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The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World
A powerful contemporary queer fantasy, perfect for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune.
Love doesn’t die; people do . . .
At the edge of Chicago, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a waystation for the dead. Every night, the newly departed travel through the city to the Station, guided by its lighthouse. There, they reckon with their lives before stepping aboard a boat to go beyond.
Nera has spent decades watching her father – the ferryman of the dead – sail across the lake, every night just like the last.
But tonight something is wrong.
The Station's lighthouse has started to flicker out. The terrifying, ghostly Haunts have multiplied in the city. And now a person – a living person – has found her way onto the boat.
Her name is Charlie. She followed a song. And she is searching for someone she lost.
A devastating story of magic, family and those who leave us – but who might not remain lost.
Love doesn’t die; people do . . .
At the edge of Chicago, nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a waystation for the dead. Every night, the newly departed travel through the city to the Station, guided by its lighthouse. There, they reckon with their lives before stepping aboard a boat to go beyond.
Nera has spent decades watching her father – the ferryman of the dead – sail across the lake, every night just like the last.
But tonight something is wrong.
The Station's lighthouse has started to flicker out. The terrifying, ghostly Haunts have multiplied in the city. And now a person – a living person – has found her way onto the boat.
Her name is Charlie. She followed a song. And she is searching for someone she lost.
A devastating story of magic, family and those who leave us – but who might not remain lost.
400 pages, ebook
First published July 29, 2025
133 people are currently reading
9568 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Dawson
7 books195 followersJ. R. Dawson (she/they) has published shorter works in places such as F&SF, Lightspeed, and The Year’s Best Science Fiction and Fantasy. She lives in Omaha with her spouse and three dogs in the middle of a city park. Having earned a BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul and an MFA in Creative Writing from Stonecoast, Dawson works at Nebraska Writers Collective and other Midwestern nonprofits that teach kids the power of performance and storytelling.
www.jrdawsonwriter.com
Twitter: @j_r_dawson
www.jrdawsonwriter.com
Twitter: @j_r_dawson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
June 8, 2025
Do you know that feeling when you read an emotional book and it just doesn't hit the way it should? That happened to me here. The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is a grief-filled book in which two living women navigate the realm of the dead, but it just never gripped me. I expected a lot from a waystation for the dead where souls spend time until they are ready to be ferried into the afterlife. I was thinking about the video game Spiritfarer immediately (amazing game, check it out), but the book didn't go into a fantastical direction all too much. It really reads more like a contemporary book than a fantasy, and maybe that was my main problem. There still is a lot of time spent in the waystation where Nera is the apprentice to her father, the ferryman of the dead. Together with their dogs they bring souls to the afterlife every day, but the job gets interrupted when the living woman Charlie appears on their boat. Charlie has been seeing ghosts for a while now, but she just can't find the one of her dead sister, so she impossibly stumbles into the waystation to find her. Nera promises to help her with her search and the two of them steadily learn more about the realm of the dead and its inhabitants. It was really strange to me how Nera seemed to know nothing of the place that she lived in for centuries. She was a blank page to me, with the way she learned everything as the story went on – first about her own world, then about the world of the living. I also didn't really like exploring the waystation itself, because it did not feel as ethereal as I imagine such a place to be. It might be because of the writing style that just never felt as lyrical as I was promised. It was more casual, and even vulgar during dialogue, altogether kinda clashing with the emotional vibe that was meant to be transported in this book. And I usually like talking animal companions in books, but the soul-guiding dogs were often used as comic reliefs, and I couldn't stand them if I'm honest. The story is about learning what it means to be alive when surrounded by death, about clinging to the past and letting go, but all progress felt really slow to me. Nera learns about the Jewish heritage of her father, but all information is only given piece by piece. Charlie's whole goal is finding her sister, but it just takes so long before the search even starts. I know that this book is also about the irreversibility of death, but it felt like it was promising things that then didn't happen. It didn't help that Charlie's plotline was a lot about music, because musical themes in books are almost always lost on me. That just shows again that I am the problem here. I don't think that this is a bad read whatsoever and I have no doubt that this book will mean a lot to many readers, but it was just not my thing for multiple reasons.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan / Tor for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan / Tor for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2025
A poignant novel about seeing the dead, and the business of getting them to where they need to go. But more, it's a novel for people who feel confused and lost, and who need to learn it isn't their fault. That it takes more than light to face all kinds of darkness.
I think this book is going to mean a lot to a lot of lucky readers.
I think this book is going to mean a lot to a lot of lucky readers.
did-not-finish
August 3, 2025DNF @ 76%
A tad too cozy romance for me and not as high stakes as I thought it'd be. The story definitely lost its magic when it really entrenched itself into melodrama.
This is definitely a "it's me, not you" situation. If you're into stories about interpersonal relationships with a fantasy backdrop (maybe for fans of The Midnight Library or The Time Traveler's Wife), then you might like this.
I'll add that the audiobook was well produced. The narrators fit both FMCs' personalities really well, and I also liked the small "Remnants" chapters in between.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Tor Books, and NetGalley for this arc.
A tad too cozy romance for me and not as high stakes as I thought it'd be. The story definitely lost its magic when it really entrenched itself into melodrama.
This is definitely a "it's me, not you" situation. If you're into stories about interpersonal relationships with a fantasy backdrop (maybe for fans of The Midnight Library or The Time Traveler's Wife), then you might like this.
I'll add that the audiobook was well produced. The narrators fit both FMCs' personalities really well, and I also liked the small "Remnants" chapters in between.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Tor Books, and NetGalley for this arc.
August 11, 2025
The Lighthouse At The End of the World was a book I had been looking forward to reading. The premise sounded interesting. The basic plot is that Nera, is the daughter of the ferryman for the dead. She has spent decades assisting her father helping souls to cross-over, and she encounters a real live young woman (Charlie) on their boat one night as it travels to the vail. Charlie, it turns out, is searching for her sister who was killed in a active shooter massacre in a mall. Also ever since the incident, Charlie can see ghosts.
Nera, who has never slept, never eaten, and never felt the warmth of someone else’s body next to them. She becomes captivated with Charlie. Nera dresses in Victorian-style clothes and has only had the company of her father and “the dogs” for the entirety of her life.
“Dogs arrived in the world just as people did. But dogs usually had an air of magic to them, as if they saw more than us”. It turns out that dogs accompany the souls as they get ready to depart…no one makes the transit alone.
The dogs may have been the best part of this story.
I found the character of Charlie difficult. She was the epitome of selfishness. Yes, I understand she has PTSD from the incident, and that when the shooting started, she sought cover while her sister panicked and ran…and her family blamed her for her sister’s death (yes, really), and we know this because she told us over and over again. I just got tired of listening to her, particularly when she would only accept things on her terms, regardless of whether it would hurt anyone else…even if it would keep other souls from crossing over and destroy her relationship with Nera.
Nera’s character was a joy, and I am sure that contrast was in the author’s mind. When she first discovers her feelings and how wonderful it can be with another person…that part of the story kept me going. As did some of the long-term soul residents who had been waiting for their loved ones before crossing over. The story had so much potential, and I enjoyed the first half of the book very much, but the last part of the book just did not work for me.
July 25, 2025
This book with wreck you.
I loved JR Dawson's THE FIRST BRIGHT THING, so I was eager to get my hands on this new book, and did not disappoint.
In THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, Nera is a daughter of the Station Master, helping to ferry dead souls beyond the veil in the shadowy world of the dead at the edge of Chicago. Charlie is a young woman in the real world navigating the new and horrible loss of her older sister. Armed with a new found ability to see the spirits of the dead, and the dogs who lead them safely home, Charlie crosses to the other world in search of her sister, determined to find her and bring her back.
It's a tale of Orpheus, yes, but also something more universal: a deep, powerful story about loss and letting go, the people we love -- and also the dogs that love us. JR Dawson laces kindness into every page, not in a way that is saccharine, but in a moving, 'I see you,' kind of way. You will definitely cry a few times before the end, but feel hopeful too that there is joy in living and all the simple things that come along with it: pizza, pups, music, and yes, even a brutal winter in Chicago if it means you can have spring.
Read this book -- ideally in a public place where strangers can see you go through all the feelings, because that's okay.
Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the advance reader copy!
I loved JR Dawson's THE FIRST BRIGHT THING, so I was eager to get my hands on this new book, and did not disappoint.
In THE LIGHTHOUSE AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, Nera is a daughter of the Station Master, helping to ferry dead souls beyond the veil in the shadowy world of the dead at the edge of Chicago. Charlie is a young woman in the real world navigating the new and horrible loss of her older sister. Armed with a new found ability to see the spirits of the dead, and the dogs who lead them safely home, Charlie crosses to the other world in search of her sister, determined to find her and bring her back.
It's a tale of Orpheus, yes, but also something more universal: a deep, powerful story about loss and letting go, the people we love -- and also the dogs that love us. JR Dawson laces kindness into every page, not in a way that is saccharine, but in a moving, 'I see you,' kind of way. You will definitely cry a few times before the end, but feel hopeful too that there is joy in living and all the simple things that come along with it: pizza, pups, music, and yes, even a brutal winter in Chicago if it means you can have spring.
Read this book -- ideally in a public place where strangers can see you go through all the feelings, because that's okay.
Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the advance reader copy!
May 12, 2025
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher at my place of employment (a bookstore) in exchange for an honest review.
How to talk about this book?
This is one of those books that breaks your heart and puts it back together again, over and over. I genuinely lost count of how many times I cried while reading it. It’s about grief, and survivor’s guilt, and the power of music and love, and how important it is to live, to experience life, even in the face of overwhelming grief.
It’s unashamedly queer, and the principle cast are Jewish, and it’s a contemporary fantasy set in the early 2000s in Chicago, with a magical light house and Lake Michigan as the river Styx and a ferryman and his daughter who tend to the souls of the dead. It’s Demi and Sapphic and poignant and heartbreaking.
I saw the twist coming a mile away, but that’s ok. It was more about the journey, anyway.
How to talk about this book?
This is one of those books that breaks your heart and puts it back together again, over and over. I genuinely lost count of how many times I cried while reading it. It’s about grief, and survivor’s guilt, and the power of music and love, and how important it is to live, to experience life, even in the face of overwhelming grief.
It’s unashamedly queer, and the principle cast are Jewish, and it’s a contemporary fantasy set in the early 2000s in Chicago, with a magical light house and Lake Michigan as the river Styx and a ferryman and his daughter who tend to the souls of the dead. It’s Demi and Sapphic and poignant and heartbreaking.
I saw the twist coming a mile away, but that’s ok. It was more about the journey, anyway.
Read
July 31, 2025DNF @ 15%
This just isn't working for me right now. The writing style isn't doing much for me, there's a focus on personal drama over worldbuilding, and I don't feel anything for the characters besides the occasional annoyance. I could finish it, but I doubt it would get higher than a three star, so this is where I'm leaving it. I wish I wasn't DNFing another ARC so soon after the last one, but forcing myself through this right now sounds terrible. Not rating.
This just isn't working for me right now. The writing style isn't doing much for me, there's a focus on personal drama over worldbuilding, and I don't feel anything for the characters besides the occasional annoyance. I could finish it, but I doubt it would get higher than a three star, so this is where I'm leaving it. I wish I wasn't DNFing another ARC so soon after the last one, but forcing myself through this right now sounds terrible. Not rating.
March 23, 2025
This was so poignant and beautiful and dazzling. Highly recommend.
December 10, 2025
Here is that "well thought out and beautiful review" (12.10.2025): I haven't read J. R. Dawson's debut yet, but this is her sophomore novel. And if her debut is anywhere near as good then I cannot wait to read it.
The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World begins in Nera's third person point of view, we get introduced to the dogs of the lighthouse, and then Nera sees Charlie in the water, and something about her or the situation, brings Nera a sense of identity, of self, beyond just the lighthouse.
One of my favorite things that Dawson does with this is at the end of the book, they only come to be together after they agree to a one year separation in order for them to find themselves independent of one another.
This book beautifully covers how tragedy affects (or can affect) a family and family dynamics, in both character's families. The entire afterlife set up is based around the Jewish afterlife and our beliefs, and I don't know how Dawson decided when to go deeper into the ferryman's backstory - but it just works. It's perfect.
A story of healing from trauma, discovering oneself and Jewish afterlife - this is quite possible one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
09.24.2025: I genuinely want to write a well thought out and beautiful review but like. I don't even really know how to put the feelings this book made me feel into words. ALSO - so happy that it got the matte-velvety feel treatment for the dust jacket - its my absolute favorite feeling on a book for some reason.
07.06.2025: pro tip - maybe don't read a book thats queer with jewish queer women thats literally about death and life on a roadtrip with your entire jewish family... cuz ya girl was c r y i n g.
anyway gonna need a minute lmao
The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World begins in Nera's third person point of view, we get introduced to the dogs of the lighthouse, and then Nera sees Charlie in the water, and something about her or the situation, brings Nera a sense of identity, of self, beyond just the lighthouse.
One of my favorite things that Dawson does with this is at the end of the book, they only come to be together after they agree to a one year separation in order for them to find themselves independent of one another.
This book beautifully covers how tragedy affects (or can affect) a family and family dynamics, in both character's families. The entire afterlife set up is based around the Jewish afterlife and our beliefs, and I don't know how Dawson decided when to go deeper into the ferryman's backstory - but it just works. It's perfect.
A story of healing from trauma, discovering oneself and Jewish afterlife - this is quite possible one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
09.24.2025: I genuinely want to write a well thought out and beautiful review but like. I don't even really know how to put the feelings this book made me feel into words. ALSO - so happy that it got the matte-velvety feel treatment for the dust jacket - its my absolute favorite feeling on a book for some reason.
07.06.2025: pro tip - maybe don't read a book thats queer with jewish queer women thats literally about death and life on a roadtrip with your entire jewish family... cuz ya girl was c r y i n g.
anyway gonna need a minute lmao
July 20, 2025
Got an arc from Libro.FM
JR Dawson continues to devastate me in the best possible way. I’m very open about the fact that I credit The First Bright Thing with getting me through my Grandmother’s death so I was like “maybe I won’t start sobbing this time?”
Ahahahahahahaha
No this is a gorgeous book. It’s about grief and magic and family and some damn good dogs, and the only reason I didn’t finish it sooner was I didn’t want it to end. It’s deeply magical and also intensely relatable and I need everyone to pick this up and sob with me.
JR Dawson continues to devastate me in the best possible way. I’m very open about the fact that I credit The First Bright Thing with getting me through my Grandmother’s death so I was like “maybe I won’t start sobbing this time?”
Ahahahahahahaha
No this is a gorgeous book. It’s about grief and magic and family and some damn good dogs, and the only reason I didn’t finish it sooner was I didn’t want it to end. It’s deeply magical and also intensely relatable and I need everyone to pick this up and sob with me.
August 12, 2025
What a refreshing plot this was! This is the tale of the River Styx, but make it urban and throw in a live person who finds herself able to see the crossing and ghosts. The ferryman who transports souls has been training his daughter to one day take over his job, her destiny. But when a living person finds her way to them while searching for the ghost of her loved one, their otherworldly routine is thrown for a dangerous loop. My favorite part of this plot are the dogs who are spiritual guides to the souls finding their way to the River to cross over. I just love the idea of the dogs having a higher purpose! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion. Great listen!
March 1, 2025
I received an advance copy via NetGalley. Also, the author is a friend, and I've highly anticipated this book!
A haunting study of grief, death, and the complexities of "moving on," Dawson posits an incredible lighthouse on the brink of Chicago and Lake Michigan. There, a station master on guard for over one hundred years, since the Fire, helps spirits make it to the nearby Veil each night. Nera is his daughter, raised among the dead, but never fully alive--not until a living woman named Charlie stumbled into the liminal space as she searches for her dead sister. A dark threat looms in the city beyond and the lighthouse itself seems to be failing, raising the stakes as the two women gradually fall in love.
This is a beautiful book. Some moments and lines are especially heart-wrenching. While the general themes resemble T.J. Klune's Under the Whispering Door, this is a very different book, and powerful in its own right.
A haunting study of grief, death, and the complexities of "moving on," Dawson posits an incredible lighthouse on the brink of Chicago and Lake Michigan. There, a station master on guard for over one hundred years, since the Fire, helps spirits make it to the nearby Veil each night. Nera is his daughter, raised among the dead, but never fully alive--not until a living woman named Charlie stumbled into the liminal space as she searches for her dead sister. A dark threat looms in the city beyond and the lighthouse itself seems to be failing, raising the stakes as the two women gradually fall in love.
This is a beautiful book. Some moments and lines are especially heart-wrenching. While the general themes resemble T.J. Klune's Under the Whispering Door, this is a very different book, and powerful in its own right.
April 26, 2025
4/18/2025. I was able to get this ARC from work. Now to fixate on one of the ARCs I'm happiest and most excited to start!!!
4/25/2025; Honestly, this read was so beautiful and heart wrenching. I loved every moment of reading this book.
4/25/2025; Honestly, this read was so beautiful and heart wrenching. I loved every moment of reading this book.
August 30, 2025
This book cracked my chest open and rummaged around to get to my childhood trauma, so... very successful!
It’s a story about grief, love, and family woven into a hauntingly beautiful queer contemporary fantasy. Dawson sets the stage on the shores of Lake Michigan, where a lighthouse guides the dead toward their final journey, but the light begins to falter, the demons rise, and one living girl slips aboard the ferryman’s boat in search of someone she’s lost.
What makes this book shine is how deeply personal it feels to me (and anyone who is very familiar with grief). The grief representation is some of the best I’ve read; it doesn’t feel clinical or performative, but lived-in, raw, and quite resonant. There are moments where I felt like my heart was actually living inside these pages. And the details! The dogs. Of course there would be dogs associated with the afterlife, and of course they’d be there to guide and comfort.
At its core, this is a love story, but not in the narrow sense. It’s about family, relationships, destiny, and hammers home that love doesn’t disappear when people do. It's all part of the grief process, and it hurts when it doesn't have anywhere to go. Dawson writes with a lyricism that makes you pause and reread lines just to let them sink in, and by the end I was fully convinced (again) that I’ll read anything they write.
Poignant, magical, and utterly heartfelt; this book is going to stay with me for a long time. And the audiobook is particularly good. I adored the narration and was so impressed with how DIFFERENT the voices for each character sounded. I do think that a tandem read is best because there is some different methods of communication that are a little more confusing with audio only.
Buddy read with the bestie. Thanks so much to the publisher for sending me two copies so that we could read them together and Mac Audio for the audiobook copy that meant that I could read faster (and thus WIN!) than him as I tandem read. ;)
It’s a story about grief, love, and family woven into a hauntingly beautiful queer contemporary fantasy. Dawson sets the stage on the shores of Lake Michigan, where a lighthouse guides the dead toward their final journey, but the light begins to falter, the demons rise, and one living girl slips aboard the ferryman’s boat in search of someone she’s lost.
What makes this book shine is how deeply personal it feels to me (and anyone who is very familiar with grief). The grief representation is some of the best I’ve read; it doesn’t feel clinical or performative, but lived-in, raw, and quite resonant. There are moments where I felt like my heart was actually living inside these pages. And the details! The dogs. Of course there would be dogs associated with the afterlife, and of course they’d be there to guide and comfort.
At its core, this is a love story, but not in the narrow sense. It’s about family, relationships, destiny, and hammers home that love doesn’t disappear when people do. It's all part of the grief process, and it hurts when it doesn't have anywhere to go. Dawson writes with a lyricism that makes you pause and reread lines just to let them sink in, and by the end I was fully convinced (again) that I’ll read anything they write.
Poignant, magical, and utterly heartfelt; this book is going to stay with me for a long time. And the audiobook is particularly good. I adored the narration and was so impressed with how DIFFERENT the voices for each character sounded. I do think that a tandem read is best because there is some different methods of communication that are a little more confusing with audio only.
Buddy read with the bestie. Thanks so much to the publisher for sending me two copies so that we could read them together and Mac Audio for the audiobook copy that meant that I could read faster (and thus WIN!) than him as I tandem read. ;)
November 17, 2025
Ghosts? Believable.
Dogs guiding ghosts to the afterlife? Believable.
A whole ass demon? Believable.
Nera drinking hot chocolate right after eating pizza and not sh*tting herself? Unbelievable.
Dogs guiding ghosts to the afterlife? Believable.
A whole ass demon? Believable.
Nera drinking hot chocolate right after eating pizza and not sh*tting herself? Unbelievable.
July 24, 2025
Thank you to Tor UK and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think this is the most beautiful book I've read this year and I need more people to read and talk about it.
As someone who is grieving a loss, this book was painful but also helpful. It is a stunning story about the impact of grief but also the hope for life and the power of enduring love.
Following Charlie, who is trying to come to terms with what death means, and Nera, who is finally coming alive, it creates a rich and wonderful world where grief and joy walk hand in hand. It's about finding yourself again after loss and learning to deal with a world that is irrevocably changed while still holding onto those you have loved.
This book will break your heart into pieces but then put it back together perfectly, if not a little bit better than before.
This is what I want from contemporary fantasy: beautiful prose, a heartfelt story, beautiful characters, and talking dogs.
I honestly can't recommend it enough. Just make sure you have tissues to hand.
I think this is the most beautiful book I've read this year and I need more people to read and talk about it.
As someone who is grieving a loss, this book was painful but also helpful. It is a stunning story about the impact of grief but also the hope for life and the power of enduring love.
Following Charlie, who is trying to come to terms with what death means, and Nera, who is finally coming alive, it creates a rich and wonderful world where grief and joy walk hand in hand. It's about finding yourself again after loss and learning to deal with a world that is irrevocably changed while still holding onto those you have loved.
This book will break your heart into pieces but then put it back together perfectly, if not a little bit better than before.
This is what I want from contemporary fantasy: beautiful prose, a heartfelt story, beautiful characters, and talking dogs.
I honestly can't recommend it enough. Just make sure you have tissues to hand.
July 31, 2025
3.75!
Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the e-arc, all thoughts are my own
Trapped in a Station that guides the souls across the Veil to the world-to-come, Nera is the Station Master’s daughter, neither alive nor dead. Her Father, wrapped in a distance of his own, teaches her to guide the souls, to never look them in the eye or learn their name, and that the Station must always be lit to fend off the Haunts - souls who never made it to the Station to pass. But when Charlie barrels her way onto the ferry of the dead, Nera’s life is changed. She determines to help Charlie find her sister, for closure, if she can help Nera understand why the Station lighthouse keeps dimming.
What follows is a tale with mythological elements, with moments of Greek tragedy a la Orpheus and Eurydice. It’s tender and aiming to pluck at the heartstrings, with a supplementary queer romance that lightens the tale.
This was so close to being the gripping, emotional page turner I wanted. There were moments where the scene unfurled perfectly, the prose hit just right, and the sentiment snagged my heart strings - but there were just a few too many moments when the beauty of the prose overtook the pacing of the actual story. We truly don’t really get any progress on the plot until about 45% in, and while the premise in itself is stunning, and a heart-rending story, and a necessary rumination on powerful questions, keen-edges things that humans don’t like to think about, I wanted more drive in the plot to keep things ticking over and keep me fully present in the depth of it. (But who doesn’t love magic dogs who guide us all to the Veil? Some might say this de-aged the book, but it was a sweet addition and if I get greeted by a grim reaper dog when it’s my time, I’ll be thrilled.)
However, setting that aside, this is undoubtedly a story of grief. Of love. Of the pain of loss and the ease of locking yourself away from pain, but that means locking yourself out of life, too. It is a tender rumination on how to cope when you lose a love one, and the complex, inevitable dance that all living things do with death.
I loved Nera’s compassion, her learned zeal for life. I found her journey from in-between alive and dead to in awe of the world around her charming and sad at the same time. Her reclamation of her own destiny, and her self, was lovely. In contrast, Charlie’s distress, the pain of losing her sister was suitably hard to read at points for how well it conveys the unbearable weight of something unbearably heavy. Their connection felt strained and heavy at times, naturally, as it is occasionally beyond tough to navigate grief - but Nera learns what it means to love, and live, for herself, and offers Charlie the homecoming presence she so desperately needs. Charlie’s slow acceptance of her loss aches in a tangible way, her struggle so cleverly depicted and so believably heavy. But there is always light, always a way out.
I do think, at times, the dedication of the prose to beauty, to Big Ruminations, took a little away from the actual reading experience of this as a book with conflicts and structure and character development and plot points to hit, and threads to pull to unwind the mystery of why there’s a demon in the Water Tower, why there’s a Station that needs a Station Master to guide souls across the Veil, and where Charlie’s sister Sammy is. I understand that this is a great, sweeping exercise in musing on life and love. And that to have one is to inevitably lose it. But when I consider the overall shape of this book, it feels… saggy. Just a little. I also think that every now and then the dialogue clashed with the intense emotional charge of the prose, and de-aged the book a touch.
While I found the flashbacks from the journal that Nera discovers engaging (and painful) and they helped illuminate the present, these threads were lost the further we went on, and they only started giving us backstory about 50% of the way through. I found Nera’s father’s story, for being so central to the plot and the conflict that Charlie and Nera face, was not given the weight it should have been given. I never really felt connected to him as the novel wanted me to, because of the way he’d been written: a plot choice, deliberately made, ensured he was kept emotionally separate from both his past and Nera. I would have liked more depth given back to him, or a bit more depth from him in general, considering his story is why we’re in Nera’s shoes to begin with. I found that the first half of the story’s pacing was slow, eager to spend time on details, on things that said “look, this is emotional” and while, yes, often they were poetic examinations of hard hitting feelings, situations, states of being, the latter half of the novel dwelled on moments of importance for a few lines. There were pivotal events that happened wherein we didn’t even experience them on page (to do with Nera’s father’s past.) And dramatic sequences of events which received a few lines of action compared to the near chapter spent in the Gift Room earlier on in the novel.
It seemed like, at times, the story itself got a little lost in its own sentimentality.
But Charlie’s representation was haunting in itself. This is all about the ghosts we carry, whether they are peaceful or whether they are Haunts with unfinished business. It is about learning to live with pain, with grief, to have unanswered questions and regrets. Charlie is plagued with guilt, and seeing her journey to work through that guilt is a true exploration of how to recover from loss. That’s where the poignancy comes from.
Niggles aside, this was a tender and sad contemporary fantasy, which will undoubtedly be a balm to those who are grieving. It is a sweet first romance (with delightful unexpected Demi rep) with big aspirations and a whole bucket of love as it’s driver. Though I do wish we could lose 50 pages from the beginning half, to make the premise hit with the impact that I think it truly deserves.
Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the e-arc, all thoughts are my own
Trapped in a Station that guides the souls across the Veil to the world-to-come, Nera is the Station Master’s daughter, neither alive nor dead. Her Father, wrapped in a distance of his own, teaches her to guide the souls, to never look them in the eye or learn their name, and that the Station must always be lit to fend off the Haunts - souls who never made it to the Station to pass. But when Charlie barrels her way onto the ferry of the dead, Nera’s life is changed. She determines to help Charlie find her sister, for closure, if she can help Nera understand why the Station lighthouse keeps dimming.
What follows is a tale with mythological elements, with moments of Greek tragedy a la Orpheus and Eurydice. It’s tender and aiming to pluck at the heartstrings, with a supplementary queer romance that lightens the tale.
This was so close to being the gripping, emotional page turner I wanted. There were moments where the scene unfurled perfectly, the prose hit just right, and the sentiment snagged my heart strings - but there were just a few too many moments when the beauty of the prose overtook the pacing of the actual story. We truly don’t really get any progress on the plot until about 45% in, and while the premise in itself is stunning, and a heart-rending story, and a necessary rumination on powerful questions, keen-edges things that humans don’t like to think about, I wanted more drive in the plot to keep things ticking over and keep me fully present in the depth of it. (But who doesn’t love magic dogs who guide us all to the Veil? Some might say this de-aged the book, but it was a sweet addition and if I get greeted by a grim reaper dog when it’s my time, I’ll be thrilled.)
However, setting that aside, this is undoubtedly a story of grief. Of love. Of the pain of loss and the ease of locking yourself away from pain, but that means locking yourself out of life, too. It is a tender rumination on how to cope when you lose a love one, and the complex, inevitable dance that all living things do with death.
I loved Nera’s compassion, her learned zeal for life. I found her journey from in-between alive and dead to in awe of the world around her charming and sad at the same time. Her reclamation of her own destiny, and her self, was lovely. In contrast, Charlie’s distress, the pain of losing her sister was suitably hard to read at points for how well it conveys the unbearable weight of something unbearably heavy. Their connection felt strained and heavy at times, naturally, as it is occasionally beyond tough to navigate grief - but Nera learns what it means to love, and live, for herself, and offers Charlie the homecoming presence she so desperately needs. Charlie’s slow acceptance of her loss aches in a tangible way, her struggle so cleverly depicted and so believably heavy. But there is always light, always a way out.
I do think, at times, the dedication of the prose to beauty, to Big Ruminations, took a little away from the actual reading experience of this as a book with conflicts and structure and character development and plot points to hit, and threads to pull to unwind the mystery of why there’s a demon in the Water Tower, why there’s a Station that needs a Station Master to guide souls across the Veil, and where Charlie’s sister Sammy is. I understand that this is a great, sweeping exercise in musing on life and love. And that to have one is to inevitably lose it. But when I consider the overall shape of this book, it feels… saggy. Just a little. I also think that every now and then the dialogue clashed with the intense emotional charge of the prose, and de-aged the book a touch.
While I found the flashbacks from the journal that Nera discovers engaging (and painful) and they helped illuminate the present, these threads were lost the further we went on, and they only started giving us backstory about 50% of the way through. I found Nera’s father’s story, for being so central to the plot and the conflict that Charlie and Nera face, was not given the weight it should have been given. I never really felt connected to him as the novel wanted me to, because of the way he’d been written: a plot choice, deliberately made, ensured he was kept emotionally separate from both his past and Nera. I would have liked more depth given back to him, or a bit more depth from him in general, considering his story is why we’re in Nera’s shoes to begin with. I found that the first half of the story’s pacing was slow, eager to spend time on details, on things that said “look, this is emotional” and while, yes, often they were poetic examinations of hard hitting feelings, situations, states of being, the latter half of the novel dwelled on moments of importance for a few lines. There were pivotal events that happened wherein we didn’t even experience them on page (to do with Nera’s father’s past.) And dramatic sequences of events which received a few lines of action compared to the near chapter spent in the Gift Room earlier on in the novel.
It seemed like, at times, the story itself got a little lost in its own sentimentality.
But Charlie’s representation was haunting in itself. This is all about the ghosts we carry, whether they are peaceful or whether they are Haunts with unfinished business. It is about learning to live with pain, with grief, to have unanswered questions and regrets. Charlie is plagued with guilt, and seeing her journey to work through that guilt is a true exploration of how to recover from loss. That’s where the poignancy comes from.
Niggles aside, this was a tender and sad contemporary fantasy, which will undoubtedly be a balm to those who are grieving. It is a sweet first romance (with delightful unexpected Demi rep) with big aspirations and a whole bucket of love as it’s driver. Though I do wish we could lose 50 pages from the beginning half, to make the premise hit with the impact that I think it truly deserves.
July 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ I very much enjoyed this book - equally poetic and existential, while also tackling the very difficult topics of religion, the afterlife, queer acceptance, grief (child loss specifically) and tumultuous family relationships. The author has an enticing prose and the narrators did an INCREDIBLE job breathing life (pun intended) into the characters!
A lot is covered in this story and there are several genre categories it can fall into; I want to address each as best I can because this truly is a wonderfully layered novel.
LGBTQ+/Romance - Firstly, the heart of this book is a romance AND the two most notable romances in the book are queer (ff and mm). Showcasing both ends of the spectrum - closeted, fearful, at-risk and accepting, exploratory, joyful - the author did a wonderful job of making each of these pairings feel integral to the plot and heartache-y. I absolutely adored the love that blossomed between our FMCs, and I won't go into detail about the other pair (spoilers) but it was heartbreaking.
Contemporary Fiction - Even though the lighthouse and its caretakers are set in modern day Chicago, IL (Lake Michigan), we get a great deal of flashbacks and period-piece characters. I found this both engaging and a fun dynamic as we got both quirky dialogue and what felt like organically given plot development.
Fantasy/Supernatural - Talking dogs, static "undead" monsters, light magic, entertaining ghosts, portals to different planes (of existence? dimensions?), the underworld vs overworld, historical points in time used as sources of the birth of certain magics - this book checks all the boxes as far as meeting the fantasy/supernatural requirements.
There were two small things that kept me from giving this a 5 ⭐️rating and those were: our adult FMCs often acted childish or ridiculously selfish and I wish there had been a greater emphasis on content warnings (triggers, etc.) at the beginning of the book. It feels nit-picky to point out the childish/selfish aspects of the FMCs but there were several occasions where I rolled my eyes and wondered how these grown women, albeit in incredibly dire or fantastical situations, were behaving so silly given the subject matter, high stakes and constant compromises with each other. I listened to an ALC of this book, so I hope the printed book has some sort of warning or mention to the very heavy subject matter covered in this story. ⚠️ I'll list as many as I can recall here now: child loss, loss of child to gun violence, public place gun violence, murder, closeted queer characters, religious homophobia, religious trauma, PTSD (gun-related), family grief, survivors guilt (HEAVY), death, depictions of the afterlife, and probably a few more that I'm unfortunately forgetting. ⚠️
Overall, I was rapt by this story, its characters and the incredible journey it took us on - from the shores of Lake Michigan all the way to the Lighthouse at the Edge of the World.
✍️🏻 J.R. Dawson
📖 Tor Books
🗣 Lindsey Dorcus & Mara Wilson
🎧 Macmillan Audio
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book early and share my honest review. All reviews will be posted to my socials (Netgalley, Goodreads, Fable, IG).
A lot is covered in this story and there are several genre categories it can fall into; I want to address each as best I can because this truly is a wonderfully layered novel.
LGBTQ+/Romance - Firstly, the heart of this book is a romance AND the two most notable romances in the book are queer (ff and mm). Showcasing both ends of the spectrum - closeted, fearful, at-risk and accepting, exploratory, joyful - the author did a wonderful job of making each of these pairings feel integral to the plot and heartache-y. I absolutely adored the love that blossomed between our FMCs, and I won't go into detail about the other pair (spoilers) but it was heartbreaking.
Contemporary Fiction - Even though the lighthouse and its caretakers are set in modern day Chicago, IL (Lake Michigan), we get a great deal of flashbacks and period-piece characters. I found this both engaging and a fun dynamic as we got both quirky dialogue and what felt like organically given plot development.
Fantasy/Supernatural - Talking dogs, static "undead" monsters, light magic, entertaining ghosts, portals to different planes (of existence? dimensions?), the underworld vs overworld, historical points in time used as sources of the birth of certain magics - this book checks all the boxes as far as meeting the fantasy/supernatural requirements.
There were two small things that kept me from giving this a 5 ⭐️rating and those were: our adult FMCs often acted childish or ridiculously selfish and I wish there had been a greater emphasis on content warnings (triggers, etc.) at the beginning of the book. It feels nit-picky to point out the childish/selfish aspects of the FMCs but there were several occasions where I rolled my eyes and wondered how these grown women, albeit in incredibly dire or fantastical situations, were behaving so silly given the subject matter, high stakes and constant compromises with each other. I listened to an ALC of this book, so I hope the printed book has some sort of warning or mention to the very heavy subject matter covered in this story. ⚠️ I'll list as many as I can recall here now: child loss, loss of child to gun violence, public place gun violence, murder, closeted queer characters, religious homophobia, religious trauma, PTSD (gun-related), family grief, survivors guilt (HEAVY), death, depictions of the afterlife, and probably a few more that I'm unfortunately forgetting. ⚠️
Overall, I was rapt by this story, its characters and the incredible journey it took us on - from the shores of Lake Michigan all the way to the Lighthouse at the Edge of the World.
✍️🏻 J.R. Dawson
📖 Tor Books
🗣 Lindsey Dorcus & Mara Wilson
🎧 Macmillan Audio
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book early and share my honest review. All reviews will be posted to my socials (Netgalley, Goodreads, Fable, IG).
July 31, 2025
There is a lighthouse located on the shores of Lake Michigan, and it is a waystation for the dead. Each night, dogs of the city guide the ghosts of the newly dead to the lighthouse, where they are taken across the lake by the Ferryman.
But, one night, Charlie, still deeply grieving her sister Sam's death, and who can see the dead, stumbles across a dog, whom she can understand. This intrigues her so much, she follows the dog to the lighthouse, where she meets the Ferryman and his daughter Nera.
Charlie wants to find her Sam's ghost so she can say goodbye properly, but the Ferryman won't help her, as he wants no contact with the living. Nera promises to help Charlie, and together, she and Charlie learn about the world of the dead, filled with benign ghosts, and the malevolent haunts.
Nera also learns of her father's past, and together she and Charlie piece together what the haunts mean, while Nera gets ready to assume the role of Ferryman.
While I really enjoyed J.R. Dawson's previous title, "The First Bright Thing", I found this story less compelling. It's nothing to do with the elements: ghosts, talking dogs, grief, romance, and the weirdness of the waystation, but for whatever reason, these never really came together for me in a way that left me moved and totally engaged.
I think I was a little surprised that Nera had little curiosity about the wider world. And, even though I knew she and Charlie would become involved, I did not feel their connection as much as I think I was supposed to.
I did love how music is inextricably tied into this story, and how Charlie's playing of Sam's piano seemed to settle and strengthen the power of the lighthouse. I also loved the dogs (dogs!) who were guides to the dead--what a great idea, especially as I was reminded of how dogs have worked as sheepherders for centuries.
I think that because I very early on guessed the identity behind the major haunt that the revelation much later in the book did not surprise me.
I did, however, appreciate how the author wove so much real world heavy stuff into the story (loss of a child to violence, homophobia, guilt, etc.) into what I thought was going to be a more dreamy story, instead grounding it and giving it some real darkness and heft.
I listened to this story, and liked the voice work by Lindsey Dorcus and Mara Wilson, with each inhabiting the two main characters. I liked the emotion they brought to the roles, and the essential silliness and enthusiasm of the dogs.
I wish I had loved this book, but I'm eager to read what this author comes up with next.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review.
But, one night, Charlie, still deeply grieving her sister Sam's death, and who can see the dead, stumbles across a dog, whom she can understand. This intrigues her so much, she follows the dog to the lighthouse, where she meets the Ferryman and his daughter Nera.
Charlie wants to find her Sam's ghost so she can say goodbye properly, but the Ferryman won't help her, as he wants no contact with the living. Nera promises to help Charlie, and together, she and Charlie learn about the world of the dead, filled with benign ghosts, and the malevolent haunts.
Nera also learns of her father's past, and together she and Charlie piece together what the haunts mean, while Nera gets ready to assume the role of Ferryman.
While I really enjoyed J.R. Dawson's previous title, "The First Bright Thing", I found this story less compelling. It's nothing to do with the elements: ghosts, talking dogs, grief, romance, and the weirdness of the waystation, but for whatever reason, these never really came together for me in a way that left me moved and totally engaged.
I think I was a little surprised that Nera had little curiosity about the wider world. And, even though I knew she and Charlie would become involved, I did not feel their connection as much as I think I was supposed to.
I did love how music is inextricably tied into this story, and how Charlie's playing of Sam's piano seemed to settle and strengthen the power of the lighthouse. I also loved the dogs (dogs!) who were guides to the dead--what a great idea, especially as I was reminded of how dogs have worked as sheepherders for centuries.
I think that because I very early on guessed the identity behind the major haunt that the revelation much later in the book did not surprise me.
I did, however, appreciate how the author wove so much real world heavy stuff into the story (loss of a child to violence, homophobia, guilt, etc.) into what I thought was going to be a more dreamy story, instead grounding it and giving it some real darkness and heft.
I listened to this story, and liked the voice work by Lindsey Dorcus and Mara Wilson, with each inhabiting the two main characters. I liked the emotion they brought to the roles, and the essential silliness and enthusiasm of the dogs.
I wish I had loved this book, but I'm eager to read what this author comes up with next.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review.
July 14, 2025
3.75
Oh how I wanted to like this more than I did. The short and sweet of it: I have mixed feelings about this book.
This is a really unique (new?) adult urban fantasy story that is queer and full of grief. On the surface, it's right up my alley. You know I love grief books, and this one in particular is all about music. At times I was so compelled by these characters, and I really loved the general concept too. It has a bit of unconventional story telling, some nice flashbacks, weird POVs. And again, I can't get enough of mid-twenties books. It had everything going for it.
So then why do I feel so...meh?
I do think most of my meh-ness comes down to personal preference. As far as writing goes, I don't know that I'd change very much, and I don't know that it needs a lot of editing. The voice is strong, the plot is decent, the characters are really quite good. But at the end of the day, I felt like this just did not hit me the way I wanted it to. It often came across as cheesy and a bit...younger than I was hoping for. The problem here is that I just could not figure out how to feel about it. For all the things I really enjoyed about it - the 2005 Chicago setting (sorry, NWI kid here), the LESBIANS (!!!!!), the endearing talking dogs - I also just felt like I wanted something...more. I think the first half was way stronger than the second half, and that ending is not quite what I wanted. I don't know!! It's like every time I finally sank in and felt like it was heading in a new direction, it swerved into a new lane that I didn't really love.
All that said, I do think the lesbians SHINED in this story. They had such a lovely romance, and I loved all the Orpheus and Eurydice implications. Fantastic, huge win for gay people everywhere.
As far as comp titles go, I think this felt like a mixture between Miyazaki x Mike Flanagan x The Expert of Subtle Revisions x Hadestown x a Disney movie. Which is, all in all, not a bad batch of comps.
Not sure this review helps anybody because I do not have any strong thoughts on this, but it had its moments! I think for certain people it will hit super hard, but it just didn't make a lasting impression on me. Glad it exists though!!
Oh how I wanted to like this more than I did. The short and sweet of it: I have mixed feelings about this book.
This is a really unique (new?) adult urban fantasy story that is queer and full of grief. On the surface, it's right up my alley. You know I love grief books, and this one in particular is all about music. At times I was so compelled by these characters, and I really loved the general concept too. It has a bit of unconventional story telling, some nice flashbacks, weird POVs. And again, I can't get enough of mid-twenties books. It had everything going for it.
So then why do I feel so...meh?
I do think most of my meh-ness comes down to personal preference. As far as writing goes, I don't know that I'd change very much, and I don't know that it needs a lot of editing. The voice is strong, the plot is decent, the characters are really quite good. But at the end of the day, I felt like this just did not hit me the way I wanted it to. It often came across as cheesy and a bit...younger than I was hoping for. The problem here is that I just could not figure out how to feel about it. For all the things I really enjoyed about it - the 2005 Chicago setting (sorry, NWI kid here), the LESBIANS (!!!!!), the endearing talking dogs - I also just felt like I wanted something...more. I think the first half was way stronger than the second half, and that ending is not quite what I wanted. I don't know!! It's like every time I finally sank in and felt like it was heading in a new direction, it swerved into a new lane that I didn't really love.
All that said, I do think the lesbians SHINED in this story. They had such a lovely romance, and I loved all the Orpheus and Eurydice implications. Fantastic, huge win for gay people everywhere.
As far as comp titles go, I think this felt like a mixture between Miyazaki x Mike Flanagan x The Expert of Subtle Revisions x Hadestown x a Disney movie. Which is, all in all, not a bad batch of comps.
Not sure this review helps anybody because I do not have any strong thoughts on this, but it had its moments! I think for certain people it will hit super hard, but it just didn't make a lasting impression on me. Glad it exists though!!
August 8, 2025
*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*
"Every soul is its own universe."
"Music was more than sound. Music could carry the power to beckon the living to the dead."
"...we say the names of the dead...They're not forgotten ever because there is power in a name. It is the shape of who a soul is."
We all have our beliefs. Even not believing is a belief. But we all grieve. The wondrously written The Lighthouse At The Edge Of The World, by poignant author J.R. Dawson, is a contemporary fantasy that guides us through the journey of grief when our souls go to the other side. It's also a queer love story. Actually two. One hidden. One discovered. Both forged in grief.
Nera is the daughter of the Ferryman, leading the dead souls through the veil that separates them from the living. But on this night for the first time the lighthouse guiding the boat is flickering and nothing will ever be the same.
After her sister Sammie's tragic death, Charlie sees ghosts but not Sammie. She searches for her and hears a song only her sister would know. Following the song she finds herself at the lighthouse where the living can't be...she can't see Sammie but she does see Nera.
Voice actresses Lindsay Dorcus
Mara Wilson break our hearts with the visceral pain their voices evoke. They also make us smile through the tears with their hard won revelations.
This story is a gift. Dogs lead our souls to the veil...the best. We get the gift room. A soul gets to send a gift to a loved one to let them know they are ok. A butterfly, a bird, even a song. There's an elderly husband who wants his wife to know, "I want her to know I will know her when I see her...I hope they let me remember her on the other side."
There's grief, but joy. Anger but love. And always hope. Let The Lighthouse At The Edge Of The World guide you through it.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from MacMillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
"Every soul is its own universe."
"Music was more than sound. Music could carry the power to beckon the living to the dead."
"...we say the names of the dead...They're not forgotten ever because there is power in a name. It is the shape of who a soul is."
We all have our beliefs. Even not believing is a belief. But we all grieve. The wondrously written The Lighthouse At The Edge Of The World, by poignant author J.R. Dawson, is a contemporary fantasy that guides us through the journey of grief when our souls go to the other side. It's also a queer love story. Actually two. One hidden. One discovered. Both forged in grief.
Nera is the daughter of the Ferryman, leading the dead souls through the veil that separates them from the living. But on this night for the first time the lighthouse guiding the boat is flickering and nothing will ever be the same.
After her sister Sammie's tragic death, Charlie sees ghosts but not Sammie. She searches for her and hears a song only her sister would know. Following the song she finds herself at the lighthouse where the living can't be...she can't see Sammie but she does see Nera.
Voice actresses Lindsay Dorcus
Mara Wilson break our hearts with the visceral pain their voices evoke. They also make us smile through the tears with their hard won revelations.
This story is a gift. Dogs lead our souls to the veil...the best. We get the gift room. A soul gets to send a gift to a loved one to let them know they are ok. A butterfly, a bird, even a song. There's an elderly husband who wants his wife to know, "I want her to know I will know her when I see her...I hope they let me remember her on the other side."
There's grief, but joy. Anger but love. And always hope. Let The Lighthouse At The Edge Of The World guide you through it.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from MacMillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 3, 2025
This is a beautiful book that explores death, grief, and love. There are also talking dogs that protect souls as they make their final trip through the veil, and if that's not enough to pique your interest, I don't know what to tell you.
This novel is told from two POVs: Charlie, a girl drowning in grief after the senseless death of her sister, and Nera, the daughter of the lighthouse keeper who ferries souls through the veil. It should be impossible for Charlie to find the lighthouse, but she stumbles upon it while following the notes of her sister's unfinished song.
When Nera agrees to help vibrant and oh-so-very-alive Charlie learn if her sister passed through the veil or is trapped by the terrifying haunts that stalk Chicago's streets, the last thing she expects is to fall in love.
Charlie's grief is so raw and so real. I think anyone who has lost someone close to them will recognize this grief. It was impossible for me not to empathize with Charlie’s desperation. Everything Nera knows about the living world she learned through memories of the souls that visit the lighthouse. Her wonder and excitement about the world of the living is infectious. Her joy in hearing about Chicago’s streets, their deep dish pizza, the zoo - all the little things we take for granted are so awe-inspiring to someone who has only viewed the skyline from afar. If you’re from Chicago or visit Chicago regularly (like me), you will appreciate how much the city itself is a character in this book.
I wouldn't call this a fast paced book, but my goodness did the ending have me on the edge of my seat. If you want an exploration of grief and sapphic love, or if you love dogs or the musical Hadestown, this is for you!
I received an eARC from Tor Books. Opinions are my own.
This novel is told from two POVs: Charlie, a girl drowning in grief after the senseless death of her sister, and Nera, the daughter of the lighthouse keeper who ferries souls through the veil. It should be impossible for Charlie to find the lighthouse, but she stumbles upon it while following the notes of her sister's unfinished song.
When Nera agrees to help vibrant and oh-so-very-alive Charlie learn if her sister passed through the veil or is trapped by the terrifying haunts that stalk Chicago's streets, the last thing she expects is to fall in love.
Charlie's grief is so raw and so real. I think anyone who has lost someone close to them will recognize this grief. It was impossible for me not to empathize with Charlie’s desperation. Everything Nera knows about the living world she learned through memories of the souls that visit the lighthouse. Her wonder and excitement about the world of the living is infectious. Her joy in hearing about Chicago’s streets, their deep dish pizza, the zoo - all the little things we take for granted are so awe-inspiring to someone who has only viewed the skyline from afar. If you’re from Chicago or visit Chicago regularly (like me), you will appreciate how much the city itself is a character in this book.
I wouldn't call this a fast paced book, but my goodness did the ending have me on the edge of my seat. If you want an exploration of grief and sapphic love, or if you love dogs or the musical Hadestown, this is for you!
I received an eARC from Tor Books. Opinions are my own.
September 20, 2025
I was so excited when I saw this book advertised to me, but almost as soon as I started reading it, I was pissed I'd spent as much money as I did ON A KINDLE EBOOK VERSION! Not even a physical copy!
This book reads like the second draft of a moody tenth grader's first "novel." I can't believe it's being advertised as serious adult fiction. None of the characters feel real; they don't talk or behave like people. The plot is a mishmash of stolen B-plots and tropes from better-known books and movies and shows that I won't name here because it doesn't do any of them justice. The writing is so heavy with purple prose and cliches I found myself rolling my eyes at least once a page. I hated this book so much, which is beyond disappointing because the description of it sounds so interesting. I would not have finished it if I hadn't paid for it. Do not waste your time with this one. Or, if you do, make sure it's a library book or a pirated copy because it's not worth any amount of money.
This book reads like the second draft of a moody tenth grader's first "novel." I can't believe it's being advertised as serious adult fiction. None of the characters feel real; they don't talk or behave like people. The plot is a mishmash of stolen B-plots and tropes from better-known books and movies and shows that I won't name here because it doesn't do any of them justice. The writing is so heavy with purple prose and cliches I found myself rolling my eyes at least once a page. I hated this book so much, which is beyond disappointing because the description of it sounds so interesting. I would not have finished it if I hadn't paid for it. Do not waste your time with this one. Or, if you do, make sure it's a library book or a pirated copy because it's not worth any amount of money.
January 17, 2026
3.5 Stars
The premise of the story was clever and at the outset, felt very intriguing—the afterlife Ferryman’s daughter discovering a living person in their domain who had accidentally crossed the border. The first part of the novel was promising; unfortunately, it fizzled in the middle, briefly regained momentum with a pocket of hopeful storytelling, and ultimately petered out.
I suspect the drawn-out narrative dragged the flow of the story, making it tedious to fully engage with. The prose in the middle section felt repetitive and overwritten, which eventually grated on me when the subject matter did not seem to develop or move in any direction (good or bad).
Lastly, for me personally, the climax of the story felt like inconsistent worldbuilding, which inevitably broke my suspension of disbelief.
All in all, it had the bones of a great story.
The premise of the story was clever and at the outset, felt very intriguing—the afterlife Ferryman’s daughter discovering a living person in their domain who had accidentally crossed the border. The first part of the novel was promising; unfortunately, it fizzled in the middle, briefly regained momentum with a pocket of hopeful storytelling, and ultimately petered out.
I suspect the drawn-out narrative dragged the flow of the story, making it tedious to fully engage with. The prose in the middle section felt repetitive and overwritten, which eventually grated on me when the subject matter did not seem to develop or move in any direction (good or bad).
Lastly, for me personally, the climax of the story felt like inconsistent worldbuilding, which inevitably broke my suspension of disbelief.
All in all, it had the bones of a great story.
July 8, 2025
A story of grief, loss, stages, Charon and Orpheis, siblings love, of trusting dogs/ guardians... and if you ever lived in Chicago for more than one year and experienced the despair of Winter, The Hope blooming in Spring, the fear, the hate, the violence, the pain, the spunds, the trash, the music, the screams, the orchestras a d festivals, the sirens.... the sunshine that brings people and dogs out to the park, to the beach, to the rooftops, fast food, and riverwalks, then you'll know this is THE book that homages it all.
Thank you, author, for making me love this city a little more, pulling it away from the shadows and hopelessness that make me hate it (most of the year). There must be more than twenty amazing and recognizable references (lost the count... but that one abrupt curve in the Red Line at Sheridan I know intimately well). Thank you for this amazing story.
This is a perfect read if you love Greek mythology, contemporary cities, stages of grief stories, The Whispering Door, Jewish-inspired stories, Music, Ghibli...
Thank you, author, for making me love this city a little more, pulling it away from the shadows and hopelessness that make me hate it (most of the year). There must be more than twenty amazing and recognizable references (lost the count... but that one abrupt curve in the Red Line at Sheridan I know intimately well). Thank you for this amazing story.
This is a perfect read if you love Greek mythology, contemporary cities, stages of grief stories, The Whispering Door, Jewish-inspired stories, Music, Ghibli...
December 19, 2025
Book 27 for 2025!!!
Wow okay what an interesting book. Really sad and emotional read. Very interesting plot with unique supernatural lore. The book took me in a different direct than what I thought was going to happen based upon the intro synopsis. Teared up a few times.
4.25
Wow okay what an interesting book. Really sad and emotional read. Very interesting plot with unique supernatural lore. The book took me in a different direct than what I thought was going to happen based upon the intro synopsis. Teared up a few times.
4.25
August 11, 2025
I loved the author’ first novel, so I thought I’d give this one a try, but I was just kind of bored through most of it. There was something about the writing in this book that didn’t really connect. The worldbuilding feels a little slapdash. As a result, when Nera and her father are in conflict over how to best do their job, or when the station is threatened, I didn’t feel interested in any of it because I still didn’t really understand how anything worked or what was going on. I felt more invested in the relationship between Charlie and Nera than I was in any of the plot – that relationship felt very genuine, as did Charlie’s grief, and as a result these elements felt more solid than the rest of the book. The end was not any better than the rest of it – there were parts I didn’t understand, parts I didn’t buy characterwise, and other parts I just didn’t care about. I was just kind of ready for it to be over. Overall it’s two and a half stars, rounded down.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Representation: lesbian main characters, gay side characters
I received an advance copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Representation: lesbian main characters, gay side characters
September 2, 2025
Full disclosure that I got to read very early snippets of this one and it is very exciting to see it complete and out in the world. Heartbreaking and hopeful, aching, human, and beautiful--Dawson blends grief and life and magic together in their powerful second novel, bringing myth into the modern day in a novel that feels like exactly the sort of artistic balm we need these days. Unflinching, sweet, and earnest--do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
July 20, 2025
3.5
The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World comes with emotional layers, a bit of pain, and a lot of magical moments. While, despite wanting to be swept away, I always remained just this side of loving it, it is a good book with an intriguing premise and great writing. I love how it combines the whimsical with an urban setting.
---
I very much enjoy a book that feels a little blurry and focuses heavy on the emotional impact and tragic vibes rather than feeling the need to craft a detailed picture with intense colors. Which The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is!
Sadly, it still missed the mark just so for me. It was always just ALMOST intriguing and I felt like it should have affected me more.
Conflicts occurred, twists happened and my interest was peaked several times, yet somehow it always fizzled out quickly and ended up feeling dragging again. In its entirety, it just felt a tad anticlimactic.
Which is a pity because the concept is beautiful and the world building is amazing.
---
CHARACTERS
While not my first sapphic read in general, this was my first sapphic fantasy and I admit, as someone someone who always immediately identifies with the FMC, it's still a bit difficult for me to remain in the movie in my head when the focus is on two female leads. However, I knew that going in and I will keep trying. And most importantly, this does not affect my rating of the book.
Both Nera and Charlie are well crafted and get their space for development. Charlie in particular is an interesting character. At first glance, her personality seems to revolve entirely around grief and her role as a sister, yet, in the contrast of those lines, the author managed to tell us exactly who Charlie is.
Nera on the other hand is feels comfortably mature in a way that shouldn’t make sense but somehow does, while still being heavily led by a very pure kind of curiosity.
A very fun addition were the dogs with their distinct characters. I loved them!
WRITING
The writing was smooth and the tone matched the story in my opinion. The way the author played with reality, both visually and with stylistic devices, was ingenious.
I also enjoyed the narration a lot.
---
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and J.R. Dawson for an ALC of this book.
The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World comes with emotional layers, a bit of pain, and a lot of magical moments. While, despite wanting to be swept away, I always remained just this side of loving it, it is a good book with an intriguing premise and great writing. I love how it combines the whimsical with an urban setting.
---
I very much enjoy a book that feels a little blurry and focuses heavy on the emotional impact and tragic vibes rather than feeling the need to craft a detailed picture with intense colors. Which The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World is!
Sadly, it still missed the mark just so for me. It was always just ALMOST intriguing and I felt like it should have affected me more.
Conflicts occurred, twists happened and my interest was peaked several times, yet somehow it always fizzled out quickly and ended up feeling dragging again. In its entirety, it just felt a tad anticlimactic.
Which is a pity because the concept is beautiful and the world building is amazing.
---
CHARACTERS
While not my first sapphic read in general, this was my first sapphic fantasy and I admit, as someone someone who always immediately identifies with the FMC, it's still a bit difficult for me to remain in the movie in my head when the focus is on two female leads. However, I knew that going in and I will keep trying. And most importantly, this does not affect my rating of the book.
Both Nera and Charlie are well crafted and get their space for development. Charlie in particular is an interesting character. At first glance, her personality seems to revolve entirely around grief and her role as a sister, yet, in the contrast of those lines, the author managed to tell us exactly who Charlie is.
Nera on the other hand is feels comfortably mature in a way that shouldn’t make sense but somehow does, while still being heavily led by a very pure kind of curiosity.
A very fun addition were the dogs with their distinct characters. I loved them!
WRITING
The writing was smooth and the tone matched the story in my opinion. The way the author played with reality, both visually and with stylistic devices, was ingenious.
I also enjoyed the narration a lot.
---
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and J.R. Dawson for an ALC of this book.
July 5, 2025
🐶 Since the death of her sister Charlie has been able to see the dead, but her sister’s ghost is one that she can’t find. One night a familiar song leads Charlie to a lighthouse on the edge of the city that no one else can see. No one except for the ghosts who are journeying there and the ferrymen moving the spirits onward.
Nera doesn’t remember if she had a life before her time at the lighthouse that serves as a way station for the dead. All she knows is that her father is the keeper and one day soon that job will fall to her. But the steady light has been flickering, and when a young and living stranger shows up at the lighthouse Nera begins to question everything her father has taught her. 🐶
I received an eARC of The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World by JR Dawson in exchange for an honest review. Here are my thoughts!
The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World was a book that I wanted to destroy me, but instead ended up kind of disappointing me. I think that between the title and the synopsis I set my expectations too high so it was inevitable that this book would fall short.
Before I dive too deep into what didn’t work for me in this book let’s spend some time on what I did like.
The story was definitely original, which was a huge plus. I liked the early 2000s setting, especially since I don’t feel like I personally have read a lot of queer stories that took place during that timeframe. Also, I was really impressed with some of the one liners in this one.
Unfortunately, all that didn’t make up for what I didn’t like/enjoy.
Despite the fact that there were some great lines, overall the writing felt disjointed. This bleed over into the pacing as well and left me struggling to get through the first two thirds or so of the book. I think the choice to use journal entries to reveal some past events rather than direct pov chapters played into the pacing issues too.
Honestly some stylistic changes and editing out 50 pages or so could’ve made this book so freaking impactful. As is this one gets three stars from me, but let me know what you think when it’s released on July 29th!
Nera doesn’t remember if she had a life before her time at the lighthouse that serves as a way station for the dead. All she knows is that her father is the keeper and one day soon that job will fall to her. But the steady light has been flickering, and when a young and living stranger shows up at the lighthouse Nera begins to question everything her father has taught her. 🐶
I received an eARC of The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World by JR Dawson in exchange for an honest review. Here are my thoughts!
The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World was a book that I wanted to destroy me, but instead ended up kind of disappointing me. I think that between the title and the synopsis I set my expectations too high so it was inevitable that this book would fall short.
Before I dive too deep into what didn’t work for me in this book let’s spend some time on what I did like.
The story was definitely original, which was a huge plus. I liked the early 2000s setting, especially since I don’t feel like I personally have read a lot of queer stories that took place during that timeframe. Also, I was really impressed with some of the one liners in this one.
Unfortunately, all that didn’t make up for what I didn’t like/enjoy.
Despite the fact that there were some great lines, overall the writing felt disjointed. This bleed over into the pacing as well and left me struggling to get through the first two thirds or so of the book. I think the choice to use journal entries to reveal some past events rather than direct pov chapters played into the pacing issues too.
Honestly some stylistic changes and editing out 50 pages or so could’ve made this book so freaking impactful. As is this one gets three stars from me, but let me know what you think when it’s released on July 29th!
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