What happens when the mysterious, alluring boy who saves you from a brutal murderer turns out to be a bounty hunter sent straight from hell? Well... complications arise. In Jeff Giles' novel The Edge of Everything , Zoe is swept up in a wild adventure after "X" saves her and her brother from a vicious attack and becomes ensnared in their quiet life in Montana. But, as Zoe finds out, X isn't an ordinary teenager; in fact, he's been sent from a hell called the Lowlands to claim the soul of the person who tried to hurt Zoe and her family. As X's mission and identity becomes clear, Zoe must reckon with the consequences of their blossoming friendship... and romance.
The YA debut by Jeff Giles, a veteran of Entertainment Weekly, is already making waves in the fantasy community: Maze Runner author James Dashner is a huge fan, as is The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. It's no surprise that Dashner and Jackson love this book: it packs a serious punch that will appeal to readers who fell in love with the adventures of the Gladers and the mission of the Fellowship of the Ring. The Edge of Everything's unique premise, compelling characters, and high-octane adventure make it a must-read for 2017. Even better: it's just the first book in what's sure to become a fan-favorite YA series.
The book will be available wherever books are sold on Jan. 31, 2017, but we have a sneak peek of the prologue to tide fans over until its release. Plus, Bustle has an exclusive first look at author Jeff Giles' tour dates, all below:
Jeff Giles tour will kick-off with a book launch in Phoenix on Jan. 28, and he'll hitting nine cities to meet with fans. He'll be joined by a few special guests along the way — including Throne of Glass author Sarah J. Maas and Beautiful Creatures writer Kami Garcia. See the dates below, and scroll down for a look at the prologue:
PROLOGUE:
She named him herself, so it felt like he belonged to her.
He said that where he was from, which he called the Lowlands, they strip your name away like a husk the moment you arrive—to remind you that you’re no one and nothing. When he told her this, she moved a little closer. She should have been scared after what she’d seen him do to Stan, but she wasn’t. Stan deserved everything he got and worse.
The lake was frozen, and they were standing way out in the middle. The ice was shifting, settling. It made booming sounds beneath them, as if it might give way. Stan was gone, but drops of his blood had seeped into the lake. There was a dark constellation at their feet.
She refused to look at it. She suggested some names, and he listened in silence, his eyes shy and wounded-looking. She wanted to step even closer, but she was afraid she’d startle him. She teased him instead.
She told him he seemed like either an Aragorn—or a Fred. He tilted his head, confused. She’d have to work on his sense of humor.
Otherwise, there was nothing about him she’d have changed. He had tangled black hair that fell near his eyes like vines. His face was pale, except for bruises high up on both cheeks. It looked like someone had grabbed his face and dug their fingernails in. Over and over. For years. She didn’t ask who had been hurting him—or why he’d been sent to whatever the Lowlands were in the first place. It was too soon for questions like that.
He told her that even if she gave him a name, the lords of the Lowlands wouldn’t let him use it. She’d heard him shout so fiercely at Stan. But with her, he was quiet and unsure. He said he didn’t think he even deserved a name after all the things he’d done. Been forced to do.
If that didn’t break her heart, it definitely tore a little bit off.
He was staring at her now—looking into her, like he thought she was the answer to something.
She gave him a playful look.
“Dude, seriously,” she said, “enough with the eyes.”
She told him everybody deserved a name—and that “the lords” should shut up.
She said hers was Zoe Bissell. He nodded. He already knew. She couldn’t figure out how.
She told him she’d call him X until she knew what sort of person he was. X for an unknown variable. Zoe was 17, and so many crappy, lonely things had already happened to her that she knew it was insane to get close to even one more person. But maybe X’s pain, whatever it was, would help her put aside her own.
She told him that if the Lowlands took this name away, she’d just give him another one.
“Such as Fred,” he said, and attempted a smile.
He was learning.
Images: Bloomsbury
