The Edge of Ruin [Mass Market Paperback]

Melinda Snodgrass (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2015

A novel of the eternal battle between science and superstition

I’m Richard Oort. I’m a cop.

Two months ago I had learned there were unseen worlds on the borders of our reality. Dimensions filled with horrific, nightmare creatures. Things that viewed humans as prey. Things that drove us to acts of unspeakable violence.

I had to fight them. To defend the people I loved, and to find out who I was. And am.

I’m still a cop. But now I’m also CEO of Lumina Enterprises, a mysterious, globe-girdling operation even I don’t know the full extent of. Replacing the previous guy, who appears to have also been Prometheus, really and truly. Now Prometheus is bound, and the job of taking the fight to the next level is mine.

Because the horrors aren’t over. And they’ll use any human weakness they can get hold of. This is a fight for the world. For keeps.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Suffering a touch of middle-itis, this sequel to 2008's The Edge of Reason continues the war of science versus magic as Albuquerque cop Richard Oort struggles to take charge of the forces of reason. Learning that an interdimensional gate has given the terrifying and grotesquely gluttonous Old Ones access to our universe, Richard tries to get the U.S. government to intervene before a rising tide of irrationality abetted by religious leaders and spiritual hucksters reduces humanity to madness. Though the plot advances, most of the focus is on Richard's familial relationships, particularly with his father. Even his cinematic raid on the gate is mostly a bonding moment with his sister. Snodgrass strongly and convincingly highlights the danger of unreason, but the necessary setup for the concluding volumes bogs this one down. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

Praise for The Edge of Reason:

“Will delight thinkers—and outrage true believers—of all stripes.” —George R. R. Martin

“ Riveting!” —Albuquerque Journal

“ Genuinely fun, exciting, and page-turning.”—The New York Review of Science Fiction

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy; First Edition edition (February 1, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765355574
• ISBN-13: 978-0765355577
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific fantasy, April 17, 2010

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Edge of Ruin (Hardcover)

In spite of his extremely wealthy background and his father's disdain, Richard Oort joined the Albuquerque Police Department because he always wanted to become a cop. However, two months ago his reality shattered putting him over The Edge of reason when he found out there is a lot more out there in between heaven and hell. The Old Ones are breaching an interdimensional gate to gain access to earth and the rest of this universe by using mortals as expendable tools to commit violence.

When Lumina Enterprises CEO Prometheus became bound, Richard took over, but failed to persuade the American political leaders to act as people go insane and religious leaders inadvertently enable the Old Ones. Richard needs to rescue his predecessor to save mankind; so with his sister's help leads a science charge at the gate against magical practitioners.

The middle Edge fantasy is a terrific tale that continues to cause the audience to reconsider values, belief systems and leaders (political, religious, and community). Although at times his dysfunctional relationship with his family, especially his father, overwhelms the plot, readers will relish this intelligent fast-paced thriller as Melinda Snodgrass will leave fans pondering what are the personal motives and agendas of our leaders, especially those claiming the high moral ground.

Harriet Klausner

4.0 out of 5 stars Paladin for the Forces of Light Battles Demons at Home and Beyond, August 24, 2010

By 

A. Lee (L.A., CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Edge of Ruin (Hardcover)

Richard Oort's life as a cop turned crazy in the last book when he discovers that magic and monsters (the Old Ones) have been conspiring to keep humans battling each other through superstition and religious strife in order to gain pleasure and power throughout history, and are now trying to open the gates between worlds to admit even more of them and to wreak more havoc. Richard is a rare human, totally without magic and able to wield a weapon that takes the shape of a sword that is able to kill these creatures and close the gates. He has been chosen to lead the vast wealth and resources of Lumina Enterprises, formerly led for millennia?) by Kenntnis, who has been captured and imprisoned by the Old Ones.

But Richard brings a lot of baggage with him as he tries to lead the battle against the Old Ones. He has a father--a powerful judge whose expertise he needs and whom he respects and loves, but who totally undermines him, and his powerful lawyer sister, also an asset to the company, but who also is the next thing to antagonistic and disrespectful. He has a woman who wants to be a mother and a lover to him, even though he's not ready for that, even if his plate was not so full, and a friend's daughter who is an FBI agent with a huge chip on her shoulder. These are his supposed friends and allies, and he needs to get the company organized in order to combat the open gates and the attacks of the enemy, and he needs to try to find a way to free Kenntnis, who has the power to help close the gates.

Things start a bit slowly, as things are such a chaotic mess after Richard needs to suddenly take over the reigns of Lumina. But, gradually, events unfold and Richard gets his act together and much suspense and action and danger ensue.

Although some reviews have said this book suffers from being more of a set-up for what comes next than the first book, I liked the focus on Richard and his growth and personal battles, as well as his battles against the Old Ones--personally and via the company. The cast of characters is interesting and the book moves quickly once you get into it. And things definitely get resolved enough to make for a strong conclusion to the book, while leaving enough open to wish to pick up the next book when it is released.

2.0 out of 5 stars Science vs. Superstition - Round Two., August 6, 2010

By 

Stefan "Stefan" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Edge of Ruin (Hardcover)

The Edge of Ruin is a direct sequel to The Edge of Reason, an excellent present-day fantasy novel by Melinda Snodgrass in which Chtulhu-esque beings use religion to generate emotions like fear and anger, enabling them to enter our dimension. It's an unusual and original concept that led to a fascinating novel.

Unfortunately The Edge of Ruin is not quite as strong as the first novel in the EDGE series. At the start of the novel, things are in extreme disarray: Lumina's leader, Kenntnis, is incapicated; Richard Oort, the cop-turned-paladin-of-reason, is trying to get a handle on both the Lumina enterprise and his family; and worst of all, the invading Chtulhu beings have established a beachhead in our dimension, making it all the more urgent for Richard & co. to get organized.

The "& co." part is important: this novel has a larger cast of characters than the first novel, and switches viewpoints very frequently, from returning characters such as Richard (now told in the first person), Rhiana, and Mark Grenier (who, in the most jarring change since the first novel, is now on Lumina's side), to new ones like scientist Eddie Tanaka and Lumina COO Dagmar Reitlingen. The frequent changes in POV are a bit jarring as the chapters are very short: there are 50 chapters, plus a prologue and a coda, for only about 380 pages. In addition, not every character is as interesting as Richard and Rhiana, and as a result, The Edge of Ruin never gripped me like The Edge of Reason did.

The dialogue at times is a bit too pat (e.g. about Rhiana: "She's finding that life in Monsterville isn't as wonderful as she expected."), and the novel occasionally takes on the tone of an action movie... which it probably would have been if seen entirely from the eyes of Eddie Tanaka, the scientist who evades slaughter by escaping on a tramp steamer. The ending is a bit chaotic, and the resolution downright bizarre, but it does set up an interesting starting point for the next novel in the EDGE series.

All in all, if you enjoyed The Edge of Reason, I still suggest picking up The Edge of Ruin. It's not quite as impressive as the first novel, but if, like me, you were hooked by the start of the story, I'm sure you'll want to know how it continues. It's not an ideal sequel, but Richard Oort is still a fascinating protagonist, the concept for the novel is still quite original, and I'm still eager to see where Melinda Snodgrass will take the story in the next novel.