Well, that was very sneaky, allowing me to read a sampler that ends just when things are getting really interesting so I have to go buy the book even though I promised my partner I would stick to library books this month!

I’ve been interested in the Glacian Trilogy since I first heard of it when Angry Robot started hyping up Valley on Instagram, but it’s hard for me to decide to buy the first in a series if I’m not at least pretty sure I’ll be into it. I think a couple chapters is enough to give most people a good idea and it’s far more effective than Amazon samples because those just start at the very beginning and cut off whenever, so you often end up with only a couple pages of the actual story.

I like that Ledge starts off mysteriously. I want to know more about this oppressive world and I want to know who the heck the Glacians are. I want to know what happens to the humans when they are taken! I have to go now, so I can find out.

Whoops, my bad! I didn’t double-check if I was diving into a full book or just a sample😭 well, i read the first 2 chapters and I was kind of hooked by the opening chapters . would've liked to read more tbh😮‍💨

thank you Netgalley for the eARc!

#ExclusiveSamplerofLedge #NetGalley

3.5 stars
Ledge is a solid start to The Glacian Trilogy that offers a unique blend of fantasy and survival elements. The setting is one of the book’s strongest points—it’s harsh, unforgiving, and vividly described, which really pulls you into the world. The plot itself is engaging, full of tension, and has just the right amount of mystery to keep you turning the pages.

The main character is strong and determined, and I appreciated her resilience in such a brutal environment. However, I found some of the secondary characters to be a bit underdeveloped, and there were moments where I wanted to know more about their backstories or motivations. That said, the relationships that form over the course of the book are interesting and add emotional depth to the story.

While the pacing was generally good, there were a few sections where things slowed down a little too much for my liking. However, the action-packed moments and surprising twists definitely made up for it, keeping the story fresh and exciting.

Overall, Ledge delivers an enjoyable and immersive reading experience. It’s a promising start to the trilogy, and I’m curious to see where the next book takes the story. If you’re into survival stories with a touch of fantasy and intrigue, this one’s worth a read!

This feedback is for only the opening passages of the book. Because I have not read the entire thing, I will not be reviewing this on Goodreads at this time. Should I read the book in its entirety, it will be reviewed in full.

This was a good opener for a fantasy. We get to really feel the main character's life and solitude on this ledge as well as the difficulty of her life and the fears she carries with her. I enjoyed the descriptions of the casualness but still tenderness of her companionship.

As far as world building, it's new so it's strange to visualize. The author does describe the situation well, as well as the constant fear and confusion of the people in this village. By keeping the main character mostly in the dark, it makes the world building easy for the reader because we will be able to learn more about it as the main character does rather than an information dump (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).

There are a few odd moments for me - for instance the main character who presumably has never seen a modern day jail cell describes one in a comparison. I also found it discouraging that the main character spends a day chopping wood and then doesn't eat or sleep. I can understand getting distracted or swept up in what you're doing/passionate about, but she is doing hard labor. Her body needs both rest and nourishment.

I have followed the author for a while and have heard her talk about her book before. So reading this snippet was great! The story sounds original and the start of an exciting new series.

From this small excerpt I've read, I will definitely add the book/series to my TBR. It's well-written and I like the world it is set in.

I just devoured this sampler in a matter of minutes. I don’t think I’ve ever been so hooked by a book in a mere TWO chapters. That was insane.

The writing style is quite unique and I’m interested to see if it works for the novel, because as far as a short story goes, it all worked really well. But it might get repetitive or feel too rushed for a bigger piece.

I’m off to buy Ledge asap. Please give this one a read!

I am way behind on this series. I actually put off reading it because i wasn’t ready for another fantasy type series. I listened to the audiobook while driving and at dinner yesterday.
The beginning was a bit slow for me. I know we needed it to see how awful the ledge and life itself on it was. Honestly, I think they could have made this into a duology if a lot of the musings on the ledge and escape to the valley had been edited down. Don’t get me wrong….i still enjoyed the book. I just am really tired of trilogies in fantasy. 👿
I will still be reading the second and third books so I guess it didn’t affect me too badly.

First chapters were great! Can't wait to grab this book now. Thank you the arc NetGalley!

I follow the author on Instagram and am so excited to read this whole series.

I have only read the first couple of pages from the sample I have and I am already hooked and desperately want to purchase the book to find out what happens!

This book is such a refreshing take on a unique storyline.

The beginning of this book really pulled me in. Stacey's writing was full of roughness and depth. As the book went on though I feel that the story lost a lot of what I loved about the beginning of the book. The characters lost that depth I loved and the story's plot because more disheveled. I think that had the battle scene been kept for the second book; this way, the plot would have been able to keep the same depth without adding a ton of length. This book was really close to 5 stars for me and I think this is was kept me from giving it the final star.

Stacey McEwan’s Ledge offers a gritty, icy fantasy world filled with high stakes, mystical creatures, and a tough, axe-wielding heroine who is thrust into a brutal fight for survival. As the first book in a new series, Ledge introduces readers to a harsh, unforgiving landscape and an intriguing premise. However, while the story has plenty of potential, it doesn’t always fully deliver on its promise, making it a solid, yet somewhat uneven, 3.5-star read.

The novel centers around Dawsyn, a hardened survivor living on the titular "Ledge"—a frozen, isolated civilization where people are trapped, forced to endure periodic human sacrifices in exchange for meager sustenance. The winged, otherworldly Glacians are the overlords of this community, and their mysterious role creates an intriguing atmosphere from the start. Dawsyn is the last remaining member of her family and has managed to avoid the annual culling until her luck runs out. Her fate takes a turn when instead of being sacrificed, she’s taken away and offered a way out by Ryon, a half-Glacian with motives of his own.

McEwan's world-building is one of the novel’s strengths. The frozen, treacherous environment of the Ledge is vividly described, and the feeling of claustrophobia and entrapment is palpable. The landscape itself feels like a character in the story, shaping the people who live there into hardened survivors. The concept of the Glacians—winged, dangerous beings who control the fate of those on the Ledge—is an interesting addition to the fantasy genre, and McEwan hints at deeper lore surrounding these creatures, which will likely be explored in future books.

Dawsyn is a compelling protagonist. She is fierce, resilient, and doesn’t hesitate to take up her axe when needed. Her motivation to survive, and later to save her people, drives much of the story’s tension. The introduction of Ryon adds a layer of complexity as Dawsyn is forced to grapple with the question of whether to trust him. The slow-burning romance between Dawsyn and Ryon provides emotional depth, although it feels somewhat predictable at times. Ryon’s character, while intriguing as a half-Glacian, could have been fleshed out more to fully explore the conflict between his dual identities.

One of the more frustrating aspects of the novel is its pacing. The story starts strong with an immediate sense of danger and intrigue, but it falters in the middle as the romance and journey to escape the Glacians take precedence. While the slow-burn romance is engaging, it occasionally overshadows the high-stakes action and world-building that initially draw readers in. For a story about survival in such a harsh environment, the action scenes feel sparse and could have benefited from more development.

Additionally, some of the novel's plot points feel a bit rushed or underdeveloped. The dynamic between the human sacrifices, the Glacians, and the half-Glacian characters like Ryon could have been more deeply explored. There’s a sense that there is much more to the world of Ledge than what is presented in this first installment, but readers are left wanting more context and explanation of the Glacians' origins and motives.

That said, McEwan’s writing style is accessible and often gripping, especially in moments of tension and introspection. The emotional stakes, particularly for Dawsyn, feel real, and her sense of loss and determination resonate throughout the novel. As the series continues, there is significant potential for the world and characters to grow into something even more captivating.

Final Thoughts:
Ledge by Stacey McEwan sets the stage for an intriguing fantasy series with a strong, gritty heroine and a compelling, survival-driven plot. While the world-building and characters show promise, the pacing and depth of the story could have been more polished. Nevertheless, the novel’s slow-burn romance, coupled with its atmospheric setting, makes it an engaging read for fantasy lovers, earning it a solid 3.5 stars. Fans of survival fantasy and slow-burn romance will find much to enjoy, with hopes that future installments delve deeper into the complexities of the world and its characters.

I didn’t realize this was only a snippet and I’m so sad! Loved the writing style and set up! Can’t wait to read more of this world!

The first 2 chapters of this book are already so intriguing. I will definitely be adding this book to my TBR. The concept and world are something I personally have never experienced when it comes to books I’ve read and I am excited to see what happens with Dawsyn! 3.5 stars for the first 2 chapters.

This was just the first chapter of the book but I loved the sampler anyway!
I will definitely go buy the book, I need to read the entire story!
I’m so glad I read this first chapter🥰
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book!

If you are a romantasy book girlie and love a fast paced, high stake, enemies to lovers with found family, slow burn and a touch of spice, you need to get you’re hands on this book! It ticks all the boxes and with Stacey McEwan’s use of imagery throughout, you feel you are transported into the book alongside Dawson and Ryon.

The story begins in a cold, unforgiving place tucked between a deadly chasm and a sheer, vertical mountain wall. A small population of humans are trapped here, fighting the elements and sometimes each other just to survive another day. They were isolated here by savage winged monsters known as ‘the Glacions’ as their own personal farm. Every 6 months the Glacions swoop in and take a handful of people to sacrifice.

The Ledge follows Dawson, a fiery young lass who has had to learn how to fight to defend herself and survive the harsh life on the Ledge. She has little trust in others and gives off strong ‘Celaena Sardothien’ vibes - although not a trained assassin, Dawson is adept at defending herself and is a stab and ask questions later type of girl. Dawson is also very bold and determined, caring and thoughtful for others and dishes out some sass.

I’m excited to pick up the next book the Chasm and continue this story!!

Great start to this book - but I am so disappointed that I only got the first two chapters! I think this would be an excellent read and likely fast as it really captivates you from the start. I will need to find this now on my kindle.

What a great start! This is only two chapters, but you’ve hooked me. I’ve seen this book on social media a bunch, but I’m always a little wary of the popular booktok choices. Some are great, but I’ve been burned before. I haven’t been able to get this from my library yet, but after this sample I will be off to buy the ebook! Thanks!

This is only a sampler of the first 2 chapters, so I wasn’t expecting much, but wow! I was immediately drawn in and got such eerie Winter vibes from this - I could almost feel the cold and frost radiating from the page. The setting immediately made me think of The Wall in GOT. I also loved the brief bit of wit and humour we got from our FMC, Dawsyn, who seems quite resigned at the beginning of this book.

It’s obviously hard to give a higher rating when the scene for the story is still very much being set. I’ll definitely be picking this book up soon as I just loved the author's descriptive writing style!

I is a sample of the first book in this series by Stacey McEwan.
I was glad I had the opportunity to read the first two chapters of Ledge.
I loved this and am hooked. I cannot wait to start reading this entire series.