Book: Edge of Steel by Elizabeth Dear
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 4.5/5
ARC REVIEW
Edge of Steel by Elizabeth Dear
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5)
We’re back in the Shifter Guardians Academy universe—but this time, it’s summer training camp, and the stakes feel even higher.
Avery is still the snarky badass we fell for in Clash of Claws, but now she’s carrying real hurt. The rejection from Heath, Wyatt, Elijah, and Aiden didn’t just sting—it shifted something in her. I loved watching her channel that anger into absolutely dominating Guardian training. And when her beast finally starts to emerge? Worth the wait.
And the guys? Look, I get why they didn’t tell Avery the truth. Wanting her to choose the bond rather than feel forced is noble and makes sense in theory. In reality? It had me on the edge of an anxiety attack the entire time. The slow reveal of their reasoning was agonizing—in the best way—and watching them try (and struggle) to earn their way back into Avery’s good graces was painful.
Elijah continues to be my favorite of the Blackwell Quad. Getting into his head and seeing just how much he never wanted to go along with pushing Avery away made everything hit harder. The guilt, the longing, the restraint—it all lands. And yes, I ate up every second of the groveling. The jealousy once the Crimson Quad starts circling? Even better.
And unexpectedly, Wyatt’s father, Ward, stood out to me. The fact that he respects Avery for her skill and work ethic before knowing anything about her beast says everything about the kind of leader he is (MY FAVE!).
The cliffhanger is milder this time, but don’t let that fool you—I’m still sitting here with a million questions and zero patience. I need the next book immediately.
Thank you to Elizabeth Dear and Grey's Promotions for providing an ARC!
For fans of:
❤️🔥 Rejected Mates | ♾️ Why Choose (MFMMM) | 🌕 Yearning & Regret | 🙏 Groveling (x4) | 🥲 Male Suffering (x4) | ⚔️ Badass FMC | 🏫 Elite Paranormal Academy (Summer Camp Era) | 🐺 Fated Bonds
EdgeOfSteel #ElizabethDear #WhyChooseRomance #ShifterRomance #UrbanFantasyRomance