loved the title of this novel and the first chapter instantly got my attention. It’s easy to imagine the luxury train carriages to look like the orient express. add this to fantasy and horrific occurrences on the journey, and the story seems set to be interesting.
I did find, however, that there is an awful lot of buiild up and explanation about what was potentially going to happen in the wasteland, but once we got up there the finale didn’t quite match the expectations that I had developed
There were some elements of the story in common with the Snowpiercer Netflix series where humanity is stuck on a constantly moving train overcoming the difficulties in the surrounding countryside in the case of the Netflix series. The issue was freezing cold, whereas in this novel there was a more supernatural difficulty with strange monstrous creatures and the ability to alter peoples brain activity in someway.
I have to admit this, I don’t usually read fantasy books and there were some elements to this story which were along these lines. For this reason, I enjoyed the more naturalistic parts of the story more than the monsters in the wastelands.
I think this book would make a great TV series which might be able to be extended with additional details about what is going on in the surrounding countryside in the wasteland. The book describes the train and its passengers so well that I can imagine the visual effect of seeing this bought to life.
I read an early copy of the book on NetGalley UK, the book is published in the UK on the 20th of June 2023 by Orion publishing group.

This review will appear on NetGalley, UK, Goodreads and my book blog bionicsarahsbooks.wordpress.con after publication it, will also appear on Amazon, UK

I absolutely loved The Cautious Traveler's Guide to The Wastelands!
It was so good and unique, It made me really struggle to put the book down as I wanted to keep going!
The writing style was beautiful so I'll definitely be checking out what the author writes next.

I loved the characters and thought they were all done really well.
I also loved how the book was a mix of genres with mystery, some steam punk elements and more!

I definitely highly recommend reading this book as it was amazing!
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.

Thanks for the early ARC for which I will post an honest review. I was really looking forward to reading this one, it sounded interesting, complex and something completely different. Sadly it just wasn't for me. It was slow and for me never really got going, it was too bogged down in description with no real point or plot that made me want to care. I enjoyed the setting and the world created, the characters were also well thought out and developed. Others may enjoy this and I encourage you to make up your own mind, but sadly it just didn't do it for me.

The Wastelands are an area in between Beijing and Moscow, and only one train crosses through them, bearing the best protection that they possess. The wastelands are full of potentially harmful air, toxins and creatures and travellers who make the journey must try and guard themselves against the wastelands sickness. A gentleman wrote a Guide to the Wastelands and now many tourists make the journey to get a glimpse of the place for themselves.
The journey is told mostly through the eyes of the train child and a passenger allowing for differing perspectives and understandings and suppositions.
This journey is mystical and surprising and Brooks creates a world of suspense by detailing the unknown and the human fascination with the unknown. Truly engaging and captivating.

3.5 stars

It took me a while to read this.
I'd put it aside, come back to it, put it aside again.
It had parts that were mysterious, and magical and exciting.
Then parts that were just OK.
Mostly though, it felt like a big adventure that our characters were on.
It's worth jumping aboard for the ride. 😁
Stunning cover too

I loved this book, possibly one of the best I've read recently. Such a delicious mix of mystery, magical realism, steam-punk, and perfectly detailed characters. It's impossible to tell you how wondrous it is; you just have to go and read it for yourself. Totally recommended.

A breathtaking historical fantasy set on a train crossing the mysterious Wastelands of Siberia. Unique, unsettling, compulsive - a highly accomplished debut; Sarah Brooks is one to watch.