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On the Edge #1
On the Edge: A YA Romantic Suspense Thriller About Gang Danger and First Love
From Allison van Diepen, author of Light of Day, Snitch, and Street Pharm, comes a sexy, dangerous novel—perfect for fans of Simone Elkeles and Paul Griffin—about a teen who witnesses a murder and gets caught up in the seedy world of Miami's gangs.
Maddie Diaz never should have taken that shortcut through the park. If she hadn't, she wouldn't have seen two members of the Reyes gang attacking a homeless man. Now, as the only witness, she knows there's a target on her back.
But when the Reyes jump her on the street, Maddie is protected by a second gang and their secretive leader, Lobo, who is determined to take down the Reyes himself. Lobo is mysterious and passionate, and Maddie begins to fall for him. But when they live this close to the edge, can their love survive?
Maddie Diaz never should have taken that shortcut through the park. If she hadn't, she wouldn't have seen two members of the Reyes gang attacking a homeless man. Now, as the only witness, she knows there's a target on her back.
But when the Reyes jump her on the street, Maddie is protected by a second gang and their secretive leader, Lobo, who is determined to take down the Reyes himself. Lobo is mysterious and passionate, and Maddie begins to fall for him. But when they live this close to the edge, can their love survive?
320 pages, Paperback
First published November 25, 2014
40 people are currently reading
3513 people want to read
About the author
Allison van Diepen
10 books952 followersAllison van Diepen is the author of many teen novels, including Takedown, Street Pharm, Snitch, Raven, The Oracle of Dating, The Oracle Rebounds, and The Vampire Stalker. Her novels have been named ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers and New York City Public Library Books for the Teen Age.
Her latest is the heart-pounding ON THE EDGE series set in Miami. ON THE EDGE and LIGHT OF DAY are in stores now. The final installment is RUN THE RISK, due out in early 2017.
Her latest is the heart-pounding ON THE EDGE series set in Miami. ON THE EDGE and LIGHT OF DAY are in stores now. The final installment is RUN THE RISK, due out in early 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
August 11, 2019
This review is also posted on my blog, Anatea's Bookshelf.
I had high expectations from this book, and usually, when I have high expectations from a book it doesn't deliver. On the Edge was no exception to that rule. I really wanted to love this book. It had every potential to become a book that I loved, forbidden romance - check, crazy gang business - check, action - check, but even all that wasn't enough. All I kept thinking is how Simone Elkeles managed to create so much better and much more enjoyable book with all the same elements.
But, let's get back to On the Edge. We have Maddie Diaz as our main character. One night as she takes a shortcut through a park, she witnesses something terrible. A couple of guys from Reyes gang attacked a local homeless guy, who died afterward and Maddie was an only witness. She decides to identify the guys who attacked the homeless guy, even though she knows that she put a target on her back and is just waiting on when they would get her. When they finally do, she is rescued by the secret rival gang Destinos, whom everybody thought was a myth. The only thing Maddie remembers from when she was rescued is Lobo, the guy who helped her, and as she later finds out is the leader of the Destinos, but he can't reveal his true identity and Maddie also likes this one guy Ortiz who works at the store nearby her place.
I can't say that I didn't enjoy the book as a whole, but there are a lot of things that just didn't sit good with me. I was actually struggling quite a bit in rating On the Edge, but then finally decided to give it 2 stars as I just couldn't get over some of the things, even though I did enjoy some parts as cliche as they were.
The main problem I had with this book is the unrealistic gang scene. This is mostly WHY I have been excited about On the Edge, because it featured gangs, an element which I don't think is used enough in YA novels. There SHOULD be more books that feature gangs! But, as I said, Allison van Diepen didn't do it the right way. The reason why I thought the gang scene is unrealistic is this: how can 12 guys, who call themselves Destinos and work as an "undercover, secret gang (?!)", stir up so major shit that they mess up with everything that Los Reyes do, and we're talking here about the leading gang of Miami, which means they have a well-established business in dealing with drugs and girls trafficking. Also, the leader of Reyes, Salazar, was so easy to find and take out. It all sounds a little bit unbelievable to me. Had this part been a little better I am sure I would have loved this book.
Another thing that I kinda had a problem with is the romance. This should have been a type of a forbidden romance where they can't be together, but want to, and they'd do anything to be together. At least, that's what I thought this book should be. But instead, what we got is pretty much an insta-love hidden by the words of forbidden romance. Let me explain it to you. So we know Maddie had this connection with Lobo when he saved her (this was around 35% mark) and she can't stop thinking about who he could be behind the mask (but, really, it was obvious immediately). But, already somewhere around 50% into the book, they can't be apart anymore, the real identity is revealed and Maddie is totally in with the Destinos. WTF?
I had a few more things that I wanted to mention, but this review is already getting too long, so I am only going to mention one more thing. There are two characters in the book, Eric & Julia, for whom I felt like there is something I'm missing. So I went looking into other books by Allison van Diepen and found out there is a book named Snitch which features the two characters mentioned. I WAS MAD when I found out about that! It's like they wanted for us not to know about Snitch, because they didn't mention it anywhere. It's like if you'd read Isla and the Happily Ever After without reading Anna and the French Kiss. It doesn't work that way, because the information we get isn't complete and we always feel like we're missing out on something but we can't put our finger on it. It's huge to do something like that to some people!
With all of this said, I cannot say I enjoyed this book. Were there moments I really did like? Yes, there were, but everything else prevails. I would say if you want to read a great book that features gangs, you should try with Perfect Chemistry series by Simone Elkeles. If you already read the Perfect Chemistry and you still want to give this one a try, well nothing is stopping you, and you may even like it.
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I had high expectations from this book, and usually, when I have high expectations from a book it doesn't deliver. On the Edge was no exception to that rule. I really wanted to love this book. It had every potential to become a book that I loved, forbidden romance - check, crazy gang business - check, action - check, but even all that wasn't enough. All I kept thinking is how Simone Elkeles managed to create so much better and much more enjoyable book with all the same elements.
But, let's get back to On the Edge. We have Maddie Diaz as our main character. One night as she takes a shortcut through a park, she witnesses something terrible. A couple of guys from Reyes gang attacked a local homeless guy, who died afterward and Maddie was an only witness. She decides to identify the guys who attacked the homeless guy, even though she knows that she put a target on her back and is just waiting on when they would get her. When they finally do, she is rescued by the secret rival gang Destinos, whom everybody thought was a myth. The only thing Maddie remembers from when she was rescued is Lobo, the guy who helped her, and as she later finds out is the leader of the Destinos, but he can't reveal his true identity and Maddie also likes this one guy Ortiz who works at the store nearby her place.
I can't say that I didn't enjoy the book as a whole, but there are a lot of things that just didn't sit good with me. I was actually struggling quite a bit in rating On the Edge, but then finally decided to give it 2 stars as I just couldn't get over some of the things, even though I did enjoy some parts as cliche as they were.
The main problem I had with this book is the unrealistic gang scene. This is mostly WHY I have been excited about On the Edge, because it featured gangs, an element which I don't think is used enough in YA novels. There SHOULD be more books that feature gangs! But, as I said, Allison van Diepen didn't do it the right way. The reason why I thought the gang scene is unrealistic is this: how can 12 guys, who call themselves Destinos and work as an "undercover, secret gang (?!)", stir up so major shit that they mess up with everything that Los Reyes do, and we're talking here about the leading gang of Miami, which means they have a well-established business in dealing with drugs and girls trafficking. Also, the leader of Reyes, Salazar, was so easy to find and take out. It all sounds a little bit unbelievable to me. Had this part been a little better I am sure I would have loved this book.
Another thing that I kinda had a problem with is the romance. This should have been a type of a forbidden romance where they can't be together, but want to, and they'd do anything to be together. At least, that's what I thought this book should be. But instead, what we got is pretty much an insta-love hidden by the words of forbidden romance. Let me explain it to you. So we know Maddie had this connection with Lobo when he saved her (this was around 35% mark) and she can't stop thinking about who he could be behind the mask (but, really, it was obvious immediately). But, already somewhere around 50% into the book, they can't be apart anymore, the real identity is revealed and Maddie is totally in with the Destinos. WTF?
I had a few more things that I wanted to mention, but this review is already getting too long, so I am only going to mention one more thing. There are two characters in the book, Eric & Julia, for whom I felt like there is something I'm missing. So I went looking into other books by Allison van Diepen and found out there is a book named Snitch which features the two characters mentioned. I WAS MAD when I found out about that! It's like they wanted for us not to know about Snitch, because they didn't mention it anywhere. It's like if you'd read Isla and the Happily Ever After without reading Anna and the French Kiss. It doesn't work that way, because the information we get isn't complete and we always feel like we're missing out on something but we can't put our finger on it. It's huge to do something like that to some people!
With all of this said, I cannot say I enjoyed this book. Were there moments I really did like? Yes, there were, but everything else prevails. I would say if you want to read a great book that features gangs, you should try with Perfect Chemistry series by Simone Elkeles. If you already read the Perfect Chemistry and you still want to give this one a try, well nothing is stopping you, and you may even like it.
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November 24, 2014
I was so excited for this book because I'm such a sucker for books that have anything to do with crime and or the mob. The summary of this reminded me books by Simone Elkeles and Katie McGarry, which I love. There were parts of this book that I really liked, parts I liked okay and parts that I didn't really like. Overall, On the Edge might not have been the book I was expecting but I still enjoyed most of it.
What appealed me the most about this book, other than the danger aspect, was the romance. What could have been a really great romance was ruined for me by instalove. I was really liking the flirty interaction between Maddie and Ortiz at first, then things started getting a little bit weird. After Maddie is rescued by Lobo, she can't stop thinking about him. Even though he is the leader of a rival gang and even though she has no idea what he looks like. I found this to be a little bit odd. I understand why she would be intrigued by him, after he saved her life. But she was at the point of infatuation very quickly. Despite the fact that the reader obviously knows that *possible spoiler* Lobo and Ortiz are the same person, I thought it was weird how Maddie lost interest in Ortiz once Lobo showed up in the picture. Even if she didn't know they wer ethe same person, you would think the attraction would still be there with Ortiz. And the fact that he was hot and cold with her most of the time (when he had to suddenly leave to do gang related stuff) didn't help me with the romance. Once she finally realized they were the same person, the instalove is so strong and ended up having a cheesiness effect to me. Overall, I really wish that they would have taken more time to let their relationship grow.
I really enjoyed all the crime and gang aspect to this, even if some of it was far-fetched. Another issue I had was with Maddie's best friends. I don't know what it is about friends in YA, but most of the time they are just the worst. I couldn't find myself caring for any of these girls. I liked Maddie, even though she wasn't the most memorable person, and I liked Ortiz. I do wish we would have had more of his character. Something was missing from this and I'm not really sure what. Maybe it was the fact that I just didn't feel the connection between Maddie and Ortiz, or the fact that almost everything seemed a little bit rushed. This would have been a lot better with a stronger romance and if the story were a little bit longer, but I still enjoyed this one. This is one of those books that is not for everyone, but if you like books about danger and romance, this could be perfect for you.
***
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What appealed me the most about this book, other than the danger aspect, was the romance. What could have been a really great romance was ruined for me by instalove. I was really liking the flirty interaction between Maddie and Ortiz at first, then things started getting a little bit weird. After Maddie is rescued by Lobo, she can't stop thinking about him. Even though he is the leader of a rival gang and even though she has no idea what he looks like. I found this to be a little bit odd. I understand why she would be intrigued by him, after he saved her life. But she was at the point of infatuation very quickly. Despite the fact that the reader obviously knows that *possible spoiler* Lobo and Ortiz are the same person, I thought it was weird how Maddie lost interest in Ortiz once Lobo showed up in the picture. Even if she didn't know they wer ethe same person, you would think the attraction would still be there with Ortiz. And the fact that he was hot and cold with her most of the time (when he had to suddenly leave to do gang related stuff) didn't help me with the romance. Once she finally realized they were the same person, the instalove is so strong and ended up having a cheesiness effect to me. Overall, I really wish that they would have taken more time to let their relationship grow.
I really enjoyed all the crime and gang aspect to this, even if some of it was far-fetched. Another issue I had was with Maddie's best friends. I don't know what it is about friends in YA, but most of the time they are just the worst. I couldn't find myself caring for any of these girls. I liked Maddie, even though she wasn't the most memorable person, and I liked Ortiz. I do wish we would have had more of his character. Something was missing from this and I'm not really sure what. Maybe it was the fact that I just didn't feel the connection between Maddie and Ortiz, or the fact that almost everything seemed a little bit rushed. This would have been a lot better with a stronger romance and if the story were a little bit longer, but I still enjoyed this one. This is one of those books that is not for everyone, but if you like books about danger and romance, this could be perfect for you.
***
Read full review & more of my reviews at Mostly YA Book Obsessed
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August 27, 2016
My thanks to HarperCollins
Point of View: Single (Madeleina "Maddie" Diaz)
Setting: Miami
Writing: First Person | Past
It was such a thrilling and fast-paced book. At first I was a little skeptical because I normally don't feel comfortable reading books on gang violence, drugs and human trafficking. It was surprising that I ended up liking this book.
Just to be clear, even this book was on topics I mentioned above, it wasn't too descriptive to the point that it was unbearable, and I was thankful for that. Otherwise I don't think I could have gone through with this book. There were a little more violent scenes than most young adult books. Then again, this book was focused on more touchy subjects than most. However, I appreciate that the sexual exploitation wasn't too detailed.
Moreover, I loved how that story progressed. Each scene was very intriguing I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. I thought the storyline was absolutely well-developed and everything seemed to move very smoothly. The plot climax was extremely exhilarating, and I was more than satisfied with how the book ended. I'm secretly hoping to reading more about X and Manny.
Besides, I really liked the characters. Maddie was at times a bit naive, but I thought she was very courageous. I didn't like that she put up with Iz and her craziness, though. Both Ortiz and Manny were also my favorite. I liked Ortiz for being so noble and Manny for his humor. Maddie's mother was a pretty nice character too, but I'm not sure I support her when she seemed too lenient when her daughter stayed out overnight without telling her clearly where and with whom.
Even though I think the romance in this book was rather sweet, it was a tad far-fetch in my idea. It was a fairy tale-like, whirlwind romance, and I can't imagine it happens in real life. It was still nice, though.
To sum it all up, it was a well-written book with amazing pace and wonderful ending. I'd recommend it to those who enjoy reading a book that is not too light, yet not too dark.
November 2, 2014
This book really took me away. I was expecting a romance story (based on the cover) and instead got this deep story of love and war.
Plot: This is a really good story. So it starts off as this hard working girl, is walking home then witnessing a crime. That crime that she witnessed has gotten her into trouble with local gangs. I think the whole mix up with gangs gives the story a much more realistic feel. It was such a simple story that with the turn of events brings it life.
Street Gangs: If you ever lived in a rural/downtown area then you might be familiar with how powerful those gangs can be. When Maddie gets beat up by a rival gang, she get rescued by another. I think the whole mystery of who saved her and why, gives the reader a better story. For me, the mystery had me reader faster and wanting to know who exactly is her mystery hero.
Love: OMG! I have to admit that I totally let myself get caught up in this book and the mystery man. I fell for the sneaky kisses, looking over the shoulder, finding any clues as to who this guy is. And once I knew, boy did I swoon!
Ending: It wasn’t a totally happily ever after but it did carry some of it. There was rush of action and adrenaline throwing the reader into a whirlwind of street violence. It showcase how dangerous it can be for people who get mixed up with the wring crowd.
On The Edge is a great story that if you let it, can be swept away in. I adored the action mixed with love.
Plot: This is a really good story. So it starts off as this hard working girl, is walking home then witnessing a crime. That crime that she witnessed has gotten her into trouble with local gangs. I think the whole mix up with gangs gives the story a much more realistic feel. It was such a simple story that with the turn of events brings it life.
Street Gangs: If you ever lived in a rural/downtown area then you might be familiar with how powerful those gangs can be. When Maddie gets beat up by a rival gang, she get rescued by another. I think the whole mystery of who saved her and why, gives the reader a better story. For me, the mystery had me reader faster and wanting to know who exactly is her mystery hero.
Love: OMG! I have to admit that I totally let myself get caught up in this book and the mystery man. I fell for the sneaky kisses, looking over the shoulder, finding any clues as to who this guy is. And once I knew, boy did I swoon!
Ending: It wasn’t a totally happily ever after but it did carry some of it. There was rush of action and adrenaline throwing the reader into a whirlwind of street violence. It showcase how dangerous it can be for people who get mixed up with the wring crowd.
On The Edge is a great story that if you let it, can be swept away in. I adored the action mixed with love.
November 17, 2014
Meeeeeerp
July 31, 2017
The romance aspect could've been played up a little more but still sweet and endearing with a side of danger and suspense! Cute love story and loved the intensity in the plot.
November 26, 2014
I received a copy of this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't affect my opinion of the book. It is my true opinion only
OMG I LOVED this book!
It is so different from most contemporaries.
Because gangs are involved, it has a dark presence to the book.
I really liked all the main characters.
I was literally hooked from the beginning.
I didn't find this cheesy, fake or over the top like some romance stories can be.
It was real and raw and very intense.
Full review to come!
OMG I LOVED this book!
It is so different from most contemporaries.
Because gangs are involved, it has a dark presence to the book.
I really liked all the main characters.
I was literally hooked from the beginning.
I didn't find this cheesy, fake or over the top like some romance stories can be.
It was real and raw and very intense.
Full review to come!
November 28, 2014
The plot line as a whole was okay....I kind of felt like the romance was a bit insta-lovey though.
February 24, 2015
Addicting but annoying.
February 27, 2019
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One night on her way home, Maddie Diaz witnesses a violent crime against a homeless man. She decides to intervene and becomes the newest target of a dangerous gang called the Reyes. She then learns that she is being protected by a rival gang leader, Lobo, who is determined to take down the Reyes. Not knowing his identity, Maddie has no way to thank him but as time goes on they become closer and Maddie can't help falling in love.
This book is the epitome of insta love, one of my biggest pet peeves. Maddie didn't even know who Lobo was and was infatuated with him from the start without even seeing his face. Maddie's friends in this were also terrible... I don't know why she put up with Iz, Carmen and their bullshit... The book is pretty predictable and I didn't find myself connecting with any of the characters. I didn't care what happened to them or if they were in danger.
It was just a meh book for me.
One night on her way home, Maddie Diaz witnesses a violent crime against a homeless man. She decides to intervene and becomes the newest target of a dangerous gang called the Reyes. She then learns that she is being protected by a rival gang leader, Lobo, who is determined to take down the Reyes. Not knowing his identity, Maddie has no way to thank him but as time goes on they become closer and Maddie can't help falling in love.
This book is the epitome of insta love, one of my biggest pet peeves. Maddie didn't even know who Lobo was and was infatuated with him from the start without even seeing his face. Maddie's friends in this were also terrible... I don't know why she put up with Iz, Carmen and their bullshit... The book is pretty predictable and I didn't find myself connecting with any of the characters. I didn't care what happened to them or if they were in danger.
It was just a meh book for me.
August 29, 2014
4.5 stars!
I'll admit that I hadn't heard of this book before until I was browsing through Edelweiss one day and came across it! I loved the cover, so I checked out the synopsis and knew I had to read it! The synopsis just drew me right in and I couldn't wait to read it! And luckily, the book was available to download now, so I didn't even have to request it lol! I bummed it up to the top of my TBR list too! This book really was amazing! It was better than I was expecting it to be, and I had pretty high expectations for it before I started reading it! The plot was amazing and seriously hot at times! The plot was about sort of gang related activities, and I normally don't read books that involve gangs in them because I tend to get confused lol, but I understood everything in this book! The plot also had some hot scenes in it, but they weren't too explicit as this book is kinda for young adults! They were still hot though! Overall, I loved the plot and I liked that it had a few action scenes and quite a lot of romance in it! The characters were amazing! Maddie was the main character and she was in a pretty serious situation in this book! She tried to do the right thing, which actually came back to bite her and left her in danger! Maddie had her wits about her though and she was always on the look out, and even though she did do a few stupid things in this book, she tried to do the right thing! She also knew that she was going to be in danger after what she tried to stop too, but she still tried to stop it! I really enjoyed Maddie's character! She had great friendships with her friends, even though she did have a slight fallout with one of them, and she seemed like a really genuine person! Maddie's love interest goes by several names in this book, but I'm going to refer to him as Lobo because this is what he's called in the synopsis and I'll give stuff away if I refer to him as anything else lol! Lobo was so damn hot! I mean, he saved Maddie from being killed and everything! Hot, right? He had also had a really tough childhood, and when I found out his story, I was able to understand why he was so determined to do what he had to do in this book! Lobo was such a determined character in this book too and his determination definitely paid off! He was also super cute with Maddie! I could see that he had strong feelings for her and I could see how far he would go to make sure she stayed out of danger! I can completely understand why this book is a standalone! Everything was resolved and the plot was wrapped up and didn't leave any unanswered questions! I can see potential for another character to have their story told in their own book though, but I'm not sure if the author has any plans for anything like that! I'm definitely going to be checking out this author's other books too because this book was amazing and I can't wait to see what other books the author has released! The cover for this book is just perfect! I sighed when I saw it! I think that it represents a certain scene in this book brilliantly! Big thank you to HarperCollins and Edelweiss for an e-ARC of On the Edge!
I'll admit that I hadn't heard of this book before until I was browsing through Edelweiss one day and came across it! I loved the cover, so I checked out the synopsis and knew I had to read it! The synopsis just drew me right in and I couldn't wait to read it! And luckily, the book was available to download now, so I didn't even have to request it lol! I bummed it up to the top of my TBR list too! This book really was amazing! It was better than I was expecting it to be, and I had pretty high expectations for it before I started reading it! The plot was amazing and seriously hot at times! The plot was about sort of gang related activities, and I normally don't read books that involve gangs in them because I tend to get confused lol, but I understood everything in this book! The plot also had some hot scenes in it, but they weren't too explicit as this book is kinda for young adults! They were still hot though! Overall, I loved the plot and I liked that it had a few action scenes and quite a lot of romance in it! The characters were amazing! Maddie was the main character and she was in a pretty serious situation in this book! She tried to do the right thing, which actually came back to bite her and left her in danger! Maddie had her wits about her though and she was always on the look out, and even though she did do a few stupid things in this book, she tried to do the right thing! She also knew that she was going to be in danger after what she tried to stop too, but she still tried to stop it! I really enjoyed Maddie's character! She had great friendships with her friends, even though she did have a slight fallout with one of them, and she seemed like a really genuine person! Maddie's love interest goes by several names in this book, but I'm going to refer to him as Lobo because this is what he's called in the synopsis and I'll give stuff away if I refer to him as anything else lol! Lobo was so damn hot! I mean, he saved Maddie from being killed and everything! Hot, right? He had also had a really tough childhood, and when I found out his story, I was able to understand why he was so determined to do what he had to do in this book! Lobo was such a determined character in this book too and his determination definitely paid off! He was also super cute with Maddie! I could see that he had strong feelings for her and I could see how far he would go to make sure she stayed out of danger! I can completely understand why this book is a standalone! Everything was resolved and the plot was wrapped up and didn't leave any unanswered questions! I can see potential for another character to have their story told in their own book though, but I'm not sure if the author has any plans for anything like that! I'm definitely going to be checking out this author's other books too because this book was amazing and I can't wait to see what other books the author has released! The cover for this book is just perfect! I sighed when I saw it! I think that it represents a certain scene in this book brilliantly! Big thank you to HarperCollins and Edelweiss for an e-ARC of On the Edge!
January 2, 2015
On the Edge was about a 2.5 - 3 star read for me. I was fascinated by the gang related parts but the romance fell kind of flat for me.
High school senior Maddie Diaz has everything going for her. She has great marks, a part time job at McDonald's, she's editor of the school newspaper, and she even has a full scholarship for college. On her way home from work one night she witnesses two gang bangers attack a homeless man. Maddie reports the crime and identifies the perpetrators. Not the best move as the Reyes gang are now out to get her. Luckily, Maddie has a guardian angel in the form of Lobo, the leader of the Destinos, a group that rescues people from gangs.
There's an attraction between Maddie and Lobo, and even though he hides his identity, Maddie figures out who he is. (I figured it out much earlier than Maddie). A nice little attraction though interrupted by Lobo's guardian angel good deeds.
Maddie's best friends Iz, Abby, and Carmen were a little annoying, especially when Iz took a little hissy fit because Maddie spent time with Julia. Typical high school angst and stupidity.
On the Edge was a fairly quick read for me.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper Teen for a review copy of this book.
High school senior Maddie Diaz has everything going for her. She has great marks, a part time job at McDonald's, she's editor of the school newspaper, and she even has a full scholarship for college. On her way home from work one night she witnesses two gang bangers attack a homeless man. Maddie reports the crime and identifies the perpetrators. Not the best move as the Reyes gang are now out to get her. Luckily, Maddie has a guardian angel in the form of Lobo, the leader of the Destinos, a group that rescues people from gangs.
There's an attraction between Maddie and Lobo, and even though he hides his identity, Maddie figures out who he is. (I figured it out much earlier than Maddie). A nice little attraction though interrupted by Lobo's guardian angel good deeds.
Maddie's best friends Iz, Abby, and Carmen were a little annoying, especially when Iz took a little hissy fit because Maddie spent time with Julia. Typical high school angst and stupidity.
On the Edge was a fairly quick read for me.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper Teen for a review copy of this book.
January 9, 2015
UGH. I'm pissed. DNF at chapter 23.
I wonder how she can write a book about Hispanics in Miami with no Cubans in it whatsoever. Or any other Hispanics for that matter. It was just about stereotypical "Mexicans" who eat nothing but tacos and burritos, are gang members and/or cartel, bat-shit poor and work at a Mac Donald's. I guess that's what happens when you fervently wish as a community to have more diversity in YA. It comes back to bite you in the rear.
Nothing like Simone Elkeles, they should NOT have said that. They should have bothered though to show this book to someone who knows at least something about Miami before publishing. I'd rather read "white" books all my life than get more books like this.
Also, it's not only the ethnic issue, it's also the lame insta-love, the duh-non-surprise of who Lobo was, the cheesiness and cheap mystery of it, and well, everything else. There were even comments along the book like "you don't even look Hispanic" as a positive thing, and WTF, lady.
Stephen King says the 1st tip to writing is WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. Maybe authors should stick to that.
I wonder how she can write a book about Hispanics in Miami with no Cubans in it whatsoever. Or any other Hispanics for that matter. It was just about stereotypical "Mexicans" who eat nothing but tacos and burritos, are gang members and/or cartel, bat-shit poor and work at a Mac Donald's. I guess that's what happens when you fervently wish as a community to have more diversity in YA. It comes back to bite you in the rear.
Nothing like Simone Elkeles, they should NOT have said that. They should have bothered though to show this book to someone who knows at least something about Miami before publishing. I'd rather read "white" books all my life than get more books like this.
Also, it's not only the ethnic issue, it's also the lame insta-love, the duh-non-surprise of who Lobo was, the cheesiness and cheap mystery of it, and well, everything else. There were even comments along the book like "you don't even look Hispanic" as a positive thing, and WTF, lady.
Stephen King says the 1st tip to writing is WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. Maybe authors should stick to that.
lost-interest-did-not-finish
July 5, 2015DNF @ 35%.
The writing style wasn't working for me at all, and the romance was already way underdeveloped. Friends tried to warn me, but I was determined to at least try it. Such a shame because I love that cover and I was really wanting a swoony YA romance.
Featured on my 2014 REC IT post.
The writing style wasn't working for me at all, and the romance was already way underdeveloped. Friends tried to warn me, but I was determined to at least try it. Such a shame because I love that cover and I was really wanting a swoony YA romance.
Featured on my 2014 REC IT post.
December 5, 2018
I'm a sucker for the bad boy with a heart of gold storylines. This was a good story about gangs in Miami and dealt with some deeper issues like sex trafficking. Maddie witnesses the brutal murder of the local homeless man and decides to testify against the gang members who committed the crime. She has a target on her back and soon gets involved in the horrible things going on underground. Lobo, the leader of a vigilante group fighting to save the girls trapped in slavery and dismantle the gang responsible, becomes Maddie's savior. Meanwhile, Ortiz, the cashier at her local grocer, has caught her eye.
The story was interesting and I liked that it went deeper than I originally thought it would. Maddie was a strong female lead who knew what she wanted and fought for her friends and family. I thought the ending would be darker, but I was happy with how it wrapped up.
The story was interesting and I liked that it went deeper than I originally thought it would. Maddie was a strong female lead who knew what she wanted and fought for her friends and family. I thought the ending would be darker, but I was happy with how it wrapped up.
September 28, 2018
Good read! went through it in a couple of days!!
December 2, 2015
See the original review here @ Creased Book Spines.
One thing you should probably know about me, I'm a huge sucker for books that involve gangs, the mafia, bad boys and probably everything that is related to these three. Honestly, lock me in a room full of books that fit into the categories above, I probably wouldn't object.
On The Edge didn't fail to amaze me. I had so many great expectations from this book, mainly because I decided to skip the reviews of this book on Goodreads (because no matter what the review said, it'd probably affect me) and also because hey, it has a gang and a mysterious gang leader and a passionate love story in it.
I want to talk about the writing before getting to the plot though. I'm not going to write a super long paragraph, just talking about its writing, I only want to say that it was really easy to read the book. Maybe it's kind of related to the plot, I don't know but you really are able to finish this book in one sitting. I was a bit worried that there were going to be too many names and details to remember and that they would become confusing and hard to remember at one point, but that wasn't the case at all. Like I said, I'm pretty sure most people would be able to finish this in one sitting without having problems.
I liked how the author gave place to a guy who was being judged because of his tattoos and past in the story. Obviously, to be careful around the gangs and all they need to judge people and act upon that judgement (because you can never be too careful, even I do that) but it was still nice to read about that, it gave the story more perspective in a way.
Excluding the one about who Lobo was correctly, my guesses about many things were not correct and I like being surprised while reading so yes, I gave the book a plus for not being predictable.
LOBO. L O B O . O H M Y G O D. ASFALKFHA.
He was arrrgghhhhhhhhhhh, so arghhhhh that I even lost the ability to form proper sentences. I don't even know what to say about him!
A perfect gentleman...
with a hint of.. what's it even called?!
I also loved how the book talked about
To conclude, I can say that On The Edge is a perfect book for the ones who like anything with gangs and bad boys, with just the perfect amount of action and romance.
For the first time ever, I'm feeling the "I'm jealous of people who are reading my favorite book for the first time. I wish I could do that." sentence on an emotional basis.
One thing you should probably know about me, I'm a huge sucker for books that involve gangs, the mafia, bad boys and probably everything that is related to these three. Honestly, lock me in a room full of books that fit into the categories above, I probably wouldn't object.
On The Edge didn't fail to amaze me. I had so many great expectations from this book, mainly because I decided to skip the reviews of this book on Goodreads (because no matter what the review said, it'd probably affect me) and also because hey, it has a gang and a mysterious gang leader and a passionate love story in it.
"All I could think of was how terrible this world was. How humans could be so cruel to one another."
I want to talk about the writing before getting to the plot though. I'm not going to write a super long paragraph, just talking about its writing, I only want to say that it was really easy to read the book. Maybe it's kind of related to the plot, I don't know but you really are able to finish this book in one sitting. I was a bit worried that there were going to be too many names and details to remember and that they would become confusing and hard to remember at one point, but that wasn't the case at all. Like I said, I'm pretty sure most people would be able to finish this in one sitting without having problems.
I liked how the author gave place to a guy who was being judged because of his tattoos and past in the story. Obviously, to be careful around the gangs and all they need to judge people and act upon that judgement (because you can never be too careful, even I do that) but it was still nice to read about that, it gave the story more perspective in a way.
Excluding the one about who Lobo was correctly, my guesses about many things were not correct and I like being surprised while reading so yes, I gave the book a plus for not being predictable.
"We're all works in progress, Diaz. We're all broken and bleeding and trying to fix ourselves up into something human."
LOBO. L O B O . O H M Y G O D. ASFALKFHA.
He was arrrgghhhhhhhhhhh, so arghhhhh that I even lost the ability to form proper sentences. I don't even know what to say about him!
A perfect gentleman...
"In my head, I talk to you, and you get me. In my head, I think about you and what I want to say to you and..."
with a hint of.. what's it even called?!
"... do to you."
I also loved how the book talked about
To conclude, I can say that On The Edge is a perfect book for the ones who like anything with gangs and bad boys, with just the perfect amount of action and romance.
For the first time ever, I'm feeling the "I'm jealous of people who are reading my favorite book for the first time. I wish I could do that." sentence on an emotional basis.
'Her name is Maddie Diaz,' he said from behind his bandanna. 'Take care of her.' He bent to my ear, 'Hasta luego.'
Then he was gone.
December 11, 2014
On the Edge is one of my favourite books written by Allison van Diepen yet! The book was crazy addictive and oh so good. I read On the Edge really quickly because I just couldn't stop reading it for even a moment. Allison van Diepen is known for her darker YA novels that tackle difficult subject matter, and her latest novel is no exception. It's really not all too often that I read a YA novel that deals with how high school students are affected by gang violence.
In the gritty streets of Miami, everyday you're living on the edge. When Maddie takes a shortcut through the local park after work one night, she witnesses two members of the Reyes gang attacking a homeless man. Shocked by the senseless, violent act, she reports it to the police, even though she knows her agreement to testify against the men puts a target on her back for daring to speak up.
Maddie is a street-smart heroine just trying to make it long enough to her high school graduation. When she's not focused on her duties as editor of her school newspaper or working at McDonald's, she relieves stress by partying with her friends. Now, with a full-ride scholarship to Florida State University, she can finally leave Miami, that is, if she lives long enough. When the Reyes suddenly jump Maddie after work, she is rescued by a rival gang and their mysterious leader, Lobo.
The journalist in Maddie is curious for answers about Lobo's identity. He has a personal vendetta against the Reyes and Maddie wants to help him. It's a chance for Maddie to feel a sense of justice, especially when it seems the police aren't doing enough. Maddie has always kept her head down and accepted the realities of living in a dangerous neighbourhood, but she can't remain uninvolved anymore, not after everything she's seen.
While the romance develops faster than I normally enjoy for a YA novel, I totally fell for it. The characters live very in the moment, and it matches the fast pacing of the book. It's sort of instalove, but not really? It's kind of hard to explain without giving much away... And on a different note, I loved Dex, Maddie's German shepherd! He's just a perfect guard dog, so sweet and protective of her.
Romance, suspense, danger, and even friendship drama, Allison van Diepen's On the Edge has a bit of everything to tempt and happily satisfy its readers. And if you're familiar with Snitch, an earlier novel of Diepen's, then I think you'll definitely recognize appearances by Julia and Eric in On the Edge. I absolutely can't wait to read Allison van Diepen's next book!
In the gritty streets of Miami, everyday you're living on the edge. When Maddie takes a shortcut through the local park after work one night, she witnesses two members of the Reyes gang attacking a homeless man. Shocked by the senseless, violent act, she reports it to the police, even though she knows her agreement to testify against the men puts a target on her back for daring to speak up.
Maddie is a street-smart heroine just trying to make it long enough to her high school graduation. When she's not focused on her duties as editor of her school newspaper or working at McDonald's, she relieves stress by partying with her friends. Now, with a full-ride scholarship to Florida State University, she can finally leave Miami, that is, if she lives long enough. When the Reyes suddenly jump Maddie after work, she is rescued by a rival gang and their mysterious leader, Lobo.
The journalist in Maddie is curious for answers about Lobo's identity. He has a personal vendetta against the Reyes and Maddie wants to help him. It's a chance for Maddie to feel a sense of justice, especially when it seems the police aren't doing enough. Maddie has always kept her head down and accepted the realities of living in a dangerous neighbourhood, but she can't remain uninvolved anymore, not after everything she's seen.
While the romance develops faster than I normally enjoy for a YA novel, I totally fell for it. The characters live very in the moment, and it matches the fast pacing of the book. It's sort of instalove, but not really? It's kind of hard to explain without giving much away... And on a different note, I loved Dex, Maddie's German shepherd! He's just a perfect guard dog, so sweet and protective of her.
Romance, suspense, danger, and even friendship drama, Allison van Diepen's On the Edge has a bit of everything to tempt and happily satisfy its readers. And if you're familiar with Snitch, an earlier novel of Diepen's, then I think you'll definitely recognize appearances by Julia and Eric in On the Edge. I absolutely can't wait to read Allison van Diepen's next book!
July 13, 2016
Reminiscent of Simone Elkeles’ Perfect Chemistry series, On the Edge is the story of a girl who found herself in the wrong place and at the wrong time. It’s also a cautionary tale of what happens when you take a short cut home in the middle of the night and essentially how doing the right thing can sometimes be a dangerous thing.
Maddie Diaz is an outstanding student; a good kid who works hard and who’s well on her way to getting off the vicious cycle which she’s only too familiar with. One night, after a house party she attended with her friends, she stumbled upon a couple of kids beating on a homeless man. Unable to leave the defenceless alone, she calls the police. Consequently putting her right on a collision course with a ruling dangerous gang.
This book runs a bit more deeper than the Perfect Chemistry series. You may have the typical gang rivalry in this book, but this also dealt with human trafficking. A subject that’s something not being discussed as often in YA. While it does not give a real representation of the problem, the author’s willingness to broach the subject is at least commendable.
The romance between Maddie and a leader of another gang is flaccid, I’m sorry to say. While Lobo might give the Fuentes brothers some competition in the looks department, those boys (even the youngest) has stronger personalities than him. Yes, it’s not fair to compare the series to this book, but I think the readers should be advised that if you’re going into this with the expectation of satiating a lingering desire for the Fuentes’, you might be in for a disappointment. They are not even close.
Aside from the mild anxiety you would feel with Maddie’s life being in constant danger – albeit, temporarily – the story is relatively angst-free. There was a made up love triangle (but not really) wherein Maddie would have to weigh in the pros and cons of the two characters, but honestly? It soon becomes a bit of a pesky irrelevance.
Unfortunately, my initial excitement about this book slowly tapered off as I dive deeper into the book. And it’s not because the book was satisfactory, it’s because reading it was not as good as I’d expected it to be. But if you’re a fan of such story lines, and wouldn’t mind reading a story that’s easy on the feels department, you might enjoy this book.
Maddie Diaz is an outstanding student; a good kid who works hard and who’s well on her way to getting off the vicious cycle which she’s only too familiar with. One night, after a house party she attended with her friends, she stumbled upon a couple of kids beating on a homeless man. Unable to leave the defenceless alone, she calls the police. Consequently putting her right on a collision course with a ruling dangerous gang.
This book runs a bit more deeper than the Perfect Chemistry series. You may have the typical gang rivalry in this book, but this also dealt with human trafficking. A subject that’s something not being discussed as often in YA. While it does not give a real representation of the problem, the author’s willingness to broach the subject is at least commendable.
The romance between Maddie and a leader of another gang is flaccid, I’m sorry to say. While Lobo might give the Fuentes brothers some competition in the looks department, those boys (even the youngest) has stronger personalities than him. Yes, it’s not fair to compare the series to this book, but I think the readers should be advised that if you’re going into this with the expectation of satiating a lingering desire for the Fuentes’, you might be in for a disappointment. They are not even close.
Aside from the mild anxiety you would feel with Maddie’s life being in constant danger – albeit, temporarily – the story is relatively angst-free. There was a made up love triangle (but not really) wherein Maddie would have to weigh in the pros and cons of the two characters, but honestly? It soon becomes a bit of a pesky irrelevance.
Unfortunately, my initial excitement about this book slowly tapered off as I dive deeper into the book. And it’s not because the book was satisfactory, it’s because reading it was not as good as I’d expected it to be. But if you’re a fan of such story lines, and wouldn’t mind reading a story that’s easy on the feels department, you might enjoy this book.
November 14, 2014
Nose Graze — Book reviews & blogging tips
The gang and thrill part of On the Edge was pretty awesome. I loved the danger and how people were standing up to violence, gangs, and all that goes with them (drugs, sex trafficking, etc.). What I liked less was the romance.
I liked the romance in theory: gang leader falls for innocent girl. That's hot! And parts of the romance were fun and sexy.. it just felt insta-lovey to me. They have like two dates and are practically in love with each other. The romance just blew right past me and I didn't have time to catch up and fully get on board with it.
But the romance was my main problem with the book. Other than that, I liked the story a lot. The gang-related plot was horrific, but interesting. It was a lot of fun to read. The book also had some good characters. Some of the side ones may have been a bit hollow, but Maddie was a good main character. I like how she was determined to do the right thing.
On the Edge is different and is a good read. It stands out from a lot of other young adult books, even if just for the gangs and violence in the plot. It felt raw and real. The book's only flaw was that it was only pretty good; it just wasn't great or phenomenal. Maybe if the romance was more intense and shook me to my core ( Pushing the Limits style) then I could have LOVED the book instead of liked it.. but oh well.
The gang and thrill part of On the Edge was pretty awesome. I loved the danger and how people were standing up to violence, gangs, and all that goes with them (drugs, sex trafficking, etc.). What I liked less was the romance.
I liked the romance in theory: gang leader falls for innocent girl. That's hot! And parts of the romance were fun and sexy.. it just felt insta-lovey to me. They have like two dates and are practically in love with each other. The romance just blew right past me and I didn't have time to catch up and fully get on board with it.
But the romance was my main problem with the book. Other than that, I liked the story a lot. The gang-related plot was horrific, but interesting. It was a lot of fun to read. The book also had some good characters. Some of the side ones may have been a bit hollow, but Maddie was a good main character. I like how she was determined to do the right thing.
On the Edge is different and is a good read. It stands out from a lot of other young adult books, even if just for the gangs and violence in the plot. It felt raw and real. The book's only flaw was that it was only pretty good; it just wasn't great or phenomenal. Maybe if the romance was more intense and shook me to my core ( Pushing the Limits style) then I could have LOVED the book instead of liked it.. but oh well.
June 5, 2014
2.5 stars
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
18-year-old Maddie is walking home through a park late at night when she witnesses a brutal attack which ends in the victim dying. Maddie identifies the killers to the police, but then she worries that the gang that the boys were in will take it personally, and she’ll get killed herself.
Should Maddie have testified? And is she really being watched?
This was an okay story, but I got bored.
Maddie was an okay character, but she was a bit dumb at times. Surely she should know by now not to walk through a park, especially alone, late at night? Obviously not. I was impressed that she had the strength to identify the killers, even though she knew that she’d get labelled a nark, but the way she then continued walking around on her own late at night was silly.
The storyline in this was okay, I just lost interest quite early on. I just got bored, and the story dragged.
There was some romance, but I wasn’t really interested in that either unfortunately.
The ending was okay, and it was fairly happy. The only complaint I have is that we never find out what happens at the trial!
Overall; okay story, but I got bored,
5 out of 10.
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
18-year-old Maddie is walking home through a park late at night when she witnesses a brutal attack which ends in the victim dying. Maddie identifies the killers to the police, but then she worries that the gang that the boys were in will take it personally, and she’ll get killed herself.
Should Maddie have testified? And is she really being watched?
This was an okay story, but I got bored.
Maddie was an okay character, but she was a bit dumb at times. Surely she should know by now not to walk through a park, especially alone, late at night? Obviously not. I was impressed that she had the strength to identify the killers, even though she knew that she’d get labelled a nark, but the way she then continued walking around on her own late at night was silly.
The storyline in this was okay, I just lost interest quite early on. I just got bored, and the story dragged.
There was some romance, but I wasn’t really interested in that either unfortunately.
The ending was okay, and it was fairly happy. The only complaint I have is that we never find out what happens at the trial!
Overall; okay story, but I got bored,
5 out of 10.
February 10, 2018
Loved this book! First book I’ve read by Van Diepen. This story was intriguing and suspenseful. Not what I thought it would be like! I loved the sneak peak on Light of Day at the end. Can’t wait to start the sequel 👍🏼
March 10, 2015
3.5 stars
One thing in particular that well, intrigued me, was the statement - "[...] will intrigue readers of Simone Elkeles." Hi. I love Simone Elkeles. Perfect Chemistry was one of my first YA contemporary's read (back in the day) and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Not only that, I am on of those people who have an obsession with the mob, or any organized crime, really. This has YOU WILL LOVE ME written all over it! I remember being pretty excited when I downloaded On the Edge to my kindle. Why didn't I read it sooner? I couldn't tell ya - but I'm glad I (finally) did. Did I love it? Nah, not really. But I did quite enjoy it.
What I enjoyed most about On the Edge was Maddie. Regardless of everything bad I could potentially say about her, she was brave for doing what she did. Stupid, yes. But brave none the less. She is also very stubborn and protective of her friends/family. I loved that she didn't step down, or let others BRING HER DOWN, even when she was feeling pretty crappy. She knew when to press for more information, for someone to back off and when she just needed to let someone else to their thing.
The romance was kind of.. insta love ish. There was an attraction there; and I loved the teasing and flirting but I didn't quite understand where HIS feelings came from. It seemed like he was secretly in love with Maddie (for a while) and that wasn't the case. There should have been a little more depth to their relationship build up - but overall, I liked these two together because they just work. I don't fault her for falling for him, and I definitely don't fault him for doing what he did. This is why I love this type of book so much - crime is obviously a bad thing. But what about when you do it for the right reasons?
My main issue with On the Edge was a similar issue I had with another one of Allison novels, Raven. I felt like it was quick and to the point, with no real depth. While I appreciate it in a sense; because some authors are way to wordy, I wanted more. Call me picky. *shrug*
Overall - I really enjoyed On the Edge. Yes, I had some issues but it was a quick, sweet read..
*I received a copy of this book from The Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
One thing in particular that well, intrigued me, was the statement - "[...] will intrigue readers of Simone Elkeles." Hi. I love Simone Elkeles. Perfect Chemistry was one of my first YA contemporary's read (back in the day) and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Not only that, I am on of those people who have an obsession with the mob, or any organized crime, really. This has YOU WILL LOVE ME written all over it! I remember being pretty excited when I downloaded On the Edge to my kindle. Why didn't I read it sooner? I couldn't tell ya - but I'm glad I (finally) did. Did I love it? Nah, not really. But I did quite enjoy it.
What I enjoyed most about On the Edge was Maddie. Regardless of everything bad I could potentially say about her, she was brave for doing what she did. Stupid, yes. But brave none the less. She is also very stubborn and protective of her friends/family. I loved that she didn't step down, or let others BRING HER DOWN, even when she was feeling pretty crappy. She knew when to press for more information, for someone to back off and when she just needed to let someone else to their thing.
The romance was kind of.. insta love ish. There was an attraction there; and I loved the teasing and flirting but I didn't quite understand where HIS feelings came from. It seemed like he was secretly in love with Maddie (for a while) and that wasn't the case. There should have been a little more depth to their relationship build up - but overall, I liked these two together because they just work. I don't fault her for falling for him, and I definitely don't fault him for doing what he did. This is why I love this type of book so much - crime is obviously a bad thing. But what about when you do it for the right reasons?
My main issue with On the Edge was a similar issue I had with another one of Allison novels, Raven. I felt like it was quick and to the point, with no real depth. While I appreciate it in a sense; because some authors are way to wordy, I wanted more. Call me picky. *shrug*
Overall - I really enjoyed On the Edge. Yes, I had some issues but it was a quick, sweet read..
*I received a copy of this book from The Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
November 9, 2014
I think at this point, everyone knows I have a slight obsession with forbidden romances. That is exactly what made me want to pick up On the Edge. The romance part of the book, unfortunately, did not wow me, but I did find myself enjoying certain parts of the book.
I can't really pinpoint what it was about the main character, Maddie, that didn't work for me, but I wasn't particularly engrossed in her character. By no means did I hate her, but she wasn't one of those memorable characters for me either. I will admit that her story started off very intriguingly. She witnesses a gruesome crime manned by a notorious gang, Reyes, in the area and from then on, she has to remain on the edge. I did find that she made some questionable decisions at times, especially considering the situation she was in. I just found it difficult to comprehend why she would put herself in certain situations. Then there was the romance. It was very much an insta-love kind of romance. The hero of the book ,and a leader of another gang who wishes to eradicate the evil gang, Ortiz, saved her when Reyes attacked her. From then on, she has a mild obsession with the guy even though she barely knew him and that point, had not even seen his face. When the two of them were together, I never felt any sparks between them because of how rushed it all was. There wasn't any build up, which was what this book needed to make it a great book.
While neither the characters nor the romance fully worked for me, I did enjoy the whole plot line relating to the gangs. I thought it sounded realistic, although to be honest, I have absolutely no idea how gangs work and what their inner workings were like. While I thought it was interesting at first, I got bored eventually as the book progressed because there was no one I felt like I wanted to root for. It wasn't the greatest feeling and I just had a lot more expectations for this book which were never met.
Sadly, On the Edge was simply not the book for me. It might appeal to some readers, but I'm not sure exactly who to recommend the book to. Definitely give it a go to see if it might be your kind of read.
January 14, 2015
Okay, I won't write an excessive review but I'd like to clear the air about some things. First of all, if you loved Perfect Chemistry then read this. Second of all, this book seems to have received several negative reviews. While I did not rate it five stars, I would at least give it close to 4.5. Book boyfriend wise, Lobo is your guy. He's got all of the swoon-worthy book boyfriend qualities we love and enjoy; he's mysterious, possessive, protective, strong, damaged, gentle, loving, tough, and sexy. I mean...he's a gang leader. 'Nough said.
I will admit that Maddie spends a lot of time in her head. At times that got slightly boring. But when there was action, boy was there action. Honestly, I have only two real complaints: 1) the best friend, Iz, is a total witch. No thank you, señorita. Too much self-involved drama for me. And 2) Lobo and Maddie's love affair seemed rushed in a way. Though there was a ton of inner dialogue from Maddie's POV, the actual moments between the couple were brief. However, Lobo's one of those guys that says and does all the right things. He's that perfect mix of bad boy gentleman, if you know what I mean.
Finally, for those of you that feed off of all things steamy and angsty, perhaps this book isn't for you. While it is angst-filled and sexy, there technically isn't a release per se. In other words, the author does that before-and-after thing. There's no slow and sensual middle.....if you know what I mean *wink wink*. Basically, she skips over "the good stuff." So in that way, it's nothing like Perfect Chemistry (we all know how down-and-dirty Elkeles got).
Other than those few things, I enjoyed the story. I read it off and on throughout a day. It's cute, spunky, sexy, and a bit rough around the edges - and that's just what I was looking for at the moment. Something good, but quick.
Happy reading, book lovers!
I will admit that Maddie spends a lot of time in her head. At times that got slightly boring. But when there was action, boy was there action. Honestly, I have only two real complaints: 1) the best friend, Iz, is a total witch. No thank you, señorita. Too much self-involved drama for me. And 2) Lobo and Maddie's love affair seemed rushed in a way. Though there was a ton of inner dialogue from Maddie's POV, the actual moments between the couple were brief. However, Lobo's one of those guys that says and does all the right things. He's that perfect mix of bad boy gentleman, if you know what I mean.
Finally, for those of you that feed off of all things steamy and angsty, perhaps this book isn't for you. While it is angst-filled and sexy, there technically isn't a release per se. In other words, the author does that before-and-after thing. There's no slow and sensual middle.....if you know what I mean *wink wink*. Basically, she skips over "the good stuff." So in that way, it's nothing like Perfect Chemistry (we all know how down-and-dirty Elkeles got).
Other than those few things, I enjoyed the story. I read it off and on throughout a day. It's cute, spunky, sexy, and a bit rough around the edges - and that's just what I was looking for at the moment. Something good, but quick.
Happy reading, book lovers!
June 12, 2014
I have read all of this author's previous books and loved them so I was fully expecting more of the same - which I got except......you have to suspend your disbelief for this one.
Maddie witnesses a horrific crime and chooses to go to the police, except that now, she is the target of the gang members she just accused. One night, she is taken down but gets some unexpected help from a very surprising source.
This book is engrossing as I was completely taken by the graphic description that basically sets up the entire plot line.
Maddie is a wonderful character and so is Iz and the story zips along at a good clip - no boring details to stop the intensity.
Van Diepenn excels at fleshing out her characters and this is especially true of both Maddie and even Iz - we really get to know them well and understand what drives their personality. There is also minimal teen angst drama in this book, instead it is replaced by real events that are both sad and scary.
Having said all of that, I once again, have to say - while there are no vampires, ghosts or zombies in this book, at times, the story felt a bit unbelievable to me and I found myself having to be ready to suspend my disbelief. This did not remove my joy in reading this one though.
I loved it.
Maddie witnesses a horrific crime and chooses to go to the police, except that now, she is the target of the gang members she just accused. One night, she is taken down but gets some unexpected help from a very surprising source.
This book is engrossing as I was completely taken by the graphic description that basically sets up the entire plot line.
Maddie is a wonderful character and so is Iz and the story zips along at a good clip - no boring details to stop the intensity.
Van Diepenn excels at fleshing out her characters and this is especially true of both Maddie and even Iz - we really get to know them well and understand what drives their personality. There is also minimal teen angst drama in this book, instead it is replaced by real events that are both sad and scary.
Having said all of that, I once again, have to say - while there are no vampires, ghosts or zombies in this book, at times, the story felt a bit unbelievable to me and I found myself having to be ready to suspend my disbelief. This did not remove my joy in reading this one though.
I loved it.
November 30, 2014
3.5 stars
Why you should read it: I don't often read YA contemporary (love me some fangs and fur), but the cover and book blurb had me interested. I love forbidden romance and was curious to see how the author would make a gang leader likable. Maddie (poor girl) witnesses a violent crime and becomes a target for one gang … only to be rescued by a rival gang. I liked the realness and violent quality the book has (in regards to it being YA). It seemed realistic to me (having never met a gang before), and I was caught up in the moment with Maddie when it came to Lobo. I will, say, though that I thought their romance is a bit too insta-love for me, though you can tell she is completely swept away with it all. I also thought parts of it (such as the Reyes gang leader) are wrapped up too nicely. All in all, it's a great break from reality for readers looking for something a little darker and edgier to add to their reads. I honestly did like Lobos at the end (no spoiler here) and will definitely read more of Allison.
Head over to the HEA blog to see why Allison loves writing forbidden romances!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
Why you should read it: I don't often read YA contemporary (love me some fangs and fur), but the cover and book blurb had me interested. I love forbidden romance and was curious to see how the author would make a gang leader likable. Maddie (poor girl) witnesses a violent crime and becomes a target for one gang … only to be rescued by a rival gang. I liked the realness and violent quality the book has (in regards to it being YA). It seemed realistic to me (having never met a gang before), and I was caught up in the moment with Maddie when it came to Lobo. I will, say, though that I thought their romance is a bit too insta-love for me, though you can tell she is completely swept away with it all. I also thought parts of it (such as the Reyes gang leader) are wrapped up too nicely. All in all, it's a great break from reality for readers looking for something a little darker and edgier to add to their reads. I honestly did like Lobos at the end (no spoiler here) and will definitely read more of Allison.
Head over to the HEA blog to see why Allison loves writing forbidden romances!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
October 23, 2014
Maddie Diaz is a high school senior attending a magnet school but living in a bad part of town. She has been accepted to the University of Florida with a full tuition scholarship and is eager to get out of Miami. One night walking home from work she sees a couple of gang members attack a homeless man and set him on fire. She identifies them to the police and then becomes a target of gang retaliation.
Luckily, she has also attracted the attention of Lobo who is the leader of a rival group who wants to stop that gang from trafficking in young women and who decide to protect Maddie. When she is attacked and beaten by gang members, the other group saves her.
Meanwhile, she is hanging out with her friends including her overly dramatic best friend Iz who is constantly trying to hook her up with guys. One guy who has caught Maddie's attention is Ortiz who works at a nearby convenience store.
I did really like the romance between Ortiz and Maddie. I was very worried for their future at many points in the story.
This story is for the older young adult. These teens do a lot of drinking. The violence could also be disturbing for younger readers. There is a lot of violence.
Luckily, she has also attracted the attention of Lobo who is the leader of a rival group who wants to stop that gang from trafficking in young women and who decide to protect Maddie. When she is attacked and beaten by gang members, the other group saves her.
Meanwhile, she is hanging out with her friends including her overly dramatic best friend Iz who is constantly trying to hook her up with guys. One guy who has caught Maddie's attention is Ortiz who works at a nearby convenience store.
I did really like the romance between Ortiz and Maddie. I was very worried for their future at many points in the story.
This story is for the older young adult. These teens do a lot of drinking. The violence could also be disturbing for younger readers. There is a lot of violence.
January 27, 2015
If you liked the Perfect Chemistry books, you'll like this.
I liked the girl friendships in this book, but the plot suffers from continuity and consistency issues that should've been dealt with in the editorial process. I also felt like it was lacking in character development and backstory that would've made it a much stronger story. For example, Maddie doesn't speak Spanish well, and we're told this, but we never really know why--this sort of detail could've served her backstory but it was omitted. There are lots of little things like this that just aren't touched on.
I picked this up because a blog mentioned that it was very girl positive and was positive toward teen sexuality, and I guess that's true, but I've read so many books that handle these things better that I was disappointed.
Also, the whole "dogs recognize an alpha male" thing made me roll my eyes so hard I got dizzy. Come on...
I liked the girl friendships in this book, but the plot suffers from continuity and consistency issues that should've been dealt with in the editorial process. I also felt like it was lacking in character development and backstory that would've made it a much stronger story. For example, Maddie doesn't speak Spanish well, and we're told this, but we never really know why--this sort of detail could've served her backstory but it was omitted. There are lots of little things like this that just aren't touched on.
I picked this up because a blog mentioned that it was very girl positive and was positive toward teen sexuality, and I guess that's true, but I've read so many books that handle these things better that I was disappointed.
Also, the whole "dogs recognize an alpha male" thing made me roll my eyes so hard I got dizzy. Come on...
June 30, 2015
Ehhhhhhhhhhhh. Maybe I'm too straight-laced suburban, but I just couldn't connect with anything here. Not the romance, that moved like lightening and might have been entirely hormones, or the street violence, or the casual drinking and shallow friendships. There were moments of good stuff that kept it from one star, but all in all I wasn't too impressed. Also, it was quite short.
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