Edward Hogan

I was super excited when I won this book from LibraryThing. Lately I’ve won a couple of books, but unfortunately like The Frail Days by Gabrielle Prendergast, this book was also only a two star read for me.

The Messengers could have been a three star book. I did like it. I really enjoyed reading it but I had to drop a star because of the characters. I can’t really explain it that well without spoiling stuff. I will just say that Frances does something really stupid. She’s trying to help show more but I feel like even a child would understand how dumb and dangerous her idea is. Her friend also annoyed me. He was all over the place.

When I finished reading this book, I wanted to give it three stars, but I just couldn’t. I can usually look past characters making bad decisions or being slightly annoying, but I couldn’t with this one.

I did enjoy it and think it is worth a read. I would just suggest that maybe you get this one from the library. show less

When I requested this one on Netgalley, I totally must have missed the part of the summary that said it was a ghost story. So, imagine my (pleasant) surprise when I went in expecting a contemporary novel and wound up reading something that was definitely more than I expected -- in a good way.

When Daniel's father drags him to a sports complex for a father/son getaway, Daniel's expectations are low. He hates sports, and there's no possible way for him to enjoy himself, especially when his show more father -- the only person he knows at the complex -- is drunk 90% of the time, wallowing in depression after discovering his wife was having an affair. When Daniel discovers Lexi swimming in the lake at the complex, things begin to look up. Lexi is a bit of a smart ass, but totally the type of girl Daniel could get into. But, Lexi has a secret, and the closer Daniel gets to her, the less things make sense. Why does Lexi's watch run backwards, and why are the cuts and bruises that cover her skin getting progressively worse as the days go by? The more Daniel is drawn to Lexi, the crazier his life becomes. When he begins finding cuts on his own body, he realizes he needs to find out who -- or what -- Lexi really is.

As I said earlier, I totally wasn't expecting a creepy, twisty, ghost story when I started this one, and you know how I love my creepy books. I found the story to be very rich and decently paced. It's a short read, but I didn't feel like it moved too quickly, or that anything was lacking in the overall development of the story. The writing flows well, though there wasn't anything overly distinct about the voice (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). I was really drawn to Daniel's character and the journey he takes. Daniel is a normal guy that I think a lot of reader's can relate to. I was also drawn to Lexi, and I found her backstory, and the overall ghost story to be very original. While the book is dark and deals with bullies and murder, I think anyone over the age of 15 could handle it. While I wasn't surprised at the ending, I didn't hate it. I've read these types of books for most of my reading life, so I have a pretty good eye for figuring things out. With that said, I think most readers will find the final "twist" fitting.

Creepy, atmospheric and very original, Daylight Saving is a book any fan of thrillers and creepy, ghost stories should add to their shelves. show less

The Messengers poses an interesting question: should you attempt to save people who are fated to die? Despite such a fascinating premise I felt it was rather undeveloped. The main character (Frances) seems content to run amok, not sparing any thought to the consequences of her actions...or the result it will have on others. It was rather infuriating and occupied space that would have been better spent discussing the theological ramifications of having visions/potentially saving those soon to show more die. Good premise but ultimately, not engaging. show less

A dark and lonely book, intense and moody. Not quite what one would expect, this book does capture the attention once the real action begins. A bit of a slow start, with Frances mourning her absent brother, a boxer who is on the run. She is sent to live with her Aunt, Uncle and cousin until things settle down. The main characters are teens, young and old teens. The characters are fairly well developed considering their ages. Written for young adults, I don't think I would recommend it for show more younger age groups. It is a fascinating psychological study in which the two main characters unwillingly hold life and death in their hands, but a philosophical one as well. A unique plot and concept by Edward Hogan.

Fifteen-year-old Frances doesn't know or understand her "gift" but wishes she didn't have it once she learns what it is. When she meets Peter, who has lived with this for several years, he mentors her. It's rather fascinating when we get into the idea that these two have a talent in art, but their art is only visible to themselves...to others it is somewhat like cubic or similar to Picasso's most abstract work. But it is why and how they do this that is the story and the nightmare.

What would you do if you found you were a messenger of death, would you try to avoid it, change it? What if found out if you didn't deliver the message to avoid that person dying, someone in your own family would die in their place? And what would you do if you thought you had found a way out of this horrible dilemma? This is truly a psychological thriller. Where and how will it all end? Who will be next? This book stays with you long after reading it. Will Frances' discovery make a difference to the message? Or will she remain a messenger as long as she lives.
Disclaimer: I was given this Advance Reading Copy by the publisher in exchange for this honest review. show less