The Canyon's Edge is certainly a heartbreaking novel that tells the story of survival, grief, and healing.

The book is broken into three parts, all of which are told in various forms of poetry. It focuses on Eleanor (also known as Nora), a young girl who goes on an excursion to an unknown canyon with her father. The trip is meant to be a way for them to celebrate Nora's birthday, which also happens to mark the one-year anniversary of her mother's death who was shot at a restaurant. Ever since then, Nora's father became extremely paranoid of the world. As a result, he stops Nora from going to school, socializing, or anything that has anything to do with people.

However, upon their arrival at the canyon, they are surprised by a flash flood and become separated. Nora must figure out if she can gather the strength and courage to keep fighting to find her father, even if that means facing her greatest fear - death.

During her fight for survival, Nora faces the normal dangers of the desert – snakes, scorpions, starvation, and dehydration. But on top of that, she also faces internal battles, such as the fears of the “Beast” who has haunted her dreams ever since her mother died, anxiety, and extreme self-doubt. Because of Nora’s previous traumatic event, she creates this idea of being stuck in the “After”, where everything that happened prior to her mother’s death is the “Before”. As she struggles to reunite with her father, she ponders her therapist’s advice. Can she find the courage to break free of the walls she built around herself and create a version of the “After” beyond grieving? Throughout her inner and external struggles, Nora learns to embrace the past and present for what it is.

While reading The Canyon’s Edge, I came to feel for Nora as a character. Of course, I am fortunate not to have experienced the things she went through, but I was still able to feel her pain and grief. I think the reason that I was able to sympathize with Nora was because of the way the author composed the poetry. After reading this novel, I certainly think that poetry is one of the best ways to describe deep and painful emotions in the clearest of manners. The verses of The Canyon’s Edge were able to tell Nora’s heartbreaking story in such realism.

This was a heart-pumping novel in verse that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Nora’s journey is captivating, powerful, and beautifully written. The way she finds her bravery and strength to move on from her traumatic past and rescue her father is truly inspiring. Her grief and emotions felt so real throughout the story. This novel is definitely a story that will stay with me for a long time and be on my re-read list! I would rate The Canyon’s Edge a 10/10 and recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about adventures, the battle to survive, and overcoming grief.  

Check out The Canyon's Edge from the Newport Beach Public Library.