge has been on my TBR since I first saw the cover and knew I needed to add it to my shelves (I am totally a cover buyer). This ambitious fantasy debut is the first book in the Glacian trilogy series. A sizzling story filled with an excellent premise and vivid writing. Ledge delivers on all cylinders.
In this epic fantasy, we follow Dawsyn. Think of her like a Kill Bill fairy-esque human. That takes no shit! Dawsyn is very much a smart-mouthed, quick-witted girl. The act now and ask questions later type. Messing with Dawsyn you will often find her ax in a part of your body! And I love that for her.
The cold is not alive..
She feels it is the end of the line when she is taken from the ledge to where the glacians reside in Glacia. But, a cocky Glacian king gives her (and all the others captured with her) a choice, enter the pool of Iskra, taking her very essence, or run the hillside. Of course, Dawsyn chooses to run! Thus the unwinding of the tale.
The story of the Ledge is told in third person close. I often feel I don’t particularly appreciate when stories are told from this point of view. Giving a shroud of something that I want to shrug off. It isn’t engaging enough for me.
And, oftentimes with a POV being third person close, it feels like someone is telling you a story instead of showing you what is happening. Adding to this feeling is the repetition of the first 30 pages. Circling and circling, spiraling down a drain, that is a never-ending cycle of the Ledge, the Chasm, and the Glacians, tightly packed together.
While all those moments of frustration are true this feels like something more. As it progresses it loosens evolving into a harmoniously frost tale. Like a lover reminiscing over history shared, moments stolen and battles had. So after reading Ledge, I find I am more inclined to read this POV style than previously.
Stay the Frost…
In addition, the pacing feels slow. Not glacially (get it lol glacially) so but slow enough that you crave a quicker tempo. Which could be due to the angle of the point of view or the buildup to the grand reveal. But, as the story progresses it melts and molds into a breathtaking story, understanding why it carries that way.
Let’s talk about the writing. Author Stacey Mcewan’s writing is beautiful. Vivid and lush without being overly flowery. Suiting Ledge perfectly. There are moments where the details didn’t quite fit, giving a forced quality to it, but those were few and far between. Some of my favorite moments are when Dawsyn learns what money is, and when she sees the ocean for the first time. Stealing her breath and making her realize there is so much more than just the icy ledge she’s inhabited for so long.
The overall plot and premise are well done and unique. It is engaging (aside from those moments I mentioned) and leaves room for your brain to work and parse questions. This breathing room is actually what keeps you wanting to turn the pages.
The world-building had a great balance, sometimes wishing there was a little more to tip the scales into excellent territory. While the characters added to the world building giving additional fascination and detail. I wish there was a little more explanation given. As someone who needs to connect with the characters to fully enjoy a story, it feels like there wasn’t enough.
As you probably guessed we’re going to talk about character development. For the first half of the book, Dawsyn is an overgrown child. This could be due to her lack of experience with the world outside the icy land of the ledge. As the story progresses she is still a smart-mouthed woman just a little more well-rounded I like to think lol.
Watch the Chasm…
And then there is the romance. The Ledge would be considered a TRUE enemies-to-lovers story. With no “instalove” and true hatred (at least on Dawsyn’s side). Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes (when done right). Their romance doesn’t feel overtly physical, with a gradual building of interest and crumbling of walls and prejudices between the two.
Is it spicy? Yes! There are a few open-door scenes that are well-written. Not for teens. He literally feasts on her on a table (whew flashbacks). In conjunction with the enemies-to-lovers aspect of Ledge there is a great build-up to the true spice scenes (there is one in the very beginning but it doesn’t strike me as a true scene). If you aren’t one for spice I would suggest skipping this series.
What I don’t like is the constant “girl” that Ryon throws out when talking to Dawsyn. Even when he knows her name it’s girl. And yes is she acting like a kid, absolutely do you have to constantly call her that ABSOLUTELY NOT! Please use some other term of endearment. It was annoying.
Let’s wrap this up, shall we? So what do I give this new fantasy series? This gutsy epic fantasy gets 4.5 stars. Some moments were obvious to me (I didn’t mention them in this review because it can be seen as a SPOILER). But overall, it was very enjoyable. The romance was solid. The banter, even more so with Dawsyn spitting fire at Ryon constantly! And after that ending, I have to continue to see what’s next for Dawsyn!
*Content warnings* gratuitous violence & death; death of a minor; suicide; attempted sexual assault
Ledge is perfect for your book clubs! It is available on Kindle or you can buy a copy wherever books are sold! Book 2 to the Glacian trilogy Chasm is out now!
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