I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this amazing novel. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books!

Five Stars all the way!

WOW WOW WOW!!! If the Wayward Pines series by Blake Crouch and Project Hail Mary had a baby, it would be this book. And those are two of my top 5 all-time favs, so needless to say, this book blew me away! There was not one page of writing where I wasn’t completely immersed in this story. Its sci-fi, fantasy, and suspense wrapped together and then topped off with wonderful character development and an intriguing storyline! It’s a big boy at 500+ pages, but it doesn’t feel anything close to that and you won’t want it to end. It’s one of those books that you think about when you’re not reading, because you can’t wait to get back to it. And if you like plot twists, well this book has several of those, which just keeps the excitement building. I haven’t read The Passage by this author, but it’s most definitely on my TBR now! I predict this will be a top read for 2023!

Wow. This book definitely takes you on a ride, and an exciting one at that! I enjoyed Justin Cronin's The Passage, and was curious and interested to see what new world he would take us to next. The Ferryman is a huge book to get through, but I stayed up several nights to find out what would happen next. You think you know where it's going, but it takes you on another ride. It reminds me of Blake Crouch books with the science fiction elements, but also an interesting main character and side characters with different twists and turns set in a utopian and dystopian future. Several movies came to mind while reading this book, The Matrix and Inception are just two movies, but they don't completely capture the full story. Get ready for a twisty ride.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC.

1. Strap yourself in.
2. Keep your concentration levels set to 11.
3. Enjoy!

That's my advice when entering the world(s) of Justin Cronin's 'The Ferryman.'

This really is an achievement of imagination, characterization, storytelling, and structure - it's complex and it really does require you to stay focused but it pays you back with interest.

It's hard to go too deeply into the story and plot without giving away much of the story and the context but I'd say if you liked Neal Stephenson's 'Fall; or, Dodge in Hell' you'll like this. I think I can say that it's a novel of world building without spoiling it for anyone. Like with 'The Passage' trilogy Cronin delivers really great characters and keeps you interested in and engaged with them throughout the story but like much else in this book you'll need to keep well tuned-in to get the best out of it. All that said, this is a book full of raw and human emotions, chief among them being grief and, in a way, mirrors another great ARC I recently read and reviews, Gemma Amor's 'Full Immersion.' The power of grief and guilt are much examined here from multiple viewpoints.

Because 'The Passage' became a trilogy I started this with not a little trepidation that this might be book one in a trilogy and, given this was an ARC and not due for publication for another year, it could be three years before part two. However, I finished it hoping like hell it is book one in a trilogy but knowing that if it's not, it works superbly well as a stand-alone.

I loved it.

ARC provided by Net Galley.

I think I am going to struggle with this review and it may not look like my other reviews. I may come back in a day or two once I digest more. I just loved this so much and don't want to wait to review.

This book is 560 pages and while that feels long, I think I could have read another 560 pages to continue these stories. The first half of the book has a great soft tension that I found myself savoring. I knew there had to be some explanation for it but as soon as I knew what it was, I would always know it. Once the explanation came through, I thought it would be an easy ride to the end as it all resolved. I could not have been more wrong. Instead, the story grew from there and took turns I was not expecting.

It is hard to say who will enjoy this without giving away any hints, and I don't want to take the story development away from anyone. It is a book about family and relationships and how deep those go. I highly recommend it!

When seeing that this novel was over 500 pages, I groaned as I started it...too many books I've read lately just slog along. To my pleasant surprise (which shouldn't be a surprise given the author and my love of his past novels), I devoured The Ferryman in just three days. The pages flew by as I was immersed in the world of Prospera and its residents. I don't want to say too much because discovering the mysteries of this world is part of the joy of reading - just know it's worth the time.

I'm not sure what I was expecting from The Ferryman by Justin Cronin. The premise certainly sounded intriguing, but it wasn't the MOST unique storyline idea I'd ever heard. I went ahead and requested the ARC and gave it my best shot.

Let me tell you something. Wherever you think this book is when you read the synopsis? It's not. It starts out almost plain-jane run-of-the-mill Dystopian fiction, but it evolves (literally turning into something else entirely) until you have to check to make sure you're reading the same book you started out with. I really enjoyed this book and I think a lot of others will, too.

This was my first Justin Cronin novel. It will not be my last. Thank you to NetGalley, Justin Cronin and Ballentine Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review of Advance Reader’s Copy eBook

Prospera, an archipelago state hidden from the world by an electromagnetic Veil, is a secluded paradise. People who serve in support positions live in the Annex, connected to Prospera by a floating causeway. And Nursery Isle, shrouded in mystery, receives Prosperans at the end of their lives, erases their memories, and returns them to Prospera as new iterations, thus allowing them to begin again, to live new lives.

Proctor Bennett, managing director for District Six of the Department of Social Contracts, enforcement Division, is better known by Prosperans as the Ferryman. It’s a source of pride for Proctor, assisting with the reiteration of those in their final years who need to move on. His wife, Elise, a model turned fashion designer, is preparing for an important show. Like all Prosperans, they each have a monitor embedded in their forearms to measure their health and well-being.

But all is not well with Proctor Bennett. Dreaming is supposed to be impossible in Prospera and yet, Proctor dreams. His number on his monitor is dropping, too fast, and registering too low. But all those worries become unimportant when Proctor must guide his father to the Nursery for reiteration. The task becomes difficult when his father, Malcolm, resists boarding the ferry and ultimately gives Proctor a cryptic message.

Adding to Proctor's anxieties, unrest is building among those who live in the Annex, among those who provide the labor that keeps Prospera running smoothly. Rumors of a resistance group . . . the Arrivalists . . . begin to circulate. Can revolution be far behind?

It isn’t long before Proctor, caught up in something he can barely grasp, something he cannot define, finds himself questioning everything about his life in Prospera. What is the truth of Prospera? And what does it mean that the sea is full of stars?

=========

“The Ferryman” sets a new standard for science fiction. It’s complex, intriguing, and compelling. It’s intelligent, brilliant, and creative. The world-building is first-rate; impressive, exciting, and immersive. The characters are believable, relatable, and honest; relationships are multifaceted and engaging.

The inventive plot takes several unexpected twists that send the story in different directions. As the unfolding narrative reveals the cracks in Prospera, intriguing new possibilities reveal themselves. When it appears that nothing is as it seems, readers will find themselves in a place that is both new and familiar.

What is reality for Prospera? For its citizens? For readers, this is a riveting, can’t-put-it-down tale of life, of love, of hopes and dreams, of disappointments. Readers who enjoy science fiction will find much to appreciate here, much to consider long after they’ve turned the final page.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Ballantine Books and NetGalley
#TheFerryman #NetGalley

The Ferryman
A Novel
by Justin Cronin
Thanks to Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for this arc.
I wanted to love this book. I did try to like it, but... I was so confused and lost in this one. It was not my type of reading. It became difficult as well as too much to finish. Maybe it was way over my head. So sorry. This was my mistake, I am a mystery buff and believed it to be.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Proctor lives in a realm that is idyllic until he starts questioning things. One he does he opens up a pandera box. He is not sure what is true, but he will use everything in his arsenal to figure it out.

August 28, 2022
Thank you to Net Galley for providing this ARC. Justin Cronin never ceases to impress me. Having read nearly all of his works, he continues to defy reader expectations. His narrative skill soars in whatever genre he engages.
At first, I was quick to shelve "The Ferryman" alongside Children of Men, We, and more recently, Never Let Me Go. Hints of Logan's Run and Gattaca even emerge.
However, Cronin exceeds the dystopian cliches, depicting class struggle with greater complexity, the reveal of Proctor Bennett's awakening through dreams and "echoes", and layering realities so artfully from beginning to end.
Of particular note are the strong female characters Cronin brings to the ensemble.
I view Cronin's work as literary fiction which happens to thread science fiction aspects. Like "The Passage", so beautifully written and compelling- my sole disappointment is that it ended! I want more.

The Ferryman is another amazing hit by Justin Cronin. The setting is Prospera, a bucolic island paradise, where art and creativity flourish, the weather is perfect and people can enjoy their time without fear of illness or ill-will. They can live their lives, usually past one-hundred, until they are required to report to the ferry where they will be taken to a floating edifice known as the nursery where their memories will be erased and a new body will be issued only the return to Prospera as a teenage child of residents seeking children, Here we have the “haves.”

Across a causeway lies the Annex where the worker bees of Prospera live in poverty. Consider garbage collectors, maids, etc. Additionally, they do not get a do over, They have babies who grow up, age, get sick and eventually die. It appears that all is not copacetic with the “have-nots''.

The story revolves around Director Proctor Bennett, The Ferryman and narrator. Proctor is married, childless, motherless as a teen and estranged from father. As a child he suffered from strange dreams, As a ferryman his job is to ensure those going to the Nursery arrive on time. When Proctor had to deliver his father to the ferry, his father broke away and told Proctor some things which left him bewildered. He begins to see the world differently, especially after he learns of the Arrivalists in the Annex,

We are taken on a journey of brilliance. There are so many twists that once you think you have a handle on something you need to rethink everything,

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine for giving me an opportunity to be an early reader in exchange for my honest opinion.

I had a difficult time getting into this long novel. I fear that's more me than the author. I don't want to post anything negative about the experience because the writing is more than confident, the characters well-drawn, and the plot will certainly appeal to a large audience. A group of survivors on an island? Much to mine there and Cronin does. Again, just not for me. Still recommended.

Let me start this review by saying I think a LOT of people will LOVE this book. I suspect it could end up as a favorite for many. For myself though, I was hoping to like it more. There were certainly aspects that I did like, but on the whole I was let down. I knew where it was going right from the beginning (not all of the specifics of course, but the general idea) because it was a composite of three common science-fiction stories. Another issue I had was that it felt like half the book was exposition; maybe more, since besides all of the exposition in the first two thirds, almost the entire last third was exposition. There problem was that there was so much that needed to be explained (plus there was a lot of unnecessary exposition). And yet the biggest and most glaring problem was never really addressed. The author could have simplified things drastically so there wouldn't need to be so much to explain. Or at least he could have trusted that we didn't need so much explained. (I'm reminded of how in the original Star Wars, the Force is explained in a line or two and everyone was OK with that, but then George foolishly added way more-- and stupid-- explanation in the prequels.) Then again, for people who aren't as familiar with the three kinds of stories he's blending, maybe it won't be a problem because it'll all be new and interesting to them-- again, I'm not saying the book is bad, just that I wasn't a fan.

I knew as soon as I saw this book I’d enjoy it, I don’t ever doubt that I’ll enjoy a book by Justin Cronin. The Ferryman, was such an interesting concept and I was wrapped up in the story right from the start. The atmosphere and characters were excellent and I was completely taken with the writing. What can I say, I’m a huge fan of Cronin’s books and this was one of my favorite reads of 2022.

People who know me, know that I review mostly science fiction, and while it may not be apparent from the beginning, Justin Cronin’s new stand-alone novel is definitely science fiction. That said, Cronin’s fame rests not in SF fandom, but as author of the 2010 best-selling post-apocalyptic The Passage. So you know, I have not read The Passage trilogy or seen its television adaptation – and Cronin is a new writer to me.

The story opens in a seemingly normal world, on the small fictional island-state of Prospera, whose culture is vaguely contemporary upper-class American. Cynthia is committing suicide by drowning herself, recalling her and her husband Malcolm’s adoption of a teenager named Proctor. After this prolog, Proctor becomes the middle-aged first-person narrator of the story. At the onset, there are some things not right about this setting – everyone has a monitor installed in their arm that shows their health as a percentage of optimal. When it gets down to 10%, usually in old age, the person voluntarily or involuntarily retires to another island called the Annex, where they are recycled into new children to be adopted by other Prosperans. Proctor is a Ferryman, whose job is to escort the retirees to the Annex. And yet, in spite of these profound differences, everyone behaves just like in our own world. This is obviously some sort of synthetic world, although the reality behind it remains a mystery to the reader. Even the era in which the synthetic world exists is technologically inconsistent – there are observation drones, and yet Proctor checks the time on his wristwatch. No cell phones, no internet.

Proctor is assigned to escort his widower father Malcolm to the Annex. At the last moment, Malcolm makes a break for it, and whispers a secret to Proctor. Things get complicated from there, and I’m going to stop telling the story, for the sake of both plot spoilers, and world-building spoilers. At approximately 75% of the novel’s length, there is a big reveal info-dump. Anyone who is “shocked” at that point, seriously needs to read more science fiction. Unlike most genre SF, there is a great deal more character and relationship development, which seems consistent with best-seller audiences. At the same time, I have some quibbles with the science, although it is difficult to discuss them without spoilers. Suffice it to say, I think this novel assumes a theory of mind for which there is no scientific evidence. I expect this novel will sell very well, given Cronin’s past works, and introduce new readers to concepts which have long been tropes within the science fiction genre.

I read an advance Digital Review Copy of The Ferryman in an ebook format, which I received from Ballantine Books (an imprint of Random House) through netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review on social media platforms and on my book review blog. This new title is tentatively scheduled for release on 2 May 2023.

Prospera is a wonderful place to live, if you are one of the lucky, You start life as a teenager and move through your life until you get old. Then you retire yourself and come back again. Proctor is happy enough in his life, in spite of the dreams he is having. Things aren't completely as they seem in Prospera as there is a revolt underway. This book takes you through so many twists and turns. It is so beautifully written, you fall right into the story and become a part of Prospera. Wow, just wow!

As with all Justin Cronin books, "The Ferryman" packs a thrill ride of a science fiction dystopian driven with a powerful narrative. With the thrill of "The Matrix" meets "1984", readers will not be disappointed in this latest by Justin Cronin.

Set in a dystopian world of three islands known as Prospera, Annex, and Nursery Isle. The story is told by the main character Proctor Bennett. Proctor Bennett is the director for District Six of the Department of Social Contracts, Enforcement Division, a. k. a. “Ferryman” who accompany the elder citizens to the Nursery Isle where their memories are erased and a second chance to be reborn awaits.

As with Mr. Cronin's style events unfold that lead the main character on a path of awakening. Readers will be thrilled, lost, and brillantly awakened with questions that just serve towards the beautiful ending.

Highly recommend!

Wow! I can honestly say I was surprised how good this story was and I can't recommend it enough. Great characters, great story and uncontrollable ride. A must read,!!!

As a big fan of "The Passage" series, I had high hopes for this one, and I was not disappointed.

This book is engaging, fast-paced, and kept me wanting more. It is a story of humanity, adventure, and what it means to do better as a society.

There are intriguing concepts and constant twists that managed to be both grand and intimate.

This utopian/dystopian science fiction mystery with a literary flair must be one of the odder novels I've read in quite some time. Enjoyable, but decidedly odd.

Climate change has plunged our world into chaos. Except on Prospera, an isolated, completely self-contained archipelago somewhere in the middle of an ocean where certain chosen residents live very long, very happy lives. At life’s end, a Prosperan is returned to “the Nursery” for “reiteration,” or rebirth, to go on and live yet another long and perfect life with no memory of previous lives. Normal humans living in near poverty perform all the hard, distasteful work (housekeeping, gardening, garbage collection, sewer maintenance, etc.) needed to keep Prosperan lives perfect.

Proctor Bennet is a “ferryman,” responsible for shepherding those ready for reiteration back to the Nursery. It’s rewarding work and Proctor is good at it. And he’s married to a beautiful woman who is the daughter of the woman who heads Prospera’s government. Like all other Prosperans, he has a perfect life. Or does he? He seems melancholy. His health score is decreasing rapidly. And he has begun to dream. Prosperans are not supposed to dream. Has something gone wrong? Is Proctor about to do serious damage to this finely-tuned world? Must he be forcibly returned to the Nursery for early reiteration?

“The Ferryman” struck me as being perfect for fans of works like “Bladerunner,” “1984,” “Brave New World,” “We,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “Fahrenheit 451” (although this story is quite different from those). Kudos to author Justin Cronin for his exceedingly creative imagination, masterful world-building, and finely crafted, gem-filled prose. He gives us well-drawn characters that are believable, have depth, and that readers can care about. Exploring themes such as climate change, societal inequality, duplicity amongst the powerful, and the rights of individuals to self-determination, he manages to draw more than one parallel between his fictional world and our own.

However, while I enjoyed the first two-thirds of "The Ferryman," I found the final third somewhat convoluted and confusing. Comparing that final third with what comes before, I’m not sure the novel hangs together all that well. Also, it seemed to me an overlong work that could stand some cutting.

All in all, I enjoyed “The Ferryman” but found it flawed; which is why I’m giving it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an electronic ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.