long but definitely worth it. I'm glad i stuck around for this one. thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting dystopian take on have and have-nots. I could vividly see Prospera's world in my mind and I would love to see this made into a movie!

**3.5 stars**

I adore The Passage trilogy so I was thrilled to get The Ferryman on NetGalley. It took me awhile to read it because while I love sci-fi movies I’m not thrilled with reading sci-fi. It was a good story. I enjoyed it. I guessed something was going on but I didn’t guess it correctly which was great. I liked Proctor as a main character. It was a bit too long I thought. I loved the ending.

If you like twisty narratives with interesting characters or good sci-fi stories I definitely recommend The Ferryman. I look forward to the authors next book!

Justin Cronin’s The Ferryman is a sweeping, multi-layered, genre-defying novel that attempts to do many things at once—dystopian parable, techno-thriller, philosophical exploration of memory and identity, and classic sci-fi world-building. It’s a book rich in ambition, dense in ideas, and ultimately an engrossing ride for those willing to follow its many twists and turns. But let’s be honest: it’s also a novel that probably didn’t need all of its 550+ pages to say what it needed to say. While Cronin’s prose is often elegant and the plot intriguing, The Ferryman suffers from a narrative sprawl that sometimes works against the tightness the story seems to demand.

Set on a seemingly utopian island called Prospera, the novel follows Proctor Bennett, a “ferryman” tasked with shepherding citizens to their final “retirement” when their time in the community is up. These retirees are transported to a mysterious location known as the Nursery, where they are supposedly reborn. Proctor himself lives in a world of plenty, status, and carefully maintained peace—until, of course, he begins to question everything. A cryptic final message from his own father triggers an unraveling of truths that sets Proctor on a path of discovery that shakes the very foundation of Prospera.

What starts as a hauntingly beautiful mystery gradually morphs into a high-stakes chase narrative, then into speculative dystopia, then a kind of philosophical treatise wrapped in a technological fever dream. Cronin can write—his imagery is lush, his pacing controlled (perhaps too controlled), and his characters are drawn with sensitivity. There’s a gentle intelligence behind even the most action-driven scenes, and the book often asks real questions about the nature of reality, the ethics of surveillance, and the boundaries of selfhood.

But—and it’s a big but—the novel is long. Not long in the I-can’t-put-it-down-so-I-don’t-notice-the-length way, but long in the this-is-the-third-revelation-chapter-and-we-still-have-150-pages-to-go kind of way. Whole sections drag when they should soar. There are characters and plotlines that feel like they were introduced with great promise but never quite deliver. Some emotional beats are repeated with only minor variation, and the novel’s central mystery—though intriguing—loses a bit of its impact after the second or third major twist.

There’s also a tonal shift midway through that, while bold, might alienate some readers. Cronin essentially changes the rules of the world he’s so carefully constructed, and while the reveal is conceptually clever, the pacing slows again as we’re forced to recalibrate what we know. It feels like the narrative equivalent of climbing a second mountain after already thinking you’d reached the summit. For some readers, that climb will be thrilling; for others, exhausting.

Yet despite its excesses, The Ferryman is not a book to dismiss lightly. Cronin is clearly wrestling with big themes—free will vs. control, the price of utopia, the persistence of trauma, the nature of love across timelines or simulations or altered states of being. There are echoes of The Matrix, Westworld, Brave New World, and even Inception, but Cronin brings his own moral compass and emotional earnestness to the table. He’s a deeply empathetic writer, and The Ferryman never feels cynical, even when it’s being most skeptical about the world it depicts.

In the end, The Ferryman is a novel that rewards patience and attention, but also one that could have benefitted from a sharper editorial scalpel. It’s a compelling, occasionally profound book that at times threatens to collapse under its own narrative weight. But if you’re willing to stick with it—to be ferried, if you will, through its philosophical meanderings and circuitous plotting—you may find it well worth the trip.

Just don’t expect to travel light.

An excellent story from one of my favorite authors. Justin Cronin's The Passage series hooked me into his fan club, along with everyone I recommended it to. THE FERRYMAN shows the world's population divided into haves and have-nots, with an extra eerie twist. Life exists on two islands with a clear distinction between the populations of each. But the third island......accessible only through a ride with the ferryman, tells a story kept secret from all that is about to be revealed. There will be consequences.

Justin Cronin's "The Ferryman" is a thought-provoking and immersive read that left me pondering long after I turned the final page. As a fan of Cronin's previous works, I went into this with high expectations, and while it's a departure from his more horror-centric narratives, it certainly delivers a compelling experience.

The world-building in "The Ferryman" is intricate and captivating, drawing you into a meticulously crafted society with its own unique rules and mysteries. Cronin has a knack for creating atmospheric settings, and this book is no exception. The narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, allowing you to gradually uncover the layers of its complex premise.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the overarching concept and the journey the protagonist undertakes, there were moments where the pacing felt a little slow, and some sections required a bit more concentration to fully grasp. However, these minor points did not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. The characters, while sometimes enigmatic, serve their purpose in driving the plot and exploring the novel's profound themes.

Ultimately, "The Ferryman" is a testament to Cronin's ability to craft expansive, intelligent stories. It's a deep dive into existential questions and the nature of reality, wrapped in a narrative that will keep you engaged. If you appreciate speculative fiction that encourages reflection and enjoy intricate world-building, this book is definitely worth your time.

Why do I do this to myself?! Who reads dystopia in 2025?! That said...this was a good one. It's been on my TBR for a long time (received an ARC, in fact, that I forgot about) but I appreciated the Shakespearean connections; The Tempest has been my favorite play since high school. The premise of this particular dystopia: the remnants of society find themselves on an island called Prospera, where everyone is healthy, wealthy, and wise...until the cracks start to show. I'm still not quite sure what happened at the end of this one, but I think the ambiguity is a feature not a bug. Easy 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This one read a little long but I was so caught up in wanting to know what was happening that I stayed with it and I'm glad I did. The reveals and character development were satisfying and I'd recommend this to someone who wants a unique dystopian.

I was expecting something different, and while I see how this would be a really good read for others, it just didn't do it for me. The writing was objectively good, and so were the characters, but it just wasn't my speed at this current time. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the eARC!

I was intrigued by the premise of this book but the length and pacing ended up being a real miss for me, even with the aid of the audiobook narration toggled with the ebook edition. Readers with patience for pages of contemplative/expository writing in between the action sequences will likely enjoy.

An ambitious sci-fi novel about utopia, memory, and humanity’s ultimate purpose. Epic in scope but deeply personal at its core. Cronin’s world-building and storytelling are top-notch.

I’ve never read anything by Justin Cronin before, but wow what a creative mind! I was hooked from the book summary alone, and now I’m reeling with just how wild this sci-fi mash up was - so much going on, but in a good way? (I say mash-up because there were a lot of “this reminds me of something else” moments.) Very smart, creative, and well developed.

I did not jive with the writing style used in this book. I decided to DNF it a couple chapters in. I need to make this over 100 characters to be able to submit it.

Justin Cronin is one of my favorite authors so of course I jumped at a chance to read and review his latest work.

The Ferryman started off with such promise but then by the last 3rd I found myself scratching my head and the ending left me completely confused.

I would say to pick this book up if you enjoy Fantasy mixed with a bit of Sci-fi.

The Ferryman is an intriguing exploration of a utopian society, offering a thought-provoking premise that keeps readers engaged. While the novel is ultimately a rewarding read, its slow development may require patience. Some stretches of the story feel meandering, making it challenging to stay invested at times. However, those who persist will find an entertaining and worthwhile experience with compelling characters and an interesting world. It may not be a standout favorite for all readers, but it remains a solid and engaging novel for those who enjoy thought-provoking speculative fiction.

Justin Cronin is a masterful author. He sucks you in and then blows you away. There was quite a bit of world building going on with the separate islands and the mysterious horror from beyond. It felt like a really grown up version of The Giver world in some ways, but then there was an explosive crescendo that caused the final third to just blow by.

I swear on Mother that this was too long.

The pacing was way off throughout and characterization development was off.

The Ferryman was slow to develop. There were times where I felt that I wanted to give up because I did not know where the story was going and nothing was developing in the plot for long periods of time. At the end, I did enjoy it, but it was a difficult journey to get there.

Justin Cronin's "The Ferryman" is a masterclass in suspense and atmospheric storytelling, a gripping thriller that explores themes of memory, identity, and the chilling potential of unchecked power. Set on a remote island community seemingly untouched by the outside world, the novel immediately establishes a sense of unease. The protagonist, Proctor, lives a structured and somewhat idyllic life, ferrying the recently deceased to their final resting place. However, this carefully constructed reality begins to unravel as Proctor starts experiencing fragmented memories and unsettling visions, hinting at a past he can't quite grasp.

Cronin's writing is captivating, drawing the reader into Proctor's increasingly disorienting world. The island setting is vividly depicted, contributing to the growing sense of isolation and paranoia. The author expertly builds tension, slowly revealing pieces of the puzzle while keeping the reader guessing about the true nature of Proctor's past and the secrets the island holds. The supporting characters are equally intriguing, each harboring their own hidden agendas and contributing to the overall sense of mystery.

What makes "The Ferryman" particularly compelling is its exploration of memory and identity. Proctor's struggle to reclaim his lost memories is both heartbreaking and suspenseful, raising questions about what defines a person and the fragility of our sense of self. The novel also delves into the ethical implications of manipulating memory and the potential consequences of a society built on carefully curated illusions.

While the pacing is generally excellent, there are moments where the narrative becomes a bit dense, particularly when dealing with the intricacies of the island's history and the complex relationships between its inhabitants. However, this complexity ultimately adds to the richness of the story and its thought-provoking themes.

"The Ferryman" is a chilling and captivating read that will stay with you long after you finish it. It's a novel that blends elements of thriller, science fiction, and dystopian fiction into a truly unique and unsettling story. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy suspenseful narratives with complex characters and thought-provoking themes.

The Ferryman is a standalone post apocalyptic novel from Justin Cronin. The story revolves around Proctor, a ferryman for the land of the Prospera. Prospera is an island utopia where they have learned to reincarnate people so that when they get too old they are ferried to the Nursery to be brought back to life without any memories of your past lives. One day Proctor receives an urgent job to bring in his father, Malcolm, for a "retirement" trip to the nursery. Before Malcolm gets on the ferry he tells Proctor a secret that now has him hunted by the Prosperans. Proctor soon learns that nothing is what it seems and in order to save everyone he must figure out what is happening.

I found the story engaging and thought provoking. It is a story of what should humans learn from their own mistakes and who should be saved from those mistakes. Power, control, and money drive everything and can you really have a utopia of those exist. It also delves into who is responsible for mistakes and can they fix things. I enjoyed this a lot and would definitely recommend it. It is great to have a standalone book from this genre as soon many are now series and intended as series from the beginning. As the reader you get a satisfying conclusion to the story of Prospera and Proctor.