Title: On the Edge
Author: Allison van Diepen
Release Date: November 25, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 304
Source: Bought

Overall: 4 Stars

Summary:

Wrong place. Wrong time.

Maddie Diaz never should have taken that shortcut through the park. If she hadn't, she wouldn't have seen two gang members attacking a homeless man. Now, as the only witness, Maddie knows there's a target on her back.

But her courage has also caught the attention of Lobo, the mysterious leader of a rival gang, who promises to protect her. Lobo might be out for his own revenge, but Maddie knows she can trust him. And even though Lobo tries to push her away, she is determined to find out the truth about him. As sparks fly between them, Maddie is drawn deeper into his dangerous world . . . until there's no turning back.

When you live on the edge, any moment could be your last. 

My Thoughts: 
On the Edge is one of my favourite books written by Allison van Diepen yet! The book was crazy addictive and oh so good. I read On the Edge really quickly because I just couldn't stop reading it for even a moment. Allison van Diepen is known for her darker YA novels that tackle difficult subject matter, and her latest novel is no exception. It's really not all too often that I read a YA novel that deals with how high school students are affected by gang violence.

In the gritty streets of Miami, everyday you're living on the edge. When Maddie takes a shortcut through the local park after work one night, she witnesses two members of the Reyes gang attacking a homeless man. Shocked by the senseless, violent act, she reports it to the police, even though she knows her agreement to testify against the men puts a target on her back for daring to speak up.

Maddie is a street-smart heroine just trying to make it long enough to her high school graduation. When she's not focused on her duties as editor of her school newspaper or working at McDonald's, she relieves stress by partying with her friends. Now, with a full-ride scholarship to Florida State University, she can finally leave Miami, that is, if she lives long enough. When the Reyes suddenly jump Maddie after work, she is rescued by a rival gang and their mysterious leader, Lobo.

The journalist in Maddie is curious for answers about Lobo's identity. He has a personal vendetta against the Reyes and Maddie wants to help him. It's a chance for Maddie to feel a sense of justice, especially when it seems the police aren't doing enough. Maddie has always kept her head down and accepted the realities of living in a dangerous neighbourhood, but she can't remain uninvolved anymore, not after everything she's seen. 

While the romance develops faster than I normally enjoy for a YA novel, I totally fell for it. The characters live very in the moment, and it matches the fast pacing of the book. It's sort of instalove, but not really? It's kind of hard to explain without giving much away... And on a different note, I loved Dex, Maddie's German shepherd! He's just a perfect guard dog, so sweet and protective of her.

Romance, suspense, danger, and even friendship drama, Allison van Diepen's On the Edge has a bit of everything to tempt and happily satisfy its readers. And if you're familiar with Snitch, an earlier novel of Diepen's, then I think you'll definitely recognize appearances by Julia and Eric in On the Edge. I absolutely can't wait to read Allison van Diepen's next book!