At a mystical lighthouse on the edge of Chicago, Nera, the daughter of the ferryman for the dead, helps guide souls to the afterlife until her routine is upended by Charlie, a living woman searching for her sister’s ghost after a tragic loss. Blending queer romance, Jewish identity, and talking dogs with themes of grief, healing, and the meaning of life, the story explores how love and hope persist even in the shadow of death.

Reader Review Summary

Set in early 2000s Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan, the story centers on a waystation for the dead, where souls are guided by dogs to a lighthouse before crossing the Veil. Nera, the daughter of the ferryman, has spent decades helping her father ferry souls, living in a liminal state between life and death. The plot is set in motion when Charlie, a living woman grieving her sister's death in a mass shooting, stumbles into the waystation after following a song only she and her sister would know. As Nera and Charlie search for Charlie’s sister’s ghost, they confront the failing lighthouse, the growing threat of malevolent Haunts, and the secrets of Nera’s family and heritage. The narrative weaves together themes of grief, love, Jewish identity, queer romance, and the process of letting go, with magical elements such as talking dogs, ghosts, and mythological references to Orpheus and Charon. The city of Chicago and its landmarks play a significant role, and the story is told through dual points of view, flashbacks, and journal entries, with music serving as a recurring motif.

Readers praised the book for its emotional depth in exploring grief, loss, and the afterlife, as well as its depiction of queer relationships and Jewish characters. The relationship between Nera and Charlie, as well as the secondary queer romance, were highlighted as integral to the story. Many found the portrayal of grief—especially Charlie’s struggle after her sister’s death—visceral and relatable, and appreciated the nuanced handling of survivor’s guilt, family trauma, and the process of moving on. The inclusion of talking dogs as soul guides was frequently mentioned as a standout feature, adding both comfort and comic relief. The setting in Chicago, with detailed references to local landmarks and culture, resonated with readers familiar with the city. The prose was often described as beautiful and poetic, and the audiobook narration by Lindsey Dorcus and Mara Wilson received positive feedback for bringing the characters’ emotions to life.

Some readers found the pacing slow, particularly in the first half, with significant plot developments delayed until midway through the book. The focus on introspection, emotional ruminations, and personal drama over worldbuilding or external stakes led some to feel the story was more contemporary than fantastical. Several reviewers noted that the writing style could be disjointed, with shifts between lyrical prose and casual or even vulgar dialogue that clashed with the intended emotional tone. The use of journal entries and flashbacks was seen as contributing to uneven pacing. A few readers felt the main characters, especially Charlie, acted selfishly or childishly at times, and some struggled to connect with the romance or found the emotional impact lacking. The book’s handling of heavy themes such as gun violence, religious trauma, and death was noted as potentially overwhelming, and some wished for clearer content warnings. A minority of readers did not finish the book, citing lack of engagement with the characters or style.

The book blends elements of contemporary fantasy, romance, and mythology, with references to works like Hadestown, Under the Whispering Door, and Spiritfarer. It features dual queer romances, Jewish representation, and a strong focus on music as both a plot device and a metaphor for connection and healing. The narrative structure includes multiple points of view, flashbacks, and interludes, and the story incorporates both magical and real-world elements, such as the aftermath of a mass shooting and the cultural landscape of Chicago. The book has received a mix of highly emotional responses and more reserved critiques, with an average reader rating of 3.97 out of 5 based on 157 ratings and 115 full reviews. Content warnings mentioned by readers include child loss, gun violence, PTSD, religious homophobia, and depictions of the afterlife.