Book Review: The Edge of Reason by Melinda Snodgrass
Albuquerque, NM police officer Richard Oort has many things. Good looks, musical talent and training, a fine education and a passion for police work. He even has some dark secrets. But it’s what Richard doesn’t have that makes him special.
When Richard saves a young woman from impossible monsters, a feat that itself should be impossible for a normal human being, he comes to the attention of wealthy philanthropist Kenntnis. It seems that Kenntnis is on one side of a shadow war for the fate of humanity. He, he claims, is on the side of reason and science. The other side are the forces of superstition and magic, who worship the Old Ones, aka any kind of god.
Richard was born without any magic, which makes him unaffected by mind-warping spells, and able to wield a special anti-magic sword. Kenntnis quickly recruits the police officer to join the Lumina, those who fight against unreason. Somewhat more reluctantly, Kenntnis also shelters teen sorceress Rhiana, whose magic could be useful despite being a tool of the Old Ones.
Also on the team is Cross, a renegade Old One who is essentially Homeless Jesus, and Richard soon adds an older police detective and the coroner to his allies. But they’re up against a worldwide conspiracy and one of the most powerful religious figures in America–and Richard’s secrets may be enough to tear them all apart.
This is the first book in the “Edge” trilogy of modern fantasy novels, so a number of subplots are not resolved here.
Good: Some seriously spooky moments when magic intrudes on the world.
The book acknowledges that centering the narrative on one super-special protagonist tends to shove other interesting characters to the margins. One ally’s issues aren’t addressed because everyone is fixated on Richard as the Chosen One, so the enemy finds an easy pickup.
Less good: Richard has perhaps too much special crammed into one character. He has almost all the best talents and skills in this narrative, plus the most painful backstory to grab the readers’ sympathy.
The sense of scale keeps bouncing up and down; the Old Ones and their followers are a worldwide threat, but because Richard is the only one who can really fight them, every action is local to him.
Content issues: There’s rape in the backstory, torture and homophobia, as well as a suicide. Some readers may also have issues with how religion, particularly Christianity, is depicted.
Recommended to modern fantasy fans who enjoy “reason vs. madness” plotlines and are looking to get into another trilogy.
