Therearenobadbooks's Reviews > At the End of the River Styx

It is a slow-burn/slow-pacing novel but slow in this case is the best pacing for this theme: death of a parent, grieving, and guilt. Two brothers are dealing with the death of their mother. One feels guilty for her death (Bastian) and can't cope with it as well as the other.

I love that Bastian at the age of 18 is rehabilitating a bookstore although he has no plans for his future. Somehow it is as if he is hugging himself, anchoring himself to life. He is carrying too much guilt.

I liked Zan (he traded places with his mother more or less 400 years ago and now serves the underworld) he appeared to Bastian in his dreams and Zan was assigned to bring Bastian from the living world. I like his struggle. He hesitates and relates to Bastian.

I also like Bastian's best friend Riley. She keeps him with a foot in daily life.