The Elsewhere Express

By (author) Yambao, Samantha Sotto
Description:

Embark on a magical journey in this cosy and inspiring fantasy from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Water Moon – perfect for fans of Spirited Away, Dallergut Dream Department Store and The Starless Sea.

Raya is a lost soul, going through the motions of life without a dream of her own.

One night, on her subway ride home, Raya’s thoughts wander too far. She wakes on the Elsewhere Express, a magical train that offers its passengers a sense of purpose, peace, and belonging. The train’s endless journey is a chance for Raya to reimagine her life – but only if she finds her compartment before time runs out.

On board, Raya meets a charming, handsome artist named Q and together they race to find their place on the train, through a boarding car carpeted in meadow grass and along a dining carriage where passengers picnic on lilypads.

But a mysterious stowaway has boarded with them, and with it a dark, malignant magic that threatens to destroy the train and everything in it. The closer Raya comes to uncovering the stowaway''s identity, the nearer she draws to the ultimate question: what is her life''s true purpose – and might Q be connected to it?

Praise for Samantha Sotto Yambao

‘Full of adventure and marvellous creativity, Water Moon surprises and delights with every turn of the page'' -- Megan Bannen, bestselling author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

‘A spell-binding journey into a magical Ghibli-esque world. Endlessly inventive, this haunting and enchanting tale is not to be missed.’ --A.Y. Chao, author of Shanghai Immortal

''Water Moon is unlike anything I''ve ever read, full of wonders and terrors...a haunting, half-remembered dream of a book.'' --Gareth Brown, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of Doors

''An engaging, dreamy fantasy with an atmosphere reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli production’ -- Guardian

''Water Moon is a dreamy, ethereal fantasy, set in a fascinating faerie tale world with appropriately dark corners. Fans of Hayao Miyazaki will love this one.'' --Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul

''Whimsical, poignant, thought-provoking, and wildly adventurous, Water Moon will bend your imagination in the very best of ways.'' --Mikki Brammer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover

''A unique and beautiful fantasy novel'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

''A whimsical and immersive [Studio] Ghibli-esque adventure'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

''Every leg of the journey unfolded with its own distinct charm'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

''The world building [is] so exquisite'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Review quote:
With its poetic, descriptive prose, The Elsewhere Express takes the reader on a magical ride exploring loneliness, life’s purpose and ultimately human connection through a playful, surreal tale. Without question, the book will delight fantasy enthusiasts as they nestle into this perfect escape… a story that whisks them from the mundane and into an imaginative wonderland they might not want to leave.
Review quote:
The Elsewhere Express reads like a Ghibli movie. I loved following these deeply hurt, broken, and lost characters on this Alice-in-Wonderland-esque adventure with a Miyazaki flair. Its musical prose, vast imagination, and exploratory storytelling will spirit you away.
Review quote:
This book had me sobbing on the beach. I couldn''t turn the pages fast enough. The Elsewhere Express is a gorgeous story about finding your place somewhere in between two great inevitabilities: love, and loss.
Review quote:
The Elsewhere Express is nothing short of exquisite. Luminous and soulful, it will enc