The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World

THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

J.R. DAWSON

****

Love doesn’t die; people do . . .

At the edge of Chicago, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a waystation for the dead. Every night, the newly departed travel through the city to the Station, guided by its lighthouse. There, they reckon with their lives before stepping aboard a boat to go beyond.

Nera has spent decades watching her father – the ferryman of the dead – sail across the lake, every night just like the last.

But tonight something is wrong.

The Station's lighthouse has started to flicker out. The terrifying, ghostly Haunts have multiplied in the city. And now a person – a living person – has found her way onto the boat.

Her name is Charlie. She followed a song. And she is searching for someone she lost.

A devastating story of magic, family and those who leave us – but who might not remain lost.

MY REVIEW

****

I’ve read a few fantasy books which centre around the theme of grief recently and just look at that beautiful cover! I was excited to dive into The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World.

Nera is the Station Master’s daughter – guiding the souls of the dead towards the veil. However, when an alive woman appears inside the station, many questions need to be answered.

I was gripped with the setting of The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World. The failing lighthouse keeping the angry spirits at bay and the station to house those that don’t want to cross, felt oddly realistic and grounded. The dogs who work to help the crossings were also charming, each with their own personalities.

The book switches perspectives between Charlie, who is trying to find her dead sister and Nera who guides the lost souls. I think the book works best if you don’t think about the details too hard - I was confused how Nera arrived at the Station and why she could stay if she was also alive, the origin story of her father becoming the Station Master was also puzzling. I found the layout of the station to also be a little odd and I struggled to picture it against the lighthouse setting.

The overall themes of the story – of grief and love and letting go are beautifully portrayed though. I really felt for Charlie, trying to find out what happened to her sister after her death and struggling to want to stay in the land of the living without her. The imagery of the unfinished piece of music being played in the Station was also powerful as was the relationship between the two main characters. I really enjoyed the ending, without giving anything away it wrapped up the main conflict but did not resolve everything neatly and left the way open for hope which I think was the perfect balance for such a story.

Overall, The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a powerful story of grief and what it means to be alive. Thank you to NetGalley & Pan Macmillan – Tor for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

LINKS TO BUY

Amazon UK Waterstones