I finished this book a week ago and I am still reeling from this beautiful story. Ferryman by Claire McFall is a haunting and enchanting tale about life after death and finding love where you least expect it.
Dylan is traveling by train to meet her father for the first time when a horrible crash leaves her stranded in the Scottish woods, or so she thinks. As she frees herself from the wreckage, she finds Tristan, a young man with an inexplicably good sense of direction. Together they set off for help, but it’s only once the howling wolves become demons ready to snatch her soul that Dylan realizes the truth. She didn’t survive the train cash and Tristan isn’t leading her towards help. He’s ferrying her soul to the beyond.
As a reader, it’s no big secret that Dylan is dead. It’s even in the blurb, so while we know going in that Dylan has not survived, it’s interesting to follow her path from suspicion to knowing to acceptance. This in-between wasteland that McFall has created was so realistic, I felt like I was there. I could see it, smell it, feel the heat, taste the stagnant air. I loved the elements of magic that made the wasteland and ferrymen unique to each person.
Tristan is not the most likeable person at first. He’s standoffish, curt, and even downright rude to begin, but you make two people the only characters for 200 pages and I will ship them immediately, regardless of how well they fit together. However, as we get to know more about Tristan and his “life” as a ferryman, I understand the connection Dylan develops. (Though I’d argue that finding the love of your life (after life?) as a teen is a bit strange).
The pacing of this story is a little odd as well. I thought the book was ending around page 200, but then when it didn’t I found the last third of the book to be a whirlwind. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it, but the middle third dragged a bit even if it was crossing a wasteland and dodging demons. I think it would have been more satisfying if there’d been more time dedicated to developing Tristan and Dylan’s relationship.
The ending is a bit open ended, which I didn’t mind at all. I think the entire book was beautifully done and I’d gladly welcome a sequel, but it doesn’t need one. As you say, life goes on.
Thank you to bookstagrammers.com and Candlewick Press/Walker Books for providing me with a copy to review. This book releases in the US/Canada on October 12, 2021.
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