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joyagoffney's review against another edition
3.0
This book had a nice story. At some points, though, I felt the writer did not do a great job with writing emotions because sometimes when Daniel would get upset it came out of nowhere for me. The beginning was a bit slow, but perhaps that's true for all books?
claireyfairyr's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
piperbunny's review against another edition
4.0
It's not often I sit down and read a book in one sitting, but I did with this one. The book was a short, easy to read but gripping. A very spooky ghost story, which might have seemed a bit predictable, did turn into an entertaining read. I'm looking forward to meeting the author next week.
bealesen's review against another edition
4.0
Notizen:
-vom Klappentext klar
-trotzdem überraschend, durch Art und Weise
-netter Schreibstil
-Daniel manchmal verwirrend
-Cover, aufmache
-vom Klappentext klar
-trotzdem überraschend, durch Art und Weise
-netter Schreibstil
-Daniel manchmal verwirrend
-Cover, aufmache
tillyjournals's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audiobook of this book for #antibullyreads a readathon to raise awareness of bullying and money for charities against bullying.
Daniel, the protagonist, is an overweight teen whose parents have just split up, his dad is not doing too well and takes him to a resort based around exercise for a 'holiday'. There he meets Lexi, a girl that there is more to than meets the eye - why are her bruises worsening? Why are other people unable to see her?
This is a nice book, albeit a little trivializing of some of the issues it raises (although I do think the characters are pretty realistic). The ending is bittersweet, which works because of the circumstances in the book.
Daniel, the protagonist, is an overweight teen whose parents have just split up, his dad is not doing too well and takes him to a resort based around exercise for a 'holiday'. There he meets Lexi, a girl that there is more to than meets the eye - why are her bruises worsening? Why are other people unable to see her?
This is a nice book, albeit a little trivializing of some of the issues it raises (although I do think the characters are pretty realistic). The ending is bittersweet, which works because of the circumstances in the book.
reviewdiaries's review against another edition
4.0
I have been so excited about this book ever since I was lucky enough to chat with Ed at the Walker Books book bloggers event at the end of last year. Everything about it was fab – the concept, the cover, the blurb, and then it arrived it was so shiny I had to stroke it for a few minutes before I even started reading it.
And it so didn’t disappoint.
One thing guaranteed to make me do a little happy dance is when we get strong male characters in fiction, and whilst Daniel isn’t your stereotypical macho male lead, he is strong and brilliant and fabulous all in his own way – despite the nose picking…
Daniel and his father arrive for a holiday at the Leisure World Holiday Complex to escape their world outside which is crumbling around them, and Daniel finds himself swept up in a strange and thrilling race with the girl that no one else seems to notice.
I absolutely loved Lexi. She was smart, funny and strong in ways that you wouldn’t normally expect from a 17 year old girl.
And she’s the perfect complement to Daniel, who just needs someone to actually stop, look at him, and care to bring him into all his fabulous glory. I loved that Ed had made Daniel how he had – a normal not perfectly chiselled teenager, who was a boy (but we can forgive him that) but despite certain moments of boyish weakness, is a morale, strong and incredibly courageous guy.
I loved watching him grow and mature, and watching the relationship develop between him and Lexi. It was a true representation of friendship and admiration, rather than the ‘insta-love’ you find in so many young adult books these days.
It was a thrilling book – I literally couldn’t put it down once I’d started reading it. The tension runs high throughout and the plot was brilliantly well written and constructed. Not your average fare, with plenty of twists and intrigues along the way to keep your interest, and just enough supernatural to make me squee like a small child.
It wasn’t just the relationship with Lexi that I found fascinating, but the relationship with his father and the small chunks of his past that Daniel reveals along the way that show how events culminated into the week we see. A brilliantly bittersweet look at the butterfly effect of the tiniest of moments and how they shape us.
A fantastic young adult debut from an incredibly talented writer, and one I cannot wait to see more of in the future.
And it so didn’t disappoint.
One thing guaranteed to make me do a little happy dance is when we get strong male characters in fiction, and whilst Daniel isn’t your stereotypical macho male lead, he is strong and brilliant and fabulous all in his own way – despite the nose picking…
Daniel and his father arrive for a holiday at the Leisure World Holiday Complex to escape their world outside which is crumbling around them, and Daniel finds himself swept up in a strange and thrilling race with the girl that no one else seems to notice.
I absolutely loved Lexi. She was smart, funny and strong in ways that you wouldn’t normally expect from a 17 year old girl.
And she’s the perfect complement to Daniel, who just needs someone to actually stop, look at him, and care to bring him into all his fabulous glory. I loved that Ed had made Daniel how he had – a normal not perfectly chiselled teenager, who was a boy (but we can forgive him that) but despite certain moments of boyish weakness, is a morale, strong and incredibly courageous guy.
I loved watching him grow and mature, and watching the relationship develop between him and Lexi. It was a true representation of friendship and admiration, rather than the ‘insta-love’ you find in so many young adult books these days.
It was a thrilling book – I literally couldn’t put it down once I’d started reading it. The tension runs high throughout and the plot was brilliantly well written and constructed. Not your average fare, with plenty of twists and intrigues along the way to keep your interest, and just enough supernatural to make me squee like a small child.
It wasn’t just the relationship with Lexi that I found fascinating, but the relationship with his father and the small chunks of his past that Daniel reveals along the way that show how events culminated into the week we see. A brilliantly bittersweet look at the butterfly effect of the tiniest of moments and how they shape us.
A fantastic young adult debut from an incredibly talented writer, and one I cannot wait to see more of in the future.
siham's review against another edition
1.0
Well, it's not the book's fault if I'm not a young adult (whatever that mean). So technically it's my age's fault, if I didn't like the book. Just a first-degree book differentiation type of problem.
It's like picking up a jar of baby food for lunch then complaining that it tastes like feet. What was I thinking? Then again I'm against baby food even for babies. Feeding crap to such tiny perfect little bodies... What a nutritional child abuse. Sniff, sniff.
Anyways, why does every YA heroine have to have some peculiar shade of eye color? And what a very subtle way of randomly dropping the word Starbucks. As subtle as the mugs of the jury in The Voice.
I'm trying to figure out if this love for silly romance plots something pertaining to being a teenager...
It's like picking up a jar of baby food for lunch then complaining that it tastes like feet. What was I thinking? Then again I'm against baby food even for babies. Feeding crap to such tiny perfect little bodies... What a nutritional child abuse. Sniff, sniff.
Anyways, why does every YA heroine have to have some peculiar shade of eye color? And what a very subtle way of randomly dropping the word Starbucks. As subtle as the mugs of the jury in The Voice.
I'm trying to figure out if this love for silly romance plots something pertaining to being a teenager...
katiegrrrl's review against another edition
4.0
Daniel saw his mom with another man and his dad asked Daniel. Daniel couldn't lie and his parents separated. During a school holiday, Daniel and his Dad go to Leisure World, a forced sports recreation resort in England's countryside. Daniel is miserable until he meets Lexi, she is in the woods by herself and has unexplained injuries that get worse everyday. Daniel knows something is very wrong, he just needs to figure it out before it is to late.
This was an interesting story. Neither Daniel or his dad are very likable. But Daniel wants to do what is right, even if sometimes he enjoys how he feels doing something that is not nice. I liked the author subtle commentary on how boys and men can often act wrong, and the way that women are viewed as objects.
This was an interesting story. Neither Daniel or his dad are very likable. But Daniel wants to do what is right, even if sometimes he enjoys how he feels doing something that is not nice. I liked the author subtle commentary on how boys and men can often act wrong, and the way that women are viewed as objects.
amyjstar's review against another edition
4.0
As a big fan of ghost stories you can imagine how pleased I was when I won this as a goodreads giveaway.
This book made for a fairly quick read (took me two days) and despite the wintery colours on the cover, it would make for a good summer read.
Due to the book's size, it was naturally quite fast-paced and the plot moved along nicely.
I never got to a point where I just couldn't be bothered to read anymore, it kept me hooked pretty much all the way through.
At first, I was a little worried that it would turn out to be your typical ghost story where they fall in love etc. I was pleasantly surprised about the little twist to the storyline which made it unique from other ghost stories (can't say what it is as it may ruin it for someone who hasn't read it yet). And, yes, there was a little romance but it really din't bother me at all. In fact, I found it to be pretty sweet.
I actually give this book a 3.5 stars but it definitely deserves the 4 stars more than the 3.
This book made for a fairly quick read (took me two days) and despite the wintery colours on the cover, it would make for a good summer read.
Due to the book's size, it was naturally quite fast-paced and the plot moved along nicely.
I never got to a point where I just couldn't be bothered to read anymore, it kept me hooked pretty much all the way through.
At first, I was a little worried that it would turn out to be your typical ghost story where they fall in love etc. I was pleasantly surprised about the little twist to the storyline which made it unique from other ghost stories (can't say what it is as it may ruin it for someone who hasn't read it yet). And, yes, there was a little romance but it really din't bother me at all. In fact, I found it to be pretty sweet.
I actually give this book a 3.5 stars but it definitely deserves the 4 stars more than the 3.
serendipity_viv's review against another edition
4.0
Before I begin reviewing this book, I have to mention the book cover. If you saw my Really Random post last Tuesday, you would have seen the animated version of it and I have to say it truly is incredible. I was lucky enough to hear about the thought process that went into producing this cover and I found it thoroughly amazing.
As the story begins, you don't feel you are about to embark on a ghost story, but you are aware of a dark and sinister undertone as you analyse the first line. The book is told in first person from Daniel's point of view and you begin to unravel the mystery of Lexi as Daniel's begins to put the jigsaw pieces together. The spectral aspect of the story creeps up on you half way through the book and you feel compelled to find out more.
The majority of the time when you read YA books, you are confronted by the hot male lead. Daniel is not your atypical leading male. Slightly overweight and conscious of the way people view him, you instantly feel emotionally connected to him. He is just a teenage boy, who is trying to come to terms with his parent's separation and his father's insistent need for alcohol. No one seems to be looking out for Daniel; as the reader you feel as though you need to step into that role.
Lexi is a rather complex character and the changes that occur to her during the story, will make you feel rather uneasy. You will be dreading the future, alongside her as the events take place.
Leisure World intrigued me. Within the story, the complex gives off vibes of a perfect existence; everything is family orientated and wholesome. I love the way that the author turns that image on its head, creating an alternative macabre history.
I loved how the whole experience helped to heal Daniel's relationship with his father. The events of the week helped to cleanse them of their past, in the same way the water cleansed Lexi of her history.
I love a good ghost story and I found this one did not let me down. When I imagine how I would like a ghost story to be, then this is how I envisage it. Ghosts don't holler and wail in my opinion, they should appear as real as we do, giving the story that atmospheric feel with a sudden realisation. Daylight Saving is the type of book I would imagine Susan Hill writing if she were now debuting as a YA author; and we all know what amazing ghost stories she has gone on to tell.
I was really impressed by Edward Hogan's first YA book and I am now intrigued to read his adult fiction. I really hope he is planning to write more YA in the future, as he already appears to be developing some loyal fans.
As the story begins, you don't feel you are about to embark on a ghost story, but you are aware of a dark and sinister undertone as you analyse the first line. The book is told in first person from Daniel's point of view and you begin to unravel the mystery of Lexi as Daniel's begins to put the jigsaw pieces together. The spectral aspect of the story creeps up on you half way through the book and you feel compelled to find out more.
The majority of the time when you read YA books, you are confronted by the hot male lead. Daniel is not your atypical leading male. Slightly overweight and conscious of the way people view him, you instantly feel emotionally connected to him. He is just a teenage boy, who is trying to come to terms with his parent's separation and his father's insistent need for alcohol. No one seems to be looking out for Daniel; as the reader you feel as though you need to step into that role.
Lexi is a rather complex character and the changes that occur to her during the story, will make you feel rather uneasy. You will be dreading the future, alongside her as the events take place.
Leisure World intrigued me. Within the story, the complex gives off vibes of a perfect existence; everything is family orientated and wholesome. I love the way that the author turns that image on its head, creating an alternative macabre history.
I loved how the whole experience helped to heal Daniel's relationship with his father. The events of the week helped to cleanse them of their past, in the same way the water cleansed Lexi of her history.
I love a good ghost story and I found this one did not let me down. When I imagine how I would like a ghost story to be, then this is how I envisage it. Ghosts don't holler and wail in my opinion, they should appear as real as we do, giving the story that atmospheric feel with a sudden realisation. Daylight Saving is the type of book I would imagine Susan Hill writing if she were now debuting as a YA author; and we all know what amazing ghost stories she has gone on to tell.
I was really impressed by Edward Hogan's first YA book and I am now intrigued to read his adult fiction. I really hope he is planning to write more YA in the future, as he already appears to be developing some loyal fans.