anabelsbrother's review
3.0
3.5/5
I reviewed the whole series on Romances Ever After.
[Possible triggers: kidnapping, dubious consent]
Now that I finished all four books, I can say that the first book is the weakest in the series, but it’s still entertaining and a good start.
Tyr is the war chief of the raider clan, fiercely loyal to his king, Wulf, and his people. The raiders have a reputation to be fearsome men who live by their own law and code, which is vastly different from the rest of the surviving human race, or the mainlanders. He met Helena, a mainland woman, in one of the raids he led, and was immediately drawn to her feistiness and spirit. However, Helena has her own secret, one she would die to protect, and a mission trusted upon her by her late parents, and she would do everything in her power to carry it out.
What I love about Edge of Obsession is how the difference between the mainlander’s way of living and the raiders’ is highlighted through Helena and Tyr. They both have different upbringings and worldviews as well a set prejudice against each other’s people. The more time they spend with each other, the more they learned about each other, and found things to respect about each other.
I do feel like this book is sex-heavy (boy did the raiders love their sex orgies), and while I didn’t mind it one bit (heh), it will probably bug people who prefer more dystopia with their stories. Helena’s mysterious mission kind of got sidelined by her and Tyr’s explosive attraction to each other and all the sexy times they had until probably some 70-80% of the story, so yea it might be a deal-breaker to some.
I reviewed the whole series on Romances Ever After.
[Possible triggers: kidnapping, dubious consent]
Now that I finished all four books, I can say that the first book is the weakest in the series, but it’s still entertaining and a good start.
Tyr is the war chief of the raider clan, fiercely loyal to his king, Wulf, and his people. The raiders have a reputation to be fearsome men who live by their own law and code, which is vastly different from the rest of the surviving human race, or the mainlanders. He met Helena, a mainland woman, in one of the raids he led, and was immediately drawn to her feistiness and spirit. However, Helena has her own secret, one she would die to protect, and a mission trusted upon her by her late parents, and she would do everything in her power to carry it out.
What I love about Edge of Obsession is how the difference between the mainlander’s way of living and the raiders’ is highlighted through Helena and Tyr. They both have different upbringings and worldviews as well a set prejudice against each other’s people. The more time they spend with each other, the more they learned about each other, and found things to respect about each other.
I do feel like this book is sex-heavy (boy did the raiders love their sex orgies), and while I didn’t mind it one bit (heh), it will probably bug people who prefer more dystopia with their stories. Helena’s mysterious mission kind of got sidelined by her and Tyr’s explosive attraction to each other and all the sexy times they had until probably some 70-80% of the story, so yea it might be a deal-breaker to some.
leonareadsalot's review
This review was originally posted at my website, Leona Woolfolk*I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
With a hot cover and intriguing synopsis I was so excited to bust open the pages of The Edge of Obsession by Megan Crane and to be struck by how amazing the storyline was going to be.
Sadly, it was very early in the beginning as I was reading that I started to get the feeling that this book wasn’t going to do it for me and rarely, almost never, has that feeling let me down, but always wanting to give a story the benefit of the doubt I continued to read on hoping that the feeling would either go away or I would find something redeeming about the story. But let me back it up for a minute. I didn’t close this book’s pages indefinitely based off a feeling I had, I closed this book’s pages because of the dominant amount of description over the almost nonexistent dialogue between the characters. Yes, I understood that The Edge of Obsession is potentially the first book in a new series and that a book world foundation needed to be laid so that the books that follow would have something to stand on and that the readers would be able to understand how this world, created by the author, worked, but even still, a healthy balance of description and dialogue needed to be had. A perfect example of this would be while I was reading about the story’s present situation in the point of view of Tyr, suddenly something would trigger a thought from his past and he would go on a tangent (for a while - a few paragraphs maybe and sometimes pages) until something would jolt him back to the present, he’ll then say something to someone, and then be immediately thrown right back into his thoughts, his past, or whatever assumptions he could come up with as to where his foe might be.
Amongst all this describing and in the few moments of dialogue the heroine is finally revealed. Then shortly after, she gets kidnapped and her and Tyr are doing dirty things to each other and my thoughts are just like, “REALLY?! REALLY?!” There’s nothing I hate more than characters jumping right into intimate relations with each other without any basis of an attraction. While I’m thinking about it, I think the author tried to do this but it wasn’t executed properly. It felt like the attraction between Tyr and Helena was based off the highly sexualized culture that they lived in - in Helena’s culture the women where practically breeders, and in Tyr’s culture sex was a means to a satisfying end. I would’ve been okay if they had hate sex but somehow Helena got it into her head that she was severely attracted to Tyr when Tyr basically would tell her that she could’ve been any woman and he would penetrate.
After these situations left me scratching my head in confusion as to what this story’s plot (other than Tyr trying to find the man who killed his brother) was going to be about, I couldn’t go forward and finish Edge of Obsession by Megan Crane.
With a hot cover and intriguing synopsis I was so excited to bust open the pages of The Edge of Obsession by Megan Crane and to be struck by how amazing the storyline was going to be.
Sadly, it was very early in the beginning as I was reading that I started to get the feeling that this book wasn’t going to do it for me and rarely, almost never, has that feeling let me down, but always wanting to give a story the benefit of the doubt I continued to read on hoping that the feeling would either go away or I would find something redeeming about the story. But let me back it up for a minute. I didn’t close this book’s pages indefinitely based off a feeling I had, I closed this book’s pages because of the dominant amount of description over the almost nonexistent dialogue between the characters. Yes, I understood that The Edge of Obsession is potentially the first book in a new series and that a book world foundation needed to be laid so that the books that follow would have something to stand on and that the readers would be able to understand how this world, created by the author, worked, but even still, a healthy balance of description and dialogue needed to be had. A perfect example of this would be while I was reading about the story’s present situation in the point of view of Tyr, suddenly something would trigger a thought from his past and he would go on a tangent (for a while - a few paragraphs maybe and sometimes pages) until something would jolt him back to the present, he’ll then say something to someone, and then be immediately thrown right back into his thoughts, his past, or whatever assumptions he could come up with as to where his foe might be.
Amongst all this describing and in the few moments of dialogue the heroine is finally revealed. Then shortly after, she gets kidnapped and her and Tyr are doing dirty things to each other and my thoughts are just like, “REALLY?! REALLY?!” There’s nothing I hate more than characters jumping right into intimate relations with each other without any basis of an attraction. While I’m thinking about it, I think the author tried to do this but it wasn’t executed properly. It felt like the attraction between Tyr and Helena was based off the highly sexualized culture that they lived in - in Helena’s culture the women where practically breeders, and in Tyr’s culture sex was a means to a satisfying end. I would’ve been okay if they had hate sex but somehow Helena got it into her head that she was severely attracted to Tyr when Tyr basically would tell her that she could’ve been any woman and he would penetrate.
After these situations left me scratching my head in confusion as to what this story’s plot (other than Tyr trying to find the man who killed his brother) was going to be about, I couldn’t go forward and finish Edge of Obsession by Megan Crane.
emilyhei's review
4.0
Helena has been running with the intent of not being caught, she never expected to be captured by Raiders. It didn't help that she couldn't stop herself from putting up a fight and capturing the interest of Tyr.
The world now is all about women serving as a winter wife, used to conceive before being sent to the next man if they don't succeed. Helena is not thrilled with what is expected, and she has her own reasons for not wanting to be apart of it. Tyr calls to her though and doesn't let up about his interest in her. Helena is at a crossroads while Tyr struggles with what he is feeling towards Helena, is she just one of many?
Intriguing story. I thought this whole concept was fascinating. Liked Tyr, he is not overly warm and fuzzy but sometimes you sense a softer side to his gruff demeanor. Helena is a fighter, once you uncover her reasons behind what she has done you are cheering her on. Great read.
The world now is all about women serving as a winter wife, used to conceive before being sent to the next man if they don't succeed. Helena is not thrilled with what is expected, and she has her own reasons for not wanting to be apart of it. Tyr calls to her though and doesn't let up about his interest in her. Helena is at a crossroads while Tyr struggles with what he is feeling towards Helena, is she just one of many?
Intriguing story. I thought this whole concept was fascinating. Liked Tyr, he is not overly warm and fuzzy but sometimes you sense a softer side to his gruff demeanor. Helena is a fighter, once you uncover her reasons behind what she has done you are cheering her on. Great read.
bananatricky's review
4.0
So I requested the third book in this series from NetGalley not realising that it was the third book in a series. I loved it so much that I got the first two books PDQ.
First off, this series is about a dystopian viking-type world. Think bands of marauding warriors on long boats, braids, fighting and fucking. Lots of fucking. Honestly, if my use of the f-word in this review offends you DO NOT under any circumstances read this book.
The world failed, the seas rose about 100 years ago and most of the continental USA is under water. The USA has regressed into a semi-feudal society in which priests control access to what little electricity remains by claiming old power plants as temples. With a limited population the priests mandate the population enter into marriage purely for procreation during the cold winter months. Each couple is required to have sex every night, but anything that doesn't lead to pregnancy is strictly forbidden. As a consequence sex has become a chore for most. These people call themselves the Compliant. Think of some of the less-developed worlds of Firefly.
The exception are the raiders. Like the vikings of old, the raiders are a race apart. Bound by oaths of allegiance to their king, they believe in the power of the sword. Tyr is the Kings War Chief, when leading a raid on a small settlement he runs into a woman who challenges him. The woman, Helena is part of a family whose mission is to reconnect the USA to the power stations and to give electricity back to the people.
I'll be honest, I think the third book is better than the first book, although all the story arc points are mentioned in this first book I would describe this book as plot light, heavy on the sex. Helena has always followed the Compliant way, even though her parents were a love match and taught her to think for herself. When she enters the raisers' secret base she is shocked by the rampant, non-Compliant, hedonistic sex which takes place all around her (and I do mean all around her).
Whilst Tyr is the sort of alpha dominant male character that I usually loathe with every fibre of my being, I actually quite liked him. Don't get me wrong, he still acted like a douche at times, and apparently he needed to force Helena to beg for help, obvs because "she needed it" like every other alpha douche always just knows what a woman needs because they all have degrees in psychology, but somehow in a post-apocalyptic society where might rules it seems more acceptable. And somehow, calling the love of your life "a little shit" becomes quite endearing.
If your OCD reading habits can allow you to read out of sequence I would definitely recommend reading the third book before the first, unless you are just jonesing for some raunchy sexy reads, the third book develops the plot more, still steamy but definitely plot driven.
Anyway, I've promised myself that I will clear some of my NetGalley TBR pile before I allow myself to read the second book, but I'm really looking forward to it.
First off, this series is about a dystopian viking-type world. Think bands of marauding warriors on long boats, braids, fighting and fucking. Lots of fucking. Honestly, if my use of the f-word in this review offends you DO NOT under any circumstances read this book.
The world failed, the seas rose about 100 years ago and most of the continental USA is under water. The USA has regressed into a semi-feudal society in which priests control access to what little electricity remains by claiming old power plants as temples. With a limited population the priests mandate the population enter into marriage purely for procreation during the cold winter months. Each couple is required to have sex every night, but anything that doesn't lead to pregnancy is strictly forbidden. As a consequence sex has become a chore for most. These people call themselves the Compliant. Think of some of the less-developed worlds of Firefly.
The exception are the raiders. Like the vikings of old, the raiders are a race apart. Bound by oaths of allegiance to their king, they believe in the power of the sword. Tyr is the Kings War Chief, when leading a raid on a small settlement he runs into a woman who challenges him. The woman, Helena is part of a family whose mission is to reconnect the USA to the power stations and to give electricity back to the people.
I'll be honest, I think the third book is better than the first book, although all the story arc points are mentioned in this first book I would describe this book as plot light, heavy on the sex. Helena has always followed the Compliant way, even though her parents were a love match and taught her to think for herself. When she enters the raisers' secret base she is shocked by the rampant, non-Compliant, hedonistic sex which takes place all around her (and I do mean all around her).
Whilst Tyr is the sort of alpha dominant male character that I usually loathe with every fibre of my being, I actually quite liked him. Don't get me wrong, he still acted like a douche at times, and apparently he needed to force Helena to beg for help, obvs because "she needed it" like every other alpha douche always just knows what a woman needs because they all have degrees in psychology, but somehow in a post-apocalyptic society where might rules it seems more acceptable. And somehow, calling the love of your life "a little shit" becomes quite endearing.
If your OCD reading habits can allow you to read out of sequence I would definitely recommend reading the third book before the first, unless you are just jonesing for some raunchy sexy reads, the third book develops the plot more, still steamy but definitely plot driven.
Anyway, I've promised myself that I will clear some of my NetGalley TBR pile before I allow myself to read the second book, but I'm really looking forward to it.
kellym_16829's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
prgchrqltma's review
DNF around 10%. Was expecting romantic suspense, got dystopian viking warrior romance. Was so startled, I paged back to make sure that someone hadn't put in a different book. Just not my thing.
nikkisbooknook's review
4.0
Tyr is the epitome of an alpha male. A bit of a man-whore at first with extreme caveman like subtleties but with a soft centre of awesome all wrapped up in a layer of muscle - yummmmmm.
The world has gone to hell and the "kings" use religion to take what they want. The raiders are made out to be the bad guys but they are really rebelling against these cold calculating kills. They are not just the cold hearted killers and they are trying to repopulate their numbers .
"He already knew she liked it when he told her what to do. Now he knew she liked being pinned down while she was filled with his c??k, as she'd liked it when he was licking her c??t." Is one of the hottest lines in the book in my opinion!
TY had some witty one liners and it's almost like an inner monologue! Do you want to slap him occasionally, of course you do - that's the sign of a character who gets you engaged and caught up in the story.
The action could have been a bit more punchy in places but I enjoyed immensely and would happily read others in this series.
The world has gone to hell and the "kings" use religion to take what they want. The raiders are made out to be the bad guys but they are really rebelling against these cold calculating kills. They are not just the cold hearted killers and they are trying to repopulate their numbers .
"He already knew she liked it when he told her what to do. Now he knew she liked being pinned down while she was filled with his c??k, as she'd liked it when he was licking her c??t." Is one of the hottest lines in the book in my opinion!
TY had some witty one liners and it's almost like an inner monologue! Do you want to slap him occasionally, of course you do - that's the sign of a character who gets you engaged and caught up in the story.
The action could have been a bit more punchy in places but I enjoyed immensely and would happily read others in this series.
beth5677's review
2.0
***** I received this book through Net-galley in exchange for an honest review. *****
This is a dystopian erotic romance. I really like the premise of the book. But I got bogged down in the world building and it took me nearly half the book to get in a groove with characters. At times the sex seemed to override the plot. It’s a great concept and I really wish I could have enjoyed the book more. If this was to become a series I may give the second book chance. Currently this is a standalone novel.
This is a dystopian erotic romance. I really like the premise of the book. But I got bogged down in the world building and it took me nearly half the book to get in a groove with characters. At times the sex seemed to override the plot. It’s a great concept and I really wish I could have enjoyed the book more. If this was to become a series I may give the second book chance. Currently this is a standalone novel.
buttonsandbooks's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Well if this wasn't an interesting tale I wasn't expecting. Have you heard of Story Graph? It's an app similar to Goodreads, but it actually recommends books based on what you're looking for at the moment. I was looking for a fantasy like world with some heat and boy, did Edge of Obsession deliver on both of those accounts. 😂
The world as we know it is gone. It's been ravaged by flooding and technology, electricity, and internet is no longer. In this world, people do what they need to in order to survive. At least, that's what Helena is doing. She's surviving the current flood season in a little coven run by a tiny little Napoleon, who happens to have gotten her sister pregnant during their winter marriage. I'm this world, women are essentially currency and repopulating is gold. Helena has no use for a husband or a winter marriage, she wants to turn the lights on. She's sick of living in a world where arrogant men control things. Enter alpha male Tyr, a raider who's come to raid her coven. Tyr gets more than he bargains for with Helena, who does not cower in front of him. Rather, she mouths off and he takes her hostage. But is it being a hostage when secretly that's what she desired? Thrust into a new world of raiders, clan life, and extremely open sex, Helena adjusts and starts to figure out what it is she wants in life and it just may be the brute who captured her.
This was crazy graphic and sexy 100%, and even the overall plot was actually interesting, but the ending was so far from fulfilling. Tyr was so caveman like throughout most of this book, never actually expressing his thoughts but grunting. It was barbaric, but in some ways fulfilling when he actually spoke. He antagonizeD Helena throughout, but she saw through him. Was this smutty? Hell yes, it was gloriously dirty, but it actually had a plot. One I would have liked to see carried out, but one nonetheless.
The world as we know it is gone. It's been ravaged by flooding and technology, electricity, and internet is no longer. In this world, people do what they need to in order to survive. At least, that's what Helena is doing. She's surviving the current flood season in a little coven run by a tiny little Napoleon, who happens to have gotten her sister pregnant during their winter marriage. I'm this world, women are essentially currency and repopulating is gold. Helena has no use for a husband or a winter marriage, she wants to turn the lights on. She's sick of living in a world where arrogant men control things. Enter alpha male Tyr, a raider who's come to raid her coven. Tyr gets more than he bargains for with Helena, who does not cower in front of him. Rather, she mouths off and he takes her hostage. But is it being a hostage when secretly that's what she desired? Thrust into a new world of raiders, clan life, and extremely open sex, Helena adjusts and starts to figure out what it is she wants in life and it just may be the brute who captured her.
This was crazy graphic and sexy 100%, and even the overall plot was actually interesting, but the ending was so far from fulfilling. Tyr was so caveman like throughout most of this book, never actually expressing his thoughts but grunting. It was barbaric, but in some ways fulfilling when he actually spoke. He antagonizeD Helena throughout, but she saw through him. Was this smutty? Hell yes, it was gloriously dirty, but it actually had a plot. One I would have liked to see carried out, but one nonetheless.
theladyinreds's review
3.0
Post-apocalyptic wasteland world, asshole viking raider hero, heroine with a secret. Hot public sex? Yeah, this book has a little bit of everything. I liked the world-building a lot. The hero is a total old-school asshole. I devoured the sequel as soon as I finished this first book.
Books 1 and 2 Full Review: http://goodbadandunread.com/2016/04/25/dds-review-the-edge-series-by-megan-crane/
Books 1 and 2 Full Review: http://goodbadandunread.com/2016/04/25/dds-review-the-edge-series-by-megan-crane/