Twilight meets the Ex Hex meets City of Bones meets Practical Magic.

- feuding families
- magic, witches, and curses (oh my!)
- midwestern small town
- there is a cat!
- high school
- love triangle

Yeah, this was sweet. A little, small-town magical YA novel. What I loved most about this story was the characters and the teen High School drama that secretly I just eat up. The romance is full of all the electricity of first loves that feel world-shattering and life-ending. You will love all the unique and diverse characters and will definitely love the cat the most!

I think the comparison to the raven cycle caused my expectations to be very high but I still enjoyed this. The characters were memorable and the writing was beautiful.

I am a sucker for a book ending and I need the sequel immediately!!!

Wrapped up in rival families and a generational curse, Penny must ally with Corey (golden boy, rich, mortal) and Alonso (misfit, witch) in order to save her mom.

Penny was the anxiety rep I needed when I was younger and I am so glad she exists. The story totally scratched the itch for a more grounded ya love triangle, even though I never shipped her and Corey, and I loved Penny’s relationship with both boys. The group chat was my fav!

I also adored Dylan and would’ve liked to see more of Alonso’s aunts as they seemed like really fun characters. And I loved that all three of the main characters all had family members and friends outside of the love triangle (although obviously those relationships had those own complexities and issues).

I will say that this read a little younger to me than I was expecting with the characters going into senior year, but once I was into the story, that didn’t bother me as much. Some of the plot seemed to happen off page, especially when it came to Alonso, and I thought that the end was wrapping up at a weird pace until I actually got to that ending (!!!). Overall, this was a really fun YA supernatural fantasy that I really enjoyed and would have loved as a teen.

Thank you NetGalley & Little, Brown for the ARC!

Twilight fans rejoice, there is a spiritual successor.

This book was a lot of fun if you know what to expect which is high school drama with magic, a long standing rivalry between families, and a fairly lopsided love triangle. This book was reminiscent of 2000s fiction and it WAS FUN. The writing style does take a bit to get into but the story, the DRAMA, is there. I also got surprisingly emotionally attached to our main girl and her very awful situation.

The Glittering Edge follows Penny who after her single mom falls suddenly and mysteriously ill after an accident, discovers that her mom may have fallen into a curse that has been raging between two families. One of witches, and one of rich people (yes, it is a little weird that the second family is non-magical but its kind of a commentary on money = power and it works so I will let it slide). Penny has to enlist the help of boys from both families who happen to be like...just so cute but opposite personalities.

Anyways, this was fun and if you have a little nostalgia for that era of YA I think its a great time.

Thank you to Netgalley in exchange to an honest review!

This was a fun YA read! Penny, Alonso, and Corey are a great team as they try to break a multi-generational curse. This story did an excellent job of making each of these characters’ motives for working together feel believable despite two of them being bitter enemies–I enjoyed how all their relationships evolved throughout the story. I also thought the depiction of Penny’s anxiety was really well done. The small town atmosphere and witchy magic and curses had a lot of charm as well. I’m excited for the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for the ARC.

I think the premise for this book is interesting and for the right person this will probably be a fun and exciting read. For me, however, I sadly could not appreciate the writing style. I frequently read YA books but this one read particularly young and I just really could not relate to the characters or begin to care about them because they annoyed me too much. I don't think it's a fault of the author because I do think middle school/young high school readers wouldn't have issues with the young tone/writing style but for someone past those days it was just too grating, and I could not continue reading.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and the author for the ARC I received so I could give this book a chance.

The Glittering Edge is a spellbinding mix of small-town secrets, forbidden magic, and slow-burn romance. Alyssa Villare delivers a fresh, emotional twist on the classic curse story, with heart, humor, and just the right amount of witchy drama.

Penny Emberly is the perfect reluctant heroine—smart, anxious, and fiercely loyal. Her unlikely alliance with golden-boy Corey Barrion and misunderstood witch Alonso De Luca leads to a story full of tension, banter, and surprising depth. The curse at the center of it all is more than a haunting rumor—it’s a mystery that unravels into something far darker than anyone expected.

Atmospheric, witty, and deeply human, this book is perfect for fans of magical realism, messy love triangles, and stories that ask what we’re willing to risk for the people we love.

I was ecstatic when I received the approval request for this book, but unfortunately it disappointed me. I think the characters were kinda interesting and I liked their growth throughout the novel. But the overall story was so boring to me. I found myself skimming pages and I just wasn’t enjoying it.

This was an incredibly fun book. Something about the atmosphere and the characters took me right back to 2010s YA in a good way, so I think the comparison to The Raven Boys is spot on. The teens acted like teens without over-exaggerated melodrama, the plot was simple but well-executed, the dialogue flowed naturally and was funny, and the love triangle was overall fitting for the themes of the story, though it was obvious from the beginning and from the synopsis who Penny would end up with so I'm curious how the left-out character's feelings will resolve. The side characters were all unique and felt like real people every time they showed up. I especially liked Penny's mom, even though she's not in action for most of the book; her few scenes really made her shine like a beam of sunlight.

My only nitpick would be that I wish we spent more time with certain side characters before they all teamed up together at the end but I'm hoping we'll get more on that front in the sequel, and an even more chaotic group chat. And speaking of the sequel, that ending was so evil. I can't wait to see the consequences!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for giving me an ARC. I requested the ARC when I found out it would be in a book box to which I subscribe. I typically read fantasy/romance so the book was a little different than what I usually read, but it was still very enjoyable.

First of all I can’t wait for book 2 and need the conclusion yesterday. The book was definitely on the younger side of young adult, but that isn’t a bad thing. I loved Penny, Corey, and Alonso. Each character is unique and struggling with their own issues, and I loved the anxiety representation. I loved the teen drama and angst each character was giving. The combination of murder mystery and witchy magic was fun.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4⭐️

The Glittering Edge is a multi-POV YA Urban Fantasy (bordering on magical realism) Mystery about a teen who becomes wrapped up in a centuries old feud between two families in the small town of Ildewood, which resulted in a family with a curse and a witch coven without magic.

This book is very much intended for a Young Adult audience. As an adult who still enjoys reading some YA, it was clear early on in my read that it was not meant for me. However, I could definitely see myself loving this in my teens, so I kept this in mind as I read and have adjusted my rating accordingly.

While I did enjoy the 3rd person multi-POV, it was an adjustment reading a story written in the present tense. The beginning of the book was a tad cliche, but as the story progressed I found myself quite invested in the story.

The main characters (Penny, Corey, and Alonso) were likable and I found myself rooting for them in their quest to break the curse. I adored their trio (the “Cozy Mystery Book Club”🩷) and especially found the rivalry between Corey and Alonso to be humorous (and by the end endearing).

The pop culture references sprinkled throughout gave me major Meg Cabot vibes (who was a childhood favorite of mine!). While there is a semblance of a love triangle, it wasn’t a true love triangle (unless the sequel changes that of course). The pacing of the story was appropriate and the ending wrapped up some of the mystery, while also leaving the readers with a twist that opens the door for another engaging story.

And despite feeling too old for the book, I genuinely found myself engrossed in the story and will most definitely be picking up the sequel! Alyssa Villaire has created a captivating YA debut and I look forward to seeing what else she has in store.

Great witchy mystery with a love triangle. The plot kept me wanting to guess who do what and how the main characters were going to fix everything. The book ends on a huge cliff hanger than has me dying for the next book

The Glittering Edge by Alyssa Villaire is spellbinding and set in a world where magic pulses beneath the surface of a seemingly quiet town. Set in Idlewood, Indiana, the story follows Penny Emberly, who becomes involved in a generations-old feud between the De Luca witches and the cursed Barrion family, all in a desperate bid to save her mother from a lethal curse.

Villaire's storytelling is like a warm cup of cocoa on a rainy day—comforting and utterly engrossing. The magical elements, especially the depiction of witches and the delightful addition of a magical cat, add a whimsical charm that had me hooked. However, the inclusion of a love triangle felt a bit like a throwback to early 2000s YA tropes, which might not resonate with all readers. That said, the underlying thriller aspects, highlighted by the dark history of the curse and the eerie presence of poltergeists, added a layer of suspense that kept me eagerly turning pages.

The climax had me on the edge of my seat, and now I'm anxiously awaiting the sequel. Overall, I’d give this book a solid 4.5 stars and recommend it to anyone who loves contemporary fantasy infused with a touch of gothic allure.

Alyssa Villaire's debut is a small town whirlwind of high drama and high stakes, with the most seamless fusion with magic and the fantastical. The fantasy genre has been thoroughly saturated with far off lands, it was so refreshing to see fantasy explored within a small suburban setting. I read this not knowing it was a duology, but the last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat!

The writing is compelling, luring readers into the story with perspectives from Penny, Corey, and Alonso, with each character adding a new layer into the puzzle. The first handful of chapters are a bit of a shaky introduction to the world in terms of dialogue both external and internal, but once the characters become more familiar, it becomes so easy to devour the story. The twists and turns introduced into the story are paced expertly throughout the plot so as to draw readers further and further into the messiness of the Barrion/De Lucas feud, and all the various acts within the story worked so cohesively in tandem to add depth to the plot. I also really enjoyed how the story concluded upon the initial premise of the story without leaving a massive cliffhanger over the main catalyst in Penny's life, with the epilogue untwisting a side plot for book 2.

Character-wise, the exploration of Penny and her anxiety was fairly comprehensive, her panic attacks felt so real, and I thought her choices and actions thoroughly reflected the mindset of a teen girl with acute anxiety. With Corey and Alonso, their characters were such fascinating insights into their respective family dynamics, and it was mesmerizing to see the ways in which the author has built together a full cast of main and side characters, each so uniquely multi-faceted. There were a few character scenes that I do wish had been extended for added tension or for a more lengthy exploration of the character's feelings, but all in all, despite the size of the cast, I felt like each individual character is examined so intimately.

In conjunction with a fun, witchy magic system, an unbelievably adorable cat familiar, and all the drama of a 2010 CW show, "The Glittering Edge" will have readers inhaling every page and hungry for more. This book comes out on May 6th 2025 and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

DNF at 12%

I didn’t care about anyone. My eyes glazed over as I read the words. I’m about to put myself in a reading slump over a book, and that’s not worth it when there are so many other good books to read.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC

3/5 stars

Firstly, UK cover > US cover.

The Glittering Edge by Alyssa Villaire was really fun YA paranormal fantasy! I think I would have absolutely eaten this up as a teenage. Now, not quite so much. I really am not the intended audience, but I still think this was a really nice read.

I loved the dynamic of our three main characters. They were all very different people but formed a nice little group. I also enjoyed seeing all of their growth throughout the book. I think they were fleshed out really well and left a lasting impression.

The story just didn't end up having enough "oomph" for me. I found myself getting a bit bored and was kind of ready for it to be over. I also found myself frustrated with a few of the conveniences and reveals throughout. At times it seemed a bit lazy, unfortunately.

But I do think overall this will do really well among it's intended audience!

5/5 stars!

I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll keep this brief!

This was everything I love in a YA book! The plot was tight with a sound story that had twists and turns; the characters were fully fleshed out, with a wide cast in terms of personality, race, and neurodiversity; character relationships were many and multifaceted... and best of all, the romance was both secondary to the plot AND well paced!

When I wasn't reading this book, I was constantly thinking about it and desperate to keep reading. There's setup for a sequel, which I'll be reading immediately the moment it comes out!

I recommend this for fans of shows like Sabrina and The Vampire Diaries, and aughts books like Wolves of Mercy Falls (Maggie Stiefvater) and Obsidian (Jennifer Armentrout)!

Overall, The Glittering Edge is just a really, really fun read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free digital ARC for my honest review!

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

unfortunately, dnf @10%

sometimes you just know right away that you will not enjoy a book, and unfortunately i’ve read too many books to know right off the bat i would not enjoy the glittering edge despite the description intriguing me.
the writing was completely lackluster and did not grab my attention at all. not to mention i smelled the impending love triangle from the start.

i’m sure this book will find its audience, but it’s not me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for the eARC of this fantastically fun read. I stayed up late finishing this because I have no impulse control and wanted to know where the first part of the duology ended. I had such a fun time reading this story. As someone who grew up in a small Midwestern town, I could so clearly picture the small Indiana town -- including the biases and perceptions held by so many. Those details made me appreciate that while this book is dramatic (but very self aware), it has nuance, too. It also features mostly grey characters in both action and intention with the exception of the perfect human who leads drag queen night at the local coffee shop. I want to be his friend. Finally, Villaire's take on witches, curses, and the burden of power was a first for me and I loved the ride it took me on. Overall, I would read this again and I am excited to see how the story plays out in part two.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books (a women led publisher, shout out to Sally Kim) for an Advanced Readers Copy.

I had a great time reading this! It’s a fun book with a lot of drama and mystery. If you love Riverdale or the Dallas reboot, especially tropes like adults who seem to be just as mature as teens, witchy magic and Southern gothic family messes, this is for you. I loved how the author included music in her scenes, it gave it a cinematic quality. I think this is a good match for younger teen readers. The romance is light but cute, and Romeo and Juliet comparisons are pretty thin. This is not a retelling. It’s dramatic and mysterious with a fast-paced plot and moments of humor.