Daisy on the Outer Line by Ross Sayers

Synopsis: 'Life, Death & Time Travel on the Glasgow Subway. After selfish student Daisy makes a scene at her stepdad's funeral, she drunkenly falls asleep on the Glasgow subway. To make amends for her behaviour, she must save a life - but she doesn't know who, how, or where to begin. She'll have to find out fast if she wants to make it back to her old life and avoid being trapped in the wrong timeline forever.'

This book is very different in terms of the time-travel genre. It is not something that you would consider to be traditional, but somehow it works. Daisy is an interesting character. Sometimes you love her, sometimes you can't help but laugh at her humour and sometimes you are frustrated by her. She's perfectly imperfect. But it is clear that she is not only on a journey by catching the subway, but she is also having a character journey as well. Figuring out how people are around her, as well as the confidence to understand that she does matter. That mental health can affect us all in many different ways, sometimes it's hidden and sometimes we are just figuring it all out for ourselves.

'You're never finished becoming the person you are. No one is ever complete, not even me. It means we always have something to strive towards. You're complete when you're dead.'

Daisy on the Outer Line is written in an interesting way as well, written in Scots. It can seem confusing at first. Especially if you are not native to Scotland however, Sayer's control of the language is very easy-going to read. Useful in the case of being subjected to this language for the first time.

What I enjoyed most about this book however is the constant development of the story and how sometimes what you believe might happen is not always the case. There are a few twists in this one but refreshing ones at the same time. In fact, I think I preferred the way how the story progressed rather than my own predictions to begin with.

Stephen. Oh Stephen. I don't want to give any spoilers away but this character really did break my heart. But I understood why his character arc took the route that it did. It helped with many other forms of character development.

If you want a refreshing change from popular books that are meant to be trendy right now, want to support small indie publishers, like Scottish culture or just want to read something with time-travel in it, buy this book. Seriously. Don't wait around. I think that this book deserves a five star rating.

Cranachan: https://www.cranachanpublishing.co.uk/product/daisy-on-the-outer-line-by-ross-sayers-ya-paperback/

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/daisy-on-the-outer-line/ross-sayers/9781911279778

Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Daisy-on-Outer-Line-Ross-Sayers/9781911279778

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