*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*

I had no expectations when starting to read "The Alehouse at the End of the World" and contrary to all the praise and reviews here, I did not like it.

It started off alright: a fisherman receives word from his passed beloved that he should meet her in the Island of the Dead. He is eaten by a whale and comes to the Island of the Dead.

The Island of the Dead, however, isn't really about the dead though in this story. After transforming his loved one back into a human (from a clam), the island becomes Sex Island. I don't know why this should be entertaining, but this is 120% male gaze, nipple focussed annoyance. The Island is inhabited not only by the souls of the dead in clam-form, but also by demigods in birdform. The Crow has become King of the Dead after the Raven left. There's also a Pelican, a frigate bird etc. And the rest of the novel is basically about overthrowing the beast that is the island of the dead and fucking birds.

I really really don't get it. Like at all. And I skim read 70% of the novel after growing increasingly annoyed with it at the beginning.

1-2 Stars because the language was well done and the mythological references were interesting...