I didn’t realise this was a 2 chapter sampler when I downloaded it and I confess myself disappointed because I am intrigued by what I just read and want to know more… looks like I’ll just have to buy it.

Now bearing in mind that this is a sampler, I can only comment on what I have read so far. I like the use of present tense - it definitely provided a sense of urgency to the narration, I felt my anxiety growing even though nothing particularly horrific has happened yet. A surefire way to build tension.

Not much characterisation within two chapters but I liked what little I saw.

Something needs to be done about the actual formatting of the book: in the sampler sent to my kindle, the second chapter was full of random line breaks and no indents for new paragraphs.

I’ve just bought the book to learn more. I’ll post a full review once finished on Goodreads.

***This review is based on a sample (two chapters) of the book Ledge by Stacey McEwan***

A young woman living alone in a society that is literally on a cliff edge. Does she enjoy her solitude or is she secretly wishing for the day she is chosen?

As soon as I heard the premise of this book when Stacey was writing it, I knew it was one I wanted to read. After reading the first two chapters I'm now absolutely certain this is a book I am going to love. Already the writing style is gripping and feels natural to read. The characters are, so far, well written and you can tell that they have been thought out over time. I can't wait to get my hands on this book.

Having only sampled the first two chapters of Ledge, I’m certainly intrigued to explore this story more.

Set on an harsh and icy mountain face where resources are scarce, our strong willed, axe wielding FMC Dawsyn is all that is left of her family. As she endures this frozen wasteland, she can’t help but wonder about the Glacians; vicious, winged creatures who provide rations to the community in exchange for a human sacrifice…

Thank you to Netgalley, Stacey McEwan and Angry Robot for providing me with this sample.

Having read the first two chapters of ledge I'm very intrigued the story is well written and hooks readers from the get go. The story seems to be well paced with action from the very first chapter as well as world building and some back story included. I lokn forward to reading the rest of this book when it us released to see where it goes

It was not my cup of tea, but I imagine others would like it.

I felt like the editing could have been more fine-tuned regarding the pace, character development, and overall tone of the story.

Book review editing space

Title: Ledge
Series: The Glacian Trilogy
Author(s): Stacey McEwan
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Date Published: September 13, 2023
Date Read: May 23, 2023
Format: eBook
Free?: ARC from NetGalley - 2 chapter preview

NOTE: The following ratings are based on the first two chapters only.
Overall Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ / 5

Spice Rating: 🔥 / 5
Fantasy Rating: 🦄 / 5
Tear Rating: 💧 / 5
Humor Rating: 0 / 5

The Ledge does not reward the meek.

I will first say that I was given the first two chapters as a special preview ahead of the book’s paperback release, so this review only covers that preview.

That being said, I was instantly drawn into the world that Stacey McEwan has built, where the Ledge is cold and unforgiving, and monstrous dwell in the Chasm. I found her writing style to be very easy to fall into, and was sad that tore through the preview so quickly!

I have so many questions about the book — who are the captors? Why the Ledge? What will happen? And I cannot wait to purchase my copy of the book and find out for myself.

If and when I am able to buy this book in full and read it all, I will update my review accordingly.

Based on the two chapters I read, I would definitely recommend this book. I’ve given up on books for less, and I think this book holds great promise of adventure and intrigue.

A really interesting first couple of chapters which set the world up quite nicely and which have really intrigued me. The setting of a small civilisation isolated on a snowy mountain but with something mysterious lurking in the outside world seems quite unique to me and I am definitely curious to read more. I really enjoyed the writing in these two chapters, I felt it portrayed both the world and the characters' emotions vividly, and the prose flowed really nicely.
Often it can take a while to settle into some books, but after only two chapters I already feel like the plot and worldbuilding are moving at a steady pace and I want to know so much more. Based on this sample I'm definitely going to add Ledge to my TBR.

For just the first two chapters, this was gripping.
The pacing was good. We got a decent amount of backstory but not so much I was overwhelmed. The writing itself was very good.
The story seemed different from most, something I haven't read before, and something that could surprise me with wherever it's heading.
I will be adding this to my TBR list!

Despite the fact that I usually advise reading your trigger warnings, I feel confident in declaring that any reader would appreciate picking up this book! I can't wait to see how the tale develops when the sequel debuts in September of this year. It's a brilliant example of work and demonstrates her excellent writing skills.

This is such a solid opening, I was hooked from the first paragraph. I really enjoyed the writing style - easy to follow and really created the picture in my head.

It’s difficult to rate based on a small sample but I will definitely be adding the full book to my TBR

Interesting premise to the story and introduction. Sounds like it's going to be a good one. Not overly detailed and well paced.

I grabbed the sample for this book after hearing a ton about it on TikTok, and following the author. I sometimes feel wary of books written by popular TikTok creators because they don’t always live up to the hype. After reading this two chapter sample I can confidently say, I will be picking up and reading this entire book as soon as possible. The writing is really well done, and the concept is so interesting.
I was a little surprised that a woman from Australia would write about snow and ice, but she did so flawlessly and I found it to be very believable and realistic (for a fantasy book). I think Stacy’s writing deserves all the praise she is getting. Can’t wait to finish this and move right on to book two!

I was given the first two chapters of ledge by NetGalley and I am going to purchase the book now! Cannot wait to find out what happens with the rest of the book!

This book sounds incredible.
I only got the first two chapters and I've added it to my wishlist.
I love the writing style, that it's a female MC, and the addition of song.
Hope to read the full version soon!

***This is a review of an ARC sample from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

So I was honestly taken aback by how much this story intrigued me. Whereas the synopsis drew me in, I expected little from just the first two chapters. But already we get a grand description of the world and its unfairness and I am even starting to get to know Dawsyn as a character. Even with the brief moment of sensuality that was in the second chapter, I already felt this sense of longing and loneliness that Dawsyn had. As with Dawsyn, I wonder how exactly their world works and why does something as foreboding as the Selection have to exist? How exactly did the Ledge come to be and how did the village that Dawsyn resides in come to be? I am excited to pick this up when it is fully out, for I am very glad to have potentially found a fantasy series that seems to borrow from classic dystopian ideas.

I went into this selection of Ledge, before the release of the paperback version, with a curiosity of what this story could possibly hold. And now I feel as if I'm going to go out and buy the hardback before the paperback even releases. Our main character has an air of sorrow and determination about her that makes me curious about her journey and her best friend is a likeable sort that seems willing to sacrifice himself in order to save his friend. Which we all know goes over so well. I'm going to give this book a deeper look and post a review on Goodreads once I read it in it's entirety, but what I've read so far has me wanting to read more of it. As soon as one more book comes off of my TBR cart, Ledge will be going onto it.

Ledge
Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC. This review is entirely my honest opinion of the book.
Note: * I only was given the beginning of the book as an exclusive sampler, so this review only applies to the first part of the book*
Rating: 4.5 stars
I really love the world of this book. The concept of the chasm and the icy environment feels is really original, and it creates a brutal, harsh setting. Dawsyn is independent and fierce, which is always good for a main character, and definitely necessary for her to survive in such a harsh survival-of-the-fittest type of environment.
The writing is very descriptive and uses a lot of metaphors. The setting is meant to be dramatic, and the writing allowed for more of Dawsyn’s emotions to come through. I would love to read the whole book and find out what happens!

I'm so happy I read this sample! 30 pages in and I feel like I need to run to the store immediately to purchase a copy to finish it ASAP. The world being built in these pages is bleak and savage and I want to learn more. How did it come to this? Is there a way to get away?

I want to follow the character on their journey to get all of the answers to these questions (and I'm sure more will pop up along the way 👀).

The writing is evocative and I didn't want to stop reading when I got to the end of the sample. I'll definitely be reading more of this as soon as I can!

The author's writing just wasn't for me, and while it isn't bad there were at least 3 metaphors in the first 2 pages. The description were really flowery and while I usually like that it wasn't the easiest start in an unknown world and I found myself wishing the author would just tell me what was going on.
But since this was only a preview there isn't much perspective to be had, but I dont think I will pick up the book.

❥ 3 stars ☆

I read a Exclusive Sampler with the first 2 chapters of Ledge.
This review is only about the first 2 chapters which are 16 pages, since I have not read the whole book and can’t review all of it in a fair way.

The book started off pretty good, introducing the first main characters of the story and starting to introduce us to the world that they live in.

The beginning of the story reminds me of The Hunger Games, but these characters live in an even more dark and dystopian reality where there seems to be an eternal winter with sometimes life threatening conditions, and they live their lives being constantly aware of the supernatural creatures that decides their fate and whether they get to live or not.

Based only on the first 2 chapters, I believe I would like the book but I’m not sure I would love it.