Ledge was one of my favorite fantasies of 2022 and I was so excited to read the continuation but sadly Chasm really dragged for me.

I feel like 80% of the book was just campfire talk and a majority of the book felt like nothing was happening except Dawsyn blacking out or being angry, so it was difficult for me to keep interest because it felt very repetitive.

I also think the 3rd (or in this case 1st) act breakup(s) dragged soooo long and the catalyst did feel believable and/or justified.

I will say that I LOVE Esra and Salem and their dialogue were my favorite chapters to read. I will protect them at all costs. I am unsure if a 3rd book is coming but am hopeful that I enjoy that one more.

Many thank yous to NetGalley and Angry Robot Publishing for sharing this digital review copy with me.

Chasm is the much awaited (for me at least) follow up to Stacey McEwan’s debut novel Ledge. Ledge ended on a cliff hanger and I was really eager to find out what would happen next.

The writing in this novel is so well done, at times I felt like I could sit there with a checklist of all the good techniques creative writing should include and tick them off as I read (I guess I can’t switch off the teacher/marking part of my brain off). The descriptions of each setting were vivid and emotive, it was easy to picture the dungeons of the castle, or the woods. The brief point-of-views from minor characters added extra dimension to the story and, again, the writing was so well done that these brief insights into the lives of minor characters were engaging and interesting. Their purpose was to introduce plot points and twists, these chapters easily could have been filler, but weren’t. I am also forever grateful that this is written and marketed as an adult fantasy trilogy, the inclusion of profanity adds an element of realism to the story. If I swear when someone cuts me off in traffic, how am I supposed to believe that my gutsy fantasy heroine wouldn’t drop a few f-bombs when literally fighting for her life and saving her world.

My only gripe is a slight pacing/plot one, I felt there was a little bit of the ‘second book syndrome’ happening in Chasm. Without getting to much into specifics and spoilers a lot of the first half was separated characters and travelling. But this was only a minor thing in what was otherwise, a really entertaining and engaging story.

This was an entertaining and engaging follow up, with new villains and new, high stakes to add to the drama and chaos. I hope by the end of this trilogy, Dawsyn gets some peace and a really good therapist to help her sort out her trauma.

Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

I received an E-ARC through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion about the book.

Great addition to the story. Builds on background of the world and works out Dawson's issues. I find the writing w little choppy at times but the story is great. The interaction with the group of characters is wonderful. It goes very heavy on the plot and little on the romance. Great story can't wait for book 3 with how book 2 ended!

Whoa these books need to be talked about more! I need to process what i just read and beg Stacey to give us book three right now!

This sequel to “Ledge” continues with the sparse prose that was so refreshing about the first book. The plot is simple, and the worldbuilding is light, a rarity amongst many of today’s overstuffed fantasy novels.

However, much like Serpent & Dove’s “Blood & Honey,” From Blood & Ash’s “A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire,” or Of Flesh & Bones “What Hunts Inside the Shadows,” “Chasm” suffers from mid-series book syndrome, where the characters spend most of the story on the road, essentially circling back and forth. Several reveals come forth, but there isn’t as much exciting action as there was in “Ledge.”

The romance also takes a backseat. There’s less tension and spice than in “Ledge.” There are many interactions between the side characters, so if you didn’t like their over-the-top dialogue from the first, you may not like this one as much. However, it is great that many of the central characters are reunited early on in the book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars rounded down / Ledge was also 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4 stars

I enjoyed Ledge and was pleased to find that I also enjoyed Chasm.

After the cliffhanger we found ourselves in at the end of Ledge I was so looking forward to continuing the journey with these awful Queens and witnessing their comeuppance.

I was surprised to find that the story moved in quite a different direction than expected. The introduction of another enemy and some new members to the MCs team spiced things up a bit.

There was so much happening in Chasm, however it felt almost forced. Each upset that was sent their way rolled into each other, everyone was after them, the core group of characters always getting hurt. With so much happening, I needed a deeper exploration of each experience so that I could invest myself in the outcome. Although, through many of these experiences I learnt more about the characters backstory which was a great touch.

The wall between Dawsyn and Ryon was back but I could not understand why! Yes, these characters are much more interesting when they are fighting one another, when the banter is aggressive and harsh but the reason behind Dawsyn’s anger seemed more like a little misunderstanding that was easily remedied. They spent the majority of the book with Dawsyn at his throat while Ryon pandered to her, making her seem like a bitch while he seemed weak.

I continued to enjoy the banter between Salem and Esra and I did like the snarky yet kind hearted Baltisse. It was wonderful to learn of her backstory although I would have liked it to have come much earlier in the book.

I enjoyed the read but I did long for something more, there was something that kept me from completely investing in the characters and feeling the suspense of the predicaments they kept finding themselves in, I’m not sure exactly what that is. I definitely enjoyed it enough to recommend to others and to continue the journey in the third book.

Wow this second book in the series was amazing. I am so glad we got a little more back story into everything and I cannot wait til the next book. I love this series and it isn't like anything else.

Well, this was a ride and a half. Stacey masterfully captures every emotion, every moment of grit, in such a beautifully captivating way. I felt on edge every minute of the way through this book. Stacey carefully set the stakes high in this book and ensured we remembered that no one is ever safe. Every fleeting moment of security was rocked and reminded you that there is no one untouchable in this series.

The characters all experience growth in this book that I felt the first was missing, and I am so glad for it. I have connected to every character, in one way or another, and to have them all in danger all the time had my skin tingling.

Chasm is beautifully crafted, the writing is consistent and it never feels like the book is dragging. This book has set us up so well for the third and I have a feeling it will be heartbreaking, as was the last 100 pages of this book.

My only recommendation would be for an editor to fine tooth comb this book, as there were a few spelling mistakes or extra word slipped in here and there that pulled me from the story, but this is minor.

Overall, I could not put this book down. I am giddy, heartbroken and shattered, but I loved it.

Clear your day, this book grabs you fast and takes you on an extraordinary ride you wish will never end. This is one of those books where discovery is the best part; the twists and turns, emotions invoked and the intriguing characters. Enjoy it!

A fantastic fantasy about one woman’s quest to build a new and better world. I would like more, more Dawsyn, more Ryon, and more from this author.