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lmbartelt's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not the kind of person who gushes, but I'll make an exception for this book. I finished reading it hours ago and I'm still freaking out about the ending and how overall stunning the writing and story were. I really liked the first book in this series and I LOVED this story. Get your hands on it!
(I read an advance copy of the book provided by the publisher.)
(I read an advance copy of the book provided by the publisher.)
annalee_brant29's review
didn't realize it was a sequel to a prior story. will read the first book and then come back (it had a great intro, but it was confusing...since i hadn't read the first book in the series lol)
bookworm_baggins's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the first book (The Day the Angels Fell) and went into this one honestly skeptical that the author could pull it off again. Sequels are hard. This one was better than the first. Wow. Loved it. I loved the creativity of how the story was told (as a story) and the main character was fantastic. Totally believable and relatable and heroic. I am 99% sure we are set up for an epic conclusion, and now I will have to wait patiently for the author to keep writing!
afro75's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It's like the walking dead meets game of thrones.
merieshenanigans's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I had no expectations going into this book. I haven't ever read a book by Shawn Smucker before this one, and I haven't even read the prequel to this one (didn't know it existed! xD). BUT The Edge of Over There turned out to be a lovely read, which I really and truly enjoyed!
For starters, the writing style is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. It was lyrical and rhythmic and vivid and gorgeously detailed. Combined with the overall story concept, the book in itself was really great. I might have been slow to warm up to it in the beginning, but afterward I couldn't put it down (couldn't, but had to :P).
The characters came alive on every page. Abra was a wonderful heroine, although personally I was more invested in Leo and Ruby's storyline. (That may or may not be because Leo and Ruby are two of my favoritest names in the universe, so naturally, they ended up being my favorite characters. #ThisActuallyHappensAlltheTime) Beatrice and KN were both very intriguing as well... but I don't mean that as a compliment. Yuck.
I loved the allegory of this story. This is kind of the vaguer, more imaginative type of allegory-- the kind which requires some thinking on the reader's part but in truth turns out to be the most relevant to real life. It was masterfully done, in the fashion of C.S. Lewis. That part as a real gem.
Overall, I'd give it a 4.5 star. I was really satisfied in closing this book. Recommended for all lovers of Narnian allegorical fantasy… and for those who aren't as well!
I had no expectations going into this book. I haven't ever read a book by Shawn Smucker before this one, and I haven't even read the prequel to this one (didn't know it existed! xD). BUT The Edge of Over There turned out to be a lovely read, which I really and truly enjoyed!
For starters, the writing style is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. It was lyrical and rhythmic and vivid and gorgeously detailed. Combined with the overall story concept, the book in itself was really great. I might have been slow to warm up to it in the beginning, but afterward I couldn't put it down (couldn't, but had to :P).
The characters came alive on every page. Abra was a wonderful heroine, although personally I was more invested in Leo and Ruby's storyline. (That may or may not be because Leo and Ruby are two of my favoritest names in the universe, so naturally, they ended up being my favorite characters. #ThisActuallyHappensAlltheTime) Beatrice and KN were both very intriguing as well... but I don't mean that as a compliment. Yuck.
I loved the allegory of this story. This is kind of the vaguer, more imaginative type of allegory-- the kind which requires some thinking on the reader's part but in truth turns out to be the most relevant to real life. It was masterfully done, in the fashion of C.S. Lewis. That part as a real gem.
Overall, I'd give it a 4.5 star. I was really satisfied in closing this book. Recommended for all lovers of Narnian allegorical fantasy… and for those who aren't as well!
shhanson's review against another edition
5.0
Another fantastic book by Shawn Smucker! Am I surprised? Not really! It might even be better than the first book, The Day The Angels Fell. It's full of vivid imagery, well-developed characters, a fantastical plot, and just all the good stuff!
This time we follow Abra, now sixteen, as she seeks to find and destroy the next Tree after the evil woman from the end of the first book appears in her life. Her journey intertwines with Leo's, a boy who's sister disappeared years ago, and when the get to the Edge if Over There, they don't know who to trust or if they can accomplish what they came for and get out in time.
Again, it deals with heavy topics like death and sickness and what we are willing to do to keep those things from happening to the ones we love with such depth and mystery. It's so well written, and it kept me reading late into the night.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES!! Unfortunately I have no idea when it will come out
This time we follow Abra, now sixteen, as she seeks to find and destroy the next Tree after the evil woman from the end of the first book appears in her life. Her journey intertwines with Leo's, a boy who's sister disappeared years ago, and when the get to the Edge if Over There, they don't know who to trust or if they can accomplish what they came for and get out in time.
Again, it deals with heavy topics like death and sickness and what we are willing to do to keep those things from happening to the ones we love with such depth and mystery. It's so well written, and it kept me reading late into the night.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES!! Unfortunately I have no idea when it will come out
jill_rey's review against another edition
5.0
This book took me out of my comfort zone as I entered the fantasy worlds created within The Edge of Over There. Abra Miller may be young, but she’s been chosen to carry the sword. So, when another Tree of Life appears she must enter the gateway between her world and Over There to destroy it. But who can she trust? And will she destroy it in time?
The Edge of Over There is book two of The Day the Angels Fell series so I was worried I would be lost jumping right into the middle of the series, especially given the fantastical nature of this read, but I was pleasantly surprised by how easily I was drawn into Abra’s orbit as she balances the mysterious characters that enter her life with her responsibilities to destroy the life-giving trees.
Author, Shawn Smucker has incredible eye for detail as he creates a purgatory-type world, full of characters, conflict and separation. The world Smucker has created may be fiction, but his style of writing makes it feel so real, the landscape, magic sword and angelic characters blended seamlessly into the story making it feel like a suspenseful read in the heart of fantasy.
For the full review, visit: https://fortheloveofthepageblog.wordpress.com/
*Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Edge of Over There is book two of The Day the Angels Fell series so I was worried I would be lost jumping right into the middle of the series, especially given the fantastical nature of this read, but I was pleasantly surprised by how easily I was drawn into Abra’s orbit as she balances the mysterious characters that enter her life with her responsibilities to destroy the life-giving trees.
Author, Shawn Smucker has incredible eye for detail as he creates a purgatory-type world, full of characters, conflict and separation. The world Smucker has created may be fiction, but his style of writing makes it feel so real, the landscape, magic sword and angelic characters blended seamlessly into the story making it feel like a suspenseful read in the heart of fantasy.
For the full review, visit: https://fortheloveofthepageblog.wordpress.com/
*Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
rockinrev's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
It's a very good book for a teen reader. Incorporates teen developmental issues and sprituality subtly and well. Major story line is about spiritual warfare. An enjoyable read.
kathryn_changedbychrist's review
4.0
The first thing about this book that really stood out to me was the writing. OH MY GOODNESS, it was like poetry.
Smucker amazed me with, first of all, his ability to write such lyrical stories, and secondly, his ability to transport you into the characters. As I read along, I felt like I was that 12 year old girl or the 80 year old man. No matter the view point, I felt like I was in the characters heads and I began to react just as they did.
The story itself was very well done. Yes, you could tell this is geared for a bit of a younger audience, but I still enjoyed the read immensely. As I said above, the characters voice was amazingly well done, but I also felt that the characters were very realistic as well. They faced failures and setbacks and moments of weakness, just like all of us, and I really appreciated that he included their humanness in it.
I already said this, yes, but the writing was amazing. Smucker used some very colorful and vivid descriptions that really helped to give the story its unique feel. I did, however, feel that some of the descriptions went a little overboard and bordered on unrealistic. I mean, who takes notice of someone else’s tongue size and color??
All in all, this was a very good book and I would definitely recommend it to someone who’s read the first. It did seem a little prolonged toward the ending, but I also wasn’t exactly in the mood to read it when I picked it up, so I know that had something to do with it.
**I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts in this review are my own. I promise I didn’t copy anyone else’s thoughts!**
Smucker amazed me with, first of all, his ability to write such lyrical stories, and secondly, his ability to transport you into the characters. As I read along, I felt like I was that 12 year old girl or the 80 year old man. No matter the view point, I felt like I was in the characters heads and I began to react just as they did.
The story itself was very well done. Yes, you could tell this is geared for a bit of a younger audience, but I still enjoyed the read immensely. As I said above, the characters voice was amazingly well done, but I also felt that the characters were very realistic as well. They faced failures and setbacks and moments of weakness, just like all of us, and I really appreciated that he included their humanness in it.
I already said this, yes, but the writing was amazing. Smucker used some very colorful and vivid descriptions that really helped to give the story its unique feel. I did, however, feel that some of the descriptions went a little overboard and bordered on unrealistic. I mean, who takes notice of someone else’s tongue size and color??
All in all, this was a very good book and I would definitely recommend it to someone who’s read the first. It did seem a little prolonged toward the ending, but I also wasn’t exactly in the mood to read it when I picked it up, so I know that had something to do with it.
**I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts in this review are my own. I promise I didn’t copy anyone else’s thoughts!**
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