I loved this book! I loved Dawsyn. She is a bad ass, gritty character. The world building was immersive, detailed, easy to follow along-even though fantasy can be a little tricky to dive into. Oh and the heat between the FMC/MMC 🔥 🔥 🔥. The tension curled my toes. I can’t wait to dive into the next book when it comes out!!! If you liked Stacey on TT this is worth a look.

Ledge is a creative and compelling story that keeps you on the edge of your seat for its entirety. The world is unique and well-built, and McEwan's prose shines. If you're a fantasy fan, this read in a no brained!

On the Ledge, a frozen landscape with a mountain on one side and the Chasm (self-explanatory) on the other, Dawsyn Sabar and her people are trapped, struggling to survive the elements as well as the Glacians, a species of winged creatures that steal some of them away every year. When axe-wielding Dawsyn is selected as a sacrifice, she has the chance, along with the half-human, half-Glacian Ryon, to get off the mountain and maybe save her people, too.

I should have learned by now to not trust booktok, or at least look at 1 star reviews first. I had a lot of hope. Usually, if I read something I don't like, I can't get angry because I know I'm not always the target audience. But I KNOW I'm the target audience for Ledge. Ax-wielding protagonist? That's really all I needed to hear. Silly me. The two stars are for the writing alone. Could've been more dynamic, but it was easy to read and consume. The real issue I had was finding a fuck to give.

I assumed, from the description, that most of the book would probably be about getting off the mountain. It's the first in a series, after all. Silly me. It's not even half the book. After that, there's basically no plot. None at all. Something half-baked in the last quarter, maybe. Vibes, mostly, but I wouldn't call them good. That's fine; I've read books that have no plot and loved them. This just wasn't fun or interesting. I almost forget to write a review because of how easily this book just fell out of my brain when I finished it. Those two stars are for the okay writing, the only thing I felt I could honestly complement.

My biggest gripe with Ledge, though, is the co-lead and love interest, Ryon. For context, the Glacians are described as "white," and their complexion is compared to ice/snow, so I assumed "white" meant the color white, not fair-skinned. Ryon is described as "black." In fact, his introduction is, "The man she believed to be a Glacian is winged, and yet... his skin is black." Because I thought the Glacians are the color white and not fair-skinned, I assumed that Ryon is the color black, not dark-skinned. Later, his skin tone is compared to cedar, but only once. (Another character is only described as "black.") This, uh, implies that Europe and, by extension, European ideas of race exist in this world, which, with how little world-building there is, could be true. But it's unclear and I don't like that.

It turns out, he's half-human and half-Glacian, and often called "half-breed" by the pure-blooded Glacians and Dawsyn. (The use of the term "mixed-bloods" later in the book by Ryon and other mixed-bloods leads me to think "half-breed" is a slur. So.) He is treated by the pure-blooded Glacians as sub-human (sub-Glacian?) and made to be a servant in the Glacian palace. The pure-blooded Glacians tell him he should be grateful he has a place with them, rather than a life in the slums with the other mixed-bloods. The optics on this are... not good. I would give the benefit of the doubt that the character being a hybrid servant and second-class citizen was decided before the author chose to make him black, since the book is pretty diverse. But HOW did this get past editing without anyone noticing.

It also seems the author didn't know much about living on a snowy mountain? Misunderstanding how long firewood would last and forgetting about snow-blindness. The lead has spent all 24 years of her life chronically malnourished but can somehow cut down trees with an axe on the regular? The two leads have no chemistry and he consistently calls her "girl," even after they've started bingity banging? Human women that have Glacian's babies die in child-birth. :|

2 stars.

Thank you Angry Robot and Netgalley for the ARC.

I will post this review on my instagram soon.

❄️L E D G E❄️
-Stacey McEwen

ARC READ!

Stay the frost
Watch the chasm

years ago the glacians came down and stole away a village of people and took them to the ledge. Dawsyn has lost her family to the chasm and the glacians and she's not going to suffer the same fate, she risks her life to escape and ends up falling I live with an unexpected someone indeed!

I loved this book! the world building was fantastic and Esra especially was one of my fave characters.

the steamy scenes was incredibly hott I just wish there was more of them!

WHAT WAS THAT ENDING THOUGH!? I literally shouted whaaat?! noo! at the top of my lungs and I really hope it's not as bad as I think it is and the second book all is fixed... pleeeasse?!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️

Dawsyn is trapped on the Ledge where her people are picked off by the monsters beyond the Chasm. Until one day, she is chosen during one of the beasts’ collections. She doesn’t know what to expect. All she knows is she must fight. “Stay the frost.”

This was such a fun adventure. I did have to get used to the writing style, but I think this was a great debut novel and start to The Glacian trilogy. Dawysn is a badass ax wielding bitch just doing what she knows to survive the extremely cold environment she was raised in. Once chosen she makes an unlikely alliance with an unusual outcast, and we are taken on an adventure of her escaping danger, romance, and a goal to save her people.

Stacey has put together an interesting world with politics, class hierarchy, and diversity. I enjoyed this book and cannot wait for book two.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

I loved this book so so much I can't even put into words how much. I was completely hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down. The writing and characters were amazing. I need more asap

And........excuse me, I need a moment to recover from that ending. Ledge just made me gasp and curse, because you seriously can't leave it like that......can you??? Darn it if that wasn't just a fun adventure and a good time.

Dawsyn Sabar lives on the Ledge, a frozen landscape next to an impassable chasm where she and the other humans are kept as fodder for the ruling Glacians. The Glacians are large otherworldly creatures with wings who fly in and cull a number of humans and everyone assumes they are killed. When Dawsyn is culled, she learns what truly has happened and is given an opportunity to escape her fate. She finds help from a very unlikely source which leads her to long held secrets and the possibility of taking down the ruling Glacians.

Are there a number of familiar tropes, yes, am I always here for enemies to lovers, yes!! A frozen dystopian world where the female MC has badass ax fighting skills, also yes and all of it kept me engaged throughout the story. There were a couple twists that were expected, but the final one......holy heck not that one. I for one will definitely be looking forward to the next book in this series!!

Thanks to Angry Robot Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

I love this book!

It has been years since I have read a fantasy this original. The world of the Ledge is menacing, and the world building was both believable and encompassing.

Dawsyn is a badass who doesn’t need anyone and I love her.

Ryon has a murky past but we want to love him.

And the ending had me spiraling. I’m still spiraling.

I absolutely loved it!

Enemies to lovers with high stakes, hidden secrets, an original world, what else do you need?!

I am anxiously awaiting book two. I NEED IT!

I highly recommend for fans of Romantasy with spice!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the story and Dawsyn was a great main character. I like strong women that take what they want and speak their mind! Then arm them WITH AN AX, and I am in love!

The plot twist at the end was good, even if expected - I knew he helped her for a reason - and the cliffhanger was solid, it leaves you wanting for more.

The world building was good, even if there were parts I struggled to visualize like the size of the Village, the location and the Glacians. But I can see why Stace did it. By giving not too many informations she brings the the reader to pay more attention! At the beginning of a book, especially fantasy, you (the reader), need to focus on the world building aspects and if you don’t have too many details you end up paying more attention to the page and you get pulled in more easily. That is what happened to me!

The story is fast paced as the characters cover a lot of ground and we are introduced to a lot of interesting side characters that I am sure will come back later.

The only thing I was not 100% on board with was Dawsyn and Ryon as a couple. There was this attraction than then turned into something more and they didn’t fight this evolution much… so the emotional attachment to me felt rushed. It was justified as the ending would have not have the same impact, but the book was good and the romance was not what grabbed me about the book!

I really liked the political intrigue!!! I can’t wait to read more!

Also the cover is so gorgeous!

I'm a bit stunned after finishing Ledge not even five minutes before writing this. What am I supposed to do now after that ending?!

The Ledge is just as described - a Ledge made up of freezing temperatures and life-threatening terrain way up high on a mountain. A small community survives here with the constant concern of whether they will survive or die trying.

Dawsyn Sabar is a fierce and headstrong young woman, destined to a life of barely surviving and not much more. The imagery Stacey McEwan portrays at the beginning of the novel paints a harsh, cold dangerous terrain for the people. Learning how easy life may come and death may soon follow was awful. With harsh weather conditions, a lack of laws and an even further lack of food and materials people of the Ledge resort to violence and bargaining to survive. It becomes clear these people are barely getting by. It's apparent death could be around the corner for any citizen of the Ledge but even more so during the Selection at the beginning of each season.

As readers, we learn that the evil Glacians, winged creatures using humans to remain youthful which we later learn, fly up to the Ledge and pick random citizens. Dawsyn and the other people on the Ledge suggest these people die soon after being taken by falling to the Chasm, a vast pit that's below the Ledge. Many of Dawsyn's family and acquaintances have passed this way and it almost becomes normal for everyone

McEwan created a picturesque landscape of cold and frigid landscapes where it is easy for the Glacians to survive but extremely difficult for the humans and it was written perfectly, allowing the reader to place themselves in the middle of the chaos ensuing.

I don't want to discuss too much more as it would spoil too much of the book. It is best experienced first-hand.
The romance and spice, the plot and even the cliffhanger just kept me wanting more.

Thank you to Angry Robot books for granting my wish! It was a pleasure reading this but also truly enjoyed it. I cannot wait for book 2!

I'm always a bit wary when I read about a book "written by TikTok sensation" or somethin similar as I think that video and written words are two different means of expressing ideas and stories.
I can say I enjoyed this book as it's fast paced and the plot is well thought and kept me turning pages.
I read in one sitting and appreciated the plot and how the author deals with a lot of tropes making them work and creating something original.
There's a lot of potential in this story and I'm curious to know what will be next as the last pages surprised me and left me wishing I could read the next book soon.
The first chapters are an excellent mix of dystopia and fantasy, there's a growing tension and a sort of cosmic horror in some parts as the world out of the Ledge is unknown and unreachable.
I loved that part because it's chilly and thrilling at the same time. The plot becomes more standard fantasy: the chosen one, romance, discovery of secrets and this made me rated it down as it was entertaining but less thrilling.
As this is the first book by this author I think they will hone their skills and deliver new and exciting stories.
This one is recommended.
Many thanks to Angry Robots for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I’ve followed Stacey McEwan online for a while now and when she said she was going to write a book I was SO excited to read what her brain would compose. I was not disappointed.

Ledge is a fantastic fantasy, and I haven’t been gripped by a story in a long time - I didn’t want to stop reading.

I enjoyed Dawsyn and Ryon’s dynamic, and overall it’s a fresh take on a fantasy-romance novel. Loved the ending. MY GOD. And I cannot wait for the sequel and what Stacey will write next.

Thank you Angry Robot books for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.

I did not expect to have such a good time reading this book. I enjoyed the main characters a lot and the plot was pretty unique. I also loved the romance and all the twists and turns.

Thank you Angry Robot books for the eArc. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

I was super excited to get an early copy of this book since I follow this author on bookstagram! Love supporting new authors!

Ledge is an adventure story with romance, fantasy and a whole lot of action. This world is cruel both emotionally and physically. Dawsyn is one feisty heroine with a strong will, fighters heart and and attitude that cuts like a knife. Totally understandable with her upbringing.

The romance has all the banter we know and love. It does get more on the spicy side for my taste but I enjoyed relationship arc.

This author does pain the picture of a starving society with cruel situations. I definitely got the feel for the harshness of the world. I cringed a few times because dang does this girl gets hit. She is a survivor that's for sure.

I could have used a little more world building. I got lost a few times during the magic piece. I also would have liked to see more relationship build between the MCs. Maybe it's just me but I like more chase especially considering it's and enemies to lovers feel.

All in all, great debut for this author and entry to this world. I still don't know how I feel about the end. I'm not happy about it but I think that's the point.

Intrigued by where this author will go with the story. She has a lot of potential

I have mixed feelings on this one, It was such a different read than the normal fantasy books I hear about, which was great. The concept was so unique and interesting. This book started out really strong. It was fast-paced and a quick, easy read. The ending really set up for the next book and I'm so excited to see where the story goes.

My main con for the book was I never felt connected to the characters throughout the book. I loved how interesting the concept was, but I wished there was more personality from the characters in the book. I also didn't feel the chemistry between the love interests. The relationship felt so out of no where, when I usually like a slower burn/tension. Plus Dawsyn being called child/girl got old pretty fast.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

What a cliffhanger! I enjoyed this book as I like dystopian and uprising stories. The main characters were interesting and engaging. There is a lot of hype surrounding this book and for good reason. I suggest this book to readers of dystopia and strong female leads.

4.5
Thank you to Angry Robot books and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC to read and review. I honestly feel like I've never read anything like this. The concept of the ledge was so interesting and refreshing and I loved it. Dawsyn, our female main character, is witty, fierce, feisty, and incredibly bad-ass. Her and Ryon made for a great character duet and I thought the contrast of their lives was so intriguing. Their development both individually and together was immaculate. I also really valued the diversity in this book as there were characters of color, a non-binary star whom I honestly adored and was screaming for joy when they had page time. I enjoyed the bit of romance and spice thrown in and I thought it worked really well. The plot was so well done and there were some super unexpected twists and intense moments. I cannot believe the giant cliffhanger this first book was left on and I have a lot of thoughts about that, but needless to say I'm so excited to read book two.

Ledge is a great example of the New Adult genre and really shows why there is a need for it. The blend of fantasy and characters was just as rich and wonderful as I have come to expect from YA books but had an added bite that would normally come from adult. It really spoke to the middle of those audiences, people who may have aged out of YA and feel like adult isn't for them.

Thank you NetGalley and Angry Robot Books for the ARC!!

This was one of my top reads of the year. The worldbuilding was really well done, but the characters were my favorite!

Ryon is everything I want in a fictional love interest--hot, traumatized, flirty, has wings, would carry me, an absolutely smitten kitten.

Dawsyn is everything I aspire to be--hot, traumatized, violent, sassy, sarcastic, and unwilling to let anyone tell her what to do.

I love the story and their journey together! The ending made me want to die and I can't wait for the next book. Five stars and probably an immediate reread!

Okay so this book has gotten so much buzz, thanks to the author's active (and hilarious) presence on TikTok. I went into it with a bit of apprehension - could this really be good? IT WAS! This felt wholly original and unique, I really loved it. I would also like to know what is in that Australian water because I have yet to read a bad book from an Australian author.