The Ferryman is a complicated and mysterious tale. Proctor Bennett has a meaningful career as a ferryman, who helps people at the end of their lives board a ferry ride. But on the island of Prospera, the ferry ride is not the end of their lives but actually a chance to begin again. When a monitor blinks that people are at the end of their lives (10% or less), then they are forced to go onto the ferry. Proctor must help the willing, the unwilling, and the in-between. However, as Proctor’s number starts to drop lower and he uncovers grim secrets, when will it be Proctor’s turn to board the ferry? 

This was such an interesting and clever book. At first I was reminded of the Truman show, as Proctor has so much of his life managed perfectly for him and yet he starts to notice cracks in the facade. The pacing is excellent and I found it difficult to put it down! There are layers upon layers to the mystery that slowly unravels, which I loved. Cronin’s writing is hypnotic and readers will be guessing what is truly going on right up until the very end. The Ferryman is a story about the power of family, the perils of global warming, and the nature of humanity. I would definitely recommend sci-fi fans check out this book! Readers who enjoy Blake Crouch, Gillian McAllister, and Emily St. John Mandel should check out The Ferryman. 

Thank you so much to Justin Cronin, Ballantine Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.