Edge of Escape by Debra Chapoton

Release Date: June 28, 2010
Publisher: CreateSpace
Pages: 244
Review Source: eBook from author for honest review

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
EDGE OF ESCAPE reveals the fractured heart of Eddie, an emotionally impaired 18-year-old who has spent most of his school years in special education classes. Placed there by an over protective mother who also blames her son for his unintentional part in his father's death, Eddie is kept separated from normal student interactions.

Eddie's guilt and his place among the unaccepted serve to keep him invisible to the rest of the students, especially the popular ones. His uncontainable obsession for the popular Rebecca compels him to devise a plan to pull her into his world and win her over. What should have been appropriate advances become, for Rebecca, the terror of stalking and abduction. She wakes up trapped, she escapes, and then she makes a wrong choice and is trapped again.

Throughout her ordeal as she escapes again and again, there are flashbacks into both Rebecca's and Eddie's lives and how those lives have been intersecting all through their school years. If she falls for the fragile spirit who stalks her, does love erase evil intent? If she fails to see the innocent infatuation for what it is, will she be responsible for the inevitable tragedy that foreshadows their tangled fate?

My Thoughts:
If you want to read a great story that’s fast paced and full of action, definitely check this one out. The whole book is quite atmospheric, with some very tense moments. You wonder what will happen, whether Rebecca will escape, and why Eddie kidnapped her in the first place.

At times the narrative was a bit confusing, as it featured flashbacks and changes in perspective. This might bother some readers, but I found it generally easy enough to figure out, though I did have a few “Wait, what?? … Ohhh!” moments. These didn’t detract from the overall story, however.

The book also features some very interesting psychological aspects, including questions and observations of how trauma, neglect, and abuse can change people. These things made me wonder if there are excuses for horrible, illegal behaviour, or if every person is responsible for their actions, no matter what.

My only frustration with this book, and it is a large one, was Rebecca’s opinion of Eddie at the end. I don’t want to give anything big away, but if I were her I would have had a completely different attitude. Perhaps it’s because as a reader we get to see so many people’s perspectives, but Rebecca seems naive and clueless in those moments, which really upset me, because she was such a strong, fighting character throughout the book.

I would definitely recommend this cat and mouse story to all readers. It features lots of twists and turns and unexpected happenings. Up until the end you will wonder what exactly happened, which makes for a great book, in my opinion. If you’re looking for a quick, action-packed read, then look no further.

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