On the island of Merlank, the Dead must not be allowed to linger. The very sight of their ghosts can kill you. When young Milo is thrust into the role of Ferryman following his father’s sudden death, he is the one who must carry away the Dead. Pursued by a vengeful lord and two malignant magicians, Milo must navigate strange and perilous seas where untold threats whisper in the mist. Does he have the courage and imagination to complete his urgent mission?

The story itself draws from greek mythology and folklore stories about the dead souls' journey from the world of the living to the world of the dead. Milo's family have been Ferrymen for generations, tasked with this job exactly. And when the time comes for Milo to step up, the journey he has to take is very much an emotional one alongside the actual, physical one. A story about death, loss, grief, self doubt and self-discovery, courage to carve your own path and kindness and empathy towards others.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy.

On Milo’s island the spirits of the dead must be quickly transported by his father, the Ferryman, lest they endlessly wander, leaving death and blight in their wake. When a grief-maddened nobleman takes violent action to hold on to the ghost of his daughter, young Milo is the only one able to make the dangerous journey, delivering the boatload of souls to their rest. But can his sympathetic nature resist the pleas of the dead? Sophisticated, yet spare language, rich imagery, and telling details combine with black and indigo spot art and full-page illustrations, rendered in a vintage woodcut style. Evocative and memorable, this shivery and profound legend will appeal to all who love a good ghost story or fairy tale. Thanks to Amulet and NetGalley for a digital ARC in return for an unbiased review..