I’d never heard of this author before but I was drawn in by the title of this book and it did not disappoint! I loved the storytelling and characters and I really enjoyed how it explored the myths of the underworld and all that that entails

This was a really thoughtful and somewhat intense exploration of grief that proved to be a very meaningful reading experience. The story takes place between Portland and The Styx and follows teen Bastian as he attempts to deal with his grief after losing his mother in a car accident. It's not the easiest read and I think it's important to be in the right headspace to get into this one, but it's absolutely worth the read. I thought the characters of Bastian and Zan were incredible well crafted and developed throughout the book and I really liked following them on this journey. As an Ancient Greece enthusiast, I also really enjoyed the mythology aspects and the inclusion of the River Styx elements overall. I think the ending will be a bit love or hate for many, but it fit the story perfectly.

I'll confess that I went into this book perhaps a little bit expecting this to be another YA romance using overdone Greek mythology concepts as a prop and a marketing ploy, but this book really defied both my expectations and the generally expected genre conventions and felt like something truly unique and all its own.

Even two months after finishing it, I'm still not entirely sure how I felt about this book. The writing style had me hooked almost instantly, and immediately gave me hope from the start that this could be a 5 star read. The way that this book explored grief and loss and healing was absolutely harrowing and showed a deep desire to show the stages and aftermath of mourning and the ways it looks different for everyone. The fantastical elements of this book in some ways reminded me of the vibes of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and while it didn't bring it home well enough to come near to my love of that book, I do think there are things that fans of the yearning and wonder of that book could find to enjoy in this one. This book also had a fun little used bookstore renovation side plot that was pure wish fulfillment for every devoted reader who has dreamt of quitting their job to run a cozy used bookstore, and I ate up every vicarious second we got of it.

This wasn't perfect; there were some points where I lost interest, some themes that it felt were a bit overexplored to the point of redundancy, and I wasn't quite sold on the romance subplot. However, especially for a debut I think this book had a lot of offer, and I'll definitely be curious to keep an eye on the books Kulwicki writes in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a stunning, devastating, hopeful, heart-rending, triumph of a book that took every emotion I had, tore them all to shreds, and then tenderly pieced them back together time and again. That is to say, I utterly adored every sentence of this story and would break down over it again without hesitation. Michelle does an incredible job of capturing grief, guilt, trauma, anxiety, longing, living, and all those hard-to-express feelings in between.

Seeing the relationship between Bastian and Zan grow as each helped the other through their pain and learn how to live again (as much as that can apply in Styx) was beautiful. And Bastian's relationship with his friends and brother felt so natural and messy and REAL. Everything about this book felt so real - broken and joyful and disastrous and dream-filled. For a book about dying, it carries a strong, unmissable message of all the best reasons to live. (Also, the Switch scene was amazing!)

So I’m going into this book. I knew that it had a lot to deal with the process of grief and dealing with grief..
So I pretty much went into it with an open mind and was curious to see how the offer would story that was Greek mythology inspired.
Overall, this book was definitely a total miss for me to be honest. I really wanted to like it, but from the get go, I could tell I was going to struggle with this book.
I really forced myself to finish it and was skipping through a lot of the Pages to get to the end of the story..
It was honestly for me really repetitive and I didn’t connect with any of the characters whatsoever.. None of the side characters or just the story in general was engaging enough for me to enjoy it. Even the cat couldn’t save this book..
I for sure would not recommend this book to people based on my experience, but like I always say in my reviews. If you are interested by the synopsis, go read the book because you could have a totally different experience than me.

I was so excited to read this book but the main character was hard to like. I understood he was dealing with a lot but his judgements on others especially his twin brother was harder to ignore when they were going through similar loss. He was rude and mean to his brother just because his brother was doing better than him. As if it was not about getting better and heal from the trauma but a competition of who handles it better. His brother reached out to him so many times and he kept being rude and judgmental.

This book was not for me but I would still love to read the author's future work, I liked her writing style and it was a good story with a very unlikable main character.

Before he can be reborn, Zan has spent 499 years bound in a 500-year curse to process souls for the Ferryman and if he fails he dies. Many have failed doing this “work.” In Portland, Bastian is grieving. He survived a car accident that took his mother. Bastian decides to buy an old used bookstore with the life insurance money. But in sleep, death’s mark keeps dragging Bastian into Zan’s office. It shouldn’t be a problem to log his soul and forget he ever existed. But when Zan follows Bastian through his memories of grief and hope, Zan realizes that he is not ready for Bastian to die. What will Zan do? Is Bastian willing to die?

The author tells in alternating perspectives, this queer contemporary spin on Greek mythology. It is a thoughtful portrait of grief and healing. Bastian’s guilt and sadness are palpable and made me relate to him. It is an emotional novel.

gorgeous gorgeous romance and i found it very interesting. the two protagonists, zan and bastian, were so sweet and the idea of the hopping into the memoires was so cool. tysm for the arc

I was super excited to read this story as I love anything to do with the Ferryman. Now it was just not about the Ferryman, but more to do with Zan who makes sure that the Ferryman gets the person who needs to cross over. With that said Zan is lonely as he has been working for the Ferryman for 499 years. The one and only human that he can actually talk to is Bastian. Bastian is dealing with the fact that he cheated death and we all know death comes for payment as well as the grief from losing his mom. Our story goes between both Bastian and Zan's POV and you can't help but feel sorry for both of them. Zan because all he knows is death and is almost free of the Ferryman and you just want him to be happy and done with it all. Bastian, we see how he deals with grief and you just want him to be happy. I was impressed once he was able to say no to the partying scene that was around him on more than one occasion. Grief is handled in a lot of different ways and seeing Bastian deal with his I was impressed that his brother was really trying his best to not only push himself through it but also try to get through to Bastian. I was impressed with how Bastian got to visit Zan and it seemed like time didn't pass so fast with that said I also liked how Zan got to visit places that were a memory for others.
As we kept reading and seeing how Zan and Bastian's worlds were coming together we were left with this. Who will be sacrificed? Would it be Zan or Bastian? Will love prevail?

“Maybe I’m trying to remember what it feels like to live too.”

Reading At The End Of The River Styx was pure marvel, and another “if I could give more than 5* I would” book. It was –of course– dark, as the main themes are death, grief, depression and (metaphorically) suicidal thoughts. Yet, it was also a story full of hope and magic, that left my heart light and fluttering.
The idea of exploring static memories, like a life left hanging –how relevant in the in-between that represents Styx, is one of the best images of depression I saw until now. But it is also a sparkle of joy because at the same time, in that frozen space, Bastien and Zan build their own memories together, and slowly return to life. They experience life together as other people are losing it. Zan guides Bastian, but in a different way than what he was supposed to do. Both characters’ trajectories, cursed and hopeful all at once, are also such a poetic representation of grief. Culpabilise. Move forward. Live and let go. Choosing the little prince as a recurring motif was such a great idea in that context, as that book deals with the exact same themes (the fact that it is one of my favorite books ever has nothing to do with it…).
The story is written like Styx. It flows but is full of turbulences that trigger so many feelings from dread to awe, from laugh to tears. I loved my journey through these pages, and I know this will haunt me for long. In the end, this book is about how Love makes you feel alive again, no matter the outcome. Hope.
I can’t wait to read this author’s next book.

Thank you Michelle Kulwicki NetGalley, Colored Pages BT, Page Street Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

more contemporary than fantasy.... this book is a wonderful journey through grief... It's a beautiful story, well-written. It was much more emotional than I expected it to be.

*Thank you to NetGalley, TBRAndBeyondTours and Page Street Publishing | Page Street YA for providing me with this book in exchange fot an honest review.*

This was a really good book yet it read a lot like middle than YA. It was beautifully written but I would love to see some themes explored more.

I loved this retelling of the Ferryman/River Styx myth. The imagery alone was captivating, but the storyline around survivors' guilt and the metaphors for depression and finding the will to live will stick with me until it's my turn to cross. I enjoyed the subtle queer representation in a way that felt natural and realistic. This story additionally acts as a reminder that everyone grieves in different ways and yours is not necessary the most or least healthy. I will say, however, the ending was not for me. I felt robbed of significant closure for all characters, in a way that almost feels like a punishment.

Zan has served the Ferryman for 499 years and with only one more year left before he is freed he'd do anything to make sure he succeeded.... but if he fails to bring back this new soul then he'll lose his chance at freedom. Zan was a boy from ancient Greece who in a bid to save his mother's life made a bargain with the Ferryman, a god who eats souls.... in exchange for 500 years of service. Zan has managed to be get through 499 years and is so close to his freedom... until he meets Bastian. Bastian is grieving the car accident that killed his mother and has been ignoring his brother and using his own life insurance money to buy a crumbling bookstore. Bastian may have survived the crash but now in his sleep he finds himself facing death again... by entering into Zan's office where he collects the souls of the dying for processing for the Ferryman to consume. It should just be another processing job but for some reason Zan finds himself growing attached to Bastian and not ready to let him die... but if the ferryman finds out then it'll cost Zan his one chance at freedom but if he doesn't find a way to get the Ferryman off Bastian's back then it might spell the end for him. This was definitely a unique take on a Greek mythology story, blending present day with mythology. It's a unique story and while it missed the mark for me I think it would be an interesting one for other readers to enjoy. The pacing is fairly slow and the story arc feels a bit dragged on, but I would say for lovers of unique Greek mythologies, you should give it a try.

Release Date: September 24,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Page Street Publishing | Page Street YA for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This was definitely Bastian healing journey and I’m glad Zan was there to show him that his life was worth living after the car accident. I especially loved that we saw the process of Bash renovating and opening up the bookstore with the help of his friends who were his support system throughout everything 🥹.

As someone who reads sooo many mythology inspired books, this definitely peaked my interest & I stayed for the fresh take on how the underworld works.
I felt the author truly captured the message of
'everyone grieves differently', by having twins (Bastian and Dorian) as the main characters dealing with life after the tragic loss of their mother in completely opposite ways. I think this was approached so well, and definitely felt every bit of pain, guilt & anger both boys were experiencing through the pages...meaning I was emotional for a large portion of this book (be warned).
I've always enjoyed the Greek myths behind what comes after life & this version did not disappoint. Filled with all the darkness I wanted. However, I feel the transitions from Bastian in the living world, to the Styx could be a little confusing to begin with.
This one slightly reminded me of 'They Both Die at the End' with two boys forming a relationship with the pressure of death following them (or in this case the Ferryman chasing them!).

DNF at 22%
I went into this knowing there was greek mythology elements and it was gay and that was enough for me. However the greek mythology was pretty minimal, and it was VERY young adult, which is really hit or miss for me. I appreciated the themes of grief that were in this book, however the therapist giving breathing techniques for panic attacks was what finally made me stop. I can see why having a bad therapist was useful to drive home how much Bastian was struggling and that feeling of being alone. However, I would argue that having this portrayal reaffirms very prevalant and harmful myths that exist around mental health. As someone whose historically struggled with panic attacks, oh my god please do not tell him to breathe??? There's so many great coping mechanisms out there, and I think especially given the heavy themes and that it's meant for young folks, this was a missed opportunity to challenge the myths and show actually helpful ways to cope. Again, it's possible this was addressed later, but it frustrated me way too much, along with the very young tone, to continue on

Thanks to @pagestreetya and @netgalley for the ARC copy of At the End of the River Styx. As a fan of the romance genre and contemporary Greek mythology retellings, I was very interested in the premise of an Achillean paranormal romance between two teenage boys, one who is struggling with the guilt and grief of the recent loss of his mother and the other who is in the final year of his 500-year curse of working for the Ferryman of the River Styx. I found Bastian’s character to be compelling as he struggles to relate to his friends, schoolmates, and surviving family members, and Kulwiki handled his experiences with panic attacks and PTSD with sensitivity and care. I also appreciated how she showed how two people can experience the same life-altering experience as Bastian and his twin brother, Dorian, do and not process grief the same way. I loved the connection between Bastian and Zan and how they could not fight the pull they felt toward each other despite all the drawbacks and consequences. This book was an emotional and poignant read. I only wish the ending had been fairer to Zan, as my heart broke for him.

A boy who's involved in a car accident, that causes the d3ath of his mother.
Another boy who decides to completely give up his own life in order to save his mother.
Living in different worlds, but linked by strong feelings.
They will meet on the banks of the river Styx.

Witnessing something terrible, and try, in some way to find the strength to overcome it.
Giving up your whole life for your loved ones and living with this hardest choice you've ever made.

A tale of life and d3ath, survival, love and sacrifice,
about finding the strength to open up to someone else, the privilege to finally meet someone you can share your pain with, knowing that it will be understood, since you've been through similar experiences.
The sorrow you feel when you see everyone going on with their lives, while you're stuck in the past, you're considered the weird one because of this, and no one truly helps.
The acceptance that comes with finally opening up; loving someone, even knowing your relationship may be potentially doomed.
And finding the strength to go on again, despite your life not being where you wanted or thought it was supposed to be, the importance to find your own goals even if they're uncommon, not socially accepted, not conform to "the mass", and so they're considered poorly, and constantly brought into doubt.

I loved this book. The first half was an amazing, heartfelt, well-executed introduction to all the characters involved; afterwards, things progressed nicely.
The plot is quite simple, with lots of unforeseeable moments, cliffhangers and plot twists.

Do prepare a pack of tissues because there are a lot of feelings. I could easily put myself in the main characters' shoes; the topics touched are so heavy and important, well described, and well written, and not spoken lightly of.

The first thing I wondered about while reading, was what has the author gone through, to be able to deal with such sensitive topics so respectfully and faithfully. I think you must have lived through a lot of pain and sorrow to reach this point; and so, I saw myself in the main characters quite a lot, while rightly criticizing those who kept judging and not helping, pretended not to see pain and didn't truly act upon it, since it was surely more convenient not to do so. (In the end we get some change of pace: the character concerned attempts to redeem himself, but only after his brother finds strength on his own - and thanks to his love - so it's all pretty convenient.)

Writing's not simple, not easy to read, and that's perfectly fine, otherwise I feel it would have dimmed the heaviness of the plot.
There is nothing banal about this book.

I thank the author and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this amazing book!

This is one of those rare books that lingers long after you’ve finished. It’s not just a story you read; it’s an experience that resonates on a deep emotional level. For anyone who has grappled with grief and loss, like myself, this book becomes more than a story—it feels like a reflection of those emotions, even if the characters' journeys aren’t identical to our own.

Zan is bound to process lost souls for 500 years and Bastian is a young man drowning in grief. These two cross paths in soul purgatory. They form an unexpected connection, hiding in the memories of the dead to evade the Ferryman and trying to find a way to escape their respective fates.

Zan and Bastian's relationship is the heart of the novel, and Kulwicki does an incredible job of balancing supernatural elements with very human emotions. Zan’s longing for redemption and Bastian’s battle with survivor’s guilt are handled with such nuance. The bond is both tender and bittersweet, and as it deepens, you can’t help but feel every moment of tension, hope, and fear with them. This story doesn’t shy away from the rawness of loss but also offers moments of beauty and happiness. There’s a constant push and pull between life and death, love and loss, and it all builds toward a heart-wrenching choice that will leave you emotionally drained—in the best way possible.

The narrative feels grounded by the rawness of human emotion. I cried multiple times, both out of sadness and from the glimpses of hope that peek through. It’s a book that makes you feel deeply, and it’s impossible not to become invested.

This is a powerful exploration of what it means to survive grief, to hold on when it feels impossible, and the ways that love—whether romantic or familial—can be a lifeline. The themes of loss, survival, and the importance of connection make this book an intense, unforgettable read.

Highly recommend for those ready to feel deeply and reflect on the fragility and beauty of life.

Thanks to TBR and Beyond Tours and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.