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The Broken Edge of the World
Their love is destined, but can it survive her compulsion for beauty? Haunting and steamy, this spellbinding fantasy romance will enthrall you with its alluring concoction of traditional Grimm's and modern thrills.
Sylvie has taken a summer job at a remote and alluring prairie preserve in the middle of the Great Plains. It’s a much-needed escape—from her sadness, from her cruelly distant father, and maybe even from She longs to be free of the intrusive, obsessive thoughts that are her constant burden.
Soon, she finds herself drawn to a stunning shepherd boy and can’t stop herself from going to him at night, even though she’s been warned to keep away. During the day, though, she begins to develop a friendship with another boy, a strange-looking and strangely gentle coworker named Jack . . . and gradually to uncover the mysteries of this place that feels more like home than anyplace has before it.
But those mysteries include a powerful curse, and when she uncovers the truth of it, she becomes recklessly determined to break it—to free the one trapped in its spell. She fails to consider the possibility that her actions could break much more than just the curse, and that some burdens demand to be borne.
Sylvie has taken a summer job at a remote and alluring prairie preserve in the middle of the Great Plains. It’s a much-needed escape—from her sadness, from her cruelly distant father, and maybe even from She longs to be free of the intrusive, obsessive thoughts that are her constant burden.
Soon, she finds herself drawn to a stunning shepherd boy and can’t stop herself from going to him at night, even though she’s been warned to keep away. During the day, though, she begins to develop a friendship with another boy, a strange-looking and strangely gentle coworker named Jack . . . and gradually to uncover the mysteries of this place that feels more like home than anyplace has before it.
But those mysteries include a powerful curse, and when she uncovers the truth of it, she becomes recklessly determined to break it—to free the one trapped in its spell. She fails to consider the possibility that her actions could break much more than just the curse, and that some burdens demand to be borne.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 2, 2026
NO JUST NO.
November 26, 2025
I just finished reading an arc of The Broken Edge of the World, and if you are a fan of how realistically Alena Bruzas depicts mental health issues, as well as a bit of magical realism and fantasy, this is the book for you.
I don't typically read books outside of realistic fiction, but this was such a beautiful and gripping story that had me turning the pages and reading it all in basically one sitting!
Of course, my favourite aspect was the realistic depiction of a FMC with OCD but also the raw, all encompassing feelings of first love.
Pick this one up!
I don't typically read books outside of realistic fiction, but this was such a beautiful and gripping story that had me turning the pages and reading it all in basically one sitting!
Of course, my favourite aspect was the realistic depiction of a FMC with OCD but also the raw, all encompassing feelings of first love.
Pick this one up!
June 24, 2026
this was very different than what i expected!🤭 i do think this is more magical realism with romance than a romantasy especially since the magical aspect is revealed later in the book.
the book was great at keeping me interested the entire time. though i do think things were a bit rushed at the end 😫 i honestly wouldn’t have minded if the book had another 50 pages!! i feel like we didn’t get enough closure with some of the other side characters
the romance was perfectly done!! the angst, tension, yearning, mystery was the perfect blend. the “love triangle” wasn’t annoying or drawn out!!
overall, this was a great summer read! it definitely has that grimm fairytale style which i really enjoyed!
the book was great at keeping me interested the entire time. though i do think things were a bit rushed at the end 😫 i honestly wouldn’t have minded if the book had another 50 pages!! i feel like we didn’t get enough closure with some of the other side characters
the romance was perfectly done!! the angst, tension, yearning, mystery was the perfect blend. the “love triangle” wasn’t annoying or drawn out!!
overall, this was a great summer read! it definitely has that grimm fairytale style which i really enjoyed!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
~~Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC!~~
2.5/5 stars rounded down.
This one was kinda rough for me.
I wanted to like this. I really did. But I just couldn't.
The biggest grievance for me was the romance, or the "love triangle." The "twist" about the two boys is so glaringly obvious, but it barely even occurs for Sylvie until over half way through the book. It's even blatantly said at least a couple times to her face, but it goes straight over her head. Then once she does, the romance becomes instantly physical and sexual.
The degree of showing sex in YA is something I consider depending on the story, the age of its characters, and the portrayal. While I do appreciate how Sylvie's sexuality is tied to her self image, her skewed perception of beauty, and her attempting to rectify the emotional negligence she's endured all her life, I just didn't vibe with some of the more explicit scenes. Some other characters find out about it and meanly joke that it's , and I really didn't like that. Plus, there's also the whole "it's true love" portion. There was a point where Sylvie messes up with the love interest, and I was starting to believe romance isn't the fix-it for all her problems, but, sadly, that wasn't the case. It's barely been a whole summer, and the story and other side characters confirming the romance was "true love" wasn't believable for me, whatsoever.
I don't have OCD, but I could tell Bruzas put her all into portraying faithfully to her experience. I just wish the story didn't become a full romance by the end. Sylvie finding her friends and community, as well as learning about her mom's past and family (Which was sorta neglected and not explained all that well. Every piece of meaningful info was dumped on us in the last four chapters when it should've been more spread across the board), should have been focused on more. In my opinion, anyway.
2.5/5 stars rounded down.
This one was kinda rough for me.
I wanted to like this. I really did. But I just couldn't.
The biggest grievance for me was the romance, or the "love triangle." The "twist" about the two boys is so glaringly obvious, but it barely even occurs for Sylvie until over half way through the book. It's even blatantly said at least a couple times to her face, but it goes straight over her head. Then once she does, the romance becomes instantly physical and sexual.
The degree of showing sex in YA is something I consider depending on the story, the age of its characters, and the portrayal. While I do appreciate how Sylvie's sexuality is tied to her self image, her skewed perception of beauty, and her attempting to rectify the emotional negligence she's endured all her life, I just didn't vibe with some of the more explicit scenes. Some other characters find out about it and meanly joke that it's , and I really didn't like that. Plus, there's also the whole "it's true love" portion. There was a point where Sylvie messes up with the love interest, and I was starting to believe romance isn't the fix-it for all her problems, but, sadly, that wasn't the case. It's barely been a whole summer, and the story and other side characters confirming the romance was "true love" wasn't believable for me, whatsoever.
I don't have OCD, but I could tell Bruzas put her all into portraying faithfully to her experience. I just wish the story didn't become a full romance by the end. Sylvie finding her friends and community, as well as learning about her mom's past and family (Which was sorta neglected and not explained all that well. Every piece of meaningful info was dumped on us in the last four chapters when it should've been more spread across the board), should have been focused on more. In my opinion, anyway.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I let myself be charmed by both the cover and the premise... and maybe by the fact that it was listed as "read now" title for a short time and I was in some strong mood for ya when I grabbed it.
Unfortunately, it didn't really deliver for me, despite I wanted it to, because the idea was something that screamed to me from the very start.
One of the things I really enjoyed was the way OCD was portrayed in the book, it felt real (and I'm sure one of the reasons is because the author herself has it, as we learn at the end of the book, in the note). It was refreshing, especially after all the book I read, where someone with OCD got reduced to a person who's just very obsessed with numbers, making sure things are aligned perfectly and their small rituals. Hardly anyone seems to remember/realize, that there's also the intrusive thoughts part (or maybe some people just mess it up with OCPD? I guess we will never know) and that's how we usually have it reduced to "clean freak". Ugly term I heard being used a few times back in high-school (and unfortunately later in adult life in such many different scenarios), when a girl suffering from OCD came to my school. I'm just glad to see a book that finally gave it some justice and that itself is enough for me to raise my rating a bit.
Now, onto the things I didn't really enjoy.
Sylvie was so clueless for most of the book, that it hurt me. Some parts of the plot became so obvious at one point, that even after they were practically spoken right into her face, she still couldn't really connect the dots while we just sat there, waiting to see how it turns out.
The thing I liked the least was probably Sylvie's compulsion for beauty (as the blurb put it nicely). It was happening for a major part of the book and it wore me out.
Another part that I didn't like was just a tiny blink in the story that appeared as a single sentence (and then Sylvie brought it up again in her mind some time later) and it was a joke about , yes, you read that right. It left a sour taste in my mouth, especially knowing that it's a YA book and... yeah, I think you get what I mean.
Lastly, I feel like the plot was all over the place. I read the first 40% of the book before going to bed and I decided to call it a day, because I felt like nothing was happening and the fact that I was getting tired wasn't helping either. I came back to it as soon as I woke up and while things did started to pick up, by that time I was just confused and lost, not in the good way. Almost all of the most important informations that we were waiting for all that time? We got it almost at the very end of the book, just one after another, as if to simply close the plot before the story finally wraps up.
I let myself be charmed by both the cover and the premise... and maybe by the fact that it was listed as "read now" title for a short time and I was in some strong mood for ya when I grabbed it.
Unfortunately, it didn't really deliver for me, despite I wanted it to, because the idea was something that screamed to me from the very start.
One of the things I really enjoyed was the way OCD was portrayed in the book, it felt real (and I'm sure one of the reasons is because the author herself has it, as we learn at the end of the book, in the note). It was refreshing, especially after all the book I read, where someone with OCD got reduced to a person who's just very obsessed with numbers, making sure things are aligned perfectly and their small rituals. Hardly anyone seems to remember/realize, that there's also the intrusive thoughts part (or maybe some people just mess it up with OCPD? I guess we will never know) and that's how we usually have it reduced to "clean freak". Ugly term I heard being used a few times back in high-school (and unfortunately later in adult life in such many different scenarios), when a girl suffering from OCD came to my school. I'm just glad to see a book that finally gave it some justice and that itself is enough for me to raise my rating a bit.
Now, onto the things I didn't really enjoy.
Sylvie was so clueless for most of the book, that it hurt me. Some parts of the plot became so obvious at one point, that even after they were practically spoken right into her face, she still couldn't really connect the dots while we just sat there, waiting to see how it turns out.
The thing I liked the least was probably Sylvie's compulsion for beauty (as the blurb put it nicely). It was happening for a major part of the book and it wore me out.
Another part that I didn't like was just a tiny blink in the story that appeared as a single sentence (and then Sylvie brought it up again in her mind some time later) and it was a joke about , yes, you read that right. It left a sour taste in my mouth, especially knowing that it's a YA book and... yeah, I think you get what I mean.
Lastly, I feel like the plot was all over the place. I read the first 40% of the book before going to bed and I decided to call it a day, because I felt like nothing was happening and the fact that I was getting tired wasn't helping either. I came back to it as soon as I woke up and while things did started to pick up, by that time I was just confused and lost, not in the good way. Almost all of the most important informations that we were waiting for all that time? We got it almost at the very end of the book, just one after another, as if to simply close the plot before the story finally wraps up.
July 27, 2026
First and foremost thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I wanted to love this from the start but I fear this wasn't my cup of tea. I appreciate the emphasis of OCD and disordered eating and their correlation however I feel as if this took over Sylvie's story. People are more than their disorders and I feel like Bruzas really did a disservice in this representation. We don't even learn about Sylvie, her history, her friends, her hobbies until late in the story. I was expecting this to be a coming of age story, as most typical YA's are, however, it fell through. My thoughts initially were that she was going to visit her mom's homeland and connect with her other undiscovered family. Again that was not the case. While she did build relationships with these side characters it felt more like a working relationship and not the found family I was anticipating. There was also a strange focus on the romance between her and Jack. Again a sub-genre I was expecting, a sweet summertime romance away at a prairie, young youthful blossoming love. I fear the author might have took it too far. She pushed the "true love" trope and the readers are expected to believe this 17/18 year old is forever aftering with this 18/19 year old? To grow old and die together on the prairie? Because she basically squandered any type of future ambitions either main characters could have with an irreversible spell. And the "good" parents (the moms) determined the fate of her children before they were even 5 all because of her selfishness. Curse one to save the other who also is imprisoned to the spell to take care of the other child for the rest of his life, and steals power from non-consenting 3 year old to do so! Neither sons getting to have dreams of their own. Only for the parents to die in the process! Honestly it's very messed up. Any practicing witch knows that you do not alter fate. Nature has cycles and death is part of that. To defy death is to defy nature. Again a very poor depiction and representation of modern witchcraft that is harmful to it's practitioners. Though I don't think they thought of that while writing, only tried to get a Practical Magic vibe they were looking for. So yay for that I guess. I have such an issue with that ending too, why shouldn't Sylvie reclaim her power? Its hers. It was stolen from her. But now she has to suffer without it all because of the decisions people she never met made. What a lack of spiritual autonomy. She could make things right again and trust in humanity and modern medicine or like any real witch, natures fate. But instead there is this invisible noose of narcissistic abuse that she chooses to hold onto, for people she never knew and will never know because of some made up fantasy she has of these people and how they were supposed to act and behave had they lived. Like honestly I fear this girl needs more therapy. Yikes.
I wanted to love this from the start but I fear this wasn't my cup of tea. I appreciate the emphasis of OCD and disordered eating and their correlation however I feel as if this took over Sylvie's story. People are more than their disorders and I feel like Bruzas really did a disservice in this representation. We don't even learn about Sylvie, her history, her friends, her hobbies until late in the story. I was expecting this to be a coming of age story, as most typical YA's are, however, it fell through. My thoughts initially were that she was going to visit her mom's homeland and connect with her other undiscovered family. Again that was not the case. While she did build relationships with these side characters it felt more like a working relationship and not the found family I was anticipating. There was also a strange focus on the romance between her and Jack. Again a sub-genre I was expecting, a sweet summertime romance away at a prairie, young youthful blossoming love. I fear the author might have took it too far. She pushed the "true love" trope and the readers are expected to believe this 17/18 year old is forever aftering with this 18/19 year old? To grow old and die together on the prairie? Because she basically squandered any type of future ambitions either main characters could have with an irreversible spell. And the "good" parents (the moms) determined the fate of her children before they were even 5 all because of her selfishness. Curse one to save the other who also is imprisoned to the spell to take care of the other child for the rest of his life, and steals power from non-consenting 3 year old to do so! Neither sons getting to have dreams of their own. Only for the parents to die in the process! Honestly it's very messed up. Any practicing witch knows that you do not alter fate. Nature has cycles and death is part of that. To defy death is to defy nature. Again a very poor depiction and representation of modern witchcraft that is harmful to it's practitioners. Though I don't think they thought of that while writing, only tried to get a Practical Magic vibe they were looking for. So yay for that I guess. I have such an issue with that ending too, why shouldn't Sylvie reclaim her power? Its hers. It was stolen from her. But now she has to suffer without it all because of the decisions people she never met made. What a lack of spiritual autonomy. She could make things right again and trust in humanity and modern medicine or like any real witch, natures fate. But instead there is this invisible noose of narcissistic abuse that she chooses to hold onto, for people she never knew and will never know because of some made up fantasy she has of these people and how they were supposed to act and behave had they lived. Like honestly I fear this girl needs more therapy. Yikes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Broken Edge of the World is a very sincere look at the world through the lens of Sylvie, an 18 year old girl who entails to work on herself and her obsessive-compulsive disorder. This journey is so genuine in how it navigates the intrusive thoughts and anxiety arising from OCD. But ultimately, even with its sincerity and added touch of magic, I never quite fell under the spell of this book. I do think the age target audience will be captivated and feel very seen. So while it's not quite for me, I hope it will find the right readers who will appreciate it in a way I did not.
A remote job at a prairie reserve has Sylvie taking time to focus on herself and her future, but this new journey also becomes an unexpected connection to the past. Specifically a connection to her deceased mother she never knew. And it helps reframe her present, especially as her heart starts to lead her to both the sweet, guarded Jack and a very mysterious and alluring shepherd boy.
I want to start with the things that work for me. So much of Sylvie’s journey is how she navigates her OCD and I felt I learned much of that journey. Especially in the driving force and inevitable consequence of intrusive thoughts. In this regard, with magic in the midst of our real world setting, we see how Sylvie’s compulsiveness towards beauty standards and fixing things can lead to impactful consequences. It’s a raw, honest look into OCD and how Sylvie must learn to embrace every facet of who she is, and who others are as well. It’s very well done. I also appreciated the ease in reading this work. Whenever I struggle with liking a book, it leads to struggling to push through to the end. Although this book isn’t my cup of tea, I always felt at ease reading it. I swept right through it in fact! It’s a seamless read that held my attention.
That said, I think why I felt it seamless in reading at a steady pace is because there is not the depth expected. It’s a journey that tells more than it shows and it led me to not caring as deeply for its characters as I wish I did. As I hope others still do. It simply did not click with me personally. I read through the ups and down for Sylvie and never felt connected to her. While I do believe her journey with OCD is well depicted and impacted, the rest of the story falls flat. The narrative goes through all the motions without developing a stirring of emotions along with it. But that’s just how I received it. I think maybe this is a book that will suit its target audience far, far better than it did me, who's quite out of range for it now.
I hope if you’re intrigued by the premise of this one, you still give it a go. And I hope it’s a story that resonates with you.
Thank you Rocky Pond Books and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
A remote job at a prairie reserve has Sylvie taking time to focus on herself and her future, but this new journey also becomes an unexpected connection to the past. Specifically a connection to her deceased mother she never knew. And it helps reframe her present, especially as her heart starts to lead her to both the sweet, guarded Jack and a very mysterious and alluring shepherd boy.
I want to start with the things that work for me. So much of Sylvie’s journey is how she navigates her OCD and I felt I learned much of that journey. Especially in the driving force and inevitable consequence of intrusive thoughts. In this regard, with magic in the midst of our real world setting, we see how Sylvie’s compulsiveness towards beauty standards and fixing things can lead to impactful consequences. It’s a raw, honest look into OCD and how Sylvie must learn to embrace every facet of who she is, and who others are as well. It’s very well done. I also appreciated the ease in reading this work. Whenever I struggle with liking a book, it leads to struggling to push through to the end. Although this book isn’t my cup of tea, I always felt at ease reading it. I swept right through it in fact! It’s a seamless read that held my attention.
That said, I think why I felt it seamless in reading at a steady pace is because there is not the depth expected. It’s a journey that tells more than it shows and it led me to not caring as deeply for its characters as I wish I did. As I hope others still do. It simply did not click with me personally. I read through the ups and down for Sylvie and never felt connected to her. While I do believe her journey with OCD is well depicted and impacted, the rest of the story falls flat. The narrative goes through all the motions without developing a stirring of emotions along with it. But that’s just how I received it. I think maybe this is a book that will suit its target audience far, far better than it did me, who's quite out of range for it now.
I hope if you’re intrigued by the premise of this one, you still give it a go. And I hope it’s a story that resonates with you.
Thank you Rocky Pond Books and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
June 17, 2026
**Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing an ARC for an honest review!**
What I expected based off the premise and what I got after reading were two different things. Sadly, as much as I tried to enjoy this one, I really couldn't get invested.
The characters felt pretty flat and didn't stand out much. Logan just comes off as someone you can't really tell what his problem is (you find out much later in the story what his problem is...but I still can't wrap my head on how that made him hot and cold constantly) and hard to really like. i would've liked to have seen more with Eva and Sylvie, the female friendship that Sylvie desperately needs in her life. There are some other side characters that show up that I would've liked to have seen more and see how they're involved with the story and Sylvie's development, but that just pop up and disappear...like where'd you go?
The setting was really nice, and I did appreciate the coming of age plot to show Sylvie trying to become the person should would like to be while battling her own demons (OCD and intrusive thoughts controlling how she sees herself). The depiction of OCD I felt was pretty good, as it draws from Bruza's personal experience and gives a more realistic view of how those living with OCD deal with their own demons (instead of the stereotypes society is used to thinking of when they hear "OCD").
The romance felt flat for me, as did a majority of the character interactions/relationships. While I do understand the story was more focused on Sylvie and her own journey to healing/growing up, I do wish she and her counterparts had been fleshed out more so that we could feel some connection to them. I felt nothing towards any of them (I did feel some for Sylvie as I understand that need to be perfect/wanting to be seen as perfect due to ADHD and anxiety), but a lot of this just felt like we scraped the surface and never uncovered the depths of the characters. The resolution also felt a bit rushed at the end, which left me feeling a bit unsatisfied.
What I expected based off the premise and what I got after reading were two different things. Sadly, as much as I tried to enjoy this one, I really couldn't get invested.
The characters felt pretty flat and didn't stand out much. Logan just comes off as someone you can't really tell what his problem is (you find out much later in the story what his problem is...but I still can't wrap my head on how that made him hot and cold constantly) and hard to really like. i would've liked to have seen more with Eva and Sylvie, the female friendship that Sylvie desperately needs in her life. There are some other side characters that show up that I would've liked to have seen more and see how they're involved with the story and Sylvie's development, but that just pop up and disappear...like where'd you go?
The setting was really nice, and I did appreciate the coming of age plot to show Sylvie trying to become the person should would like to be while battling her own demons (OCD and intrusive thoughts controlling how she sees herself). The depiction of OCD I felt was pretty good, as it draws from Bruza's personal experience and gives a more realistic view of how those living with OCD deal with their own demons (instead of the stereotypes society is used to thinking of when they hear "OCD").
The romance felt flat for me, as did a majority of the character interactions/relationships. While I do understand the story was more focused on Sylvie and her own journey to healing/growing up, I do wish she and her counterparts had been fleshed out more so that we could feel some connection to them. I felt nothing towards any of them (I did feel some for Sylvie as I understand that need to be perfect/wanting to be seen as perfect due to ADHD and anxiety), but a lot of this just felt like we scraped the surface and never uncovered the depths of the characters. The resolution also felt a bit rushed at the end, which left me feeling a bit unsatisfied.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
•More Than a Pretty Cover•
2026 has officially been the year of discovering new authors for me! With that comes stunning covers and incredibly unique concepts. That is exactly what this book brought to the table—it was entirely unexpected, but absolutely worth the few hours I spent with it today. (Plus, bonus points for the dog and the Princess Bride references, since that’s one of my all-time favorite movies!)
Before I dive into what I loved, I do want to wave a quick flag: please check the trigger warnings on the very first page, as this one won't be for everyone.
To really appreciate this story, I had to completely shift my expectations. I went into it expecting a fantasy romance (which, in fairness, is how the blurb sells it), but that’s not quite what it is. Instead, it felt much more like an incredibly easy-to-follow YA slice-of-life with elements of magical realism and romance. Think Practical Magic vibes—where the magic and romance are definitely part of the world, but they aren't the entire plot.
At its core, this is Sylvie’s story. It's about her coming to terms with who she is, mental illness and all. The mental health issues here are handled so beautifully and respectfully. It isn’t immediately obvious how deeply her OCD affects her self-perception and her obsession with beauty; the author handles it subtly, and the pieces only truly began to click for me later in the book. Initially, I chalked up her insecurities to typical teenage struggles without realizing the heavier weight of her OCD.
Not having OCD myself, I can’t speak to the exact representation, but I can say that Sylvie's frustrations and hurdles felt incredibly palpable. In the author's note, Alena Bruzas shares her own diagnosis with OCD, and her perspective was incredibly honest, vulnerable, and telling. That lived-in truth absolutely shines through the pages and makes the story hit that much harder.
Once I stopped treating this as a high-stakes fantasy and started viewing it as Sylvie’s personal journey, I enjoyed it so much more. That being said, I did find myself wishing for a bit more depth regarding the magic, the curse, and the family lore. I also would have loved to see the side characters and their friendships developed just a little further, as they could have added a really beautiful layer to Sylvie's growth.
2026 has officially been the year of discovering new authors for me! With that comes stunning covers and incredibly unique concepts. That is exactly what this book brought to the table—it was entirely unexpected, but absolutely worth the few hours I spent with it today. (Plus, bonus points for the dog and the Princess Bride references, since that’s one of my all-time favorite movies!)
Before I dive into what I loved, I do want to wave a quick flag: please check the trigger warnings on the very first page, as this one won't be for everyone.
To really appreciate this story, I had to completely shift my expectations. I went into it expecting a fantasy romance (which, in fairness, is how the blurb sells it), but that’s not quite what it is. Instead, it felt much more like an incredibly easy-to-follow YA slice-of-life with elements of magical realism and romance. Think Practical Magic vibes—where the magic and romance are definitely part of the world, but they aren't the entire plot.
At its core, this is Sylvie’s story. It's about her coming to terms with who she is, mental illness and all. The mental health issues here are handled so beautifully and respectfully. It isn’t immediately obvious how deeply her OCD affects her self-perception and her obsession with beauty; the author handles it subtly, and the pieces only truly began to click for me later in the book. Initially, I chalked up her insecurities to typical teenage struggles without realizing the heavier weight of her OCD.
Not having OCD myself, I can’t speak to the exact representation, but I can say that Sylvie's frustrations and hurdles felt incredibly palpable. In the author's note, Alena Bruzas shares her own diagnosis with OCD, and her perspective was incredibly honest, vulnerable, and telling. That lived-in truth absolutely shines through the pages and makes the story hit that much harder.
Once I stopped treating this as a high-stakes fantasy and started viewing it as Sylvie’s personal journey, I enjoyed it so much more. That being said, I did find myself wishing for a bit more depth regarding the magic, the curse, and the family lore. I also would have loved to see the side characters and their friendships developed just a little further, as they could have added a really beautiful layer to Sylvie's growth.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.75 stars, rounded up.
I won an ARC of this book from the author through Instagram. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book required me to shift my expectations in order to really appreciate it. I went into it expecting more of a fantasy romance (which, in fairness, is what the blurb says), but that's not really what it is. It felt a lot more like YA fiction, almost slice-of-life, with some magical realism and romance--think like Practical Magic vibes, where magic and romance are part of the story, but not necessarily the whole story.
The story is really about Sylvie and her coming to terms with herself and who she is, mental disorder and all. It's not clear right away how much her OCD affects her own self-perception and her obsession with beauty--it's very subtle and only started coming together for me later in the book. I generally just associated her insecurities as being typical teenage girl insecurities without realizing the additional effect of OCD. Not having OCD myself, I can't truly speak to the representation, but I know that I could feel her struggles and frustrations. In the author's note, Alena Bruzas talks about her own diagnosis and how it affected her and it very much comes through in the book. When I stopped thinking about this book as a fantasy and more as Sylvie's story, I enjoyed it a lot more. That being said, I did wish there was more about the magic and the curse, as well as the family lore. I also would have liked a little more development of the side characters and their friendships. I think those would have been really nice touches in terms of Sylvie's journey.
Bonus points for the dog and the Princess Bride references!
I won an ARC of this book from the author through Instagram. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book required me to shift my expectations in order to really appreciate it. I went into it expecting more of a fantasy romance (which, in fairness, is what the blurb says), but that's not really what it is. It felt a lot more like YA fiction, almost slice-of-life, with some magical realism and romance--think like Practical Magic vibes, where magic and romance are part of the story, but not necessarily the whole story.
The story is really about Sylvie and her coming to terms with herself and who she is, mental disorder and all. It's not clear right away how much her OCD affects her own self-perception and her obsession with beauty--it's very subtle and only started coming together for me later in the book. I generally just associated her insecurities as being typical teenage girl insecurities without realizing the additional effect of OCD. Not having OCD myself, I can't truly speak to the representation, but I know that I could feel her struggles and frustrations. In the author's note, Alena Bruzas talks about her own diagnosis and how it affected her and it very much comes through in the book. When I stopped thinking about this book as a fantasy and more as Sylvie's story, I enjoyed it a lot more. That being said, I did wish there was more about the magic and the curse, as well as the family lore. I also would have liked a little more development of the side characters and their friendships. I think those would have been really nice touches in terms of Sylvie's journey.
Bonus points for the dog and the Princess Bride references!
July 20, 2026
3.5 stars
Writing:
I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. The way OCD thought spirals are written is brilliant, and feels genuine and accurate to the actual experience of having OCD. I loved the stylistic use of run-on sentences, or the lack of punctuation at times. The writing made the story feel lush, magical, and inevitable, with just enough darkness to make it read like a dark fairytale.
Plot:
Considering the amount of magic in this story, it feels less like a full blown fantasy, and more like an urban story with magical realism. The fantasy aspects only start affecting the story around the 70% mark, and didn't feel fully thought out. The connections of the magic, at least to me, felt disjointed, and I often felt confused about the magic in the story. The ending also felt rushed, and while I understand the emotional effect the author was trying to go for, I didn't find myself feeling very emotionally connected to the characters in that way, which is unfortunate. Because of this, the ending felt anticlimactic, and I wish that the pacing of the end was slowed down, to be able to really be affected by what was supposed to be an emotional ending.
OCD aspects:
As a reviewer with OCD, I felt so seen by Sylvie's experiences. While I don't share all of her obsessions and compulsions, the morally scrupulous elements of her OCD were really accurate, and made me feel so emotionally connected with her character. I love that the representation of her OCD was never made to be palatable. It was always uncomfortable, and never made to be an 'aesthetic' part of her character.
A huge thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and Netgalley for this ARC!
Writing:
I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. The way OCD thought spirals are written is brilliant, and feels genuine and accurate to the actual experience of having OCD. I loved the stylistic use of run-on sentences, or the lack of punctuation at times. The writing made the story feel lush, magical, and inevitable, with just enough darkness to make it read like a dark fairytale.
Plot:
Considering the amount of magic in this story, it feels less like a full blown fantasy, and more like an urban story with magical realism. The fantasy aspects only start affecting the story around the 70% mark, and didn't feel fully thought out. The connections of the magic, at least to me, felt disjointed, and I often felt confused about the magic in the story. The ending also felt rushed, and while I understand the emotional effect the author was trying to go for, I didn't find myself feeling very emotionally connected to the characters in that way, which is unfortunate. Because of this, the ending felt anticlimactic, and I wish that the pacing of the end was slowed down, to be able to really be affected by what was supposed to be an emotional ending.
OCD aspects:
As a reviewer with OCD, I felt so seen by Sylvie's experiences. While I don't share all of her obsessions and compulsions, the morally scrupulous elements of her OCD were really accurate, and made me feel so emotionally connected with her character. I love that the representation of her OCD was never made to be palatable. It was always uncomfortable, and never made to be an 'aesthetic' part of her character.
A huge thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and Netgalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Broken Edge of the World is a beautifully written historical fantasy that combines adventure, mythology, and coming-of-age themes into a captivating story. The novel creates a strong sense of atmosphere, pulling readers into a world where folklore, danger, and discovery intertwine.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its protagonist. Her journey is filled with uncertainty, courage, and personal growth, making it easy to become invested in her fate. The relationships she forms along the way add emotional depth, while the challenges she faces push her to question what she knows about herself and the world around her.
The setting is vivid and immersive, and the blend of historical elements with mythology gives the story a unique feel. There is a constant sense of wonder throughout the novel, balanced by moments of tension and genuine emotional weight. The themes of identity, belonging, and resilience are woven naturally into the narrative and leave a lasting impression.
The reason this earns four stars rather than five is that the pacing occasionally slows, particularly during some of the world-building and travel sequences. While these moments add richness to the story, they sometimes lessen the momentum of the plot.
Overall, The Broken Edge of the World is an imaginative and heartfelt novel that offers memorable characters, a fascinating setting, and a story full of adventure and self-discovery. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fantasy, folklore-inspired tales, and character-driven journeys.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its protagonist. Her journey is filled with uncertainty, courage, and personal growth, making it easy to become invested in her fate. The relationships she forms along the way add emotional depth, while the challenges she faces push her to question what she knows about herself and the world around her.
The setting is vivid and immersive, and the blend of historical elements with mythology gives the story a unique feel. There is a constant sense of wonder throughout the novel, balanced by moments of tension and genuine emotional weight. The themes of identity, belonging, and resilience are woven naturally into the narrative and leave a lasting impression.
The reason this earns four stars rather than five is that the pacing occasionally slows, particularly during some of the world-building and travel sequences. While these moments add richness to the story, they sometimes lessen the momentum of the plot.
Overall, The Broken Edge of the World is an imaginative and heartfelt novel that offers memorable characters, a fascinating setting, and a story full of adventure and self-discovery. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fantasy, folklore-inspired tales, and character-driven journeys.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC received through the Penguin TBR program.
Short Blurb:
In The Broken Edge of the World, the reader is thrust into a heady, dreamlike summer along with main character Sylvie as she discovers parts of herself and her past that she never knew existed. Sylvie's narrative voice is strong and gives readers an insight into the day-to-day thoughts of someone with OCD that feels authentic. With the atmosphere and magical aspects, the book reads like a modern-day fairy tale, and the mystery and romance will entice older teens as well as adults.
Further thoughts:
The writing of this story was beautiful, and it created such a vivid atmosphere, both in terms of the prairie setting, as well as the feeling of being a teenager on the verge of adulthood, trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life. You are truly dropped right in the story, to the point that for the first couple of chapters it almost felt like I was missing something, but it didn't take long after that to get completely sucked into the story. With Sylvie being suddenly in a brand new situation along with her constantly busy thought patterns, it takes a little getting used to, but once you do, it feels perfect for the character. The people around Sylvie all feel well-developed with distinct personalities, creating fun and quirky dialogue, while remaining authentic-feeling. Without giving too much away, the romance in the book was lovely and really did feel fairy tale-like.
Short Blurb:
In The Broken Edge of the World, the reader is thrust into a heady, dreamlike summer along with main character Sylvie as she discovers parts of herself and her past that she never knew existed. Sylvie's narrative voice is strong and gives readers an insight into the day-to-day thoughts of someone with OCD that feels authentic. With the atmosphere and magical aspects, the book reads like a modern-day fairy tale, and the mystery and romance will entice older teens as well as adults.
Further thoughts:
The writing of this story was beautiful, and it created such a vivid atmosphere, both in terms of the prairie setting, as well as the feeling of being a teenager on the verge of adulthood, trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life. You are truly dropped right in the story, to the point that for the first couple of chapters it almost felt like I was missing something, but it didn't take long after that to get completely sucked into the story. With Sylvie being suddenly in a brand new situation along with her constantly busy thought patterns, it takes a little getting used to, but once you do, it feels perfect for the character. The people around Sylvie all feel well-developed with distinct personalities, creating fun and quirky dialogue, while remaining authentic-feeling. Without giving too much away, the romance in the book was lovely and really did feel fairy tale-like.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really wanted to love this book. The premise sounded so interesting and I was quite excited about it. However, the story did not grab me like I hoped it would.
First of all, the setting was very cool. It had mystical and cosy vibes and the descriptions reflected those very well. Also, I loved how plants and food had a major part in the story.
It was nice to see OCD representation in the story, though I cannot comment on how good or accurate it is since I have no experience on the subject.
Now on to what did not work for me...
It felt a bit like the book was full of good ideas but the execution fell short. I didn't love the tone. I am not sure if it was done on purpose to represent the stuggle in the FMC's head but the constant short and blunt sentences took the out of the story quite often. I felt like I was detachedly observing the story instead of living through it. This style also made the tone feel a lot younger even though the plot was older YA. I was a bit conflicted about that.
I had a bit of a problem connecting to or sympathizing with any of the characters. The only one I truly liked was Jack. Also, I would have loved to explore the side characters a bit more. Maybe a little epilogue to glimpse into their futures.
All in all, this was not a bad book but I just did not click with it like I expected to based on the premise.
Thanks a lot to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC!
First of all, the setting was very cool. It had mystical and cosy vibes and the descriptions reflected those very well. Also, I loved how plants and food had a major part in the story.
It was nice to see OCD representation in the story, though I cannot comment on how good or accurate it is since I have no experience on the subject.
Now on to what did not work for me...
It felt a bit like the book was full of good ideas but the execution fell short. I didn't love the tone. I am not sure if it was done on purpose to represent the stuggle in the FMC's head but the constant short and blunt sentences took the out of the story quite often. I felt like I was detachedly observing the story instead of living through it. This style also made the tone feel a lot younger even though the plot was older YA. I was a bit conflicted about that.
I had a bit of a problem connecting to or sympathizing with any of the characters. The only one I truly liked was Jack. Also, I would have loved to explore the side characters a bit more. Maybe a little epilogue to glimpse into their futures.
All in all, this was not a bad book but I just did not click with it like I expected to based on the premise.
Thanks a lot to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC!
July 15, 2026
It is summer vacation, and Sylvie has left her home in Washington for an internship at a prairie preserve, inventing foods from whatever the prairie has to offer. Culinary experience is not all that has drawn Sylvie to this location, however; this is a place where her mother once spent time, and Sylvie is determined to learn more about her late mother however she can. Though her mother’s spirit seems to reside in every part of the landscape, Sylvie has challenges to overcome, and as the summer goes on, Sylvie learns more about herself and her past in an effort to better proceed into her future.
This contemplative, literary story takes place on the edges of reality where magic and possibility linger. Beautifully descriptive language and frequent internal musings add depth to both the story and Sylvie’s emotions, especially because the narrative is delivered from Sylvie’s point of view. Occasional strong language and a sweet, swoon-worthy romance make the book best suited to mature young adult readers. Additionally, Sylvie lives with OCD, a fact that is made clear from the first pages of the book, and the narrative showcases Sylvie’s efforts to navigate her world alongside her challenges. Slow-paced and filled with emotional moments, this book will resonate with readers who appreciate human-centric storytelling. This is a thoughtful addition to library collections serving older young adult readers.
This contemplative, literary story takes place on the edges of reality where magic and possibility linger. Beautifully descriptive language and frequent internal musings add depth to both the story and Sylvie’s emotions, especially because the narrative is delivered from Sylvie’s point of view. Occasional strong language and a sweet, swoon-worthy romance make the book best suited to mature young adult readers. Additionally, Sylvie lives with OCD, a fact that is made clear from the first pages of the book, and the narrative showcases Sylvie’s efforts to navigate her world alongside her challenges. Slow-paced and filled with emotional moments, this book will resonate with readers who appreciate human-centric storytelling. This is a thoughtful addition to library collections serving older young adult readers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Broken Edge of the World follows Sylvie as she arrives at a remote prairie preserve for a summer job. She finds herself drawn to the shepherd boy even as she’s warned away. When strange things occur, she begins to question what’s truly going on.
The concept of this one sounded amazing and I wanted to love it. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. I wasn’t fond of the writing style or plot. I wanted more from it. The book felt a bit too surface-level for me in many ways. However, the authors depiction of OCD in Sylvie was really well done. I thought it was explored well and it felt very relatable. There was also some open door sex scenes although it wasn’t too detailed aside from the main character talking about orgasms.
I think younger people will be able to enjoy this more than me. I think part of it is just I might be too old to enjoy this as much as I once might have. The characters would definitely be relatable to teens. The romance was cute, although a bit insta-lovey. I did appreciate the growth of Sylvie judging people by their looks and how things ended.
If you enjoy YA romances with a fantasy element, you may enjoy this one!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc!
The concept of this one sounded amazing and I wanted to love it. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. I wasn’t fond of the writing style or plot. I wanted more from it. The book felt a bit too surface-level for me in many ways. However, the authors depiction of OCD in Sylvie was really well done. I thought it was explored well and it felt very relatable. There was also some open door sex scenes although it wasn’t too detailed aside from the main character talking about orgasms.
I think younger people will be able to enjoy this more than me. I think part of it is just I might be too old to enjoy this as much as I once might have. The characters would definitely be relatable to teens. The romance was cute, although a bit insta-lovey. I did appreciate the growth of Sylvie judging people by their looks and how things ended.
If you enjoy YA romances with a fantasy element, you may enjoy this one!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc!
July 16, 2026
This is a strange little book. I’ve been trying to make myself finish this one for about a month, with little to no success.
I think OCD and the portrayal of intrusive thoughts was the best written part of this book. The writing is lyrical and poetic, and paints the land in vivid colors. The food descriptions are wonderful, and there are moments that are beautifully illustrated. I can visualize the rolling golden hills clearly, and for that I give kudos to Bruzas.
Other than that, there are some odd choices that I don’t vibe with, and ultimately made me either make some chapters feel too juvenile or too adult to be in the same book. There’s a surprising amount of descriptive explicit content in this one that, to me, seems more at place in something written for adults.
Other than that the story itself is a smidge too predictable. The ‘love triangle’ is… a choice. And the fourth guy included swinging wildly between mean and nice is jarring and unrealistic from a character standpoint. This also has some wildly off-beat ‘jokes’ that felt strange to be included in a young adult book. Overall, well-written but just not for me.
A sincere thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group & Rocky Pond Books for the change to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think OCD and the portrayal of intrusive thoughts was the best written part of this book. The writing is lyrical and poetic, and paints the land in vivid colors. The food descriptions are wonderful, and there are moments that are beautifully illustrated. I can visualize the rolling golden hills clearly, and for that I give kudos to Bruzas.
Other than that, there are some odd choices that I don’t vibe with, and ultimately made me either make some chapters feel too juvenile or too adult to be in the same book. There’s a surprising amount of descriptive explicit content in this one that, to me, seems more at place in something written for adults.
Other than that the story itself is a smidge too predictable. The ‘love triangle’ is… a choice. And the fourth guy included swinging wildly between mean and nice is jarring and unrealistic from a character standpoint. This also has some wildly off-beat ‘jokes’ that felt strange to be included in a young adult book. Overall, well-written but just not for me.
A sincere thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group & Rocky Pond Books for the change to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2026
I received the ARC of this in a Goodreads giveaway and finally sat down to read it.
The story itself was awesome. I loved the author's style of storytelling and I really want to buy the actual book and not just have an arc copy, because I really loved it.
I'd like to take a second to recognize the author's incredible ability to describe OCD in a way that makes sense to others. I have never been able to describe the OCD and how bad it actually is, and the author voiced my symptoms and feelings so well, I kept pointing it out to my partners because they can finally see! Creepily enough, the spider hallucinations and dreams are a symptom that I did not know anyone else had. I too have woken up standing in the middle of a room flipping on a light and screaming about spiders. OCD isn't just tidyness and this author showed that in an amazing way.
The story itself is a fairytale, one that I could call the plot twists long before they twisted...but it is written beautifully and I enjoyed every second of this book.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 cause goodreads needs to give us halves.
The story itself was awesome. I loved the author's style of storytelling and I really want to buy the actual book and not just have an arc copy, because I really loved it.
I'd like to take a second to recognize the author's incredible ability to describe OCD in a way that makes sense to others. I have never been able to describe the OCD and how bad it actually is, and the author voiced my symptoms and feelings so well, I kept pointing it out to my partners because they can finally see! Creepily enough, the spider hallucinations and dreams are a symptom that I did not know anyone else had. I too have woken up standing in the middle of a room flipping on a light and screaming about spiders. OCD isn't just tidyness and this author showed that in an amazing way.
The story itself is a fairytale, one that I could call the plot twists long before they twisted...but it is written beautifully and I enjoyed every second of this book.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 cause goodreads needs to give us halves.
July 19, 2026
The Broken Edge of the World weaves together fairy tale influences, romance, and magical realism into a story filled with haunting beauty and quiet mystery. The prairie preserve provides an unusual and evocative setting, and I enjoyed the dreamlike atmosphere that surrounded Sylvie's journey as she searched for belonging while struggling with her own intrusive thoughts. The mystery surrounding the shepherd boy, Jack, and the ancient curse kept me invested, and the Grimm-inspired elements gave the story a distinctive feel. While the emotional themes were compelling, the pacing often felt slow, and I found it difficult to fully connect with the romance, which made some of the later emotional moments less impactful than I had hoped. The lyrical writing, enchanting setting, and thoughtful exploration of love, sacrifice, and beauty make this an enjoyable read for fans of atmospheric fantasy with a fairy tale heart.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such an interesting read!
Sylvia was a very compelling character to follow, as she discovers more about herself and her past. The narrative voice is strong, and I really appreciate getting to read from the perspective of a character with OCD. I haven’t read many books with characters that have her thought patterns before, so while it took some getting used to, it worked well for her character. And overall, this book read like a modern-day fairytale, which I enjoyed a lot.
One aspect I didn’t love was that we were dropped right into the story at the beginning, so I spent the opening chapters trying to get my bearings, and for a while it felt like I was missing something. Once I settled into the story, however, it was an engaging read.
Thank you so much to Penguin and NetGalley for allowing me to read the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a mixed feelings kind of read for me. I really appreciate the depiction of OCD through the main character Sylvie. Her inner turmoil and thought process was insightful and beautifully executed. I also loved the atmosphere! The descriptions of the prairie and the lodge brought a whimsical vibe to the story.
However, I wish there had been more depth to the story. It was almost as if we got shown glimpses of the whole. A bunch of fragmented pieces that were hard to put together into a cohesive whole. Sylvies’s narration was very strongly focused on her own conflicting thoughts most of the time which made it hard to fall in love with the relationships she built.
I think there is a great story somewhere in here but the style of writing was not for me.
Thank you Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC
However, I wish there had been more depth to the story. It was almost as if we got shown glimpses of the whole. A bunch of fragmented pieces that were hard to put together into a cohesive whole. Sylvies’s narration was very strongly focused on her own conflicting thoughts most of the time which made it hard to fall in love with the relationships she built.
I think there is a great story somewhere in here but the style of writing was not for me.
Thank you Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC
September 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the free e-arc. I dove straight into this book and did not read the description so I had no expectations going into the book, but I could not have expected this fever dream of a ride. This book was one of the strangest stories I have read in a while, but in the best possible way. The story rose and fell like the wind across the grass on the Nebraska plains. Sylvie finds a summer internship at a small ranch in Nebraska that her mother once visited when Sylvie was a child. She is hoping to find out more about the mother who died when she was young. At the ranch she feels like there is some connection drawing her in deeper and she meets two young men who both intrigue her. Will she choose Jack or the enigmatic shepherd? What happened to her mother all those years ago. Go on a wild ride with this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I liked how Sylvie’s OCD was explained and utilized in the story. The focus on her intrusive thoughts and compulsions, instead of the ritual behavior that so often is used to portray OCD. I also enjoyed Sylvie’s curiosity and desire to know more about the world around her at a deeper level.
The magic/monster element was good. I did become a bit annoyed at how much was being hidden from Sylvie; though if it had been revealed sooner, it likely would have meant a shorter story. I also didn’t like that while Sylvie could see the beauty in Jack in his daytime form, she also couldn’t get past the idea that he needed to be “fixed.” Granted, her recognizing the inappropriateness and cost of those thoughts, and the actions she took in response, are a crucial aspect of the story.
The magic/monster element was good. I did become a bit annoyed at how much was being hidden from Sylvie; though if it had been revealed sooner, it likely would have meant a shorter story. I also didn’t like that while Sylvie could see the beauty in Jack in his daytime form, she also couldn’t get past the idea that he needed to be “fixed.” Granted, her recognizing the inappropriateness and cost of those thoughts, and the actions she took in response, are a crucial aspect of the story.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I liked how the character's OCD was portrayed, that's about all I liked about this book.
None of the characters were great. I also had a problem where I think we were supposed to feel rah-rah sisterhood over the female witchy bloodline but none of the current female interactions supported that. For example, there is a party scene where there are more than the main two young women around and the main character "feels sorry" for the other young women in their "Target clothes" and she says something else belittling. And in that same moment the main character gets jealous and possessive of her boyfriend when the other young women did nothing to provoke the main character. Don't tell me they're supposed to be strong women but then show me how easily threatened they feel by others.
None of the characters were great. I also had a problem where I think we were supposed to feel rah-rah sisterhood over the female witchy bloodline but none of the current female interactions supported that. For example, there is a party scene where there are more than the main two young women around and the main character "feels sorry" for the other young women in their "Target clothes" and she says something else belittling. And in that same moment the main character gets jealous and possessive of her boyfriend when the other young women did nothing to provoke the main character. Don't tell me they're supposed to be strong women but then show me how easily threatened they feel by others.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
2.75 stars.
I listened to this on PRH Audio.
This felt like a weak beauty and the beast retelling with an attempt of Russian folklore. Nothing really came together like the author had probably wanted and leaning the plot too heavily on romance would have worked if it hadn't been so rushed and underdeveloped.
The main character struggles with OCD and a resulting eating disorder and while that was well done, it overshadowed the actual plot. Also I didn't like that the story was more telling than showing, which took away from the full emersion of both the plot and the vast landscape. I did however like that setting and the foraging and cocking aspects of the plot.
This is aged 14 and up, but I would say to to the sexual nature of the developing plot it should be fore 16 and up.
I listened to this on PRH Audio.
This felt like a weak beauty and the beast retelling with an attempt of Russian folklore. Nothing really came together like the author had probably wanted and leaning the plot too heavily on romance would have worked if it hadn't been so rushed and underdeveloped.
The main character struggles with OCD and a resulting eating disorder and while that was well done, it overshadowed the actual plot. Also I didn't like that the story was more telling than showing, which took away from the full emersion of both the plot and the vast landscape. I did however like that setting and the foraging and cocking aspects of the plot.
This is aged 14 and up, but I would say to to the sexual nature of the developing plot it should be fore 16 and up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book*
2.5/5. I loved the first 70-80% of this book. I enjoyed the prose and how things looked through the eyes of the character. While I do have her specific mental illnesses, I do have my own issues, so it was very relatable. I liked the little factoids that she and other characters put out (I'm autistic and I live for that). The romance was very cute and sweet as well.
But when it came to the end of the book, everything was very, very rushed. I was, and am still, a bit confused as to some of the details. Something I feel was important to the whole story was kind of just casually mentioned at the very end. In my opinion, there should have been more room for all of this. I would have completely loved the book that way.
2.5/5. I loved the first 70-80% of this book. I enjoyed the prose and how things looked through the eyes of the character. While I do have her specific mental illnesses, I do have my own issues, so it was very relatable. I liked the little factoids that she and other characters put out (I'm autistic and I live for that). The romance was very cute and sweet as well.
But when it came to the end of the book, everything was very, very rushed. I was, and am still, a bit confused as to some of the details. Something I feel was important to the whole story was kind of just casually mentioned at the very end. In my opinion, there should have been more room for all of this. I would have completely loved the book that way.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ok listen, YES this was weird as hell, but it was my exact brand of weird. It's the first book in ages I've devoured within a single day, and I'll be dreaming about it for much longer.
Alena Bruzas has the kind of writing that gets under your skin and flowers there. It's so vividly atmospheric & lyrical, I felt like I was right there on the Nebraska prairie. It's a heady, surreal, feverdream of a fairy tale, with some of the best OCD/eating disorder representation I've seen in recent fiction.
Did it always make sense? Lol no. Do I care? Absolutely not. I was on board 100%. It's romantic and strange and full of yearning and witchiness and GAH. I will read whatever this author writes.
Alena Bruzas has the kind of writing that gets under your skin and flowers there. It's so vividly atmospheric & lyrical, I felt like I was right there on the Nebraska prairie. It's a heady, surreal, feverdream of a fairy tale, with some of the best OCD/eating disorder representation I've seen in recent fiction.
Did it always make sense? Lol no. Do I care? Absolutely not. I was on board 100%. It's romantic and strange and full of yearning and witchiness and GAH. I will read whatever this author writes.
July 22, 2026
Fantasy Meets Folklore on the Prairie
The Broken Edge of the World blends fantasy, romance, and magical realism with a memorable prairie setting and fairy tale influences. Sylvie was an interesting main character, and I appreciated how her OCD was incorporated into the story.
I liked slowly learning more about the preserve and the mysteries surrounding it. There were a few aspects that didn't fully land for me, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
If you're looking for a YA fantasy with romance, folklore, and a touch of magic, this is one to check out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin publishing for the review copy, this is my honest review. 3.5 rounded up.
The Broken Edge of the World blends fantasy, romance, and magical realism with a memorable prairie setting and fairy tale influences. Sylvie was an interesting main character, and I appreciated how her OCD was incorporated into the story.
I liked slowly learning more about the preserve and the mysteries surrounding it. There were a few aspects that didn't fully land for me, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
If you're looking for a YA fantasy with romance, folklore, and a touch of magic, this is one to check out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin publishing for the review copy, this is my honest review. 3.5 rounded up.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Here are my honest thoughts.
This story was a great tightrope walk of reality and fantasy; fairy tale and daydream. Unsettling and creepy in some parts, but yet light and airy in others. All of the secrets slowly being unveiled was keeping me on the hook. I had to keep reading and couldn’t stop until the story was finished once a certain part with fire happened. In the start though, I kept wondering which fairytale was going to be the prominent focal point! I really enjoyed this fantastical universe.
This story was a great tightrope walk of reality and fantasy; fairy tale and daydream. Unsettling and creepy in some parts, but yet light and airy in others. All of the secrets slowly being unveiled was keeping me on the hook. I had to keep reading and couldn’t stop until the story was finished once a certain part with fire happened. In the start though, I kept wondering which fairytale was going to be the prominent focal point! I really enjoyed this fantastical universe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wish I could say something positive about this book, but unfortunately, I wasn't the target audience for it. I kept reading until the end, hoping to be surprised by an unexpected twist at some point, but that never happened.
The plot felt quite predictable, and most of the twists were easy to see coming long before the FMC did. There was even a moment when something was practically spelled out to her face, yet she completely ignored it, which felt very strange and frustrating...
Everything happened so quickly that I never had the chance to connect with the characters or find them particularly lovable. The romance was also heavily driven by lust, which made it difficult for me to enjoy or become invested in the relationship. The one aspect I genuinely appreciated was the author's portrayal of OCD, which felt thoughtful and well done.
Thank you Penguin Young Readers Group | Rocky Pond Books and Netgalley for opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for honest review!
The plot felt quite predictable, and most of the twists were easy to see coming long before the FMC did. There was even a moment when something was practically spelled out to her face, yet she completely ignored it, which felt very strange and frustrating...
Everything happened so quickly that I never had the chance to connect with the characters or find them particularly lovable. The romance was also heavily driven by lust, which made it difficult for me to enjoy or become invested in the relationship. The one aspect I genuinely appreciated was the author's portrayal of OCD, which felt thoughtful and well done.
Thank you Penguin Young Readers Group | Rocky Pond Books and Netgalley for opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for honest review!
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