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On the Fringe
Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she's still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn't helping.
Neither is thinking she sees Daniel's face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination.
As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever.
Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death.
Neither is thinking she sees Daniel's face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination.
As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever.
Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death.
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 19, 2011
4 people are currently reading
4441 people want to read
About the author
Courtney King Walker
4 books110 followersCourtney King Walker grew up in Walnut Creek, California building rocket ships and rafts out of cardboard just so she could go to the moon and Niagara Falls. But a trip across the border to Tijuana was as exciting as it ever got.
After being banned from the kitchen after a few too many catastrophes, she discovered a love for writing, music and art, and eventually earned her BFA in graphic design at BYU.
She has lived in St. Louis, Chicago and San Francisco, and now resides in Salt Lake City with her husband and four children where she continues to pursue all things creative, including writing, designing, composing music and baking, with an emphasis on making a killer piecrust.
After being banned from the kitchen after a few too many catastrophes, she discovered a love for writing, music and art, and eventually earned her BFA in graphic design at BYU.
She has lived in St. Louis, Chicago and San Francisco, and now resides in Salt Lake City with her husband and four children where she continues to pursue all things creative, including writing, designing, composing music and baking, with an emphasis on making a killer piecrust.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
October 26, 2011
The perfect young love story told from the voices of Claire and Daniel, the most likable YA couple in a long time. I also appreciate that the book has a beautiful ending instead of a "to be continued" story that drags on forever. LOVED IT.
October 21, 2011
On The Fringe is a beautiful, heart warming love story mixed with a haunting ghost story set on revenge. This story is told from two alternating points of view from both the love interests, Claire and her older brother's best friend, Daniel. Despite feeling like their points of views at times were a little hard to connect with as they both would retell the same scene, I really liked their characters. They were both easy characters for me to connect with.
Claire made it easy to remember what it was like having your first crush. When that someone goes from being a friend you've know for a long time to all the sudden being someone you are falling for. The butterflies and the excitement she felt were real and so was the depression she went through after Daniel's surprising death. It's not that she can't let go of him, it's that she holds on to the fact that she never told him she liked him. I understood her wanting to keep that bottled up. So no one, not her big brother, her parents or even her best friend and Daniel's younger sister Addie know how she's really feeling.
I really liked the way Daniel's character develops and surprisingly the connection with him takes place after his death, since that happens early on in the story. Like Claire, he too never got to tell Claire how he really felt and I liked being able to see how the two really felt about each other, even though they don't tell each other until after the fact. I really loved watching his love for Claire grow deeper as the story continues, and he becomes her protector against a darker force that's after her to get back at Daniel. That part of the story was a great twist!
The relationship between Daniel and Claire is one of those beautifully written, realistically portrayed relationships. I love what Courtney did with them, and being able to really watch how they transition from being friends to something more. The other interesting element to this story is the setting, which is set both in the mortal world and a place called the fringe, where spirits who haven't gone on are stuck in, which is where Daniel is. It's here that danger and the unknown lie. On The Fringe is a great debut that hooked me with it's mix of a ghost story, danger, love, friendship and romance. I really liked the way the story unravels. It's a clean cut story I'd recommend to YA readers 13 yrs & older.
Claire made it easy to remember what it was like having your first crush. When that someone goes from being a friend you've know for a long time to all the sudden being someone you are falling for. The butterflies and the excitement she felt were real and so was the depression she went through after Daniel's surprising death. It's not that she can't let go of him, it's that she holds on to the fact that she never told him she liked him. I understood her wanting to keep that bottled up. So no one, not her big brother, her parents or even her best friend and Daniel's younger sister Addie know how she's really feeling.
I really liked the way Daniel's character develops and surprisingly the connection with him takes place after his death, since that happens early on in the story. Like Claire, he too never got to tell Claire how he really felt and I liked being able to see how the two really felt about each other, even though they don't tell each other until after the fact. I really loved watching his love for Claire grow deeper as the story continues, and he becomes her protector against a darker force that's after her to get back at Daniel. That part of the story was a great twist!
The relationship between Daniel and Claire is one of those beautifully written, realistically portrayed relationships. I love what Courtney did with them, and being able to really watch how they transition from being friends to something more. The other interesting element to this story is the setting, which is set both in the mortal world and a place called the fringe, where spirits who haven't gone on are stuck in, which is where Daniel is. It's here that danger and the unknown lie. On The Fringe is a great debut that hooked me with it's mix of a ghost story, danger, love, friendship and romance. I really liked the way the story unravels. It's a clean cut story I'd recommend to YA readers 13 yrs & older.
January 16, 2012
When separated by the harsh reality of death, will love get a second chance?
Ever since 15-year-old Claire was four, Daniel has been a constant presence in her life. Not only are they neighbors, but his little sister, Addie, just happens to be her bestie while Daniel and Claire’s brother, Matthew, are practically inseparable. Together the four of them have shared almost every noteworthy childhood memory. One day, a couple of months before his senior graduation, Daniel comes to some realizations about the nature of his feelings for his best friend’s little sister. Unbeknownst to him, Claire has begun to notice him as well. They dance around each other for weeks, both afraid of admitting what they feel, the other’s rejection, their siblings finding out. Then one fateful night, Matthew and Daniel attend a party, a gun is drawn and Daniel is shot and killed. Matthew, Claire and Addie are understandably devastated at the loss of Daniel, each grieving in their own, sometimes unhealthy, way.
Months pass and still grieving for Daniel, Claire finds her 16th birthday party taking a decided turn for the worst when she accidentally falls in the lake near her house, and can’t pull herself out. When the fog finally clears from her mind, she’s certain Daniel rescued her from certain drowning, and she suspects he’s not completely gone from her yet.
Faced with the possibility of a second chance, Claire & Daniel struggle to make sense of Daniel’s continued fringe existence and their feelings for each other as they come face to face with a vengeful spirit intent on the destruction of their happiness.
While I love many things about On the Fringe, one of the things I appreciate most about this book is how realistically Claire and Daniel are portrayed. They are not super-teens or overly adult, like many YA protagonists tend to be. I remember being 16. I remember the slightly lost feeling, trying to figure out where I fit into the larger picture, trying to define who I was and why I believed what I believed. Heck, some of those feelings never truly leave you. All that to say, I think Walker did an excellent job at communicating the complicated aspects of being a teenager – specifically a teen dealing with grief, loss and first love – in a very honest, genuine way. The trials they’ve been subject to and the obstacles to their relationship that Claire and Daniel face require a lot of maturity, and definitely give them a renewed perspective on life, death and what it truly means to love. They are both just wonderful characters who tugged on my heartstrings and who underwent a lot of individual development as the story progressed.
Speaking of my heartstrings being tugged, another thing Walker does very well is drawing readers in emotionally. Whether it be a grief-laden scene, a frightening scene, or a romantic scene, the emotions and character responses just seem so natural and grabbed a hold of me. Claire and Daniel’s romance in particular, just inspires such bittersweet feelings. I mean imagine coming to the realization that you may love someone who’s been a constant part of your life for almost as long as you can remember. But you’ve never had the chance to tell them before they’re suddenly gone in the blink of an eye. You have had them for all that time, never realizing just what you had, never telling them how you felt and now you never will. It seems to me as if that’s a different kind of grief – mourning the person as well as the possibilities that can never be. It’s heartrending, and I believe Walker does an excellent job of communicating these complex emotions through Claire’s grieving process as she can do nothing but keep on living in spite of her loss. I think it’s a difficult skill to master – resonating with a reader emotionally on a very real level and generating genuine sympathy for a character and their fate. Yet, scene after scene, Walker accomplishes this so well.
Storywise, I felt at times as if the plot moved a little slowly, though it’s one of those books that builds at a simmer until the climax. I also wasn’t completely sold on the antagonist, who is certainly mean and frightening, but, for some reason I can’t put my finger on, just wasn’t quite doing it for me. I also found myself wishing for more of an explanation of the Fringe, the existence Daniel finds himself “living” in after his death. I was just hoping for a few more specifics on the purpose and the rules, even though I know that’s not really the purpose of the story. I’m just insatiably curious and I don’t like when certain things are left to interpretation or vagueness.
On the flip side, I adore the achingly wistful tone that pervades the entire book. The climactic scene is intense and worth the wait. Walker does a fantastic job of bringing the action to a boil and it certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. And I love the conclusion. I wasn’t sure quite how Walker would end On the Fringe, but I thought the resolution was a beautiful and fitting end to Claire & Daniel’s story. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
Overall, with a strong, emotional resonance, fantastically realistic teen protagonists and an achingly sweet romance, On the Fringe is a beautifully written novel about second chances, healing and the nature of love.
Ever since 15-year-old Claire was four, Daniel has been a constant presence in her life. Not only are they neighbors, but his little sister, Addie, just happens to be her bestie while Daniel and Claire’s brother, Matthew, are practically inseparable. Together the four of them have shared almost every noteworthy childhood memory. One day, a couple of months before his senior graduation, Daniel comes to some realizations about the nature of his feelings for his best friend’s little sister. Unbeknownst to him, Claire has begun to notice him as well. They dance around each other for weeks, both afraid of admitting what they feel, the other’s rejection, their siblings finding out. Then one fateful night, Matthew and Daniel attend a party, a gun is drawn and Daniel is shot and killed. Matthew, Claire and Addie are understandably devastated at the loss of Daniel, each grieving in their own, sometimes unhealthy, way.
Months pass and still grieving for Daniel, Claire finds her 16th birthday party taking a decided turn for the worst when she accidentally falls in the lake near her house, and can’t pull herself out. When the fog finally clears from her mind, she’s certain Daniel rescued her from certain drowning, and she suspects he’s not completely gone from her yet.
Faced with the possibility of a second chance, Claire & Daniel struggle to make sense of Daniel’s continued fringe existence and their feelings for each other as they come face to face with a vengeful spirit intent on the destruction of their happiness.
While I love many things about On the Fringe, one of the things I appreciate most about this book is how realistically Claire and Daniel are portrayed. They are not super-teens or overly adult, like many YA protagonists tend to be. I remember being 16. I remember the slightly lost feeling, trying to figure out where I fit into the larger picture, trying to define who I was and why I believed what I believed. Heck, some of those feelings never truly leave you. All that to say, I think Walker did an excellent job at communicating the complicated aspects of being a teenager – specifically a teen dealing with grief, loss and first love – in a very honest, genuine way. The trials they’ve been subject to and the obstacles to their relationship that Claire and Daniel face require a lot of maturity, and definitely give them a renewed perspective on life, death and what it truly means to love. They are both just wonderful characters who tugged on my heartstrings and who underwent a lot of individual development as the story progressed.
Speaking of my heartstrings being tugged, another thing Walker does very well is drawing readers in emotionally. Whether it be a grief-laden scene, a frightening scene, or a romantic scene, the emotions and character responses just seem so natural and grabbed a hold of me. Claire and Daniel’s romance in particular, just inspires such bittersweet feelings. I mean imagine coming to the realization that you may love someone who’s been a constant part of your life for almost as long as you can remember. But you’ve never had the chance to tell them before they’re suddenly gone in the blink of an eye. You have had them for all that time, never realizing just what you had, never telling them how you felt and now you never will. It seems to me as if that’s a different kind of grief – mourning the person as well as the possibilities that can never be. It’s heartrending, and I believe Walker does an excellent job of communicating these complex emotions through Claire’s grieving process as she can do nothing but keep on living in spite of her loss. I think it’s a difficult skill to master – resonating with a reader emotionally on a very real level and generating genuine sympathy for a character and their fate. Yet, scene after scene, Walker accomplishes this so well.
Storywise, I felt at times as if the plot moved a little slowly, though it’s one of those books that builds at a simmer until the climax. I also wasn’t completely sold on the antagonist, who is certainly mean and frightening, but, for some reason I can’t put my finger on, just wasn’t quite doing it for me. I also found myself wishing for more of an explanation of the Fringe, the existence Daniel finds himself “living” in after his death. I was just hoping for a few more specifics on the purpose and the rules, even though I know that’s not really the purpose of the story. I’m just insatiably curious and I don’t like when certain things are left to interpretation or vagueness.
On the flip side, I adore the achingly wistful tone that pervades the entire book. The climactic scene is intense and worth the wait. Walker does a fantastic job of bringing the action to a boil and it certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. And I love the conclusion. I wasn’t sure quite how Walker would end On the Fringe, but I thought the resolution was a beautiful and fitting end to Claire & Daniel’s story. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
Overall, with a strong, emotional resonance, fantastically realistic teen protagonists and an achingly sweet romance, On the Fringe is a beautifully written novel about second chances, healing and the nature of love.
November 27, 2011
YA Fiction written by my amazingly talented sister-in-law. Interesting story with characters you care about.
November 9, 2011
This review is from my blog,
A Book and a Latte
. Check out my interview with the author, Courtney King Walker, and
enter to WIN a signed copy of ON THE FRINGE
! Contest ends November 30th.
Creepy. Heart-warming. Suspenseful.
On the Fringe is such a great read; a perfectly creepy, yet romantic book for fall! I’m such a sucker for childhood best friends and crushes, and Ms. Walker hooked me in fast with this aspect of the book. There’s something about friends that have been together for so long that all of their memories are entwined – all the shared adventures, triumphs, and failures – that just makes me warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Two perspectives tell the story: Claire, and her best friend’s older brother Daniel. She’s had a secret crush on him for years, and just when Daniel realizes his feelings toward Claire have changed, he is murdered. When Claire has her own near death experience, she and Daniel are able to connect again, on the fringe. I love when stories are told from the perspectives of the two love interests because you get to see how the feelings develop on each side of the relationship. For me, this makes the relationship seem so much stronger and realistic.
In addition to the friendship and romance part of the story, there is a serious creep factor that rounds out the storyline perfectly. There is an angry, revengeful ghost tied to Daniel’s past that is after Claire… while Daniel struggles to find a way to protect her. I feel that the pacing of the book is just right – creepy and downright suspenseful in moments, yet balanced nicely with character development and romance.
This is a great debut by Courtney King Walker! On the Fringe is a ghost story while also being about friendship and first love. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Walker has in store for us next.
Creepy. Heart-warming. Suspenseful.
On the Fringe is such a great read; a perfectly creepy, yet romantic book for fall! I’m such a sucker for childhood best friends and crushes, and Ms. Walker hooked me in fast with this aspect of the book. There’s something about friends that have been together for so long that all of their memories are entwined – all the shared adventures, triumphs, and failures – that just makes me warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Two perspectives tell the story: Claire, and her best friend’s older brother Daniel. She’s had a secret crush on him for years, and just when Daniel realizes his feelings toward Claire have changed, he is murdered. When Claire has her own near death experience, she and Daniel are able to connect again, on the fringe. I love when stories are told from the perspectives of the two love interests because you get to see how the feelings develop on each side of the relationship. For me, this makes the relationship seem so much stronger and realistic.
In addition to the friendship and romance part of the story, there is a serious creep factor that rounds out the storyline perfectly. There is an angry, revengeful ghost tied to Daniel’s past that is after Claire… while Daniel struggles to find a way to protect her. I feel that the pacing of the book is just right – creepy and downright suspenseful in moments, yet balanced nicely with character development and romance.
This is a great debut by Courtney King Walker! On the Fringe is a ghost story while also being about friendship and first love. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Walker has in store for us next.
July 22, 2016
[Oh GODDD! You can’t be Serious!]
Are you kidding me - this book deserves more than 5 (Rating). I absolutely or say just simply loved it. By far one of my most favorite read till now. Can’t remember last when I read a book like this. Hey don’t get me wrong but I am still in kind of dizziness while I am writing this review…
So unique story, so unique read - it’s exactly the kind of Fantasy-Paranormal book I always wanted to look for my reading. The existence of death after life was amazing to read. I seriously loved the way those characters glued to me while I was reading. It was just I can’t take my eyes off from each page…
It was totally mesmerizing the way this book held me onto its tale…
Oh Claire! Oh Daniel!...
I love you two - so so so so so much. I want to hug the author you know (& of course it was her first book)! Just to let you know how much this book has affected me in a positive motion…
I almost cried in some particular chapter. Yes I have no shame to admit that this book truly caught me off guard and made me emotional…
Daniel that teenage boy who’s been shot by a gunfire and dead (by a horrific shooting incident) but it was not the least for him right? Until he found out it was because of love - that undeniable chain that brought him and Claire back together again to the mortal world…
Claire! Oh my! I wish I could be there to hold her into my arms, to assure her nothing to worry about that I am with you! You don’t have to be scared of anything because I am indeed helplessly in love with you to protect you from anything that come around your path!...
In my eyes this book deserves a Nobel Prize! Okay maybe I am overreacting but I know I am not - I will forever remember that tragic incident when Claire has to (left no other choice) let go her one and only true love - Daniel. It was so tragic that I almost cried out before fought back myself not to…
ON THE FRINGE - You rock my world & won my heart…
October 26, 2011
I loved this book. More specifically, I loved Claire and Daniel. The love story in this book is one of the sweetest, most captivating loves I've read in a long time. Why? Because the two main characters, before realizing they were in love, had known each other almost their whole lives. There is something so infinitely romantic to me about having a person in thousands of your memories, having stored up good times and bad times, pranks and adventures, over twelve years and then one day coming to the realization that this is the person that makes your heart race and the one you don't ever want to live without. For all of you YA readers out there who can't take one more bout of the dreaded "instalove"---On the Fringe is about as far from that as you can get. I was completely smitten with these two. They were really just two very normal kids, not stunningly beautiful or extraordinary, Claire is even described as a little uncoordinated and awkward.
On the Fringe is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. You can feel each characters emotions, especially Claire's, but also the other characters as well, no matter how they handle it, show it, or bury it. The story being told alternately from Claire's and then Daniel's perspective, really gave us the full story from all sides and that worked for me. There are some great emotional scenes between Claire and her best friend, Addie, and for Claire and her brother. I really enjoyed all the shifts in each relationship throughout the story. I also loved how present Claire's parents were. There are also some very spine-tingling moments, as well as plenty of excitement and danger, thanks to a very insane and angry spirit looking for revenge.
Mostly, it's about what you would give, what limits you would go to for that impossible second chance. It's about being surprised by love and how powerful it can be. It's also about missed chances, remorse, misconceptions, and revenge. On the Fringe is an excellent debut, and I'll definitely be on the look-out for more from this author in the future.
On the Fringe is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. You can feel each characters emotions, especially Claire's, but also the other characters as well, no matter how they handle it, show it, or bury it. The story being told alternately from Claire's and then Daniel's perspective, really gave us the full story from all sides and that worked for me. There are some great emotional scenes between Claire and her best friend, Addie, and for Claire and her brother. I really enjoyed all the shifts in each relationship throughout the story. I also loved how present Claire's parents were. There are also some very spine-tingling moments, as well as plenty of excitement and danger, thanks to a very insane and angry spirit looking for revenge.
Mostly, it's about what you would give, what limits you would go to for that impossible second chance. It's about being surprised by love and how powerful it can be. It's also about missed chances, remorse, misconceptions, and revenge. On the Fringe is an excellent debut, and I'll definitely be on the look-out for more from this author in the future.
November 7, 2011
I kept that fourth star in my back pocket, reaching for it several times throughout the book. I really wanted to whip it out (I really did), but I had to hold it back. Three stars aren't bad, in fact they say "Hey, I'm a good book." And this was a good book.
The storyline was wonderfully unique. I admire the author's ability to switch POV's and incorporate several flashbacks while still maintaining the flow of the story. Claire and Daniel's relationship was heart-wrenching AND heart-breaking (tissues will be a must). It was a fast pace emotional rollercoaster that combined romance, mystery, paranormal topped with chills and thrills.
I guess the reason I couldn't rate it higher was because it was missing the that. The that that keeps you thinking about the book for several days after you read it. The that that keeps you from ever wanting the story to end.
For a debut novel, it rocked. If I was rating it against debut novels only, 4/5 stars easy, but unfortunately it was up to bat against all the books in my library. Courtney King Walker showed alot of promise with this book and I'm looking forward to see what she brings to the table in the future. Write on!!!
The storyline was wonderfully unique. I admire the author's ability to switch POV's and incorporate several flashbacks while still maintaining the flow of the story. Claire and Daniel's relationship was heart-wrenching AND heart-breaking (tissues will be a must). It was a fast pace emotional rollercoaster that combined romance, mystery, paranormal topped with chills and thrills.
I guess the reason I couldn't rate it higher was because it was missing the that. The that that keeps you thinking about the book for several days after you read it. The that that keeps you from ever wanting the story to end.
For a debut novel, it rocked. If I was rating it against debut novels only, 4/5 stars easy, but unfortunately it was up to bat against all the books in my library. Courtney King Walker showed alot of promise with this book and I'm looking forward to see what she brings to the table in the future. Write on!!!
December 1, 2011
Clever is what I call it! I haven't read much young adult fiction, but after reading On the Fringe, I want to ask, "What have I been waiting for?" This book has such a great hook that I kept reading and reading. The plot has many unexpected twists but with enough foreshadowing that validates my guessing about what may happen.
My only regret is that I hadn't read it so fast that I could savor the relationship between Claire and Daniel. It didn't seem too young and sappy or too mature and racy for this age group, which two of my girls definitely fit in. I love their natural back and forth interactions between realms, which makes the makes their getting-to-know-each other-as-more-than-friends stage more intriguing.
As soon as I finished I handed it straight to my 17- year-old who pleaded that I not let her take it to school because she would neglect studying. Of course she took it, finished it and then announced, "It's better than Twilight."
Courtney may have won me over to a new genre. Keep writing so I can read more.
My only regret is that I hadn't read it so fast that I could savor the relationship between Claire and Daniel. It didn't seem too young and sappy or too mature and racy for this age group, which two of my girls definitely fit in. I love their natural back and forth interactions between realms, which makes the makes their getting-to-know-each other-as-more-than-friends stage more intriguing.
As soon as I finished I handed it straight to my 17- year-old who pleaded that I not let her take it to school because she would neglect studying. Of course she took it, finished it and then announced, "It's better than Twilight."
Courtney may have won me over to a new genre. Keep writing so I can read more.
Want to read
February 10, 2011This is my sister-in-law's first book! I'm so excited to read it :)
January 9, 2012
By my cousin! Can't wait for its release!!
January 30, 2012
MY THOUGHTS
On the Fringe wastes little time tying us up in emotional knots, dropping us immediately into the palpable tension that exists between Daniel and Claire as each starts to realize their feelings for the other extend beyond their roles as best friend and baby sister respectively. We find ourselves a little giddy instantaneously, though with that addictive buoyancy comes the weighty understanding that this sweet hesitancy is only going to be fleeting and temporary, soon to be replaced with darkness, pain, and loss. We almost wish this tale could be an adorable short story, taking us quickly through the developing romance and then leaving us breathless and content at the happy conclusion, but instead Ms. Walker plunges us under the light-infused surface and into depths that have us fully invested in Claire and Daniel’s lives (or deaths as the case may be), ultimately extremely thankful for the gift of extra page time.
Claire is a young woman who’s easy to like right off the bat, all twisted up with nerves as a result of her crush on someone who’s been in her life for as long as she can remember, struggling to find a way to escape the classification of Matthew’s Little Sister in the hope their relationship to one another can be redefined with more romantic–and less familial–feelings. When Daniel returns to her in less-than corporeal form, we don’t get pages and pages of denial or repeated hows and whys from her, instead she accepts his new presence in her life with relative ease, crossing us over into the world of the supernatural in a seamless way that makes everything she’s experiencing that much more believable.
Splitting the point of view equally between Claire and Daniel gives an interesting dual exposure to a ghostly world, Claire’s limited understanding of it making us feel more comfortable as her reactions mirror our own, but at the same time, we also get a deeper look at spectral happenings as Daniel explores his afterlife and his unusual connection to Claire. As a result, we feel fully surrounded by the events taking place as opposed to simply viewing them as an outsider from a single fixed direction. In addition to learning the ins and outs of Daniel’s non-life, we additionally get the return of a little of the giddiness we felt at the beginning, death having freed Claire and Daniel’s mouths from the nerves that kept them closed until it was almost too late, and we finally get to see them communicate all the things that went unsaid previously.
Ms. Walker has written an enthralling ghost story, one with equal parts light and dark where we find ourselves both on the edge of our seats, while also blissfully warm and content as we watch two people robbed of their time together get a chance to reconnect. We are left with a bittersweet ending, one that feels right and wrong at the same time, leaving us with the wish that Ms. Walker would write an alternate ending just to satisfy the part of us that would see the supernatural element kicked up a notch to perhaps stretch the limits of believability for the sake of what our hearts want most. Then we could have both the practical and impractical at our fingertips–able to choose an ending based on our mood—but ultimately we can concede that events wrap up as they should, with Ms. Walker playing our emotions with a consummate skill we can’t wait to experience again.
Rating: 4/5
On the Fringe wastes little time tying us up in emotional knots, dropping us immediately into the palpable tension that exists between Daniel and Claire as each starts to realize their feelings for the other extend beyond their roles as best friend and baby sister respectively. We find ourselves a little giddy instantaneously, though with that addictive buoyancy comes the weighty understanding that this sweet hesitancy is only going to be fleeting and temporary, soon to be replaced with darkness, pain, and loss. We almost wish this tale could be an adorable short story, taking us quickly through the developing romance and then leaving us breathless and content at the happy conclusion, but instead Ms. Walker plunges us under the light-infused surface and into depths that have us fully invested in Claire and Daniel’s lives (or deaths as the case may be), ultimately extremely thankful for the gift of extra page time.
Claire is a young woman who’s easy to like right off the bat, all twisted up with nerves as a result of her crush on someone who’s been in her life for as long as she can remember, struggling to find a way to escape the classification of Matthew’s Little Sister in the hope their relationship to one another can be redefined with more romantic–and less familial–feelings. When Daniel returns to her in less-than corporeal form, we don’t get pages and pages of denial or repeated hows and whys from her, instead she accepts his new presence in her life with relative ease, crossing us over into the world of the supernatural in a seamless way that makes everything she’s experiencing that much more believable.
Splitting the point of view equally between Claire and Daniel gives an interesting dual exposure to a ghostly world, Claire’s limited understanding of it making us feel more comfortable as her reactions mirror our own, but at the same time, we also get a deeper look at spectral happenings as Daniel explores his afterlife and his unusual connection to Claire. As a result, we feel fully surrounded by the events taking place as opposed to simply viewing them as an outsider from a single fixed direction. In addition to learning the ins and outs of Daniel’s non-life, we additionally get the return of a little of the giddiness we felt at the beginning, death having freed Claire and Daniel’s mouths from the nerves that kept them closed until it was almost too late, and we finally get to see them communicate all the things that went unsaid previously.
Ms. Walker has written an enthralling ghost story, one with equal parts light and dark where we find ourselves both on the edge of our seats, while also blissfully warm and content as we watch two people robbed of their time together get a chance to reconnect. We are left with a bittersweet ending, one that feels right and wrong at the same time, leaving us with the wish that Ms. Walker would write an alternate ending just to satisfy the part of us that would see the supernatural element kicked up a notch to perhaps stretch the limits of believability for the sake of what our hearts want most. Then we could have both the practical and impractical at our fingertips–able to choose an ending based on our mood—but ultimately we can concede that events wrap up as they should, with Ms. Walker playing our emotions with a consummate skill we can’t wait to experience again.
Rating: 4/5
May 7, 2012
I went to a book signing for a different novel, and met the author in the signing line. She was very gracious and sweet and signed a book for a friend of mine while we were in line. I decided to read the book because the author seemed so sweet and excited to reach another reader, and because the friend really loved the book. I picked it up for my Nook.
The story is told from alternating points of view. Claire just recently realized her love for her brother’s best friend, Daniel. Claire is also best friends with Daniel’s little sister, Allie. This makes it difficult for her to pursue her feelings, and she has no idea Daniel has a crush on her. After spending the day with her brother, Daniel, and Allie, she gets closer to Daniel than she ever has been. He gives her a ring he finds in a stream and it seems like they will be a couple before they know it.
Unfortunately, it all falls apart when Daniel is murdered. Allie pretends to be ok, but is really a wreck underneath. Claire’s brother has retreated to college. And Claire can’t seem to move beyond her crush.
Meanwhile, Daniel is a ghost on the fringe and watches Claire to make sure she is okay. When Claire drowns on her 16th birthday, Daniel is there to save her and bring her back to life. This opens a gateway where they can connect for four and a half minutes each night. Claire and Daniel try to forge as strong of a relationship as the four and a half minutes will allow, but another ghost wants vengeance for the past.
Daniel and Claire have to decide how to fight this ghost and decide if their relationship is worth the pain it causes on the other side.
This book blew me away. I loved the beginning of the book and the way the alternating points of view gave a fuller story. I also loved the characters and how real and shy they seemed about their love. When Daniel is murdered, I felt my heart drop and I almost didn’t want to continue because it was so sad. Ad Daniel comes back to Claire, I couldn’t help but root for them to make the most of their almost five minutes they had each night, so I wasn’t bothered by the kissing scenes at all. If anything, they felt more real and more urgent since there wasn’t any time left.
When another ghost appears and fouls up the whole thing, I couldn’t help but be angry since Claire and Daniel didn’t have much to go on anyway. I was scared when the book got scary, I laughed out loud at some funny parts, and I wept at the end because it ended so sweetly.
Although it might be nice to visit more of the story line, it ended perfectly enough that I almost wouldn’t want to go back. I don’t think this is part of a bigger series, or –heaven help me- a trilogy, like so many other YA books, so I was pleased with the fact the book is a stand alone novel.
I highly recommend this book to YA readers, romantic ghost story lovers, and other romance fans.
The story is told from alternating points of view. Claire just recently realized her love for her brother’s best friend, Daniel. Claire is also best friends with Daniel’s little sister, Allie. This makes it difficult for her to pursue her feelings, and she has no idea Daniel has a crush on her. After spending the day with her brother, Daniel, and Allie, she gets closer to Daniel than she ever has been. He gives her a ring he finds in a stream and it seems like they will be a couple before they know it.
Unfortunately, it all falls apart when Daniel is murdered. Allie pretends to be ok, but is really a wreck underneath. Claire’s brother has retreated to college. And Claire can’t seem to move beyond her crush.
Meanwhile, Daniel is a ghost on the fringe and watches Claire to make sure she is okay. When Claire drowns on her 16th birthday, Daniel is there to save her and bring her back to life. This opens a gateway where they can connect for four and a half minutes each night. Claire and Daniel try to forge as strong of a relationship as the four and a half minutes will allow, but another ghost wants vengeance for the past.
Daniel and Claire have to decide how to fight this ghost and decide if their relationship is worth the pain it causes on the other side.
This book blew me away. I loved the beginning of the book and the way the alternating points of view gave a fuller story. I also loved the characters and how real and shy they seemed about their love. When Daniel is murdered, I felt my heart drop and I almost didn’t want to continue because it was so sad. Ad Daniel comes back to Claire, I couldn’t help but root for them to make the most of their almost five minutes they had each night, so I wasn’t bothered by the kissing scenes at all. If anything, they felt more real and more urgent since there wasn’t any time left.
When another ghost appears and fouls up the whole thing, I couldn’t help but be angry since Claire and Daniel didn’t have much to go on anyway. I was scared when the book got scary, I laughed out loud at some funny parts, and I wept at the end because it ended so sweetly.
Although it might be nice to visit more of the story line, it ended perfectly enough that I almost wouldn’t want to go back. I don’t think this is part of a bigger series, or –heaven help me- a trilogy, like so many other YA books, so I was pleased with the fact the book is a stand alone novel.
I highly recommend this book to YA readers, romantic ghost story lovers, and other romance fans.
October 19, 2011
I went into On the Fringe in the best possible way: with no expectations, pre-conceived notions, or opinions of others. What I found in this book was a heart-warming story of first love intertwined with an intensely creepy story of revenge. This was really a ghost story like no other and I fell deeply, madly in love with the characters.
Claire = awesome. I felt an instant connection with her character. Her emotions from the beginning were very raw, very real. Who can't relate to that first crush that you're totally way to scared to tell (or to even have them figure it out)? Her depression after his death is very honest and real. She doesn't wallow, but she can't let it go--partially because she never had the opportunity to tell him how she felt...and even no one among the friends and family knows how she really felt/feels.
The alternating POVs in this book were brillantly executed and allow a solid connection with Daniel. Despite his death early on, I felt very drawn to him. I loved watching him fall deeper in love with Claire and reliving his memories as he tries to figure out exactly when that switch in his feelings happened. Done any other way this story probably would have had a feeling of desperate insta-love, but seeing the relationship develop over time, even without the other one knowing, it gave a very real sense of growth and gradual development of feelings. This was a pair that had been friends forever and that friendship was on the verge of developing into something more.
The storyline is absolutely brilliant, alternating between the romance and the intensely creepy haunting. Claire is in serious danger and the reader has an ever-increasing awareness of just HOW MUCH danger she's in as the story goes on. The interweaving of these stories is, well, PERFECT. Throughout the book, you are constantly delving deeper into the story and making intense connections between Daniel's death, his connection to Claire, and her current haunting (you know, besides Daniel).
This is truly a beautiful story of first love and loss.
Claire = awesome. I felt an instant connection with her character. Her emotions from the beginning were very raw, very real. Who can't relate to that first crush that you're totally way to scared to tell (or to even have them figure it out)? Her depression after his death is very honest and real. She doesn't wallow, but she can't let it go--partially because she never had the opportunity to tell him how she felt...and even no one among the friends and family knows how she really felt/feels.
The alternating POVs in this book were brillantly executed and allow a solid connection with Daniel. Despite his death early on, I felt very drawn to him. I loved watching him fall deeper in love with Claire and reliving his memories as he tries to figure out exactly when that switch in his feelings happened. Done any other way this story probably would have had a feeling of desperate insta-love, but seeing the relationship develop over time, even without the other one knowing, it gave a very real sense of growth and gradual development of feelings. This was a pair that had been friends forever and that friendship was on the verge of developing into something more.
The storyline is absolutely brilliant, alternating between the romance and the intensely creepy haunting. Claire is in serious danger and the reader has an ever-increasing awareness of just HOW MUCH danger she's in as the story goes on. The interweaving of these stories is, well, PERFECT. Throughout the book, you are constantly delving deeper into the story and making intense connections between Daniel's death, his connection to Claire, and her current haunting (you know, besides Daniel).
This is truly a beautiful story of first love and loss.
October 23, 2012
Find more of my reviews at www.readingangel.com
I had no expectation when I started reading On the Fringe. It had been a year since I bought it, and I could not remember any of the hype from when it came out. The only thing I did know was that it was going to be a ghost story, and I love a good ghost story. Did I get what I was looking for? Yes and no.
On the Fringe was a romance at heart. I really enjoyed the beginning, when we get to see Claire and Daniel starting to fall for each other, even though we know something bad is going to happen. It was a sweet time and I enjoyed the scenes of them together alive more than I did the rest. The love story really begins once Daniel is dead and Claire has a near-death experience, at which point she can see Daniel's ghost, and once a night they can touch and talk for a few short minutes. Besides their love feeling a little rushed, the romance was sweet and kept me reading to see how it would all turn out for them.
The spooky ghost villain was where I really had a problem with On the Fringe. Like I said, I love a good ghost story, and I just did not like the bad guy. The reason that he was doing what he was doing was very unclear, or it was clear but never really matched the actions he was taking. What he was able to do was never clearly explained, and how he was defeated seemed to just be a fix-it solution. This part of the plot is why I had to drop it down to three stars.
Overall, On the Fringe was a really sweet and enjoyable romance between a human and a ghost. If you enjoy romances I would recommend it based on that fact alone. As a scary ghost story on the other hand, it did fail a little, so it's all in what you are looking for.
I had no expectation when I started reading On the Fringe. It had been a year since I bought it, and I could not remember any of the hype from when it came out. The only thing I did know was that it was going to be a ghost story, and I love a good ghost story. Did I get what I was looking for? Yes and no.
On the Fringe was a romance at heart. I really enjoyed the beginning, when we get to see Claire and Daniel starting to fall for each other, even though we know something bad is going to happen. It was a sweet time and I enjoyed the scenes of them together alive more than I did the rest. The love story really begins once Daniel is dead and Claire has a near-death experience, at which point she can see Daniel's ghost, and once a night they can touch and talk for a few short minutes. Besides their love feeling a little rushed, the romance was sweet and kept me reading to see how it would all turn out for them.
The spooky ghost villain was where I really had a problem with On the Fringe. Like I said, I love a good ghost story, and I just did not like the bad guy. The reason that he was doing what he was doing was very unclear, or it was clear but never really matched the actions he was taking. What he was able to do was never clearly explained, and how he was defeated seemed to just be a fix-it solution. This part of the plot is why I had to drop it down to three stars.
Overall, On the Fringe was a really sweet and enjoyable romance between a human and a ghost. If you enjoy romances I would recommend it based on that fact alone. As a scary ghost story on the other hand, it did fail a little, so it's all in what you are looking for.
March 18, 2012
See my original review on my blog, Cullens to Classics
I love it when a book surprises me! When I won this book, I knew nothing about it except what the blurb above revealed. Usually, I shy away from ghost books; they just aren't my thing. However, after Anna Dressed in Blood, I have learned to keep an open mind. Plus, something about the blurb intrigued me. Oh, how little I was prepared for what this book would do to me.
First of all, Courtney King Walker's novel is hauntingly (no pun intended) beautiful. It will break your heart with it's pain and loss, while simultaneously lifting you up with it's characters' sense of devotion, friendship, and love. Clair and Daniel are adorable and a couple you want to believe in; a couple you want to fight for. While this ghostly relationship was one I was expecting, what I wasn't prepared for was the danger, suspense, and corporal world peril they would face. It knocked my socks off and kept me turning the page until the wee hours of the night... well, technically morning. ;)
On the Fringe is a book I would recommend to anyone! Whether you fancy yourself a YA literature lover or not, this is a book you will read, love, and recommend to others. It's been a while since I've handed out five stars to a book, but these were well deserved.
Thank you SO much to Courtney King Walker for signing my book and Lands Atlantic Publishing and Goodreads FirstReads Giveaways for this extraordinary book!
I love it when a book surprises me! When I won this book, I knew nothing about it except what the blurb above revealed. Usually, I shy away from ghost books; they just aren't my thing. However, after Anna Dressed in Blood, I have learned to keep an open mind. Plus, something about the blurb intrigued me. Oh, how little I was prepared for what this book would do to me.
First of all, Courtney King Walker's novel is hauntingly (no pun intended) beautiful. It will break your heart with it's pain and loss, while simultaneously lifting you up with it's characters' sense of devotion, friendship, and love. Clair and Daniel are adorable and a couple you want to believe in; a couple you want to fight for. While this ghostly relationship was one I was expecting, what I wasn't prepared for was the danger, suspense, and corporal world peril they would face. It knocked my socks off and kept me turning the page until the wee hours of the night... well, technically morning. ;)
On the Fringe is a book I would recommend to anyone! Whether you fancy yourself a YA literature lover or not, this is a book you will read, love, and recommend to others. It's been a while since I've handed out five stars to a book, but these were well deserved.
Thank you SO much to Courtney King Walker for signing my book and Lands Atlantic Publishing and Goodreads FirstReads Giveaways for this extraordinary book!
November 29, 2011
THE FAERYS VIEW
On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker is aptly named and you’ll soon find out why. Ms. Walker gave me a mesmerizing look at first love and the devotion that can come with it even beyond the grave. I enjoyed another ‘ghost’ book! Surprise, surprise! I guess I can wipe that off my ‘I don’t read’ list now as this is the fifth book involving ghosts that I have truly enjoyed.
Claire and Daniel have known each other for ever. Claire is best friends with his sister and Daniel is best friends with her brother. They both secretly harbor a secret love but Daniels life is cut short before he or Claire can act upon their feelings. It isn’t until Claire is drowning on her 16th birthday when she reconnects with the spirit of Daniel.
Ms. Walker narrates in both Claire and Daniels POV which keep’s the book flowing beautifully, seeing each characters feelings and thoughts brings much to this thrilling story. On the Fringe isn’t just about reconnecting with first loves it’s also about where Daniels been, On the Fringe, Ms. Walker gives an interesting and thought provoking account of life after death. It is thrilling as Daniel tries to protect Claire against an entity that has it out for Daniel.
On the Fringe has some interesting plot twists, dash away tear moments and plenty of thrills to keep any reader intrigued until the very end. Well written with engaging characters, an unusual and fascinating plot and a heart wrenching story of first loves, On the Fringe will appeal to most readers of the genre.
THE FAERY SAYS THIS IS A GREAT GHOST STORY!
On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker is aptly named and you’ll soon find out why. Ms. Walker gave me a mesmerizing look at first love and the devotion that can come with it even beyond the grave. I enjoyed another ‘ghost’ book! Surprise, surprise! I guess I can wipe that off my ‘I don’t read’ list now as this is the fifth book involving ghosts that I have truly enjoyed.
Claire and Daniel have known each other for ever. Claire is best friends with his sister and Daniel is best friends with her brother. They both secretly harbor a secret love but Daniels life is cut short before he or Claire can act upon their feelings. It isn’t until Claire is drowning on her 16th birthday when she reconnects with the spirit of Daniel.
Ms. Walker narrates in both Claire and Daniels POV which keep’s the book flowing beautifully, seeing each characters feelings and thoughts brings much to this thrilling story. On the Fringe isn’t just about reconnecting with first loves it’s also about where Daniels been, On the Fringe, Ms. Walker gives an interesting and thought provoking account of life after death. It is thrilling as Daniel tries to protect Claire against an entity that has it out for Daniel.
On the Fringe has some interesting plot twists, dash away tear moments and plenty of thrills to keep any reader intrigued until the very end. Well written with engaging characters, an unusual and fascinating plot and a heart wrenching story of first loves, On the Fringe will appeal to most readers of the genre.
THE FAERY SAYS THIS IS A GREAT GHOST STORY!
December 14, 2011
Most children have a childhood crush, Claire has a crush on her best friend's brother, Daniel. She has what appears to be a deep, abiding love for him. Childhood love can't last forever, though Claire's is torn from her in a way that is far from typical. Daniel is at a party when he is shot...in the head. Claire is crushed, the author does a great job of portraying Claire's emotions sincerely during this part.
On Claire's 16th birthday, not long after the murder, she finds herself drowning. Somewhere in that in between time, when Claire touched death, she sees Daniel. After Claire is pulled from the water, she finds she can still see Daniel. Claire doesn't want to give up this newfound joy, the story takes off from here.
As a character, Claire is easy to like. The reader can tell her love for Daniel is real. She is a sympathetic character, she lost her love at a young age and is having a hard time. She is a nice character, is willing to help even when the going is tough. Daniel is much the same, it is easy to see why Claire would like him so much. The other secondary characters are fun to get to know, especially Claire's best friend.
The events in this book were fast-paced and exciting, the author describes the events, especially the drowning, in vivid detail. The ending was perfect, the reader won't be able to imagine it any other way. This book is highly recommended to young adult/teen readers.
November 1, 2011
One of the things I liked best about this book was how much the characters stayed with me. I kept thinking about Daniel and Claire when I put the book down, and now that I've finished it....I'm still thinking about them! I loved the way the story was told from both Daniel and Claire's perspectives. The nonlinear narrative was so effective in revealing layers of how their relationship developed and in uncovering the questions about Daniel's death. I also really liked the relationship between the brothers and sisters (Claire/Matthew, Daniel/Addie) and best friends (Matthew/Daniel, Claire/Addie). The sort of deep connection that develops when you have a friendship that endures from childhood. The way that people you are closest to are sometimes the one you can't be around when you are grieving... because you can't endure the pain. I especially appreciated how the four of them all rescued each other in different ways. Loved it Courtney!
P.S. They just announced their annual Goodreads Choice Awards for 2011. Since On the Fringe is so new, it hasn't had much traffic/attention yet. If you get a chance to read it soon you can write On the Fringe as an add-in name under the category "Young Adult Fiction Fantasy."
P.S. They just announced their annual Goodreads Choice Awards for 2011. Since On the Fringe is so new, it hasn't had much traffic/attention yet. If you get a chance to read it soon you can write On the Fringe as an add-in name under the category "Young Adult Fiction Fantasy."
January 3, 2012
I would give on the fringe about 2.5 stars. overall the book was very predictable and kind of dragged at some points. I really like when books have alternating perspective but it didnt really add anything to this story. I wouldnt say the book was bad, the writing poor, or the plot dull but when everything came together the book seemed bland and not worth reading again. While this book didnt make me want to smash in my kindle screen, it was only good once and not something i would ever want to go back and reread.
March 2, 2012
On the Fringe is a gripping, well-written book.
What I enjoyed about it in particular was the tone set by the author. While the dialogue and plot are certainly great, the book is very effective at expressing a mood, one of creepiness and melancholy.
I particularly thought its use of darkness, water, and rain added to the feeling of sadness in one way. And yet, the dialogue is generally light and authentic on top, creating an enjoyable contrast.
The characters are vivid and the storyline is interesting. I was very impressed by this book.
What I enjoyed about it in particular was the tone set by the author. While the dialogue and plot are certainly great, the book is very effective at expressing a mood, one of creepiness and melancholy.
I particularly thought its use of darkness, water, and rain added to the feeling of sadness in one way. And yet, the dialogue is generally light and authentic on top, creating an enjoyable contrast.
The characters are vivid and the storyline is interesting. I was very impressed by this book.
Want to read
June 9, 2011What a beautiful cover (:
August 28, 2016
I love ghost stories! I kept reading to find out if Claire and Daniels love would be strong enough to overcome death. On the Fringe has love, tears, aww moments, mystery and action!
Want to read
March 2, 2012Written by my awesome cousin, and only $0.99 for Nook or Kindle during the month of March!
March 2, 2017
I needed to get my head back into a book that captivated me, to help me re-kindle the fire of a readers burning passion. I have had this book I believe for a new years now, sitting in its rightful place on the shelf. Waiting, waiting for its day to be read. Finally yesterday, something about this book just drew it to me.
I started reading it last night, drawn in by Claire and Daniel's little cute romance brewing, but in turn heart broken at the death scene. I enjoyed reading this book from both points of view and I honestly couldn't put it down. After returning home from work today, the first thing I did was pick up this book. I didn't move until the last page was read.
A well written, easy to read novel by a good author. I will happily recommend this book to other readers! 4/5 star
I started reading it last night, drawn in by Claire and Daniel's little cute romance brewing, but in turn heart broken at the death scene. I enjoyed reading this book from both points of view and I honestly couldn't put it down. After returning home from work today, the first thing I did was pick up this book. I didn't move until the last page was read.
A well written, easy to read novel by a good author. I will happily recommend this book to other readers! 4/5 star
July 27, 2019
2.5...This started out with the finesse of a college student’s creative writing assignment. I had to skim a lot of parts to avoid throwing in the towel. However, the plot became more unique as the story progressed, which was a redeeming factor. I wish the connection between Claire and Daniel was better illustrated prior to Daniel’s death.
August 19, 2012
Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!
Since she was a little girl, sixteen-year-old Claire and her best friend Addie have been joined at the hip with Claire’s older brother, Matthew, who also happens to be best friends with Addie’s older brother, Daniel. The four have years of memories growing up together, the boys playing pranks on their annoying little sisters and the girls trying to keep up with their older brothers’ games. Now that they’re older, however, Claire and Daniel are just beginning to discover that they actually have feelings for each other. Daniel isn’t just Addie’s older brother, but is handsome and kind, and Daniel likes Claire’s adventurous and whimsical nature. Just as their relationship begins to blossom, however, Daniel is tragically killed in what appears to be a random shooting at a party. Addie, Matthew and Claire are completely heartbroken by the loss. In the months following his death, the three grieve in their own ways: Matthew going off to college, Addie focusing on her social life, and Claire wondering why her brother and her best friend are trying to move on from something that she feels has altered her life forever. Everything changes, however, after a freak accident causes Claire to nearly drown in a lake near her house. As she is losing consciousness beneath the surface of the water, she sees Daniel’s face, and he pulls her to shore. At first she thinks she imagined it, but Claire soon realizes that her near death experience has given her the ability to communicate with Daniel’s spirit. But how can Claire keep her newfound connection with Daniel a secret? And was his murder truly random, or was someone, or something, else behind Daniel’s death?
In her first book, author Courtney King Walker creates a bittersweet and often creepy ghost story that is interesting but doesn’t exactly leave the reader with warm fuzzy feelings when it’s all said and done. The story begins in a very non-paranormal fashion: Claire is a free-spirited girl who finds herself falling for her best friend’s older brother, Daniel. Since the novel is told by dual narrators, both Daniel and Claire get to express the events of the story from their perspective, and Daniel’s description of his realization that Claire was more than just his best friend’s kid sister is very sweet. The story abruptly changes, however, after Daniel is murdered (shot in the head, to be exact.) This plot element was jarring, and the sweetness that was established in the first few chapters almost completely disappears. Claire discovering her new found connection with Daniel’s spirit is nice, but it does come after she nearly drowns. There is also a vengeful ghost who has it in for Daniel, and decides to haunt Claire after he discovers that she and Daniel have found a way to communicate. Everything in the plot seems to have a negative aspect to it, something that made it hard to get the romantic feelings flowing while Claire and Daniel fall more in love with each other. Some side characters are introduced throughout the story as well and are never fully vetted, leaving the reader slightly confused when they end up playing a large role in the plot. Overall, fans of ghost stories are likely to enjoy On the Fringe, but as a romance and a completely developed novel, the book leaves a bit to be desired.
Although this book did a pretty good job of creeping me out in parts, I had some trouble in finding something to latch onto to make it a novel I really loved. I thought Claire and Daniel were interesting characters, but I didn’t feel like I really got to know them in the story. The first few chapters (when Daniel was still alive) were my favorite in the book, and I wish that the author had spent a little more time developing Claire and Daniel and their relationship before jumping into ghosts-ville. I also didn’t really understand the “bad guy” or why he was so mean-spirited, my final guess being that the author simply meant for him to be just crazy. Overall, I did somewhat enjoy the novel, but it was one of those reads where I felt like I really could have loved it had it lived up to its potential fully. Either way, I am looking forward to seeing what Courtney King Walker comes up with next because she seems to definitely have some interesting ideas up her sleeve.
Since she was a little girl, sixteen-year-old Claire and her best friend Addie have been joined at the hip with Claire’s older brother, Matthew, who also happens to be best friends with Addie’s older brother, Daniel. The four have years of memories growing up together, the boys playing pranks on their annoying little sisters and the girls trying to keep up with their older brothers’ games. Now that they’re older, however, Claire and Daniel are just beginning to discover that they actually have feelings for each other. Daniel isn’t just Addie’s older brother, but is handsome and kind, and Daniel likes Claire’s adventurous and whimsical nature. Just as their relationship begins to blossom, however, Daniel is tragically killed in what appears to be a random shooting at a party. Addie, Matthew and Claire are completely heartbroken by the loss. In the months following his death, the three grieve in their own ways: Matthew going off to college, Addie focusing on her social life, and Claire wondering why her brother and her best friend are trying to move on from something that she feels has altered her life forever. Everything changes, however, after a freak accident causes Claire to nearly drown in a lake near her house. As she is losing consciousness beneath the surface of the water, she sees Daniel’s face, and he pulls her to shore. At first she thinks she imagined it, but Claire soon realizes that her near death experience has given her the ability to communicate with Daniel’s spirit. But how can Claire keep her newfound connection with Daniel a secret? And was his murder truly random, or was someone, or something, else behind Daniel’s death?
In her first book, author Courtney King Walker creates a bittersweet and often creepy ghost story that is interesting but doesn’t exactly leave the reader with warm fuzzy feelings when it’s all said and done. The story begins in a very non-paranormal fashion: Claire is a free-spirited girl who finds herself falling for her best friend’s older brother, Daniel. Since the novel is told by dual narrators, both Daniel and Claire get to express the events of the story from their perspective, and Daniel’s description of his realization that Claire was more than just his best friend’s kid sister is very sweet. The story abruptly changes, however, after Daniel is murdered (shot in the head, to be exact.) This plot element was jarring, and the sweetness that was established in the first few chapters almost completely disappears. Claire discovering her new found connection with Daniel’s spirit is nice, but it does come after she nearly drowns. There is also a vengeful ghost who has it in for Daniel, and decides to haunt Claire after he discovers that she and Daniel have found a way to communicate. Everything in the plot seems to have a negative aspect to it, something that made it hard to get the romantic feelings flowing while Claire and Daniel fall more in love with each other. Some side characters are introduced throughout the story as well and are never fully vetted, leaving the reader slightly confused when they end up playing a large role in the plot. Overall, fans of ghost stories are likely to enjoy On the Fringe, but as a romance and a completely developed novel, the book leaves a bit to be desired.
Although this book did a pretty good job of creeping me out in parts, I had some trouble in finding something to latch onto to make it a novel I really loved. I thought Claire and Daniel were interesting characters, but I didn’t feel like I really got to know them in the story. The first few chapters (when Daniel was still alive) were my favorite in the book, and I wish that the author had spent a little more time developing Claire and Daniel and their relationship before jumping into ghosts-ville. I also didn’t really understand the “bad guy” or why he was so mean-spirited, my final guess being that the author simply meant for him to be just crazy. Overall, I did somewhat enjoy the novel, but it was one of those reads where I felt like I really could have loved it had it lived up to its potential fully. Either way, I am looking forward to seeing what Courtney King Walker comes up with next because she seems to definitely have some interesting ideas up her sleeve.
February 16, 2012
» Review can also be found on Orchids & Amethysts.
Title: On The Fringe
Author: Courtney King Walker
Rating: 4/5
Claire's world isn't the same after Daniel, who happens to be her brother Matthew's best friend but also her secret crush, gets murdered. While everyone else is living their lifes, almost as if nothing happened, Claire can't forget about Daniel and her lost. On her sixteenth birthday, she drowns but get saved by Daniel. Somehow, while she was dead he and her connected and she was able to see him. Now, being alive again, she is the only one who can see him and this time she is not willing to lose him again. But at some point the two of them got to face that their connection could be very dangerous too.
It was pretty easy to connect with Claire as the reader and a teenage girl. Her fears are very realistic and her deep love for Daniel is just wonderful and powerful aswell. Also, I think, it's great how much she cares about all the people around her. At least it felt that way to me. Of course, the person, or better said former person, she cares about the most is Daniel, but seriously, who wouldn't want to know what really happened when he died and is now stuck "on the fringe"?
I don't know what it is, but I always fall for male characters in books (especially when the author writes from a guy's point of view, too). I know, there are a lot of girl who have crushes on book characters. I wouldn't call it crush, but I can't help but notice their cuteness. See, in this book, Daniel never really paid much attention to Claire. He saw her and afterwards he has a lot of memories shared with her, but she was always just Matthew's little sister. Then, suddenly, he is dead and realizes how things could have been between him and Claire. It's tragic, really. And so sweet! He is so protective over her when it comes to Aden (who died and is now a ghost aswell).
The scene I loved the most was probably the one when Claire and Daniel figured out they had that four-and-a-half-minute connection. I found that really interesting, though as I write it down now like this, it sounds kind of lame. I suggest, you read this book yourself, so you can see it isn't as lame as it sounds with all my "interesting" and "great" and all that.
During the book, there are some facts that will warm your heart or shock you a bit. I liked the balance of both things and I'm glad that the romance didn't shrink with it.
At first, I wasn't so sure if I should give this book four stars or not. When I started this book and went through the first chapters, I was quite confident that it'd end up with four stars. Now that I finished it, I have to admit that I am not very happy with the ending. To be fair, there are probably only three books out of hundreds, with whose endings I am happy or almost happy, so endings are always a little difficult for me. In the end I decided to be gentle and give it four stars anyhow. I mean, it all worked for me: The characters appeared real, the writing was great, it was a very, very good debut novel and I am glad I picked it up. The fact that I have an issue with endings, shouldn't do this book any harm, so four stars. Let me one more thing: On The Fringe was even better than I expected it to be. It was an experiment I am grateful for I dared. :) Now go and do too!
Title: On The Fringe
Author: Courtney King Walker
Rating: 4/5
Claire's world isn't the same after Daniel, who happens to be her brother Matthew's best friend but also her secret crush, gets murdered. While everyone else is living their lifes, almost as if nothing happened, Claire can't forget about Daniel and her lost. On her sixteenth birthday, she drowns but get saved by Daniel. Somehow, while she was dead he and her connected and she was able to see him. Now, being alive again, she is the only one who can see him and this time she is not willing to lose him again. But at some point the two of them got to face that their connection could be very dangerous too.
It was pretty easy to connect with Claire as the reader and a teenage girl. Her fears are very realistic and her deep love for Daniel is just wonderful and powerful aswell. Also, I think, it's great how much she cares about all the people around her. At least it felt that way to me. Of course, the person, or better said former person, she cares about the most is Daniel, but seriously, who wouldn't want to know what really happened when he died and is now stuck "on the fringe"?
I don't know what it is, but I always fall for male characters in books (especially when the author writes from a guy's point of view, too). I know, there are a lot of girl who have crushes on book characters. I wouldn't call it crush, but I can't help but notice their cuteness. See, in this book, Daniel never really paid much attention to Claire. He saw her and afterwards he has a lot of memories shared with her, but she was always just Matthew's little sister. Then, suddenly, he is dead and realizes how things could have been between him and Claire. It's tragic, really. And so sweet! He is so protective over her when it comes to Aden (who died and is now a ghost aswell).
The scene I loved the most was probably the one when Claire and Daniel figured out they had that four-and-a-half-minute connection. I found that really interesting, though as I write it down now like this, it sounds kind of lame. I suggest, you read this book yourself, so you can see it isn't as lame as it sounds with all my "interesting" and "great" and all that.
During the book, there are some facts that will warm your heart or shock you a bit. I liked the balance of both things and I'm glad that the romance didn't shrink with it.
At first, I wasn't so sure if I should give this book four stars or not. When I started this book and went through the first chapters, I was quite confident that it'd end up with four stars. Now that I finished it, I have to admit that I am not very happy with the ending. To be fair, there are probably only three books out of hundreds, with whose endings I am happy or almost happy, so endings are always a little difficult for me. In the end I decided to be gentle and give it four stars anyhow. I mean, it all worked for me: The characters appeared real, the writing was great, it was a very, very good debut novel and I am glad I picked it up. The fact that I have an issue with endings, shouldn't do this book any harm, so four stars. Let me one more thing: On The Fringe was even better than I expected it to be. It was an experiment I am grateful for I dared. :) Now go and do too!
November 27, 2012
One of the things I used to do was going through the 1.99€ boxes near the check out and get one or two books I never heard of, only intrigued by cover, title or the short blurb. And of course, I came across a good amount of stinkers with this method but once I found a true gem this find seemed more special, more intimate a find than being exited by a well known piece may it be a classic or a bestseller. I still occasionally pick up library books like that but mostly I turn to kindle books for this type of book discoveries now, the freebies on amazon or titles I don't know much about and rent from booklending.com (a site that is really not known enough, go ahead and check it out). As said I pick these books on a whim and -no surprise- my ratio of discovering great books is not spectacular, 1 or 2 out of 10 might be good, so, yes, I go through a lot of dreck. But it is something I like to do and I won't give up hope of coming across some terrific stories ("The Church of Dead Girls" was one of those finds, as was "Foxfire", two of my all timers).
"On the Fringe" I found on booklending.com, and no, it didn't turn out to be special. It is not appalling or shockingly bad but it isn't particularly good either, it is un-good as in slightly bad. Okay, it is bad, there, the judgement is out. It is rather unremarkable, an uninteresting story with uninteresting characters and mostly uninteresting events. The target audience (is that you, swooning female teenager?) might call it sweet but the supernatural romance has been done a lot better even without going down the twilight road. The best part was the intro when nobody was a ghost and even that was, well, unexciting, un-touching and un-daring. And once the ghosts came the characters were unbelievable. It was a book of "un-s".
Seriously, in a story you can throw all kinds of fantastical elements at me but the people in the story have to react plausible to them, in this case a bit above being only happy that your dead crush returns as a ghost, a bit more than a five second inner dialogue about going crazy to end with the solution of "but I am not going crazy", thanks for that deep exploration. The lover birds settled into things too quickly and 'things' were not captivating, the second killer for storytelling, after introducing boring characters we cattle through a boring plot. And the most boring almost drowning sequence in a book or movie I could imagine, right, nothing got saved by great writing, the writing dabbled without any standouts.
I was toying with 2 stars for a long time, I know romance is not the right thing for me right now, I want juicier themes at the moment, and this is 100% meant for younger readers. But I haven't been bored like this in a while and hell, this is my review and my ratings so I want them to reflect me. And me thinks 1-1.5 stars. Since I read a very similar themed novel in October ("The Hollow") which moved alike very slow and dull but where the protagonist actually does freak out when she discovers the ghostly truth and the topic of mourning a dead loved one was dealt with much better and rewarded that one with 2 stars there is no way this one can score anywhere above a 1. It might be a wee bit undeserved but that is how personal rating works in my book.
"On the Fringe" I found on booklending.com, and no, it didn't turn out to be special. It is not appalling or shockingly bad but it isn't particularly good either, it is un-good as in slightly bad. Okay, it is bad, there, the judgement is out. It is rather unremarkable, an uninteresting story with uninteresting characters and mostly uninteresting events. The target audience (is that you, swooning female teenager?) might call it sweet but the supernatural romance has been done a lot better even without going down the twilight road. The best part was the intro when nobody was a ghost and even that was, well, unexciting, un-touching and un-daring. And once the ghosts came the characters were unbelievable. It was a book of "un-s".
Seriously, in a story you can throw all kinds of fantastical elements at me but the people in the story have to react plausible to them, in this case a bit above being only happy that your dead crush returns as a ghost, a bit more than a five second inner dialogue about going crazy to end with the solution of "but I am not going crazy", thanks for that deep exploration. The lover birds settled into things too quickly and 'things' were not captivating, the second killer for storytelling, after introducing boring characters we cattle through a boring plot. And the most boring almost drowning sequence in a book or movie I could imagine, right, nothing got saved by great writing, the writing dabbled without any standouts.
I was toying with 2 stars for a long time, I know romance is not the right thing for me right now, I want juicier themes at the moment, and this is 100% meant for younger readers. But I haven't been bored like this in a while and hell, this is my review and my ratings so I want them to reflect me. And me thinks 1-1.5 stars. Since I read a very similar themed novel in October ("The Hollow") which moved alike very slow and dull but where the protagonist actually does freak out when she discovers the ghostly truth and the topic of mourning a dead loved one was dealt with much better and rewarded that one with 2 stars there is no way this one can score anywhere above a 1. It might be a wee bit undeserved but that is how personal rating works in my book.
April 8, 2015
It's kind of hard to review this book. The rating lies between 3.5-4.00.
The book is good and you don't get bored. The writing is easy flowing. It is narrated from both Claire and Daniel's POV, which is a plus because you get an insight of their thoughts and life respectively and get to connect with both the characters. I liked the relationship between Daniel and Claire. It was sweet and heart-touching.
Claire had a crush on her brother Matthew's best friend Daniel. And Daniel too had a crush on Claire. But unfortunately they couldn't tell the other or more like didn't. But I get it. I mean we all may have a crush on someone but didn't tell that person about it for various reasons. And sometimes it is just because we think we will have more time unaware of what the next moment would bring. This was the case with Claire and Daniel. After Daniel dies Claire doesn't get to tell him she loves him and neither does he get to tell her that he loves her until on her sixteen birthday because of an incident there develops a connection between them which enables Claire to see Daniel.
There isn't insta-love between them. They both have a major part in each others life and share a thousand memories, which is so sweet. Courtney shows beautifully the awkwardness and dizziness of first crush. It reminded me of my first crush because I was just so awkward around him all the time. But I was also buzzing with happiness. I could totally connect with Claire. After Daniel's death she doesn't wallow but she also doesn't just move on. She holds onto his memories but doesn't completely disconnect herself with everything else.
After Claire and Daniel can see each other and they build a connection, from there their relationship builds. The story is beautiful and sweet. It is not exactly my type and I knew that from the description itself but I still gave it a try. I don't regret reading the story but for me it is a one time read.
It is Courtney King Walker's debut novel and she has done a great job. This is a sweet story about love and loss.
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