YA books are my guilty pleasure. Edward Hogan's debut YA novel is a ghost story that will probably appeal to those teens (and adults) who enjoyed the mystical, romance and thrills of the Twilight Saga, Fallen and Wicked Lovely. However, it won't become a cult classic like those books have. 'Daylight Saving' is an easy read with a blurb that caught my interest. The story kept me gripped from page to page, but mainly because I was waiting for the excitement and action to start. The premise is simple: Boy (Daniel) meets girl (Lexi), develops his first crush, but there's a supernatural secret in the way! The title 'Daylight Saving' refers to that time of year when the clocks go back, and obviously this is integral to Lexi's story. However, once Hogan has introduced the premise of the watch that counts backwards and the main characters, within a few pages, the story becomes fairly contrived. The characters are likeable: Daniel, an overweight and deeply unhappy boy dragged to your typical family holiday complex by his father - recently separated, obsessed with his tomato plant and slowly developing alcoholic tendencies; Lexi, a mysterious older girl, bruised and battered, with a cryptic watch and who strangely only Daniel can see. Unfortunately, the characters seemed to be missing something which would have made them seem more 'real'. The book focuses on Daniel's relationships: a burgeoning friendship with Lexi in comparison with the problematic one between him and his father. As a result the story is very dialogue-based, which in places makes it difficult to read. Interaction with the few other minor characters is limited and when they are brought in, it feels as though they're just there to 'flesh out' the chapters rather than making any real impact to the story. Although I found it an entertaining and very quick read, I wouldn't rate 'Daylight Savings' as anything more than average and I was a little disappointed. I did enjoy the story, the premise had promise, but it felt as though there was a big build-up and the real crunch of the story was very rushed.

Edward Hogan's modern ghost story is set in the Leisure World holiday complex, a thinly disguised version of places I am sure many of us have visited with our families. Daniel is in his teens, a loner, overweight and harbouring guilt and anger after the break up of his parents' marriage (in which he was instrumental after seeing his mother kissing the family doctor). His father is more interested in the women in the next door lodge and in his tomato plant he has brought with them than he is in Daniel, and the teenager is pretty much left to mooch around by himself. And while he is killing time he meets Lexi, a mysterious girl who spends her time swimming in the leisure complex's lake. Lexi is pretty and smart and self assured and Daniel is immediately attracted to her, but she also has bruises and other wounds that seem to be worse every time Daniel sees her. Who is she, what has happened to her and what can Daniel do to help her? The story is neatly and quickly told, with a well drawn setting and situations. It is a shame that some of the characters are rather superficial, and the park's social worker is a particularly ridiculous creation: however the relationship between Daniel and Lexi is touchingly realistic, and the book's denouement ties in perfectly with what has gone before. An entertaining, warm and moving read, perfect for a wet summer's afternoon if you are staying at… no, better not say where!

This is a very easy and quick book to read (read it in a couple of hour). The chapters are short and snappy and would appeal to more reluctant readers. The story was nothing new, but it passed the time and was a pleasant read.

Daylight Saving by Edward Hogan This cleverly titled novel is about overweight teenager Daniel falling for the enigmatic Lexi at the Leisure World Holiday Complex where he’s been dragged by his troubled dad. Oddly only Daniel can see Lexi (short for Alexandra) and he’s soon obsessed with the strange girl who swims in the icy lake and lives out in the woods. His fate begins to merge with Lexi as Daniel soon exhibits the same frightening injuries that are erupting over the girl’s body. Lexi’s watch is ticking backwards, as if counting down to a significant event. Daniel is determined to work out her secret and save Lexi. Daniel is struggling to come to terms with his parent’s messy break-up and the relationship between him and his dad is depicted with excruciating realism. His dad escapes reality with beer (lots of it), which loosens his tongue and common sense so that some of the conversations between father and son would make any parent wince. The story is set in the last week of October, leading up to when the clocks go back for daylight saving. That crucial extra hour becomes the climatic end of the novel where Daniel and his dad finally come together to uncover the truth about Lexi’s past. Cleverly setting this in the claustrophobic and enclosed world of a holiday complex allows the action to evolve in one place over a short space of time. Anyone who has ever visited one of these English holiday parks, known for their woodland cabins, absence of cars and a liking for Dutch pancakes will instantly recognise the location. This perhaps does limit the appeal of the novel to British readers. Though Edward Hogan certainly researched the location, right down to the eery lights and clicking bike dynamos! I found this a compelling read – a real page-turner, which I finished quickly. Daniel is a genuine and believable character, not the typical handsome lead you’d expect in a YA novel. I did find the dialogue quite contrived in places, particularly between Daniel and adult characters, and Lexi’s voice doesn’t sound authentic for a seventeen-year-old girl. The narrative is atmospheric, yet still describes the events and settings clearly so you feel right there with Daniel living out the story. Edward Hogan won the Desmond Elliott prize for his adult novel Blackmoor and Daylight Saving is his first outing in the competitive YA genre. I also lent this to Ellie (16), an avid reader, for a teenager’s perspective. She also read it quickly, but found the book a little predictable and lacking imagination. Adding that the characters could have been developed further before the story concluded. This is a spooky but rather straightforward mystery, just right for holiday reading by the pool.

Overall an enjoyable read. Daniel the main character is easy to relate to. The plot is intersting and although not a page turner is entertaining.