The Elsewhere Express

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Step aboard the Elsewhere Express and on a magical journey to find life’s true purpose . . .

From the author of Water Moon, embark on a cosy and inspiring fantasy adventure, perfect for fans of Spirited Away, Dallergut Dream Department Store and The Starless Sea.

'This book had me sobbing on the beach. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.' —Sydney J. Shields, author of The Honey Witch

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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 journey is a chance for Raya to reimagine her life – but only if she finds her compartment before time runs out.

Once aboard, Raya meets an intriguing 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. 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 is it a destination the Elsewhere Express can take her to?

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Praise for The Elsewhere Express

'I had all the feelings whilst reading this book, and don’t talk to me about the ending - I SOBBED' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'I started crying when I realised I didn't have long left of the book. I didn't want to leave the Elsewhere Express after devouring it in 24 hours!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Ugh MY HEART! Do yourself a favor and pick this book up. Pick it up and experience it'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Finishing The Elsewhere Express forced me to experience all five stages of grief and I could not be happier. I will absolutely continue to look forward to anything Yambao writes!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'The Elsewhere Express was a 5 ⭐ daydream full of feeling. It tickled my imagination and made me think' 💜' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'I could read this book over and over again and undoubtedly will' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'The Elsewhere Express is nothing short of exquisite. I am dazzled by Samantha Sotto Yambao's extraordinarily beautiful imagination' India Holton, the bestselling author of the Dangerous Damsels series

'A delicately layered dream of a book that glimmers with the promise of hope after grief, The Elsewhere Express will carry you to the stars' Molly O'Neill, author of Greenteeth

'Wondrous and wonderful . . . a lyrical feast for the imagination!' Sarah Beth Durst, bestselling author of The Spellshop

'The Elsewhere Express reads like a Ghibli movie. Its musical prose, vast imagination, and exploratory storytelling will spirit you away' Charlie N. Holmberg, bestselling author of the Whimbrel House series