The Edge (Emerge, #1.5) by Melissa A. Craven

The Edge (Emerge, #1.5) Reviews

• 
  Cody

  After the explosive start to Emerge: The Awakening, I was left with so many questions but The Edge brings answers to those nagging theories I had and so much more. Along with another gorgeous cover, being reunited with one awesome power duo and of course a healthy dose of Craven’s sneaky revelations that manage to turn the whole book on it’s side- this was one hell of a ride!
  
  Usually prequels provide some useful insight to the past of certain characters or events and most of the time it’s perfectly fine to carry on with the series without having read the prequel. This is definitely not the case with The Edge and thank goodness for that, Craven answers questions and brings with it a whole new mini storyline alongside Aiden’s POV. The Edge is essential to the series, not only does it provide backstories for characters and more information on the future plot but it will also allow readers to slip seamlessly into Emerge (Book 1) with ease an without question. Well, not many.
  
  Aiden is my favourite character; so I was thrilled to read from his POV, I’m totally Team Aiden when it comes to the Aiden & Allie drama and The Edge has only enhanced my obsession love for him. I loved getting to know Aiden before Allie, to witness what he went through being an all powerful Immortal and being able to see just how lonely and isolated he was from his friends and family. Aiden’s character development throughout the book was incredible, he continues to struggle as he did in Emerge but he’s truly a fighter. His strength, ambition and love for his friends and family was heart-warming, I loved seeing this new side to him.
  
  I was pleasantly surprised to have some POV scenes from Allie near the end of the book. I did start to miss her so it was great to go back even further than was originally seen in Emerge. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it’s a must-read for fans of the series and I’m definitely going to be paying another visit to Emerge with my new founded knowledge.
  
  Overall Melissa has produced another stunning book that highlights the values of family, friendship and hope. It’s also proved how much Aiden and Allie are perfect for each other, so they better get their acts together in Book Two because after The Edge, I’m more than ready for it!
  
  
  Literary-ly Obsessed
• 
  Carrie (The Butterfly Reader)

  *I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review*
  
  I want to start off by saying that I usually don't like prequels. They are usually boring because they start before the actual story. This though... I just can't get enough of this world and these characters. They seem so real. It was so nice to see their backstory and why they are the way they are. We actually get to see inside Aidan's head and to see all his flaws and it just made me love him more.
  
  That's what I meant by the characters seeming so real. They aren't perfect, they have flaws just like everyone else. But they try and raise above those things. Allie is so strong and such a good role model but I also love the fact that she's not strong all the time. No one can be strong all the time. It's an eye opener to see how they were before they meet. They have really brought out the best in each other. They are such a perfect couple.
  
  I also love the plot twist, I did not see that coming at all. It's so wonderful to not see a plot twist coming, I've gotten so good at catching the hints or just knowing it's coming but this! There are no words.This series is so fresh, I've said that before in my review for the first book but it's true. It's unlike any other book I've read and it's great! Read this novella and the first book. I know you'll love it so much.
  
  More reviews can be found on my blog:
  The Book Goddess
• 
  Melissa Craven

  I'm not going to rate my own book, but I will take this opportunity to talk about my motivation for releasing The Edge so soon after The Awakening.
  I have always been drawn to books featuring strong women, but for the Emerge series, I wanted to create a balance of equality that's rarely seen in YA books. Allie is flawed, but she's real. She will always be a strong young woman, but no one is strong 100% of the time. Not even Aidan.
  Aidan has his flaws, and he struggles with them throughout this book. I wanted to show a side of him we only got a glimpse of in book one. Allie and Aidan have changed each other in a positive way, and as they move forward, they will continue to grow and learn how to stand on their own two feet as individuals, while drawing strength from their friendship and the unique understanding they have of each other.
  The Edge is a result of all my years of working on The Awakening, which in its original draft, was way too long for one book. The Edge is the "missing" content from book one, removed from my original draft several years ago. I felt it was important for the reader to go back and get to know the "before" Allie and Aidan a little better before the series continues. I hope my readers will enjoy The Edge so much that they'll go back and read The Awakening again. I guarantee things will look differently upon a second reading.
• 
  Lauren Mayhew

  This is a prequel Novella to the first book in the series, Emerge: The Awakening, which I will be reading next. I wanted to read this first because it is technically the first book in the series. However, I'm starting to think I should have read this one second.
  
  I'll start from the beginning - Aidan is such a great male lead. It's refreshing to have a male protagonist who is not only super hot, but intelligent too! It's much more attractive to me as a reader to have a male character whose only thoughts aren't about who he's going to sleep with next. I get the feeling that I'm going to like Aidan more as the series continues!
  
  Allie is also a very relatable character. I can see a lot of myself in her, though she has a reason why people seem to turn away from her - I don't.
  
  This is where my problems with the story begin. I'm not entirely sure what Aidan and Allie are. I may have missed something in the story, but it's like a lot of important things aren't explained properly. This is why I think I should have read this novella after the first book in the series.
  
  The characters started talking about Complement's and it is mentioned towards the end of the book too. I have no idea what this means. At first I thought it had something to do with their powers, but later on I think it's to do with other people. As if a person is a Complement to another person. I'm still not 100% sure.
  
  The Awakening is mentioned too, which I gathered has something to do with their powers kick starting at the age of 16. However, they then talk about being Manifested and I have no idea. I am really interested to find out though! It all sounds terrifying and I want to know more!
  
  Other than the fact that a few things have not been explained fully, I loved this book. At the end an incident between Allie and Quinn was mentioned and now I can't wait to start The Awakening.
  
  I love these characters and I love the supernatural powers that they possess. The only thing that let this story down, was my confusion about certain aspects of their lives which weren't explained fully. I'd advise reading this book after the first novel in the series.
• 
  Patrick Hodges

  I thoroughly loved Emerge: The Awakening, but there were several times where I wanted a more in-depth look at what had happened before that story took place. Yes, there was a ton of back-story and history, but in regards to the main male character, Aidan, there were times when I couldn't help but wonder what was going on with him. What was his story? Why was he so drawn to Allie right from the beginning?
  
  Well, along came Emerge: The Edge to answer all my questions!
  
  Although there were several times, from the introduction of Aidan to Allie and onward, where I was going over familiar ground (events already shown in The Awakening), it was fun to get a different perspective. As a writer who loves writing in multiple POVs, it was a treat to fully flesh out this somewhat complicated storyline a little more.
  
  In retrospect, I wish The Edge had been out BEFORE Awakening, so that I could have read it first. But whatever order you read them in, it won't dampen your enthusiasm for either. Now I have to sit and wait for the NEXT book in Melissa Craven's impressive arsenal!
• 
  Ana-Maria Derzsi

  ◦ I've received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ◦
  
  In "The Edge" we're seeing in parallel the lives of Aidan and Allie, both suffering in silence and in isolation. On one side of the world, Allie is living in a total bliss of ignorance without knowing how powerful she is or why people are reacting the way they do around her. On the other side of the world Aidan pretending to be perfectly fine, hiding the isolation he's going through for his own protection and for the ones he loves.
  
  Eventually their path intersects and they're no longer alone. Even tho Allie is Immortal just as Aidan, not knowing what she is makes things harder for Aidan because he can't be 100% himself around her without divulging the truth. Allie can sense the other immortals and their power, but can't understand what is happening.
  
  This book gives us a glance in the life of Allie and Aidan before they met, what they've been through and how their experiences shaped them the way they're now. Allie and Aidan were mostly an outcast for their whole life, and when they finally met things started to fall on the right place.
  
  This time the book had the perfect rhythm for me and made me like the series even more. I was hooked from the first book to follow this serie and to know more about Aidan and Allie. Its a different type of YA Fantasy, bringing to life a different perspective into the fantasy world.
  
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• 
  Haley16

  I have been waiting for this book ever since I finished Emerge: The Awakening, which I loved! With this series, you get the YA feel, but you get a totally unique and fresh approach. In the world of YA, everything has been done a million times over, but this is like nothing else out there! If you haven't read the first book, get it, and then get this one, immediately!
  I'm not usually a fan of prequels, but this one was necessary. There are so many little things that happened in book one that we really didn't get to see! In The Edge, you get to see Aidan's point of view and you get to see why he is the way he is. So many things mean so much more now. I just want to go back and read book one again. Prequels usually rehash all the same story, but there was very little of that in The Edge. It's all new information about both main characters and I feel like I understand them both a lot better now. But, there are some CRAZY twists revealed, new things that build onto the story and will make you anticipate the next one.
  I was in love with Allie and Aidan after book one, but now I'm also in love with Darius and I hope he shows up more in the next book.
  If you love YA, are sick of the same thing over and over, get this series. You will not be disappointed.
  
• 
  Kayla Howarth

  4.5 stars!
  I'm not usually a fan of prequels because I always kind of feel like "Well I know where they end up, so what's the point?"
  But I'm so glad I read The Edge. Getting Aidan's POV from before he met Allie gave us so much more insight into who he is and how he works. It also shows us that not everything we read in the first was as it seemed, having only seen it through the eyes of Allie.
  
  Because I read The Edge right after Emerge, I found some of the scenes repetitive when reliving them through Aidan's eyes, which is why I knocked off half a star, but overall I loved this just as much as The Awakening.
  
  I'll be keeping my eye on Darius in the next book, something tells me I'm going to be head over heels for him by the end of it. But I have a thing for snarky hot cops.
  
• 
  Donna (BookDragonGirl)

  Such a great prequel to an awesome story!!
  
  I loved the book Emerge: The Awakening so much and have eagerly awaited the next book in the series. I was surprised when this prequel came out first. I'm so glad it did!! This book gave us some more character development of the two main characters in Emerge: The Awakening, Aidan and Allie, which has made me love them even more!!! I am still looking forward to the next book, and want it NOW, but after reading this prequel I now want to go back and read Emerge: The Awakening, because I would go into it understanding the characters more...especially Aidan!
  
  If you haven't read Emerge: The Awakening yet (which I highly recommend you do) read this prequel first!!
• 
  Celesta Thiessen

  I grew to really love the main characters. They seemed real and I identified with their problems. The book was rather slow to start with not much happening. And then things got intense. But just before the climax of the story, it ended. And after that was a cryptic epilogue: "8 months later..." So that part was unsatisfying. But overall it was an entertaining read and not too long, which I like. I finished the book in one day.
• 
  Stephanie

  Emerge: The Edge is a wonderful book that gave me more information about the world that Melissa Craven has created in the first installment of "The Awakening" I absolutely love this story and cannot wait to read more! Craven is able to create a beautiful story. I Would recommend this story to anyone who loves the First book, or anyone who wants to read something that is just wonderful!!!
• 
  Stacey

  This novella - ah! Where do I begin? ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL. Melissa answered quite a few open ended questions from Book 1 and left numerous additional questions to be answered for later. Aidan's perspective reveals another twist in the plot, but a truly spectacular and well-planned twist. Melissa is a tremendous author, well-versed in history and local culture. I'm dying to read the next book.
• 
  Kelly Clare

  A good prequel to the first novel, Emerge. This is meant to be read after the main novel, and is a great filler to book one!
• 
  Arabella Auberon

  This is a wonderful addition to the series, and I think it’s almost imperative to read this story right after Emerge, for the best results. I loved getting into Aidan’s head, and learning more about everyone was fantastic. I consider this a must read book for full immersion into the world!
  
  5 ⭐️s= Perfect story, exciting, engrossing, well developed complex characters, solid plot with few to no holes, descriptive environments and place settings, great mystery elements, realistic dialogue, believable reactions and behaviors, loved this story so much I’d buy it.
  
  4 ⭐️s= Great story, highly entertaining and enjoyable, exciting storyline, well developed characters and settings, a few discrepancies but nothing that can’t be overlooked. Believable actions and reactions, realistic dialogue, a book I would consider buying.
  
  3 ⭐️s= Good but not great story, noticeable discrepancies, grammatical and or spelling errors, undeveloped characters or unbelievable behaviors but still readable. Nothing majorly wrong with the story, just not interesting enough for me to continue. Would not buy the book.
  
  2 ⭐️s= Not offended by the story, but not interested enough to finish. Unbelievable characters, poor writing, many mistakes, big holes or discrepancies, many spelling or grammatical errors, characters not believable, unlikeable or TSTL.
  
  1 ⭐️= Offensive, extremely poor writing, horrible characters, victimization, gaslighting, blatant abuse, unnecessary violence, child endangerment, or any other highly objectionable behaviors by Main characters. Would never buy this book, and do not recommend it to anyone.
  
  I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  Tonja Drecker

  Prequels are something which I always start a little critically, but this one gave exactly what was needed at the right time.
  
  By splitting this book up equally between Aidan and Allie, the author allows the reader to gain new insights, which aren't as vital to the plot as they are to the characters. After reading this, especially Aidan gains a whole new side which rounds him into a hero to dream about. The look into both of their pasts not only makes them more understandable but makes them seem that much more normal. They both had their struggles and problems, and these come across in a very 'average teen' manner (even if the problems, especially in Aiden's case, aren't so normal).
  
  The prequel grabs the entire way through. At first, it's hard to see how all of it will connect as Aidan and Allie lead two very different and distant lives. It's a treat to return to each viewpoint as the chapters switch back and forth between them, never having anything in common enough to make it clear how they come together. And when they do, it wraps up things nicely in every way.
  
  I enjoyed reading this and found it a nice break after the first novel. After reading it, I'm that much more excited about jumping into book two.
  
  I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed this one so much that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
• 
  Katheyer

  „Edge“ by Melissa Craven is a prequel of sorts to her “Immortal of Indriell” Series, and by that, I mean, the book offers a lot more than a traditional prequel would. “Edge” focuses on Aidan McBrien, relating his story from his own POV. Despite being the most powerful Immortal in generation and harboring immense power, Aidan is first and foremost a young man, who feels abandoned and lonely most of the time and struggles between his desire to found love and be loved and his apprehension about the consequences of opening his heart. As Allie comes into this life, he has to make a decision about his own destiny, that would change both Allie and his life forever.
  
  The book is marked as “Immortals of Indriell Book 0” and features some events that are chronologically set before “Emerge” (the first book in the series). Although it can perfectly be read as the first in the series, I believe is even more enjoyable read after “Emerge”, as it offers a perfect background story, clarifying details and answering all the questions still open. Aidan is a fabulous character, bright and perceptive, and possess a depth that is (unfortunately!) rarely found in UF male main characters. A perfect companion to “Emerge”.
  
• 
  Kaye

  ONE INDUBITABLE EXPERIENCE!!!
  Hold on tight! You get it all with this riveting bad boy. One chaotic ride with a bounty of swirling emotions bursting into play front and center. Pushing through the trials and tribulations, along with a few twists and turns catapults this little jewel together sleek, shiny and tight. An impressive storyline and gripping plot with all the frills, spills and a good dose of suspense wraps this baby up for one wild adventure. A multitude of hapless surprises and a bevy of daunting events that take you on the ride of your life. The characters traits and qualities are well balanced and blended with enough spice to add flavor to the mix. 100% spot on with amazing scenarios that are so colorfully described its like you're living it with them instead of on the sidelines. Fabulous job Melissa, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
• 
  Teri

  Aiden is struggling with his place in the order of things. This is what happened before he met Allie so it's nice to see how he became who he is and get insight to his internal conflict. I love getting more background on the players involved and getting more insight on them as a whole. Can't wait for more because this author draws you in and want to get through the book to see what happens next and find out more about how these two and their friends evolve from here.
• 
  Elizabeth McDaniel

  This book focused on Aidan. It was more in depth with his struggles with immortality. It also let us know more about the relationship being forged between him and Allie. Again these characters are so real with experiencing normal feelings and activities that it makes he read so much more enjoyable. Great follow up
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  Caroline Doig

  This is book 1.5 to the Immortals of Indriell series and wow what an amazing continuation of this series and this story is mainly about Aiden and this is Aiden’s point of view. This story gives us a look in to Aiden’s life before and during his relationship with Allie but I wish that I had read this book first for a better understanding of book 1 but it doesn’t really matter too much it’s still an amazing story and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.
• 
  Scarolet Ellis

  Edge: Immortals of Indriell (Book 0) by Melissa A. Craven is a wonderful story to read. This is book 0 in this wonderful series that I have loved reading and can not wait to read the rest. I highly recommend this story to everyone.
  
  I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
• 
  Lady The Owls

  Helped to give me a view of how Aiden thought and how he felt about Allie. How he saw things as he did and felt all his life. Great characters and how they mature within the story. I liked this point of view a lot. Well written and leaves more to look forward within the series.
• 
  Summer

  Just as good on the flip side!
  
  So, if you’ve read this in order you will have gone back and see;things from Aidan’s side and learnt a great deal more about the situation our characters are in. Some secrets are revealed and others are hinted at so get going to number 2!
• 
  Darlene

  Awesome mini
  
  Loved this insight into how everything in the series is connecting. Am loving following Adian, Allie and everyone as they all come into their powers and how they deal with being immortal in a mortal world. Looking forward to the next book!
• 
  Krissy

  Aidan has to deal with his powers as an immortal and loneliness. It is a GREAT story of he and Allie meeting and starting out an adventure together! I love watching both their powers emerging!!
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.