The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle
Publication Date: March 18, 2014
Page Count: 304
Published by: Simon Pulse
Source: Arc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Growing up in privileged, Manhattan social circles, Caggie’s life should be perfect, and it almost was until the day that her younger sister drowned when Caggie was supposed to be watching her. Stricken by grief, Caggie pulls away from her friends and family, only to have everyone misinterpret a crucial moment when she supposedly saves a fellow classmate from suicide. Now she’s famous for something she didn’t do and everyone lauds her as a hero. But inside she still blames herself for the death of her sister and continues to pull away from everything in her life, best friend and perfect boyfriend included. Then Caggie meets Astor, the new boy at school, about whom rumours are swirling and known facts are few. In Astor she finds someone who just might understand her pain, because he has an inner pain of his own. But the more Caggie pulls away from her former life to be with Astor, the more she realises that his pain might be darker, and deeper, than anything she’s ever felt. His pain might be enough to end his life…and Caggie’s as well.
I was really looking forward to reading The Edge of Falling because I just
love contemporaries. But this book lacked that extra something that would have made it really special. Don't get me wrong - the story is still pretty emotional, it just didn't move me like I thought it would.
So here we have yet another story where I can't relate to the protagonist, Caggie, who considers herself one of Manhattan's elite. I don't understand why I'm supposed to feel sorry for stuck up, snobby people who have money and privilege, yet are unhappy with their lives. Sorry, but I just don't get it. I
wanted to feel sympathy for Caggie and her family, but the author made it very difficult for me to do so. And that's a real shame.
Caggie's family completely fell apart after her younger sister drowned in a pool while Caggie was supposed to be watching her. Grief took ahold of the family and they all pulled away from each other. Caggie feels that she can't go on living and makes her way up to the roof one night at a party. Something happens and everyone makes Caggie out as a hero for saving someone's life, but the misunderstanding only adds to Caggie's guilt.
When Caggie's loving and caring boyfriend of 2 years, Trevor, gives her too much 'space' to deal with her grief, Caggie decides that he is finished with her, so she cuts off all communication with him. I thought she showed immaturity in the way that she overreacted to his attempts at helping her. Then, instead learning how to deal with things, she takes on a new boy, Astor - who is FAR more troubled than she is. He recently lost someone close to him, and Caggie mistakenly believes that they have a bond because of their grief. Despite warnings from her BFF and her own brother that something is wrong with Astor, Caggie chooses not to see it until it is too late.
Caggie's relationship with her best friend, Claire, was weak and superficial. The disagreement between them about whether uptown or downtown is better really got on my nerves. I mean, how shallow can you two be? I can't imagine telling my best friend I can't come over because I will have to cross street # whatever and it's beneath me to even go in that area. Jeez, get over yourselves already! I also didn't like the way that Caggie described Claire - it made it seem she didn't really like her AT ALL. So I had to wonder why they were even friends?
I really liked Trevor and I was rooting for him all they way. Obviously teenage boys aren't the best at communicating, but I felt he really did try to help Caggie deal with her grief. Even after the crappy way she treated him he kept coming around, being supportive, and not letting Caggie give up on her dreams. I liked the flashbacks of their relationship in better times, and I couldn't believe how much things had changed between them.
Overall, this was just an okay read for me. I really didn't connect with the story or characters, and I had a hard time feeling anything for Caggie. I didn't like her behavior, and I couldn't agree with a lot of the decisions that she made. There were moments in this story that were really promising, but there were also things that I didn't agree with. I think my inability to emotionally connect with this book is what really bothered me the most. Some of you may find this to be the perfect book for you, so definitely give it a shot.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
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