The Edge is an odd place. Picture two worlds, two dimensions, sitting side by side like two slices of bread in a sandwich.
BROKEN
One side is our world: no magic, normal worries about marriage, kids, job security, normal every-day issues. Since there is no magic in our world, it’s called the Broken.
People in the Broken mostly don’t believe in magic. Oh, they like to watch shows about hauntings and ghost searches on TV, but mostly so they can poke fun at the knuckleheads with bizarre equipment blundering about in the dark, spooked by random noises.
If you start going on about dimensions and other worlds, people won’t exactly try to commit you to a facility for mentally unstable, but it’s bound to land you into kooky idiot category and make lunches on the job a very lonely experience.
WEIRD
The other side of the dimension sandwich is the Weird: lots of magic, normal worries about marriage, kids, job security, normal every-day issues.
People in the Weird use magic every day, as casually as we use technology. We flip on a light switch and so do they, but their light is generated by magical means. We use computers and so do they. Most of the time neither of us bother to pry open the box containing the computer’s guts and find out how it really ticks.
The one thing that does separate the Weird from the Broken are the nobles. The Weird never slaughtered their nobility. Instead they changed the definition of a noble. The Weird’s noble is a well educated, competent, and extremely dangerous person, who volunteered a good chunk of his or her life to either military or civil service. Anyone can become a noble, provided the serve their time and pass all of the tests, and the offspring of nobles isn’t automatically guaranteed nobility. Although more often than not, children of nobles tend to continue in their parents’ footsteps. The nobles of the Weird lead armies into battle and fulfill the same roles that elected officials have in the Broken. They wield hellish magic and you don’t want to mess with them if you can at all help it.
EDGE
The Weird and the Broken sit side by side, but there are places where they intersect. That neutral territory that belongs to both worlds is called the Edge. It’s the meat in our dimension sandwich. Some places the Edge is only a few hundred feet wide, and in some it stretches for miles and miles.
People of the Edge are mongrels. They have some magic but not much. Most are poor. They distrust outsiders and keep to their own families. They aren’t above swindling strangers, either.
In places where the boundary separating the Edge from the Broken is thinner, the Edgers cross into our world. They shop at Wal-Mart, stop for a drink at a bar, and attend county fairs. Some hold jobs, just like any normal Broken person. Your coworker might be an Edger and you’d never know it. You’ll see him driving his car down a country lane, and then he’ll make a turn you’d swear was never there before. His car would blink out of sight, and you would convince yourself you imagined it. Funny thing, human mind.
In places where boundary between the Weird and the Edge is thinner, the same process takes place: the Edgers travel into the Weird. It’s a hard life – they can cross into either world, but they are illegal aliens in both and aren’t welcome.
But just because you were born poor and both worlds look down on you, doesn’t mean you have to lay down and take it, does it?
This book sounds so interesting and I can’t wait to read it! However, it sounds a little bit like Stardust, concept-wise anyway.
Wow – great pictures. 23 days and counting.
I first was disapointed that “On the Edge” isn’t another Kat Daniels novel. But after your introduction I’m realy waiting for the release of the first book of your new series!
It was awesome. I highly recommend it to fans of contemporary fantasy, urban fantasy, and of course fans of the Kate Daniels series. It has everything a fan could want and definitely a few twists and surprises.
Just finished it and it was wonderful. I hate having to wait another year for the next book.
I see yall have a new series out. I am excited to read it. I love your Kate Daniels series. I purchase all my books at bookonboard.com. Hopefully your new one will be there soon!
Correction. I just found and purchased it on booksonboard. Ill be busy reading. lol
Loved it !! Read it twice. Cant wait for the next one.
i really enjoyed your new series, couldn’t put it down! Your new world is very interesting and am excited to learn more about it! Can’t wait for the next Kate and Edge book! Thanks
Just finished reading The Edge, I loved it even though it is very different. I really hope William get the comfort and belonging he needs, maybe in another book??? The Magic Bleeds chapter at the end of this book left me laughing out loud. I hope he has a really good reason! Loving the work you both do!Samxx
poo, i cant find it anywhere….lol
does anyone one know what book stores might have it??or a library??or somewhere i can read it online??
what ive read of it so far is awsum i cant wait to read the rest of the book!!
[...] links: Worlds of the Edge Ilona Andrews and Ann Aguirre at Babel Clash Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Last [...]
5 stars! A wonderful new series in an innovative setting just chock full of stories to be written. Can’t wait!!
Hi,
Just finished On the Edge and recently read the Kate Daniels books for the first time. Wow they are great. Both worlds are so imaginative, scary and exciting and the characters and their relationships really drew me in. Have enjoyed wandering around your website as well. It’s really well set up with plenty of teasers and info. Thanks for the great stories and congrats on the German book deal. Mandy from Australia
Just finished On The Edge last night. Loved it now impatiently wanting more lol
I absolutely loved the book. I also absolutely love the word ‘series’ – I can’t wait to read the next book. I would love to read William’s story.
I wanted to tell you how much I loved the boys. Jack and Georgie just blew me away. As a mother of a son, you nailed those little boys.
*sigh* just finished On the Edge. Couldn’t put it down. I loved it. It’s gonna be a Long wait til September but at least I have something to look forward to in 2010 other than Alice. oohhh maybe the next edge book will be about William. That would be awesome!!!!!!!
I’ve read your all of the Magic series. I was entranced all the way through. This new series promises to be just as good. Jeeeez what a great read. And the depth of the characters wow! I only have one minor thing? The cover art is very good but, (now this is my opinion) The guy on the cover is .., well let’s just say he is a bit too much? It’s probably a old guy thing.
Keep up the great work!
Stayed up until 5 am this morning reading “On the Edge”. I was hoarding it; but I couldn’t wait any longer. Loved it! Will there be a book about the future adventures of Declan and Rose?
Saw this book while checking to see if the 4th Kate book was out yet.
Delightful with a quirky sense of the whimsical. Can’t wait to see how the characters will develop.
awesome book! another success Ilona…my my, u n Gordon r indeed extremely talented!
Why do I just know that Rose will curse herself because of insiting on the “30 days” in the next book?
i loved the book read it many times since i got it in october!!!!!
hope the next book is also about willam and rose
why do you make us wait so long?
I read the On the Edge and I am patiently waiting for the next book in the series. I loved it. I happen upon it in the bookstore and said why not. Oh my goodness!! I love it so much I shared it with two ladies in my office who are also avid readers. We can’t wait until the next book comes out!!!
Finally finished On The Edge and loved it. I ended up getting it on audio because I just don’t have time to sit down and read lately. I didn’t want it to end! I even got my step dad listening to it and he loved it too. Can’t wait for the next one to come out.
I loved On the Edge. Read excerpt from Magic Bleeds and can’t wait to start reading about Kate Daniels. Also saw there will be a new Edge book about William, so amazing, it seemed wierd that he just disappeared in the first book. Keep up the awesome writing. My new favorite authors.
I loved this book. It was awsome. Declan and Rose are perfect for each other. Can’t wait for the second one.
I usually love reading fictions, but this one was different. I read it within a day. It was like watching a movie and living in it for days following.
I just read “The Edge” and was extremely disappointed to learn it was a new series. I was so looking forward to reading more about the Weird and the Broken and finding out what happened to William. Can’t wait for the next books. I finish your Kate Daniels books the day they come out. Keep writing! I love your books.
Loved the book! It is the first one of yours that I have read and will definitly be reading the others.
I have to add that the part about Rose picking up a months worth of groceries at Wal-mart and the relief she felt was completely realistic.
I love the blending of the Weird and Broken, with the creation of the Edge. Please keep the books flowing!
I founded the first book in the Kate Daniel serie in the library. Totally enjoyed it,then I could not wait until I found the next two books and in my search I found the first book in the new serie: the Edge. I was in hog heaven! I have a new favorite author (or authors)!!
I have read Magic Bleeds and am waiting for the second book in the Edge series. You know you guys really need to write faster!!!