Item: Off Edge
Rating: 4
Author: Dee S

Welcome to Book Zone Reviews stop on the tour for Off Edge by Addison Brae hosted by RABT Book Tours and PR.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. This review is written voluntarily. In addition, this post contains affiliate links which may earn me a percentage of the cost of the book. This will not increase your pricing.

Off Edge by Addison Brae
Published by Black Rose Writing on September 26, 2024
ISBN: 9781685134860
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Family / Adoption, Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Physical & Emotional Abuse, Young Adult Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Winter Sports
Pages: 270
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Do you know what it's like to win an Olympic gold, then have it stripped away? I do.

Gold is every figure skater's life dream. At fifteen, I experience the thrill of wearing the medal for a few minutes until judges accused me of being too young to be eligible. That's when I realized my father's ultimate lie could cost more than my title.

During our daring escape from Russia, I pressured my coach to tell the truth about my adoption. But the quad combination and two world titles aren't enough to keep the scandal from erasing my career and identity. Disgraced, disqualified, and devastated, I can't face a rink, fans, or daily life. My controlling dad's betrayal lights a fire to break free from his bad decisions. My best friend and a journalist who will tell my story step in to stop the downward spiral and help me uncover my past.

The story of Docia's fierce determination to discover her true identity, unerase her career, and find the passion to skate again will engage teen readers, figure skating fans, and anyone who's ever experienced betrayal from someone close.

My Thoughts:

Off Edge by Addison Brae is an engrossing read. The timing of this book is perfect and relevant because the Olympics recently occurred and American gymnast, Jordan Chiles had her bronze medal stripped away from her and is still struggling to reclaim it.

The main character Docia, a figure skater is stripped of an Olympic Gold medal. Though she is the clear winner her medal is taken away because of a last-minute revelation by one of her teammates, Sandy, and her coach. According to their claims and proof, she is too young to participate, and the legality of her adoption is questioned.

Rushing out of Russia with her coach so as not to be detained she is bewildered and heartbroken. Upon her return to the States, she encounters negativity from fans and people in general.

With her identity in question, she feels adrift, betrayed, and defeated. She begins to resent her parents, especially her dad, and buck their authority. Her best friend is wonderfully written. She listens, comforts and rallies Docia out of the listless state she falls into.

Docia’s angst and anguish were so well done, that I felt like I was fifteen again going through the struggle with her. I must admit that I shed a tear or two and remembered that time in my life when everything was larger than life and I felt I would die of embarrassment every day for some reason or other.

I did not lose a medal but understood her pain at her belief in herself and her life being undermined by the hatred of some of her fans, the weight of being the breadwinner of the house at fifteen, and the controlling behavior of her father.

As an immigrant in a high school with those who had already cliqued up after years of going to school together, I had to figure out my identity once again. I thought I knew who I was and what I was about, but scoffing at my accent and upbringing made me question myself and my identity. It was not until later in life that I learned that my identity is not defined by others but by who God says I am.

I loved Docia’s relationship with her coach. Her coaching style served as a buffer for the abrasiveness of her father’s approach.

While I understood her frustration, there were scenes in which she was very disrespectful to her parents and that is never ok.

This book touches on betrayal, friend-to-friend and parent-to-child, identity, disrespect, supportive friends, determination, and courage in the face of it all.

Teens, lovers of figure skating or sports novels will be swept into this book because of the realistic emotions. I suggest that parents read it as well so that open discussions can be had about some of the content.

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About Addison Brae

Addison Brae lives in Dallas, Texas on the edge of downtown. As a child, she was constantly in trouble for hiding under the bed to read when she was supposed to be napping. She has been writing since childhood starting with diaries, letters, and short stories. She now writes new adult and adult speculative and romantic suspense, and young adult contemporary fiction.

Addison’s still addicted to reading and enjoys jogging in her neighborhood park, binge-watching TV series, vintage clothing, and hanging out with her artistic other half and their geriatric kitten Lucy.