What a beginning!
Beautiful written, and vivid descriptions, I adore the writing style in this. Definitely be continuing the novel.
Very interesting start!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC sample to review voluntarily.

I received the first two chapters to review, and colour me intrigued! I’m not usually a fan of present tense written stories, but this one flows well and creates such a hostile environment straight away! (In the best way).
The concept, from what I’ve read, seems Hunger Games-esque and is interesting enough that I want to read the whole book

I want to thank NetGalley and Angry Robot for providing me with an egalley sampler of this book to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I did not have an expectations going into this sampler. I don't often pick up books that are TikTok sensations because they don't always meet my reading criteria. But this one has a great premise. Totally different from other fantasy books I've read.
The first two chapters give you a good idea of how the world is built for this book. You see the scenery, though you aren't completely understanding why things ended up the way they did (obviously build on in the latter parts of the story).
Having actually read this entire story (and the second book) I will say the reader needs more than just two chapters to get into this story. This book starts off a bit slow but is totally worth the read once the story actually gets going. If given only the first two chapters of the book to rely on, I don't think I would continue to read the story. But having read the actual book, I understand sometimes things start off more slowly and build.
I really like Dawsyn's character. In this snippet of the story you see her survival instincts and how those are important to where she lives and who surrounds her. She doesn't allow herself to get too close to anyone (good thing since the people of her village keep getting taken by the monsters that live across the chasm). But the idea of survival is what is most important for the readers to understand. The violence that happens, the background of how cold it is, the ways in which the characters exist to survive definitely shines through in this sampler.
If you love a good fantasy with well fleshed out characters, a rich background of interesting world building, monsters you could not fathom to exist, and a slow burn romance, jump into this series and see where it takes you!

I was nervous at first finding out this ARC was just a sample of the first two chapters. After diving in I can honestly say that I'm thoroughly impressed how quickly drawn in I was. Dawsyn was so swiftly drawn to life it amazes me. The author did a beautiful job at painting a vibrant picture and putting the readers right there on the Ledge with Dawsyn. With just a taste of this world left on my tongue. I share wonder in what comes next. What will happen come selection day? What fate lies in Dawsyns hands further down the line? What happens after being chosen by the Glacians? I’m thrilled to read the rest of the book and learn more about how the story unfolds.

I enjoyed the two chapters a lot. I will definitely be picking up the full book. The writing was beautifully done and the world was captivating.

I am reviewing a 2 chapter sample - which is admittedly not much to go off, but I could definitely see myself picking this up (in winter only, it’s not a summer book). I do hate the name of the FMC though, reminds me of Dawson’s Creek unfortunately!

I just read Netgalley’s two chapter sample of the book. The writing drew me in immediately but the dialogue was a little stiff. I will definitely be continuing the series.

I don't know, 3.5/5? The beginning was so sharp and detailed about life on the Ledge and that's what hooked me! Then things unraveled QUICKLY. I normally love when stories have that zoomed-out effect. Start small, open the world to something bigger, normally with a broader and more in-depth plot. That gets me every time and doesn't make me feel suffocated in the environment. This story STARTED that way and didn't quite stick the landing. We were forced to believe in a (very short) relationship between main characters (see forced proximity and enemies to lovers tropes that are rarely done well IMO). It wasn't believable, the characters emotions and choices weren't believable, and that makes the story entertaining but also fragile. Our main character is believed to be strong-willed, capable, and independent with some actions, but then caves when our MMC cradles her or carries her.

I was not invested enough to finish this book as quickly as I should have, but was very into the ending. I do love when authors throw wrenches into plans and no character is safe. But I'm hoping it's not just a "let's kill off a character for drama" in place of "this death has a purpose". Because of that, I'll definitely read the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy!

Some books immediately catch your attention and I think Ledge could be one of those. I love being thrown into a book and catching up on the worldbuilding later (if it's done properly). So I can definitely see myself adding this book to my never-ending tbr.
One thing that did bother me slightly (and this is just my preference) is that it's written in the present tense. But again, if the story continues as strong as it started, it really wouldn't bother me at all.

Thank you to Netgalley and Stacey McEwan for allowing me to read and review a 2 chapter sampler.

"The Ledge does not reward the meek". Man this books starts off strong.

Ready to continue on! I'm very interested in understanding the Ledge and Chasm more. The start has a very "Maze Runner" feel.

In this preview, you jump right into the bleakness of existence for Dawson. All there is for her to do is try and survive..

I’m these first few chapters, I was captured by the details put into the story! You’re able to get a perfect image of Dawsyn’s existence, but it was never overdone.

I’m glad this book is already out because I will be immediately going to order it!

As a debut novel, it isn’t so bad. The beginning was really well written and interesting. It kept a really nice pace and Dawson is awesome. However as the story develops it kinda falls apart around her getting taken. The world development just ain’t there. The romance is very tropey and just didn’t have anything extraordinary to it unfortunately.

As far as an introductory to a book goes, this had me hooked! This has been one of the books on my TBR that I've um'ed and ah'ed about picking up. I am glad I got the chance to sample this story as it has fully convinced me to pick it up. Thank you @netgalley for the sampler

Ich finde es toll, dass es auch englische Bücher auf NetGalley gibt nur leider habe ich hier daneben gegriffen. Es war leider nur eine kurze Leseprobe und nicht ein ganzes Buch darum kann ich auch nicht genau sagen, wie ich es fand, da ich kaum was von der Geschichte kenne.

I remember seeing the author talk about this book on her TikTok and I was already hooked by her description.
This short excerpt went beyond my expectations and now I cannot wait to read the rest of the book.

I've received a part of this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher.

I've only read two chapters, but we are thrown into the world that is very vivid. We also get to know quite a lot about our main character. The worldbuilding seems pretty unique and I'm excited to add this book to my TBR.

3.5*

NetGalley sent me a sample to review (thank you! ) so this is based on only few chapters!

I'm hooked! This is definitely a book that just throws you into the world head first and I'm on board for the ride. This has a dark and bleak feel to it so will be interested to see how this progresses.

I've purchased the book myself based on the sample and will give a full review once finished 😊

What a gripping first two chapters! I am hooked and definitely need to read more. This book seems to have a very unique plot, humans are the cattle to a winged species. They have been herded onto a mountainside to survive in the cold which the danger of the icy ledge to content with. Within the two chapters provided by NetGalley, I already feel fully immersed in the world and Dawsyn's struggle for survival. Can't wait to read what happens next after she is taken over the ledge as described in the blurb!

Wow! I love the mystery surrounding the area where the main character lives. Ms. McEwan has a knack for using language that enables the reader to almost feel as if she were looking up at the Ledge itself. I’m admittedly a sucker for fantasy, and this is a wonderful example of world building.

FYI: I was provided with a free two chapter sampler on NetGalley, so I can’t comment on the rest of the book, but I imagine that the main storyline just gets better.

Now for the awkward part: There’s a sex scene in here that is decidedly not tame. The author easily could have done a fade to black and just picked up with dialogue afterward. The scene jarred me out of the story, and it is the reason that I will not request a library copy in order to finish it. This is why I have to give the book three stars. I realize that there is a market for more explicit sex scenes in books—it’s just not for me, personally. I’m bummed, because otherwise it’s a fantastic beginning and very well-written.

Ledge by Stacey McEwan is a great little sample.
I’m so excited to dive into this debut.
A exciting enemies to lovers romance with fantastic writing.
My only complaint is I wish it was the full book!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Angry Robot for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.