Review: The Edge of Everything - Jeff Giles

The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles
My Rating : {★★★★☆}

Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy
Expected publication: January 31st 2017 by Bloomsbury 

Source: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc via NetGalley

It's been a shattering year for seventeen-year-old Zoe, who's still reeling from her father's shockingly sudden death in a caving accident and her neighbors' mysterious disappearance from their own home. Then on a terrifying sub-zero, blizzardy night in Montana, she and her brother are brutally attacked in a cabin in the woods--only to be rescued by a mysterious bounty hunter they call X.

X is no ordinary bounty hunter. He is from a hell called the Lowlands, sent to claim the soul of Zoe's evil attacker and others like him. Forbidden to reveal himself to anyone other than his victims, X casts aside the Lowlands' rules for Zoe. As X and Zoe learn more about their different worlds, they begin to question the past, their fate, and their future. But escaping the Lowlands and the ties that bind X might mean the ultimate sacrifice for both of them.

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I sat down with this book, but it definitely exceeded whatever expectations I had. I blame the cover - it's pretty misleading!

This book is unique with both accessible, contemporary writing and beautiful imagery. The plot is well layered and although there are some definite YA tropes they are played off very well and integrated with a wonderfully refreshing premise.

Jeff Giles has an absolutely wonderful way of building relationships between the characters. The relationship between Zoe and her mom was wonderful to see and really lay a strong foundation for the beginning of the book. My favourite character by far though was Zoe's younger brother and his interactions and relationships throughout the book were both believable and wondrous. I loved every scene with him and his character, although secondary was incredibly complex.

The insta-love aspect was a little annoying although I was totally expecting an explanation to come forth. I'm sure that there was more there than met the eye and either I didn't pick up on the reason OR it's coming in a sequel? It's hard to say as the book could actually stand on it's own and yet I'm dying to know and read more so I hope that there's another one coming.

It's a wonderful story of the choices that we make in life and how we are all flawed and selfish. It's about how you don't need to be what you are brought up to be and the fact that even your parents are human and can make mistakes. It's about chasing after what you love. It's about redemption.

There's a lot of great dialogue, witty and sharp humour and a story and characters that you can root for all intertwined with suspense, mystery and dark fantasy. I highly recommend this book!