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Edgeland
An upper-middle grade thriller by the New York Times bestselling Nightfall authors–perfect for fans of James Dashner’s Maze Runner books.Thousands of miles south of the island of Bliss, day and night last for 72 hours. Here is one of the natural wonders of this a whirlpool thirty miles wide and a hundred miles around. This is the Drain. Anything sucked into its frothing, turbulent waters is never seen again. Wren has spent most of her life on Edgeland, a nearby island where people bring their dead to be blessed and prepared for the afterlife. There the dead are loaded into boats with treasure and sent over the cliff, and into the Drain. Orphaned and alone, Wren dreams of escaping Edgeland, and her chance finally comes when furriers from the Polar north arrive with their dead, and treasure for their dead. With the help of her friend Alec, Wren plans to loot one of the boats before it enters the Drain. But the boat--with Alec and Wren onboard--is sucked into the whirlpool. What they discover beyond the abyss is beyond what anyone could have imagined.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
January 2, 2024
I had no clue how this would go, diving in I wasn't sure if I'd like it based on the synopsis. This was such an interesting fantasy novel. The author world built and laid down the characters so well in such a short read. I was immersed in the magic and beautiful of it all. So many sad moments but it really made this short read even better. I was fighting for the two main characters the whole time. Half of the book just makes you keep turning the pages to see what's going to happen next and how the two main characters will fair. Such a wonderfully written novel!
January 29, 2018
I'm not the hugest fantasy fan like I use to be, sadly. But I did enjoy this!
Strangely enough it was another cultish kind of read, what with the religion and all in the world being more cult-like, so I think I'm going to end up looking back at 2018 and realizing I went through a really weird cult phase. *shrugs*
I feel bad because I don't really have that much to say about this book, but I will say that I was pleasantly surprised when the two main characters remained completely platonic, I know it is a middle grade read, but as someone who mainly reads YA I just automatically thought they would end up liking each other as more than just friends, so that made me happy.
Strangely enough it was another cultish kind of read, what with the religion and all in the world being more cult-like, so I think I'm going to end up looking back at 2018 and realizing I went through a really weird cult phase. *shrugs*
I feel bad because I don't really have that much to say about this book, but I will say that I was pleasantly surprised when the two main characters remained completely platonic, I know it is a middle grade read, but as someone who mainly reads YA I just automatically thought they would end up liking each other as more than just friends, so that made me happy.
May 17, 2017
Wren is an orphan living at the edge of the world. Literally. Known as a grayling, Wren scavenges Edgeland for anything and everything she can use to escape. This includes scouring the water surrounding the island for treasures left behind by the dead. But when Wren is caught standing over the body of a murdered religious official, her plans are thrown into fast forward.
Her best friend Alec is an apprentice at one of the most famous Bone Houses in all of Edgeland. It's his job to help ready the bodies for their passage into the Drain and on to the afterlife. When he scores a huge job for House Aron, the same day he discovers Wren is being sought for suspicion of murder, it seems fate is aligned to save her. Unfortunately, his fee is set to go straight down the Drain itself.
Desperate, Wren and Alec attempt to catch their score before it goes over and end up falling over the edge themselves. When they surface, they discover that everything they've been told about the afterlife is a lie.
Edgeland is a brilliantly unique read. From the very start, Wren and Alec, and the world they inhabit really do grab hold of the reader.
Wren, a clever girl with a mission, is basically one of the invisible and untouchable. She's a thief, one who's perfected her technique to the point that she's secured quite a fortune. And a fortune is exactly what it takes to get out of Edgeland. Her goal is to find her father, who she believes is living in a far off land and once tried to find her when she herself was apprenticing at House Aron.
It was there that she met Alec. The son of a wealthy family, Alec was sent to Edgeland to learn from one of the best in the Bone House business. His every effort is to please his family and prove his worth. But he's never abandoned Wren in spite of her being ostracized and banished from House Aron after being caught stealing from the dead. And so, when she's in trouble, he'll do anything in his power to help.
The world building in this latest from Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski is phenomenal! Every detail is so carefully thought out and presented to the reader, that you can't help but get sucked into the story and join in on Wren and Alec's adventure. And what an odd adventure it is!
Edgeland is great fun - perfect for its middle grade audience and much bigger kids (ahem, 35 year old ones) alike!
Her best friend Alec is an apprentice at one of the most famous Bone Houses in all of Edgeland. It's his job to help ready the bodies for their passage into the Drain and on to the afterlife. When he scores a huge job for House Aron, the same day he discovers Wren is being sought for suspicion of murder, it seems fate is aligned to save her. Unfortunately, his fee is set to go straight down the Drain itself.
Desperate, Wren and Alec attempt to catch their score before it goes over and end up falling over the edge themselves. When they surface, they discover that everything they've been told about the afterlife is a lie.
Edgeland is a brilliantly unique read. From the very start, Wren and Alec, and the world they inhabit really do grab hold of the reader.
Wren, a clever girl with a mission, is basically one of the invisible and untouchable. She's a thief, one who's perfected her technique to the point that she's secured quite a fortune. And a fortune is exactly what it takes to get out of Edgeland. Her goal is to find her father, who she believes is living in a far off land and once tried to find her when she herself was apprenticing at House Aron.
It was there that she met Alec. The son of a wealthy family, Alec was sent to Edgeland to learn from one of the best in the Bone House business. His every effort is to please his family and prove his worth. But he's never abandoned Wren in spite of her being ostracized and banished from House Aron after being caught stealing from the dead. And so, when she's in trouble, he'll do anything in his power to help.
The world building in this latest from Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski is phenomenal! Every detail is so carefully thought out and presented to the reader, that you can't help but get sucked into the story and join in on Wren and Alec's adventure. And what an odd adventure it is!
Edgeland is great fun - perfect for its middle grade audience and much bigger kids (ahem, 35 year old ones) alike!
September 19, 2018
This was a fun little book, a personal adventure or voyage of discovery by our two young heroes who live in an impossible world: The island of Edgeland on which Wren and Alec live is a precarious place with the main occupation being the disposal of dead bodies by various 'Bone houses'. Edgeland is the gateway for a huge whirlpool called the drain over which most people of this world send their dead off to the afterlife described by one of two religions: The Sun worshipers believe in sunlit glades, the Shadows in a moonlit beach, but both believe that the dead go over the drain to get there.
Alec believes in his future with a respectable bone house; until in a horrible moment he sees all his profits about to go into the drain, and chases after them.
Wren believes in escaping her precarious life in the tunnels and on the streets as a thief, until she gets caught up in Alec's attempt to save his earning.
Together they go over the edge of the drain and discover the shocking truth of what happens to the dead on the other side of the whirlpool.
This was a well written well executed adventure which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was great following the adventures of Wren and Alec, their friendship was well written and believable. Their adventures were fascinating and the book ending exceptionally fulfilling. I also really enjoyed the novelty of a trilling adventure with no romance involved; the story was all the more believable for it.
While I found this book in a 'Young Adult' section and our protagonists are in their early teens, I feel it would very well as a children's book also.
Alec believes in his future with a respectable bone house; until in a horrible moment he sees all his profits about to go into the drain, and chases after them.
Wren believes in escaping her precarious life in the tunnels and on the streets as a thief, until she gets caught up in Alec's attempt to save his earning.
Together they go over the edge of the drain and discover the shocking truth of what happens to the dead on the other side of the whirlpool.
This was a well written well executed adventure which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was great following the adventures of Wren and Alec, their friendship was well written and believable. Their adventures were fascinating and the book ending exceptionally fulfilling. I also really enjoyed the novelty of a trilling adventure with no romance involved; the story was all the more believable for it.
While I found this book in a 'Young Adult' section and our protagonists are in their early teens, I feel it would very well as a children's book also.
July 30, 2017
Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaficti...
A Middle Grade fantasy with some dystopian and supernatural appeal.
The island of Edgeland sits on the very fringe of the known world. It is the last stop for the dead, before their very literal descent into what is believed to be a sort of Purgatory. The inhabitants of the island thrive on the business of preparing and sending off the dearly deceased. Some, like young Alec, work for the bone houses—elaborate funeral homes where rituals are performed catering to both culture and religion. The less fortunate, like Wren, are orphaned scavengers—hated by all and desperately scraping to survive.
This story is told in third-person perspective, alternating back and forth between Wren and Alec.
What I Liked:
The premise is absolutely hook-worthy. The idea of there being a mysterious giant hole in the middle of the ocean—which no one knows the origin of but everyone is convinced they should use as a sort of bottomless dumping ground for corpses—was beyond intriguing. Add to that Halpern and Kujawinski’s solid worldbuilding efforts and two immediately sympathetic young protagonists, and the initial push into the plot was a compelling success.
The first half of the story is well-paced. You know from the back cover blurb what is going to happen, but the time they take getting there is both necessary and non-tedious. Character motivations are clear and events develop in a believable, organic manner. And the authors manage to present a tight friendship element between the male and female protagonists, without an obligatory romantic angle thrown in.
Wren is a strong, clever young heroine. She’s been in survival mode for a long time, and her situation is dismal. Yet, she hasn’t lost sight or her goal—the hope she has that she might have some family left out there somewhere, if only she could get free of Edgeland to go looking for him. Her honed sense of self-preservation is a complement to Alec’s cultural competency.
What Didn’t Work For Me:
I struggled more with the second half of the book. In part because of the drop in pacing, and in part because of the introduction of so many additional characters--of whom it didn’t seem wise (or particularly tempting) to become attached to. Here there seemed to be more tell than show. And for some reason, I found myself losing a deeper emotional connection to the two POV characters not long after they were pushed together into the same scenes.
Why things were the way they were (in the preternatural sense, and in the worldbuilding physics sense) never really reached a point of explanation. With the finality of death in question, the stakes became a bit nebulous.
There were also points where I wasn’t sure if it was still being told third-person limited or if we'd slipped into limited omniscient. (Note: I read an ARC copy, so don’t know if the perspective issue was altered with the final release.)
-------------
Ultimately, a somewhat open-ended tale with potential for a sequel. Lots of supernatural adventure with some superficial religious commentary. Content-wise, nothing inappropriate for a standard MG audience.
A Middle Grade fantasy with some dystopian and supernatural appeal.
The island of Edgeland sits on the very fringe of the known world. It is the last stop for the dead, before their very literal descent into what is believed to be a sort of Purgatory. The inhabitants of the island thrive on the business of preparing and sending off the dearly deceased. Some, like young Alec, work for the bone houses—elaborate funeral homes where rituals are performed catering to both culture and religion. The less fortunate, like Wren, are orphaned scavengers—hated by all and desperately scraping to survive.
This story is told in third-person perspective, alternating back and forth between Wren and Alec.
What I Liked:
The premise is absolutely hook-worthy. The idea of there being a mysterious giant hole in the middle of the ocean—which no one knows the origin of but everyone is convinced they should use as a sort of bottomless dumping ground for corpses—was beyond intriguing. Add to that Halpern and Kujawinski’s solid worldbuilding efforts and two immediately sympathetic young protagonists, and the initial push into the plot was a compelling success.
The first half of the story is well-paced. You know from the back cover blurb what is going to happen, but the time they take getting there is both necessary and non-tedious. Character motivations are clear and events develop in a believable, organic manner. And the authors manage to present a tight friendship element between the male and female protagonists, without an obligatory romantic angle thrown in.
Wren is a strong, clever young heroine. She’s been in survival mode for a long time, and her situation is dismal. Yet, she hasn’t lost sight or her goal—the hope she has that she might have some family left out there somewhere, if only she could get free of Edgeland to go looking for him. Her honed sense of self-preservation is a complement to Alec’s cultural competency.
What Didn’t Work For Me:
I struggled more with the second half of the book. In part because of the drop in pacing, and in part because of the introduction of so many additional characters--of whom it didn’t seem wise (or particularly tempting) to become attached to. Here there seemed to be more tell than show. And for some reason, I found myself losing a deeper emotional connection to the two POV characters not long after they were pushed together into the same scenes.
Why things were the way they were (in the preternatural sense, and in the worldbuilding physics sense) never really reached a point of explanation. With the finality of death in question, the stakes became a bit nebulous.
There were also points where I wasn’t sure if it was still being told third-person limited or if we'd slipped into limited omniscient. (Note: I read an ARC copy, so don’t know if the perspective issue was altered with the final release.)
-------------
Ultimately, a somewhat open-ended tale with potential for a sequel. Lots of supernatural adventure with some superficial religious commentary. Content-wise, nothing inappropriate for a standard MG audience.
November 29, 2017
This book wasn't what I was expecting. Maybe thats why I didn't enjoy it as much as others.
First off I didn't expect this to be a book based on what it was. The religions and the way the world worked was a complete shock. It took me a while to get my head around. There was also a lot of explanation and world building in the beginning chapters which bored me slightly. But in saying that, just as the world was becoming built and I was getting used it we were pulled away from it and dragged into another unfamiliar place which required more explanation.
Don't get me wrong I loved some of the ideas in there. Kind of reminded me of the game Horizon Zero Dawn with the two factions. However, it was just so busy I couldn't focus on the plot which was saving the dead? The afterlife was an interesting thing to explore and it was fun to journey with the protagonists but I did wonder where it was going or why I cared? The characters were ok but I didn't fight for them or want to follow them. I was so focused on the man being buried at the beginning which in hindsight didn't affect anything.
By the time the book ended I wondered what it had all been about. I was far more interested in Edgeland and the world than I was about the afterlife and I feel like I was robbed of exploring it.
This book had some very interesting ideas and at times it gripped me but ultimately it wasn't what I expected and it took me a while to get used to its style and world. The story is simple enough and takes you to some cool places. I guess this one wasn't my cup of tea too much exposition.
First off I didn't expect this to be a book based on what it was. The religions and the way the world worked was a complete shock. It took me a while to get my head around. There was also a lot of explanation and world building in the beginning chapters which bored me slightly. But in saying that, just as the world was becoming built and I was getting used it we were pulled away from it and dragged into another unfamiliar place which required more explanation.
Don't get me wrong I loved some of the ideas in there. Kind of reminded me of the game Horizon Zero Dawn with the two factions. However, it was just so busy I couldn't focus on the plot which was saving the dead? The afterlife was an interesting thing to explore and it was fun to journey with the protagonists but I did wonder where it was going or why I cared? The characters were ok but I didn't fight for them or want to follow them. I was so focused on the man being buried at the beginning which in hindsight didn't affect anything.
By the time the book ended I wondered what it had all been about. I was far more interested in Edgeland and the world than I was about the afterlife and I feel like I was robbed of exploring it.
This book had some very interesting ideas and at times it gripped me but ultimately it wasn't what I expected and it took me a while to get used to its style and world. The story is simple enough and takes you to some cool places. I guess this one wasn't my cup of tea too much exposition.
November 20, 2017
Tense and tight, this dystopian challenges the notion of religion and faith.
October 23, 2017
Edgeland by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski is a fantasy novel meant to answer the long pondered question of “What happens after we die?” However, it ends up creating more questions than it answers, which is actually a good thing, despite how negative it sounds.
When I first picked up Edgeland I was expecting a wild novel about a boy working at a fantasy funeral home. But upon reading the last page, I found myself pondering the nature of existence. Not many books have the power to make one truly think, but this books ability to do so makes it an instant classic.
The book tells the story of Alec, a boy working at the funeral home known as a bone house. This place is founded upon the island known as Edgeland, which is not far from the Drain. The drain is a massive hole in the ocean that everyone believes leads to the afterlife. It is Alec’s job to help the dead have funerals before they are sent into the drain.
He is friends with a girl known as Wren, who, in terms of social status, is almost his complete opposite. She is known as a grayling, a young beggar who often steals and fights others of her kind. Her home is no more than an abandoned sewer, and she eats things that are barely edible, just to stay alive. Her life is turned upside down, however, when she walks into a crime scene on accident, making people believe that her is the killer.
Alec is set on helping Wren escape Edgeland, but their plan goes drastically wrong as they are sent into the drain. They expect nothing but a pit full of dead bodies, but soon after landing, they watch the dead wake up.
The dead are lead to an island known as purgatory, where they are instructed to sit in chairs among thousands of other dead. They are to repeat the mantra, “Drown the serpent of fear”, until they are worthy of being let into heaven.
Wren and Alec have their worldview shattered when they meet a girl named Clover, who tells them that no one has ever left purgatory.
Wren and Alec are determined to escape, and they do so with the help of Clover and her friend Sebastian. They only wish to climb out of the drain to live the rest of their lives in the normal world, but upon seeing the state everyone is in, and hearing of a way to awake the island from its state of mantra-chanting bliss, they decide to save everyone instead of just themselves.
By uncovering a hidden cave and pushing a statue aside, breath is released from the mouths of a dozen more statues. When this breath hits a dead person, they wake up.
It isn't long before all of purgatory has awoken, and it is brought into chaos. The people keeping it in order are not longer in power. Wren and Alec leave purgatory to lead the rest of their lives in the living world.
After this, they watch as the drain over flows and then empties again. Earlier, they had learned from Sebastian that this only happens when purgatory is emptied.
Edgeland is a thrilling adventure novel that truly makes you think. It presents the question of “what if when we die, we don't go to heaven. What if we all go to hell.” It's a concept that could send chills along anyone's spine.
Edgeland as a book is great, providing a thrilling read and things to ponder about life. However, Edgeland as a story struggles. There are many unanswered questions that need to be answered in order to provide a more coherent narrative. For example, why were Clover and Sebastian awake, when the others weren't? These questions don't add to the mystery of the story. Instead, they make you have to reread a page to make sure you didn't miss something.
In conclusion, Edgeland is an entertaining story that truly makes you question the nature of death, but also one that has some unanswered questions that break the illusion of the world Halpern and Kujawinski have created.
When I first picked up Edgeland I was expecting a wild novel about a boy working at a fantasy funeral home. But upon reading the last page, I found myself pondering the nature of existence. Not many books have the power to make one truly think, but this books ability to do so makes it an instant classic.
The book tells the story of Alec, a boy working at the funeral home known as a bone house. This place is founded upon the island known as Edgeland, which is not far from the Drain. The drain is a massive hole in the ocean that everyone believes leads to the afterlife. It is Alec’s job to help the dead have funerals before they are sent into the drain.
He is friends with a girl known as Wren, who, in terms of social status, is almost his complete opposite. She is known as a grayling, a young beggar who often steals and fights others of her kind. Her home is no more than an abandoned sewer, and she eats things that are barely edible, just to stay alive. Her life is turned upside down, however, when she walks into a crime scene on accident, making people believe that her is the killer.
Alec is set on helping Wren escape Edgeland, but their plan goes drastically wrong as they are sent into the drain. They expect nothing but a pit full of dead bodies, but soon after landing, they watch the dead wake up.
The dead are lead to an island known as purgatory, where they are instructed to sit in chairs among thousands of other dead. They are to repeat the mantra, “Drown the serpent of fear”, until they are worthy of being let into heaven.
Wren and Alec have their worldview shattered when they meet a girl named Clover, who tells them that no one has ever left purgatory.
Wren and Alec are determined to escape, and they do so with the help of Clover and her friend Sebastian. They only wish to climb out of the drain to live the rest of their lives in the normal world, but upon seeing the state everyone is in, and hearing of a way to awake the island from its state of mantra-chanting bliss, they decide to save everyone instead of just themselves.
By uncovering a hidden cave and pushing a statue aside, breath is released from the mouths of a dozen more statues. When this breath hits a dead person, they wake up.
It isn't long before all of purgatory has awoken, and it is brought into chaos. The people keeping it in order are not longer in power. Wren and Alec leave purgatory to lead the rest of their lives in the living world.
After this, they watch as the drain over flows and then empties again. Earlier, they had learned from Sebastian that this only happens when purgatory is emptied.
Edgeland is a thrilling adventure novel that truly makes you think. It presents the question of “what if when we die, we don't go to heaven. What if we all go to hell.” It's a concept that could send chills along anyone's spine.
Edgeland as a book is great, providing a thrilling read and things to ponder about life. However, Edgeland as a story struggles. There are many unanswered questions that need to be answered in order to provide a more coherent narrative. For example, why were Clover and Sebastian awake, when the others weren't? These questions don't add to the mystery of the story. Instead, they make you have to reread a page to make sure you didn't miss something.
In conclusion, Edgeland is an entertaining story that truly makes you question the nature of death, but also one that has some unanswered questions that break the illusion of the world Halpern and Kujawinski have created.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2020
The next prompt on my reading challenge was "read a book that you bought in the last 6 months". Usually this would be an easy one for me but with Covid and peak spring bird migration, I realized that I hadn't bought any books in awhile. So I stopped in to the closest Dollar Tree and found this gem.
Edgeland is a YA book and was a very quick read. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the authors were able to able create a unique world and characters with depth. The conflicting religious factions and their similar/unique perspectives on the afterlife were very believable. Getting to explore the "true" afterlife through two brave children was a fun ride.
At $1 this book was worth the price.
Edgeland is a YA book and was a very quick read. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the authors were able to able create a unique world and characters with depth. The conflicting religious factions and their similar/unique perspectives on the afterlife were very believable. Getting to explore the "true" afterlife through two brave children was a fun ride.
At $1 this book was worth the price.
August 22, 2020
I hate when books I look forward to for years end up being highly disappointing.... As I read, I was originally thinking “this story is alright. Not good or bad, just alright and really nothing worth writing about”. But as I got to the final 20 pages, I realized our main characters did nothing.... (This is a snippet of my full review posted at: https://creativesalvation.wordpress.c...)
December 16, 2023
Edge Land is full of deep questions and uncovered mystery. I heavily enjoyed reading this book and seeing both Alec and Wren progress as characters throughout each chapter. The book takes a look into the afterlife in a really unique and interesting way, I was surprised to see how it ended up and I’m glad I got to read it.
December 9, 2022
3.5 stars rounding up. Some great imagery and world building, but I never felt any of the tension.
November 7, 2023
Imaginative but doesn't really make sense. I would read a sequel just to see if anything is explained.
December 19, 2018
I had a ton of fun listening to Edgeland, though I do have some serious worldbuilding and plot questions. As per usual with middle grade, I also feel like it would have been way more fun with some shippiness added.
The concept of Edgeland's really cool. Wren and Alec live in Edgeland, a land that works primarily in disposing of the dead. Alec’s an apprentice who works in funerary rites. Wren once was, but she got kicked out for thieving from a dead body and is now a homeless grayling. The two end up accidentally going down the drain and taking a trip to this fantasy world’s afterlife.
Plotwise, I feel like there’s either too much or not enough focus on Wren and Alec’s actual lives. It’s one of those vaguely portal-esque fantasies where I just wasn’t sure why so much time had been spent on their actual lives for that to not matter too much to the actual plot. Character development across the board could have been stronger. And I was also left with a lot of questions about how any of this shit worked. I enjoyed what was here, but I’d have loved more across the board from Edgeland.
Vacker’s performance is pretty fun, though there’s a hilarious range of accents. The original song at the end is actually good, which was a surprise. It’s a fun read, though not a favorite.
The concept of Edgeland's really cool. Wren and Alec live in Edgeland, a land that works primarily in disposing of the dead. Alec’s an apprentice who works in funerary rites. Wren once was, but she got kicked out for thieving from a dead body and is now a homeless grayling. The two end up accidentally going down the drain and taking a trip to this fantasy world’s afterlife.
Plotwise, I feel like there’s either too much or not enough focus on Wren and Alec’s actual lives. It’s one of those vaguely portal-esque fantasies where I just wasn’t sure why so much time had been spent on their actual lives for that to not matter too much to the actual plot. Character development across the board could have been stronger. And I was also left with a lot of questions about how any of this shit worked. I enjoyed what was here, but I’d have loved more across the board from Edgeland.
Vacker’s performance is pretty fun, though there’s a hilarious range of accents. The original song at the end is actually good, which was a surprise. It’s a fun read, though not a favorite.
Want to read
August 3, 2017I was so excited to read this book. I pre-ordered it from amazon a month before its release. I needed the paperback to match my copy of Nightfall. I spent a long while deciding which version to get for my library and I settled on paperback.
ETA I just got an email saying there's a delivery estimate update. It says it will be here June 5, but it hasn't yet shipped. I hope it is true! I'd be so happy.
ETA Now it says it will arrive on May 31. That is exciting! If this review is the reason it's finally headed my way, I'm very thankful to whoever saw it.
ETA I finally received it June 1. I look forward to reading it! When I have a review of the book ready, I'll delete this. <3 I'm very thankful to whomever got this ball rolling. I see that the paperback copy I received is actually a UK edition, so maybe the problem all along was an incorrect listing on amazon.com. I'm just glad I was able to get the book I ordered :)
ETA I just got an email saying there's a delivery estimate update. It says it will be here June 5, but it hasn't yet shipped. I hope it is true! I'd be so happy.
ETA Now it says it will arrive on May 31. That is exciting! If this review is the reason it's finally headed my way, I'm very thankful to whoever saw it.
ETA I finally received it June 1. I look forward to reading it! When I have a review of the book ready, I'll delete this. <3 I'm very thankful to whomever got this ball rolling. I see that the paperback copy I received is actually a UK edition, so maybe the problem all along was an incorrect listing on amazon.com. I'm just glad I was able to get the book I ordered :)
June 22, 2020
I really like the story and the lore behind this book. A lot of thought went into writing all of the characters and the back stories that support the main plot. On that note though, as a person who has a hard time visualizing while reading, the story was very detail dense and I had a hard time keeping up with some of the Tales of the Shadows and the Suns, as well as the main description of the structure of the Edgeland and the Drain. I couldn't really picture how the land was laid out or how the places looked.
June 26, 2017
Really interesting concept- it might have done better as a YA... there were a lot of mature concepts and with a deeper plot, it could have made a really fantastic YA novel. As a juvenile fiction, it could maybe be a bit confusing: the story is a commentary on religion and afterlife (which might be a little heavy for the target age range).
October 24, 2017
Interesting premise for this book. I liked the relationship between the two main characters; they are solid friends and nothing else. A great middle grades read with good discussion points about morality and differing viewpoints. How different are we really? Some good nail biting moments punctuated with great action. great for boys and girls.
May 9, 2017
I really enjoy this writing duo. They perfectly create a complex reading experience for high level mid-grade readers and teens alike.
Like NIGHTFALL, EDGELAND is spooky and dark, but ultimately redeeming and hopeful. Kind of reminds me of a Doctor Who episode!
Like NIGHTFALL, EDGELAND is spooky and dark, but ultimately redeeming and hopeful. Kind of reminds me of a Doctor Who episode!
October 8, 2025
(2.5 / 5)
Friends Wren and Alec live on Edgeland, the nearest island to the Drain. People from all over bring their dead to Edgeland to be prepped for the afterlife, before sending them into the Drain, a gigantic hole in the middle of the ocean from which nothing ever returns. Alec works for one of the houses that preps the dead, while Wren is an orphan who has to survive by her wits and is trying to save enough to leave Edgeland. But when she is accused of killing a prominent man, she has to escalate her plans, which leads her and Alec to take a huge risk...one that leads them right into the Drain.
This book is not a sequel to Nightfall, the other book by these authors that I read, but I was still excited to learn that there was a book set in the same world. These authors are really good at coming up with intriguing geological and environmental world features and creating a sense of urgency in the plot. Though it takes a little while for the main action given in the synopsis (Wren and Alec falling into the drain) to happen, the build-up isn't boring. Then when our two main characters go down the Drain, I was really interested to see what kind of strange, new world the authors came up with. And it was, like this book's predecessor, fairly atmospheric and creepy for a while. But then, also like the predecessor, it hit a point where nothing new enough or surprising enough came about, and I started to not really care much about what happened to any of these characters.
I also have to say that I didn't really feel like the afterlife/religion side of things was the best way to go. And that's not even because I'm a Christian, since the fictional religions here didn't hit close enough to home to even remotely make me feel like the authors were poking fun at Christianity (I can't speak to their intention, just to how I viewed it). However, it just never really made a whole lot of sense to me.
The two religions stem from the day/night cycle in this part of the world—day lasts for 72 hours and night for 72 hours. The Suns come out in the day and the Shadows come out at night, and they only mingle (with sometimes violent results) during dusk and twilight. But though both sides have different origins for their beliefs, they don't seem to believe anything different enough for it to make sense that they're so opposed to each other. They just hate each other because they're taught to hate each other, which I guess is kind of a commentary on real life, but not really. In real life, the religions that are most opposed to each other generally have quite different beliefs and definitely do not believe in the same afterlife, whereas the Suns and Shadows all believe that when they die, their bodies will be sent down the Drain to purgatory, where they will live in the same place as the other faction, just on different islands. So they can keep hating each other without being near each other...sounds like a fun afterlife. Of course, the intention is to eventually move on to "heaven," of which the religions don't seem to have much knowledge, but I'll bet they're still hoping to be kept separate. Then, without going into spoilers, what actually awaits down the drain isn't quite what they're expecting, yet in some ways, isn't that far off. In the end, I was left with too many questions about who on earth and why on earth (well, not earth, but...you know what I mean) to feel that I really enjoyed the book that much. It wasn't bad overall, and I think that some people who like darkish fantasy in the teenage age range would enjoy it. Though I'd recommend Nightfall (same authors, same world) over this one.
Friends Wren and Alec live on Edgeland, the nearest island to the Drain. People from all over bring their dead to Edgeland to be prepped for the afterlife, before sending them into the Drain, a gigantic hole in the middle of the ocean from which nothing ever returns. Alec works for one of the houses that preps the dead, while Wren is an orphan who has to survive by her wits and is trying to save enough to leave Edgeland. But when she is accused of killing a prominent man, she has to escalate her plans, which leads her and Alec to take a huge risk...one that leads them right into the Drain.
This book is not a sequel to Nightfall, the other book by these authors that I read, but I was still excited to learn that there was a book set in the same world. These authors are really good at coming up with intriguing geological and environmental world features and creating a sense of urgency in the plot. Though it takes a little while for the main action given in the synopsis (Wren and Alec falling into the drain) to happen, the build-up isn't boring. Then when our two main characters go down the Drain, I was really interested to see what kind of strange, new world the authors came up with. And it was, like this book's predecessor, fairly atmospheric and creepy for a while. But then, also like the predecessor, it hit a point where nothing new enough or surprising enough came about, and I started to not really care much about what happened to any of these characters.
I also have to say that I didn't really feel like the afterlife/religion side of things was the best way to go. And that's not even because I'm a Christian, since the fictional religions here didn't hit close enough to home to even remotely make me feel like the authors were poking fun at Christianity (I can't speak to their intention, just to how I viewed it). However, it just never really made a whole lot of sense to me.
The two religions stem from the day/night cycle in this part of the world—day lasts for 72 hours and night for 72 hours. The Suns come out in the day and the Shadows come out at night, and they only mingle (with sometimes violent results) during dusk and twilight. But though both sides have different origins for their beliefs, they don't seem to believe anything different enough for it to make sense that they're so opposed to each other. They just hate each other because they're taught to hate each other, which I guess is kind of a commentary on real life, but not really. In real life, the religions that are most opposed to each other generally have quite different beliefs and definitely do not believe in the same afterlife, whereas the Suns and Shadows all believe that when they die, their bodies will be sent down the Drain to purgatory, where they will live in the same place as the other faction, just on different islands. So they can keep hating each other without being near each other...sounds like a fun afterlife. Of course, the intention is to eventually move on to "heaven," of which the religions don't seem to have much knowledge, but I'll bet they're still hoping to be kept separate. Then, without going into spoilers, what actually awaits down the drain isn't quite what they're expecting, yet in some ways, isn't that far off. In the end, I was left with too many questions about who on earth and why on earth (well, not earth, but...you know what I mean) to feel that I really enjoyed the book that much. It wasn't bad overall, and I think that some people who like darkish fantasy in the teenage age range would enjoy it. Though I'd recommend Nightfall (same authors, same world) over this one.
December 12, 2017
Edgeland is a fiction/thriller/adventure/fantasy book that has the potential of surprising you with all kinds of plot twists as you read. The book may be geared towards many younger readers, but it has the potential to catch the attention much more older readers too.
Wren an orphan who are also known as graylings was kicked out of her boarding house as she struggles to live along with other graylings all over Edgeland who try to survive as she hopes to leave Edgeland an island separated from the rest of the mainlands. Wren travels the whole island scavenging from the nearby shores even as far as stealing treasures from the dead. As long as she can leave Edgeland she is determined. Although Wren had worked so hard she unfortunately finds herself standing over the body of a murdered religious leader and would be accused of murder
Her best friend Alec was also from the same house and is now an apprentice of one of the most famous Bone Houses in Edgeland. His job is to help escort the dead's bodies to the drain and send them off to the afterlife. The son of a wealthy family who was sent to Edgeland to learn from one of the best in the Bone House business had done everything to please his family and prove his worth to his family. Although he's never abandoned Wren even when she was being ostracized and banished from House Aron after being caught stealing from the dead, he felt it was his responsibility to help Wren when he feel it's his fault for Wren's banishment, so whenever she's in trouble he would do anything to help.
When Alec gets a big pay on a job he had successfully completes, he decided that he wanted to help Wren leave Edgeland using the pays he had gotten, but as he finds Wren she reveals that she had been accused of murderer. Alec is shocked, as Wren leaves he immediately tries to get the moonstones from the owner who was on the verge of death, and is also met with his own conflict as the owner tells Alec that the moonstones were on a boat that Alec already knew was on the way to the drain. When Alec and Wren goes to the drain they reach the boat and find the moonstones, but as they reach the chest the boat breaks. The two had never thought this far into their journey,so will they be able prepare for the future ahead of themselves or will they serve the drains purpose.
When you read Edgeland it shows friendship and the determination of both characters. You will see the relationship between Wren and Alec continue to build as they show the care they have for each other and how much they would go for each other.
Readers will like Edgeland because it makes the reader try to relate to the characters in the book as they all struggle to complete their goals. If there are no official relations a reader has towards the characters they could still see what each character goes through and feel the thoughts and emotions with them.
If you are looking for a book to read and pass some time I would recommend reading Edgeland. It may seem like a book for middle school student but a high school student like myself read had already read it so I truly would recommend this book.
Wren an orphan who are also known as graylings was kicked out of her boarding house as she struggles to live along with other graylings all over Edgeland who try to survive as she hopes to leave Edgeland an island separated from the rest of the mainlands. Wren travels the whole island scavenging from the nearby shores even as far as stealing treasures from the dead. As long as she can leave Edgeland she is determined. Although Wren had worked so hard she unfortunately finds herself standing over the body of a murdered religious leader and would be accused of murder
Her best friend Alec was also from the same house and is now an apprentice of one of the most famous Bone Houses in Edgeland. His job is to help escort the dead's bodies to the drain and send them off to the afterlife. The son of a wealthy family who was sent to Edgeland to learn from one of the best in the Bone House business had done everything to please his family and prove his worth to his family. Although he's never abandoned Wren even when she was being ostracized and banished from House Aron after being caught stealing from the dead, he felt it was his responsibility to help Wren when he feel it's his fault for Wren's banishment, so whenever she's in trouble he would do anything to help.
When Alec gets a big pay on a job he had successfully completes, he decided that he wanted to help Wren leave Edgeland using the pays he had gotten, but as he finds Wren she reveals that she had been accused of murderer. Alec is shocked, as Wren leaves he immediately tries to get the moonstones from the owner who was on the verge of death, and is also met with his own conflict as the owner tells Alec that the moonstones were on a boat that Alec already knew was on the way to the drain. When Alec and Wren goes to the drain they reach the boat and find the moonstones, but as they reach the chest the boat breaks. The two had never thought this far into their journey,so will they be able prepare for the future ahead of themselves or will they serve the drains purpose.
When you read Edgeland it shows friendship and the determination of both characters. You will see the relationship between Wren and Alec continue to build as they show the care they have for each other and how much they would go for each other.
Readers will like Edgeland because it makes the reader try to relate to the characters in the book as they all struggle to complete their goals. If there are no official relations a reader has towards the characters they could still see what each character goes through and feel the thoughts and emotions with them.
If you are looking for a book to read and pass some time I would recommend reading Edgeland. It may seem like a book for middle school student but a high school student like myself read had already read it so I truly would recommend this book.
January 2, 2018
To be honest I was a little apprehensive going into this. I loved Nightfall and was thrilled at the prospect of getting a continuation of Marin, Kana and Line's story. So I was, in all honesty, a little disappointed to find out we were getting a whole new set of characters just set in the same world.
Now I'm thrilled this had nothing to do with our previous characters. There was such an expansion to the world by taking it to a whole new place, a new culture. I loved the little connections back to Bliss and was glad to find they weren't overdone. It was just enough to connect and expand the world all at once.
It's astounding how much seems to fit into these stories. Both Nightfall and Edgeland fit so many complex topics in, we have politics, race, religion, morality, family dynamics and more. Yet it never feels like there's too much going on. It's always just enough to make it compelling, just enough to get you thinking about how it all applies to our world.
Alec, one of our main characters, follows along blindly in his religion, culture and beliefs like all others in Edgeland, there's never really a question of what if it isn't as it's said. Yet Alec and Wren are forced to confront the reality and the disillusion of everything that has guided them - everything that has made up their lives. The internal struggles with this and how it alters their perception and their characters really draws you in and helps you connect to these characters.
Then there is the writing. It's simply mesmerising. No matter what Halpern and Kujawinski write it just sucks you in and before you know it you've read the book cover to cover in one sitting. It just flows so beautifully from one scene to the next and despite everything going on it never feels rushed. It's just spectacular.
I really hope we get a continuation in this world, perhaps exploring some of the other cultures briefly mentioned in both Edgeland and Nightfall. Regardless anything more in this world would be wonderful.
Now I'm thrilled this had nothing to do with our previous characters. There was such an expansion to the world by taking it to a whole new place, a new culture. I loved the little connections back to Bliss and was glad to find they weren't overdone. It was just enough to connect and expand the world all at once.
It's astounding how much seems to fit into these stories. Both Nightfall and Edgeland fit so many complex topics in, we have politics, race, religion, morality, family dynamics and more. Yet it never feels like there's too much going on. It's always just enough to make it compelling, just enough to get you thinking about how it all applies to our world.
Alec, one of our main characters, follows along blindly in his religion, culture and beliefs like all others in Edgeland, there's never really a question of what if it isn't as it's said. Yet Alec and Wren are forced to confront the reality and the disillusion of everything that has guided them - everything that has made up their lives. The internal struggles with this and how it alters their perception and their characters really draws you in and helps you connect to these characters.
Then there is the writing. It's simply mesmerising. No matter what Halpern and Kujawinski write it just sucks you in and before you know it you've read the book cover to cover in one sitting. It just flows so beautifully from one scene to the next and despite everything going on it never feels rushed. It's just spectacular.
I really hope we get a continuation in this world, perhaps exploring some of the other cultures briefly mentioned in both Edgeland and Nightfall. Regardless anything more in this world would be wonderful.
December 27, 2017
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
The Drain is designed to take the rich dead through to the afterlife. No-one knows what is actually beyond the drop, but when a death boat accidentally takes a funeral payment with it, Alec and Wren fall in. If they are ever to get out of the Drain they will have to understand its problems and its secrets,
Wren is a plucky heroine that seems to be afraid of nothing except perhaps another betrayal. Alec on the other hand seems a bit wussy to me (which is perfectly ok), but he toughens up and becomes a character you can empathise with. They don’t really know what to expect next, and so neither does the reader.
This reminded me of Nightfall, honestly, which shouldn’t be surprising, as it’s by the same authors. Another novel by them is Dormia, which is also a decent read. But why aren’t they working on the inevitable sequel to Nightfall? There was certainly more there to be explored as well.
I’ll be keeping this novel on my shelf as a 4-star winner. I know some other readers who might enjoy it, and I’d love to get the opportunity to lend it out to them! For a ‘Hot Key’ book, it was very good. I’ve had bad experiences with them before, such as fly on the wall, but these authors kept me much better entertained.
The Drain is designed to take the rich dead through to the afterlife. No-one knows what is actually beyond the drop, but when a death boat accidentally takes a funeral payment with it, Alec and Wren fall in. If they are ever to get out of the Drain they will have to understand its problems and its secrets,
Wren is a plucky heroine that seems to be afraid of nothing except perhaps another betrayal. Alec on the other hand seems a bit wussy to me (which is perfectly ok), but he toughens up and becomes a character you can empathise with. They don’t really know what to expect next, and so neither does the reader.
This reminded me of Nightfall, honestly, which shouldn’t be surprising, as it’s by the same authors. Another novel by them is Dormia, which is also a decent read. But why aren’t they working on the inevitable sequel to Nightfall? There was certainly more there to be explored as well.
I’ll be keeping this novel on my shelf as a 4-star winner. I know some other readers who might enjoy it, and I’d love to get the opportunity to lend it out to them! For a ‘Hot Key’ book, it was very good. I’ve had bad experiences with them before, such as fly on the wall, but these authors kept me much better entertained.
October 23, 2018
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
The Drain is designed to take the rich dead through to the afterlife. No-one knows what is actually beyond the drop, but when a death boat accidentally takes a funeral payment with it, Alec and Wren fall in. If they are ever to get out of the Drain they will have to understand its problems and its secrets,
Wren is a plucky heroine that seems to be afraid of nothing except perhaps another betrayal. Alec on the other hand seems a bit wussy to me (which is perfectly ok), but he toughens up and becomes a character you can empathise with. They don’t really know what to expect next, and so neither does the reader.
This reminded me of Nightfall, honestly, which shouldn’t be surprising, as it’s by the same authors. Another novel by them is Dormia, which is also a decent read. But why aren’t they working on the inevitable sequel to Nightfall? There was certainly more there to be explored as well.
I’ll be keeping this novel on my shelf as a 4-star winner. I know some other readers who might enjoy it, and I’d love to get the opportunity to lend it out to them! For a ‘Hot Key’ book, it was very good. I’ve had bad experiences with them before, such as fly on the wall, but these authors kept me much better entertained.
The Drain is designed to take the rich dead through to the afterlife. No-one knows what is actually beyond the drop, but when a death boat accidentally takes a funeral payment with it, Alec and Wren fall in. If they are ever to get out of the Drain they will have to understand its problems and its secrets,
Wren is a plucky heroine that seems to be afraid of nothing except perhaps another betrayal. Alec on the other hand seems a bit wussy to me (which is perfectly ok), but he toughens up and becomes a character you can empathise with. They don’t really know what to expect next, and so neither does the reader.
This reminded me of Nightfall, honestly, which shouldn’t be surprising, as it’s by the same authors. Another novel by them is Dormia, which is also a decent read. But why aren’t they working on the inevitable sequel to Nightfall? There was certainly more there to be explored as well.
I’ll be keeping this novel on my shelf as a 4-star winner. I know some other readers who might enjoy it, and I’d love to get the opportunity to lend it out to them! For a ‘Hot Key’ book, it was very good. I’ve had bad experiences with them before, such as fly on the wall, but these authors kept me much better entertained.
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May 31, 2021Jake and Peter have this way of writing that brings a creepiness factor to the world you're reading about like the images of I read Nightfall before this and it had similar vibes and it was interesting to see that they existed in the same world. It's about death, the afterlife, suffering, fictional religion and survival.
I felt that it almost had a slight pacing issue closer to the end but it's not a long book so it doesn't really show. Also, Like Nightfall , it did leave some questions but it's kinda okay not to have everything answered. They even mention in the book that not everything is known and that's okay. I would like to see more standalones set in the same world and it would even be cool to see characters from different books interact.
I felt that it almost had a slight pacing issue closer to the end but it's not a long book so it doesn't really show. Also, Like Nightfall , it did leave some questions but it's kinda okay not to have everything answered. They even mention in the book that not everything is known and that's okay. I would like to see more standalones set in the same world and it would even be cool to see characters from different books interact.
October 28, 2021
This didn't have the atmosphere and intensity of the other book by this duo, which I found disappointing. I think it was trying for that intensity, but while also trying to be less dark, which was what I liked so much about Nightfall. And though it's set in the same world, I felt the connection was kind of tenuous (longer periods of light and dark than our world, and the furriers show up, but that's about it). I expected to be more enchanted with this book but I wasn't, really. It's my own fault for assuming things and not reading the description. If you want to read both, I definitely suggest starting with this one, then reading Nightfall. Aside from my inaccurate expectations, this wasn't a bad book. There are some interesting ideas about religion and prejudice, but nothing ridiculously overt or preachy.
January 21, 2022
A fun unique and original read! I read this pretty quickly, it wasn't all that long and it kept my interest. I enjoy that the concept of this book is nothing I've encountered before and I really liked that this was a one off and not a series. I like a series as much as the next person but I especially appreciate a good solid one book story. I'm glad there is no second book and it ends the way it ends. I liked the main character Wren, I liked the other mc Alec less but in the end I came around and see how they complimented each other. I'm not a religious person or an afterlife person myself but this wasn't preachy at all, it was simply interesting to read about these people's beliefs and how it rules their lives. I would definitely recommend this book, it will be a real treat if you're looking for a very new and fresh idea.
Check out my blog Tayside Book Blog
Check out my blog Tayside Book Blog
August 19, 2020
A much deeper read than I anticipated, in retrospect. It reads like a YA novel, but after you put it down, you go "...wait, I get it."
I enjoyed the outer story very much - a girl and boy fall into the Drain in the middle of the ocean where the dead go; shenanigans ensue. Both characters are very likeable and realistic.
I really enjoyed the world and religions built into this book; very well done for such a short book.
I don't personally agree with the allegorical message at the end of the book (), but I don't have to agree with it to enjoy it. I loved that the allegory wasn't heavy handed through the entire thing, but was like a sledgehammer at the end.
I enjoyed the outer story very much - a girl and boy fall into the Drain in the middle of the ocean where the dead go; shenanigans ensue. Both characters are very likeable and realistic.
I really enjoyed the world and religions built into this book; very well done for such a short book.
I don't personally agree with the allegorical message at the end of the book (), but I don't have to agree with it to enjoy it. I loved that the allegory wasn't heavy handed through the entire thing, but was like a sledgehammer at the end.
February 12, 2018
On the island of Edgeland, the main business is funerals. People from all over the world ceremonially float their dead into a nearby ocean hole called the Drain. Many believe the Drain is a gateway to purgatory, the waiting place before moving on to heaven or hell. Alec works for the best funeral home on the island and he acquires a major client. Unfortunately, his payment is accidentally placed on a barge heading for the Drain. Alec and Wren, Alec’s best friend, attempt to retrieve the funds, but they get sucked into the Drain.
Edgeland is a deliciously complex story granting a unique perspective on religion, death, and the afterlife. Death is displayed from the viewpoints of both faith and profit. Alec strongly believes in a comfortable afterlife and uses his faith to promote his funeral services. Hardened by life on the streets, Wren survives on the discarded monetary devotions of believers. However, once in purgatory, both Alec and Wren’s afterlife expectations melt away as they see the dilemma the dead are facing. Together they develop a new belief in fighting for a heaven the dead deserve. A compelling work of master world-building, solid story, and deep character development for ages 12 and up.
(Review found on Children’s Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)
Edgeland is a deliciously complex story granting a unique perspective on religion, death, and the afterlife. Death is displayed from the viewpoints of both faith and profit. Alec strongly believes in a comfortable afterlife and uses his faith to promote his funeral services. Hardened by life on the streets, Wren survives on the discarded monetary devotions of believers. However, once in purgatory, both Alec and Wren’s afterlife expectations melt away as they see the dilemma the dead are facing. Together they develop a new belief in fighting for a heaven the dead deserve. A compelling work of master world-building, solid story, and deep character development for ages 12 and up.
(Review found on Children’s Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)
June 19, 2018
Edgeland takes place in a futuristic area where the people believe in a strange afterlife. There are 72 hours of the day and 72 hours of the night. the Suns and the Shadows are the two groups that have been split in half. Wren and her friend Alec lost some jewels (sunstones) and are determined to get them back from a dead man's ship. The two children go down the Drain with the ship. The Drain is a straight transport to an area called a purgatory. The purgatory is supposedly the place where you are to be shipped off to heaven. A Shadow's heaven would be a type of Midnight Beach. A Sun's heaven would be a type of Sunlit Glade. Read more to find out how Wren and Alec get back their treasures or die and get sent off to either the Midnight Beach or the Sunlit Glade.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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