Edge of Survival: A Tantalizing Glimpse into a Dystopian World

Did I tell you I requested way too many ARCs from NetGalley? Yes, I did. Well, today we’re discussing “Ledge” by Stacey McEwan, but not the whole book, just the first couple of chapters. I’ll have to admit that when I requested the book, I was so enamored with the cover and the description that it was totally lost on me that this was a sampler and not the full book. Would it have made any difference? Probably not. I was so intrigued that I had to see what this was all about. I just wanted to clarify that this is not a review of the whole book, more like a first impression based on the first two chapters. Okay? Now let’s see what the premise it, shall we?

Book Description from the back cover

After being randomly selected as a human sacrifice, instead of death, Dawsyn finds herself on a quest to save her people from their icy prison...

In a place known as the Ledge, a civilization is trapped by a vast chasm and sheer mountain face. There is no way for anyone to escape the frozen wasteland without befalling a deathly drop. They know nothing of the outside world except that it is where the Glacians reside – mystical and vicious winged creatures who bring meagre rations in exchange for a periodic human sacrifice.

Dawsyn, ax wielder and only remaining member of her family, has so far avoided the annual culling, but her luck has run out. She is chosen and ripped from her icy home, the only world she knows. No one knows what will happen to her on the other side, least of all Dawsyn. Murdered? Enslaved? Worse?

Fortunately, a half-Glacian called Ryon offers to help them both escape, but how can she trust one of the very creatures that plagued her life? Dawsyn is a survivor, and she is not afraid to cut anyone down to live.

With a slow-burning romance, high stakes and even higher rewards, this richly created new fantasy series by popular TikToker Stacey McEwan will keep you gripped to the very end.

My first impression after reading the sampler

“Ledge” kicks off with a tantalizing glimpse into a dystopian world perched on the edge of survival. Through just two chapters, we meet Dawsyn, a character yearning for more amidst a harsh landscape of scarcity and danger.

The author wastes no time in immersing you in this precarious civilization, where villagers rely on winged Glacians for survival, but at a cost: twice-yearly sacrifices. Dawsyn’s journey reflects the broader struggles of her community, leaving us eager to uncover the secrets of the Selection and the origins of the Ledge itself.

With its blend of dystopian themes and fantastical elements, “Ledge” promises a captivating read. I now want to read the full story and see if it delivers on that promise. For fans of the genre seeking a fresh take, “Ledge” is definitely worth adding to your reading list.