I liked it enough to consider finishing the book - which is the point. I like the premise and want to know what happens.

I got intrigued by this extract. It fits the description but it wasn't enough for me to develop a real opinion.

In a place known solely as the Ledge, a “town” trapped by a vast chasm and sheer mountain face. There’s nowhere for them to escape the frozen wasteland without falling due to the deathly drop. They know nothing of the outside world. But what they do know are The Glacians. Vicious winged creatures bringing them meagre rations in return for a periodic human sacrifice. Dawsyn is the only remaining member of her family. She has avoided being taken but now her luck has run out. Dawsyn finds herself chosen, ripped from her icy home, the only world she’s known. No one knows what will happen once taken from the land of the Ledge by the Glacians. Least of all Dawsyn.

Fortunately, a half-Glacian called Ryon offers to help them both escape. But how can Dawsyn trust the one creature that she has always hated? The very creatures that have plagued her life with so much strife?

Ledge has been on my TBR since I first saw the cover and knew I needed to add it to my shelves (I am totally a cover buyer). This ambitious fantasy debut is the first book in the Glacian trilogy series. A sizzling story filled with an excellent premise and vivid writing. Ledge delivers on all cylinders.

In this epic fantasy, we follow Dawsyn. Think of her like a Kill Bill fairy-esque human. That takes no shit! Dawsyn is very much a smart-mouthed, quick-witted girl. The act now and ask questions later type. Messing with Dawsyn you will often find her ax in a part of your body! And I love that for her.

THE COLD IS NOT ALIVE..
She feels it is the end of the line when she is taken from the ledge to where the glacians reside in Glacia. But, a cocky Glacian king gives her (and all the others captured with her) a choice, enter the pool of Iskra, taking her very essence, or run the hillside. Of course, Dawsyn chooses to run! Thus the unwinding of the tale.

The story of the Ledge is told in third person close. I often feel I don’t particularly appreciate when stories are told from this point of view. Giving a shroud of something that I want to shrug off. It isn’t engaging enough for me.

And, oftentimes with a POV being third person close, it feels like someone is telling you a story instead of showing you what is happening. Adding to this feeling is the repetition of the first 30 pages. Circling and circling, spiraling down a drain, that is a never-ending cycle of the Ledge, the Chasm, and the Glacians, tightly packed together.

While all those moments of frustration are true this feels like something more. As it progresses it loosens evolving into a harmoniously frost tale. Like a lover reminiscing over history shared, moments stolen and battles had. So after reading Ledge, I find I am more inclined to read this POV style than previously.

STAY THE FROST…
In addition, the pacing feels slow. Not glacially (get it lol glacially) so but slow enough that you crave a quicker tempo. Which could be due to the angle of the point of view or the buildup to the grand reveal. But, as the story progresses it melts and molds into a breathtaking story, understanding why it carries that way.

Let’s talk about the writing. Author Stacey Mcewan’s writing is beautiful. Vivid and lush without being overly flowery. Suiting Ledge perfectly. There are moments where the details didn’t quite fit, giving a forced quality to it, but those were few and far between. Some of my favorite moments are when Dawsyn learns what money is, and when she sees the ocean for the first time. Stealing her breath and making her realize there is so much more than just the icy ledge she’s inhabited for so long.

The overall plot and premise are well done and unique. It is engaging (aside from those moments I mentioned) and leaves room for your brain to work and parse questions. This breathing room is actually what keeps you wanting to turn the pages.

The world-building had a great balance, sometimes wishing there was a little more to tip the scales into excellent territory. While the characters added to the world building giving additional fascination and detail. I wish there was a little more explanation given. As someone who needs to connect with the characters to fully enjoy a story, it feels like there wasn’t enough.

As you probably guessed we’re going to talk about character development. For the first half of the book, Dawsyn is an overgrown child. This could be due to her lack of experience with the world outside the icy land of the ledge. As the story progresses she is still a smart-mouthed woman just a little more well-rounded I like to think lol.

WATCH THE CHASM…
And then there is the romance. The Ledge would be considered a TRUE enemies-to-lovers story. With no “instalove” and true hatred (at least on Dawsyn’s side). Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes (when done right). Their romance doesn’t feel overtly physical, with a gradual building of interest and crumbling of walls and prejudices between the two.

Is it spicy? Yes! There are a few open-door scenes that are well-written. Not for teens. He literally feasts on her on a table (whew flashbacks). In conjunction with the enemies-to-lovers aspect of Ledge there is a great build-up to the true spice scenes (there is one in the very beginning but it doesn’t strike me as a true scene). If you aren’t one for spice I would suggest skipping this series.

What I don’t like is the constant “girl” that Ryon throws out when talking to Dawsyn. Even when he knows her name it’s girl. And yes is she acting like a kid, absolutely do you have to constantly call her that ABSOLUTELY NOT! Please use some other term of endearment. It was annoying.

Let’s wrap this up, shall we? So what do I give this new fantasy series? This gutsy epic fantasy gets 4.5 stars. Some moments were obvious to me (I didn’t mention them in this review because it can be seen as a SPOILER). But overall, it was very enjoyable. The romance was solid. The banter, even more so with Dawsyn spitting fire at Ryon constantly! And after that ending, I have to continue to see what’s next for Dawsyn!

*Content warnings* gratuitous violence & death; death of a minor; suicide; attempted sexual assault

Ledge is perfect for your book clubs! It is available on Kindle or you can buy a copy wherever books are sold! Book 2 to the Glacian trilogy Chasm is out now!

Really enjoyed this two chapter sampler.

Already I feel I have a small grasp of Dawsyn’s world and life on the Ledge.

I’ll definitely be purchasing a copy to find out what happens next.

Oh God such a teaser!!! M immediately going to buy this book now . Aaahhhh!! Can't wait to read the trilogy 😍😍😍

This teaser teased me right into buying the book myself. 100% an effective promotion and I cannot wait to read more!

The pacing in McEwan's writing is on point. The beginning really grabbed me with its vivid description of the cold wilderness. Dawsyn is definitely a self-sufficient kind of gal, she kinda gave me Katniss vibes from The Hunger Games. The only thing that bothered me a bit was the lack of character development. Sometimes, it felt like we were just supposed to know everything about someone without much explanation. Like Hector, I thought he was an old man at first, and then suddenly he's Dawsyn's love interest. It was a bit confusing. But overall, I still enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those that like The Hunger Games!

Thank you NetGalley, Angry Robot publishing, and Stacey McEwan for my advanced sneak peek of the start to this book!
Ledge is immediately captivating by dropping the reader into the unknown with the main characters. The pacing was quick and left me eager for the rest of the book! I found this selection to be reminiscent of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner. If that’s true for the rest of the series then I’ll definitely be picking it up soon. Overall, it’s difficult to rate a short selection like this without any other context, but I’m confident in 4 stars until I can get to the rest of the book and series.

Okay, wow. I loved everything about this sample! From the worldbuilding to the characters, it’s all exactly what I look for in fantasy books!

I really like the concept of this and the storytelling made it feel like I was on the snowy mountain myself.
I would definitely pick this book up to see how Dawsyns story continues!

Ledge has been making waves on Booktok for quite some time, so receiving the Sampler was a delightful surprise! I'm eagerly looking forward to diving into the rest of this series; these initial two chapters have left me buzzing with excitement and craving more!

Thanks to the Stacey McEwan and Angry Robot for this preview through NetGalley.

The premise of this book has my HOOKED! The icy, glacian setting, the promise of one of my favourite tropes (enemies to lovers) and a gritty, fantasy plot to get my teeth into.

One of my favourite things about this story is the fmc - Dawsyn comes across as pretty cold (excuse the pun) initially, but that icy exterior actually drew my to her character straight away. However, we get to see the layers underneath as the story continues.

There’s a lot of secrets that unfold within the kingdom and there’s definitely a juicy plot outside of the romance, but on a romantic note - the tension is perfect!

Thank you NetGalley for this exclusive sample from Ledge by Stacey McEwan!

Can't wait to dive into this book after this sweet little carrot was dangled in front of me. Stacey has such a descriptive voice and it really immerses the reader into the story.

Firstly, I want to thank Stacey McEwan and NetGalley for sharing an exclusive sample of Ledge! I loved this sampler and can’t wait to order the book to finish it! I will also be picking up her second book Chasm! Ledge has an incredibly unique setting and has a FMC you root for from the beginning!

“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.

Ledge by Stacy McEwan is seriously exciting! It grabs your attention right from the start with its intriguing setting—a place called the Ledge where people are trapped between massive cliffs and a dangerous chasm. The story follows Dawsyn, who finds herself in a tough situation when she's chosen for a mysterious ritual involving the enigmatic Glacians.

What I really loved about the book is how it blends fantasy with a captivating winter dystopian vibe. The world-building is fantastic, leaving you eager to uncover the secrets hidden in the Ledge and learn more about the Glacians.

The book sampler provides just enough to hook you without giving too much away. It sets up Dawsyn's story well and leaves you craving more. Plus, there's a hint of romance that adds depth to the plot.

Overall, Ledge is a promising start to what looks like an intriguing series. I'm eagerly anticipating the full book to see where Dawsyn's journey takes her next!

What the hell did you mean by “sampler”?! I NEED MORE!
I can't believe I have to wait so many months to discover what happens next. Don't get me wrong, thanks very much to the publishing house and NetGalley, but a taste is not enough!

I thoroughly enjoyed this sample of Ledge! Despite only containing the first two chapters, this sampler hooks the reader with introductions to a dangerous setting, a strong female main character, heart-racing action, open door romantic scenes, and a glimpse at the enemy and their "Selection". I was entranced from the beginning and pushed Ledge to the top of my TBR!

I received a DRC from Angry Robot via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did not love this book in any way, shape, or form. I felt the writing was weak and I didn't fully understand the story. It felt rushed but also boring at the same time. The pacing was off, the characters were bland. I was uninterested most of the time.
The ending was predictable and anti-climactic. It ended on a slight cliffhanger but I will not be finishing the series anytime soon or likely ever.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and the author for the sample of Ledge I got to read.

The sample contains the first two chapters of the book Ledge by Stacey McEwan. It was a nice introduction to get an idea of the story and writing style. I enjoyed the writing style and I think it came across as adult well. The world is very interesting, not a lot is explained yet so I can't say for certain whether I like it, but I am intrigued by it. We can tell (and this is stated in the synopsis so it's not a spoiler) that Dawsyn will be taken soon by the Glacians and I am so very curious to find out what is beyond the ledge. I think Dawsyn will make for a very interesting character. I saw a review of the book calling it a bloody Kill Bill fairytale and I think Dawsyn has the right characterization to fulfill that kind of role. Ultimately, I appreciate having been able to get a feel for the book and I am excited to read the whole thing especially since the finale to the trilogy is coming out later this year.