I have mixed feelings about this one. It was definitely weird. I loved the author's previous book Water Moon, which had the same whimsical writing style, but this one felt much more disjointed and all over the place.

The characters were interesting, and I enjoyed their individual stories, even though they were a bit confusing at times. The random unexplained time jumps, sometimes right in the middle of a chapter, really threw me off and made it hard to stay grounded in the story.

That said, I absolutely loved the train and how wonderfully strange and imaginative all the different carriages were. That part really stood out to me.

3.5 stars.

Another great book by the talented Samantha Sotto Yambao.

A great story through a whimsical train, where the characters and scenes come alive. The author is extremely talented and one I most look forward to reading.

Whimsical. Charming. Otherworldly. This book is all of these things, while at the same time feeling like a bite of candy-floss - sweet and colourful, but with no actual nourishment or substance.

The writing is lovely, the visuals fantastic (in every sense of the word). The characters... kind of vague. The plot somewhat confusing. I found myself often lost, and while I really wanted to engage with the depths of the magic here, I think the verbosity is what put me off. I kept having to pause and figure out exactly what I was seeing, because the descriptions were so much.

Great potential lost in a muddle of Extreme Cuteness.

This book was super magical and whimsical, so Studio Ghibli-esque and full of lush world building. The sceneries created were absolutely stunning and the premise was so creative! However, I wasn't a fan of the main character's personality and she was a bit too sulky for me. This made the story not flow as smoothly as I'd wished. The world created in this book was absolutely gorgeous though and is easily one of the most beautiful I've read.

Having absolutely adored Water Moon seeing the author would be releasing a new book was extremely exciting for me.

This book follows Raya and Q on their journey on The Elsewhere Express, a train they accidentally board when they both lose their way in life. This book captured the same magic and whimsy that Water Moon executed so beautifully but in a completely different and unique setting. This book will definitely take two readings for me to fully understand the storyline but I loved the journey and look forward to getting a copy for my shelf.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A 4 star rating from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling and relatable, likable characters. Loved every single second reading it.

✨ An engaging story with characters that feel real and themes that stick with you. A satisfying and enjoyable read

I just finished The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto and wow, what a ride!! The story follows Cat, who’s weighed down by grief after losing her mom, and Simon who is carrying his own secrets. They end up together on this strange, magical train that doesn’t just travel through places but through memories and emotions too.

I loved the dynamic between Cat and Simon as their conversations felt real and raw, especially as they both wrestled with the idea of holding on versus letting go. The train itself is such a vivid character, filled with quirky rules and eerie beauty and I kept wanting to know what door they’d open next.

What stood out most for me though is how the book mixes whimsy with heartache. It is full of wonder and magic, but at its core it’s about grief, love, and finding the courage to move forward. It’s the kind of story that lingers long after you’ve closed the last page. Sensational.

The Elsewhere Express is a mesmerizing, cozy fantasy that sweeps you into a luminous world of wonder and longing. As Raya, grieving and dreamless, finds herself aboard a magical train brimming with meadow-carriages and jellyfish-filled bars, Samantha Sotto Yambao invites us to ponder what it means to feel rooted again.

Yambao’s prose is richly descriptive and deeply imaginative; every scene feels like a painting, every carriage a story waiting to be discovered. The setting evokes the whimsy and warmth of Studio Ghibli animations, yet it’s grounded by Raya’s emotional journey. Her grief, hope, and search for purpose feel tender and true.

That said, the narrative unfolds slowly at times, and I found myself longing for more emotional depth, especially in Raya’s evolving bond with Q, to fully anchor the book’s enchanting magic. Still, the vivid creativity and undercurrent of healing make this a memorable read that’s both fantastical and heartfelt.

Perfect for readers looking to be gently transported into a world where metaphor and memory shimmer side by side.

The Elsewhere Express is a story of self-discovery where people are given a second chance in life via the Elsewhere Express, a magical train that only appears to people whose lives have gone adrift and have lost their purpose in life.

I’m not sure how I can describe this book. It felt like a fever dream and a book you really need to be in the mood for to enjoy it and the philosophical message it is trying to tell. On paper, this had all the makings for a really exciting and magical read. I love anything that is fun and whimsical, especially if it is marketed as for fans of Studio Ghibli, but this one unfortunately didn’t really enchant me as much as I thought it would.

The characters in the story are fine. Raya was the main voice of reason in the story who’s quick to realise the train is more than it seems, but unfortunately this was also one of the main issues I had in the story where the sense of dread was already established early on that it made it difficult for me to be immersed by all the wonderful, fanciful things the train had to offer. Like Raya, I wasn’t really enchanted and found myself wanting to get off the train. As a protagonist, Raya was decent, however I wish she had more personality or a character trait that made her more memorable and compelling, and that was how I felt with Q as well.

The rules of the train can be convoluted, but I did see the vision the author was going for and liked the message Yambao was trying to convey. There was a perfume scene that did leave an impact on me that depicts how loss is an essential part of life, which was sweet. There was also a plot twist towards the end that might have been one of my favorites parts of the novel where the novel really gained momentum, and included tropes I really liked in a story. I felt the friendship between Raya and Q develop a bit too fast for me to fully connect, but I liked the way things came together.

I’m sad to say though that I don’t think this book is for me. I do get the philosophical concept of the train, but at times the explanations become so convoluted I found it really difficult to wrap my head around a lot of it. I feel like new things kept being introduced in the story for the sake of it. The novel probably would have benefited more as an animated film with how vivid and rich the descriptions felt.

With a book that focuses on how people’s lives have gone adrift, I wish this book explored more of that in depth. A lot of these characters feel remorse for things that have done, or could have prevented, yet I feel that this was mostly told to us as the audience instead of shown, which again, made me feel disconnected to the story where I didn’t really find myself attached to any of them even with the multiple POVs shown. The twists in the story also feel more like shock factor.

The Elsewhere Express is also a train that unfortunately does not take off until the second half of the novel as it takes a long time to establish the train’s rules and its sophisticated magic system. While the concept of the train was interesting, it felt like most of the time the rules of the train were being made up along the way and felt really unstructured. Not sure if the final book will be different, but I feel like the e-ARC I was given could have benefitted from more revisions and edits.

Thank you as always to NetGalley and Random House for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Elsewhere Express is a fun and whimsical read full of adventure, quirky characters, and a magical train journey that kept me hooked. I loved the imaginative world and the friendships that develop along the way. I can’t wait to add this to my special edition collection.

Thank you NetGalley and Bantam Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Samantha Sotto Yambao’s The Elsewhere Express is a dreamlike journey into a world of magic, metaphor, and meaning. When Raya, drifting through life without purpose, finds herself aboard a train that promises belonging and transformation, she must decide whether to embrace change or remain lost in the shadows of her own uncertainty. Alongside Q, a charming artist who may be more connected to her fate than either of them realises, Raya races through extraordinary compartments filled with meadow grass, lilypads, and impossible wonders. But the presence of a mysterious stowaway forces her to confront not only the dangers threatening the train but also the deepest question of all: what does it mean to truly live?

Yambao’s writing is rich with imagery and metaphor, every detail carrying layers of meaning. The Elsewhere Express itself is a marvel, by turns whimsical and unsettling, it feels like something conjured by Studio Ghibli, both beautiful and slightly uncanny. The novel’s magic system, where music, art, and memory shape reality, is as inventive as it is moving, reminding readers that creativity and connection can be transformative forces.

At its heart, though, this is Raya’s story. She is not a heroine with grand ambitions but a soul in search of purpose, and her quiet struggles with loss, grief, and uncertainty feel deeply human. The relationship between her and Q is understated, at times more fragile than fully formed, but their bond carries an emotional resonance that lingers long after the final page. The novel asks more questions than it answers, leaving some threads deliberately ambiguous, which may frustrate readers seeking neat resolution. Yet for others, that openness will feel like part of the book’s magic, echoing the mysteries of life itself.

The Elsewhere Express is less a straightforward fantasy adventure and more a meditation wrapped in enchantment. It’s a book that invites you to linger, to reflect, and perhaps to see the ordinary world a little differently afterwards. Readers who enjoy lyrical, metaphor-rich storytelling will find themselves swept away.

This was definitely a different story. It’s about finding your purpose and letting go of the past. But all of that is wrapped in a metaphor, which is the Elsewhere express. I really enjoyed the concept of this book. As Raya and Q try to find the stowaway, they meet new people that tells them stories. It’s not an action packed book, it is pretty reflective. There is a twist at the end, which I did not expect. It’s written really well, with many descriptions to make you feel immersed in this world!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for honest review.

This book is a stunning, Studio Ghibli-style adventure through whimsy and magic, studded with poignancy and metaphors that will leave you open mouthed at their beauty. The creativity of Samantha Sotto Yambao is truly magnificent - the imagery of each train compartment is so vivid and vibrant, you feel utterly immersed in the magic. The quests that Raya and Q find themselves jumping from are thrilling and leave you feeling like you're watching a film as opposed to words on a page.

Throughout, there seems to be an allusion to mental pain - grief, despair, despondency, and the Elsewhere Express being the perfect solution to getting rid of those things, and living your life without them. This magical train will allow you a purpose in a fantastical world where songs fix anything broken, time does not move as it should, and you travel between compartments using picture frames.

The mind-bending narrative leaves you questioning the truth at every turn - just who are Raya and Q, or Lily and Rasmus? Why were Raya and Q allowed to board together when there was only space for one of them? Is there a future outside of the Elsewhere Express? Is the Elsewhere Express a metaphor for a psychiatric unit, with Raya and Q both being discharged at different points in their rehabilitation? It's all very puzzling and personally, I feel like I might have missed just exactly what the main metaphor is in this book, despite how much I enjoyed reading it. It was a beautiful escape from reality nonetheless, and I loved it, even though I'm a little bit lost as to understanding the true meaning. That's the only reason I haven't given it five stars.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

No one is as creative as Samantha Sotto Yambao! What a joy it has been to jump from car to car and discover the page by page the absolute magical world of the Elsewhere Express. And also ponder on human nature, and the weight of the past, future, and present.

I did miss a narrative thread that intrigued me and pulled me throughout the story, but it remains a very magical book.

This book was just as whimsical and philosophical as Water Moon, it had all the magical fantasy elements, taking everyday things and crafting them into beautiful real life metaphors- something Yambao does excellently, somehow the author always narrows down feelings and thoughts perfectly, giving them a face.

The main characters Raya and Q were good, both have lives that are 'stale' and 'lost', and they find themselves on board the Elsewhere Express, a train that guides and erases your past, giving you a new home within the confinements of the many, many attractions the train offers. I did feel like Raya and Q weren't as fleshed out as they could have been, and their relationship didn't feel as deep as it could have. With a book like this, I'd expect way more character development and finding oneself, but for me the fantastical world building seemed to overshadow the plot and character arcs.

Speaking of the plot, I think readers who enjoy quest hopping stories will like this book. It's very hop, skip and jump from one task to another in order for Raya and Q to search and find the strange, eerie stowaway on the train. I loved the Studio Ghibli vibes, but sometimes it was so out there that I had a hard time keeping up with the book, plus the pacing felt a little slow at times. The twists left me shook, I kind of expected something of the same theme, but I was really shocked at the ending, and thoroughly enjoyed the epilogue.

Overall, if you enjoyed Water Moon or want the feeling of chasing after the past to fix the future, then I think you'll like this book. It's filled with meaningful quotes, and will for sure take you on an adventure, the question is, will you want to stay onboard at the end?

4/5 🌟