The Elsewhere Express

by Samantha Sotto Yambao

When you lose your way in life, the Elsewhere Express just might find you. Step on board the train that may take you to your life’s purpose in this wistful, Ghibli-esque fantasy from the bestselling author of Water Moon.

You can’t buy a ticket for the Elsewhere Express. Appearing only to those whose lives are adrift, it’s a magical train seeming to carry very rare and special a sense of purpose, peace, and belonging.

Raya is one of those lost souls. She had dreamed of being a songwriter, but when her brother died, she gave up on her dream and started living his instead.

One day on the subway, as her thoughts wander, she’s swept off to the Elsewhere Express. There she meets Q, an intriguing artist who, like her, has lost his place in the world.

Together they find a train full of wonders, from a boarding car that’s also a meadow to a dining car where passengers can picnic on lily pads to a bar where jellyfish and whales swim through pink clouds.

Over the course of their long, strange night on the train, they also discover that it harbors secrets—and A mysterious stranger has stowed away and brought with him a dark, malignant magic that threatens to destroy the train.

But in investigating the stowaway's identity, Raya also finds herself drawing closer to the ultimate What is her life's true purpose—and is it a destination the Elsewhere Express can take her to?

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy, Magical Realism, Cozy Fantasy, Adult, Romance, Fiction

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 20, 2026

About the author

Samantha Sotto Yambao is a professional daydreamer, aspiring time traveler, and speculative fiction writer based in Manila. She is the author of Water Moon, Before Ever After, Love and Gravity, A Dream of Trees, The Beginning of Always, and THE ELSEWHERE EXPRESS (Jan 2026)

Reviews

[Chewable Orb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao
4.35 rounded down to 4 🔮🔮🔮🔮orbs
Pub. Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore

Lying on a park bench, midday, Norway….

💡 Orbs Prologue: Onyx tendrils disseminate detrimental information upon my psyche. A gentle exfoliation of all that is positive, like the removal of dead skin from my face. Closing my wind-torn eyes, I slowly fall asleep. I find myself in the crevices and valleys of my own mind. Bottomless rivers of putrid self-loathing flow freely. Floating fearfully through rapids, I lazily look to the distance. Upon a flesh-colored ridge, a single circular illumination appears. The object surges closer; the brilliance of the light blinds me. The churning of something familiar, powerful, yet sleek: a train. Closing slowly to a sudden halt, an inconspicuous door opens where an auburn-haired woman invites me on board. “Minding the Gap,” I enter through the inviting sliding doors. Immediately, my senses are challenged; the aromatic scents of the finest quality float through the air. Nothing could contain my awe as I gazed out the opposite side window. Our landscape had changed; the bleakness had since been turned into a soft palette of beautiful pastel colors. Against the powder blue sky, fluffy pink clouds bounced at a relaxing pace. Those once sharp, pointy ridges were softly rounded into chartreuse, with smatterings of colorful, odd-shaped fauna completing the incredible scene. “What is this?” I stammered. “Welcome aboard the Elsewhere Express, Orb. Do you have a ticket?” curiously asks the conductor.

🔩 Nuts & Bolts: Burdened with protecting her ailing brother, Raya Sia forgoes personal dreams to help her brother, Jace, survive. An unthinkable event tarnishes Raya, one that changes the trajectory of her life forever, rendering her a failure within her own mind. Quentin Philips Jr., or rather Q, on the other hand, never escaped his dad’s fake smile. If the emotional trauma of his childhood wasn’t enough, Q, the artist, is going blind. What is true of both Raya and Q is that their lives are spiraling into darkness, and passions are being extinguished like a nighttime candle. In an unexpected chain of events, they both think they are taking a normal train home, but this circumstance lands them on a special voyage. Passengers' thoughts have built this magical train. With no destination in sight, the train wanders around aimlessly; however, those fears and anxieties have been stripped from the passengers, creating a most pleasant experience. There is one problem, that being a stowaway who is determined to destroy the vitality amongst the train cars. With the help of the conductors Lily and Rasmus, Q and Raya must help try to round up the stowaway to help save those aboard the Elsewhere Express. Author Samantha Sotto Yambao creates a majestic experience that will have readers reaching into their introspective bags for further self-examination.

👍 Orbs Pros: Ambitious and creative! An unbelievable visceral experience. Yambao’s writing is magical; the world with which the reader is left to play is awe-inspiring. Q and Raya’s characters are well conceived, bringing a plethora of emotion throughout the book.

👎 Orbs Cons: Complex! Numerous ideas roll around loosely for the reader to corral, thus bringing a slight sense of confusion. I kept flipping through my mental Rolodex of the train rules and their subsequent impact on the storyline. This stunted my ability to always enjoy the lush landscapes created by Yambao.

Highly Recommended! Chaotic/Excellent! This novel should be experienced by everyone who has experienced internal strife and found it difficult to escape the negativity that it often brings. Reminding us to let go of those emotions dragging us down, this novel seeks to enlighten and remind us that we all have special gifts to offer the world. In closing, I will add that in my 40+ years of reading, never once have I shed a tear, until now!

💡 Orbs Epilogue: A ticket appeared in my pocket. Where it came from, I have no idea, but I handed it to the conductor. After further instructions, I was to go to a different car for an orientation. In the meantime, I wandered through floating picture frames, masquerading as doorways. Opening to various other places along the train, each one left me more speechless. Songs, with wings like birds, flew along beaches, helping repair those things in need. One particular place was the train’s lost and found, where shoes and cellphones rained down from the sky, and mounds of shiny jewelry collected nearby. The conductor had said I needed to release my excess baggage and find my own compartment. Was there a deeper meaning behind all this? Somehow, I felt as though this was my time to reflect and gain perspective. A bright flash hit the back of my eyes. Upon waking up, a small duck waddled up to me and cocked its head as if to say, "Are you ok?” A smile began to form on my lips. “Yes, my feathered friend, I think I will be alright.”

Many thanks to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel took me on a cozy ride! It is filled with a magical journey, beautiful world building and emotional depth. I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I found the main protagonist to be extremely relatable and lovable. It also came with mystery, which I found very entertaining. This book made me feel reflective, emotional, inspiring and hopeful. While reading this, it made me feel like I was in a dreamlike, whimsical place. This story is about people who felt like they lost their purpose in life and were able to get on the Elsewhere Express and start over. It does come with some romance and zero spice.

The cover of this book really does match the story in the book. The characters were strongly developed, diverse and multilayered. It came with a unique location, vivid descriptions and was easy to read. It was beautifully written and had a lyrical prose to it. I found this to be an overall great book and I definitely recommend it! This is the same author that wrote the “Water Moon” book that became very popular. If you enjoyed Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao and/or The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, I think you will absolutely love this one! I give this whimsical book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Samantha Sotto Yambao and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for this wonderful eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on January 20, 2026! Publication dates are always subject to change.

[✨Julie✨]

Do yourself a favor and go look at the Deluxe edition on the @Delreybooks Instagram page… it’s stunning! 😍

[Maeghan 🦋 · Rating 2 out of 5]

« invisible loads were at least twice as heavy as any that you could see. »

Alright so this is definitely a cure for insomnia.
I loved the author’s novel Water Moon and the messages it conveyed but this one was 1) not the right setting and 2) very convoluted.

There’s a sense of dread that was immediately felt during my read of this novel and I just wondered why this was the chosen route for this, because it’s supposed to be for fans of studio ghibli ; a cozy ride and for people who lost their ways. It never went into depth about people losing their ways and that was extreme missed potential. It’s even described as whimsical and enchanting but I didn’t feel this for a second.
The philosophical messages lost their momentums because of the sense of urgency this novel had. It quite frankly felt like a fever dream.

I was in the mood for something reflective, philosophical or even just sweet. But the sense of urgency to fix things really removed the lightness needed for those types of reads and I’m left feeling very let down.

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I this is creative plot is rather repetitive and got boring real fast.

[patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[nika.ex.libris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this ARC!

When I saw that it was about a train, I immediately knew I needed this book. I love atmospheric stories set on trains, and this one is magical on top of that.

This is a book about learning how to let go of dark thoughts after losing someone close, and especially about releasing guilt.

It's an easy read with a whimsical, magical atmosphere and two characters who are searching for meaning in life. This is very much a mood book, you need the right moment and headspace for it.
At times, I was a bit bored, and I didn't really grow attached to the characters, even though Raya's story was quite sad. Still, this is very much a personal reaction rather than a flaw of the book itself.

3.5/5 ⭐️

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was beautifully magical and full of feeling.

Welcome aboard The Elsewhere Express - boarded at the end of all your dreams at a quarter past your heaviest. The Elsewhere Express is made from spools of daydreams, plans, ideas, memories, poems, and songs. Excess baggage not allowed.

Raya is dealing with loss and guilt.
Q is dealing with loss and hopelessness.
They find themselves aboard, purposeless. They must embark on a quest across the train to find their compartment where they belong.

Similar to Watermoon, this jumps from one task to the next, but they seemed more seamless in this book.

This touches on mental health through allusions and metaphors in a Studio Ghibli setting which invokes nostalgia, longing, and melancholy.
Exactly what our two protagonists feel.

I found the plot more compelling and the themes more explored compared to her debut.
There were a lot of conveniences and easy ‘get-out’ cards, but if you go in expecting a whimsical, no-sense magical realism, you won’t be disappointed.

I did guess the big reveal, but I liked how the book played out.
Especially with the disability representation.

Arc gifted by Transworld Books.

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[Stillbelieveinnightmares (busy)]

y'all i just requested this eARC and i will totally cry be an adult about it if it gets denied 🙃

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2.5/5

When you’ve lost your way in life, the Elsewhere Express is ready to lead you somewhere new. Only appearing to those who have lost all hope and purpose, the Elsewhere Express is a magical train that takes its passengers on a journey to restore their ambition and offer them a safe haven of joy and belonging. This book follows the two newest arrivals: Raya, a songwriter who abandoned her own dreams to live out her late brother’s instead, and Q, an acclaimed painter watching his world and his art fade as he slowly loses his sight. Both Raya and Q have either figuratively or literally lost their vision in life, and the Elsewhere Express arrives for them both to offer a redemptive tour of whimsy, meaning, and acceptance.

This is one of those rare cases where a book didn’t fully work for me, but I can easily see it resonating with other readers. Because of that, I want to start with the positives, since most of my criticisms come down to personal taste more than objective flaws. More than anything, the author’s creativity shines through and really wowed me, showing incredible writing chops and imagination in coming up with some of these ideas. One of my main complaints from Water Moon was its slow start, but here I felt the opposite—the beginning was actually the strongest point. The author does an incredible job establishing the characters and their backstories, and their grief is so raw and palpable that it transcends the page and sits with you in a heavy way. I was deeply connected to these characters’ heartbreaking stories and was so excited to see their startling entrance onto the train and begin traveling with them on this strange adventure, which I assumed would be a cathartic and whimsical journey of learning to live with grief and rediscover joy in life.

Unfortunately, this journey was just that for me: strange and bizarre. Once Raya and Q enter the train, the book sets off on a never-ending fever dream that dips and weaves until it completely lost me. There are fun ideas, like a dining car where patrons picnic on lily pads or a museum where the exhibits are the viewer’s most private secrets, but they enter and exit the story in the span of a page. Suddenly we’re getting an info dump about one niche train car, then quickly moving on and never bringing it up again. It’s like a taste-testing marathon, briefly describing some colorful idea and then never expanding upon it in a meaningful way. While the author’s creativity is undeniably impressive, there’s no structure for these ideas to root themselves in. The worldbuilding of the train is essentially “whatever you dream up can become real,” so with no guidelines to explain things, I felt completely ungrounded and lost.

To give an example: it bothered me that everything is centered around this “Elsewhere Express,” except it really isn’t a train in function, just in title. The train cars don’t even vaguely resemble or operate as what they’re called, the conductor doesn’t perform any typical conductor duties, and I can only recall two scenes where the setting or story reflected an actual train. It felt like the title of Elsewhere Express could be swapped for anything else, like the “Magical Museum” or the “Harmonious Home,” and nothing would change.

Because of this rapid switching from one idea to another, it was impossible for me to follow or engage with the story and setting in a meaningful way. I consistently felt overwhelmed by the info dumping and bored due to my lack of connection, to the point where multiple times the only thing that kept me from DNF-ing was the fact that this was an ARC. Adding to this, there was almost an aggressive amount of whimsy. I found myself actively disliking the concept of a magical train that takes you away from everything you know, “allows” you to forget everyone you love, and lose yourself in the delirious absurdism of its attractions. While I could tell the reader was supposed to disagree with Raya’s pushback and side with Q, I actually found myself fully on board with her and wanted her to escape. And sure, later in the book, I was frustrated with her decision-making and willful ignorance, but it was hard to blame her when I also disliked the train’s staff and its forced emotional development.

Now, I do want to take some time to explain why I think this could work much better for other readers. For one, I love fantasy, but not all cozy fantasy works for me. As I’ve said in many previous reviews in the genre, it requires an incredibly delicate balance of fluff, over-description, and a tiny sliver of plot to keep you invested. Unfortunately, the ratio here leaned too far into the fluff and over-description and became something I personally didn’t find enjoyable. I think the comparisons to Studio Ghibli are spot on, and readers who look for that childlike playfulness and whimsy will find that here. This was very similar to Water Moon and hits many of the same notes, including an emotional journey expressed through spontaneous magical attractions, processing grief and exploring new stages of life, and a wholesome romance side plot, so I’m confident those who enjoyed that book will enjoy this as well. I also found it reminiscent of Our Infinite Fates and The Night Circus, and I think fans of either would really connect with the worldbuilding and themes here.

So, for me, this was a bit of a disappointment, and I strongly preferred Water Moon out of the two works I’ve now read by this author. I think I’ve come to terms with the fact that Yambao’s writing style and preferred story type aren’t quite for me, and I’ll likely avoid her works in the future. Even so, I can still appreciate the heart and imagination she pours into her stories, and I think readers who connect with her style will find something truly special here.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Courtney N · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

I would like to take the time to introduce you to one of the best books I’ve read all year - yes on the last days of 2025 I have found a book that jumped to my top reads on the entire year.

For the kids who always had their head in the clouds, this is for us. Go into this with an open mind and a soul ready to fly away.

This was an explosively artful expression of the power we hold in our minds and what we can manifest, change, explore, hurt and heal from.

The Elsewhere Express read more like The EVERYTHING Express to me. This book took me on a fantastical, emotional, and fulfilling journey from start to finish and I never once lost my grip on the words. I stayed up late into the night reading this one and that’s something I don’t find myself doing much anymore as an adult. This tickled my inner child, this took me back to the first time I watched Alice in Wonderland and the way it made my mind explode with colors and deep thoughts.

Let’s dive in a little deeper because I can’t say enough:

⭐️ Characters - beautifully done. Complete with depth, back stories, compelling problems and likable but flawed personalities.

⭐️ Plot - I don’t want to give too much away with the plot but I will say that twists in books have a hard time shocking me. This book SHOCKED me. It was a phenomenal plot.

⭐️ Pacing - I could not put this down. It just kept going and going. With short chapters and a cliffhanger at the end of almost each one, you’ll fly through it.

⭐️ Writing style - This story was written like one big metaphor, like one big piece of poetry or maybe even a song. It was stunning to read through and I think I left it with over 50+ highlighted. The imagery was unreal, the emotions punched you, the sentences were heaven to take apart.

⭐️ Romance - I was sorely missing this sort of romance in books. It was understated but so so powerful. This felt like truly falling in love. Loved.

Overall, I absolutely adore this book. I hope it finds the readers who will appreciate it the way I do.

Thank you Del Rey Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a whimsical story, filled with adventure, secret compartments, hidden identities, and worlds beyond your imagination. Welcome aboard the Elsewhere Express.

The Elsewhere Express is made from spools of daydreams, plans, ideas, memories, poems, and songs. Excess baggage not allowed. We follow two passengers, Raya and Q. Raya is grappling with loss and guilt, while Q is dealing with the loss of his eyesight. Both find themselves aboard the train feeling purposeless, and they’re sent on a journey across the cars to find the compartment where they truly belong.

This book explores mental health heavily through metaphors and allusions, wrapped in a Studio Ghibli–esque world that’s equal parts beautiful and melancholic. I really loved the themes and how they were explored, and the atmosphere is honestly magical.

That said, some parts felt a little too convenient, things just kind of work themselves out when they need to, which took me out of the story at times.

Still, it’s a beautiful, gentle read. If you’re in the mood for something whimsical, soft, and emotionally reflective, this is definitely one to pick up.

[Syndrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crafted with lush prose that feels just as magical as the settings it describes, "The Elsewhere Express" reads like a modern day fairy tale.

Our main setting is The Elsewhere Express itself — a train built from, and powered by, the wandering thoughts of people such as daydreamers and worriers. A person is only able to obtain a ticket to board the Express after they've let their thoughts roam so far that they've managed to wander away from reality itself. The Express is there to provide its passengers a second chance at finding their purpose in life and, ideally, provide them with eternal happiness as well. But what happens when things start to go off the rails during the newest passenger’s orientation? You’ll have to read for yourself to find out!

This is a story that really explores loss in many different forms — both physical and abstract — but it’s also a story about acceptance, resilience, and love. Even though it’s all wrapped up in this otherworldly setting, Yambao has crafted an adventure that, at its core, is based off of very real thoughts and fears. Our main characters, Raya and Q, feel like real people with real problems — if a bit exaggerated for fiction's sake — and I found them to be pretty solid characters overall. I did think Q was a bit underdeveloped in comparison to Raya, but I still really wanted to see both of them grow and find their happiness by the end of the story.

If I had to give readers one piece of advice, it would be to take their time going through this novel! The rules that govern the Express can get a bit convoluted at times, so having a little extra processing time can really help with getting properly oriented. There's also many instances of abstracts being turned into more physical entities — such as songs that manifest as butterflies who work to help keep the Express running — so it can really feel like you need to pay attention to every little detail as so many things serve a greater purpose or help construct a larger metaphor. Luckily the chapters in this novel are rather short so it's easy to pick up, read a few chapters, and then put it down for that mental processing break!

Overall I thought this book was absolutely beautiful and I’d definitely recommend it to anybody looking to add a little magic to their life, especially if they aren't afraid of getting a little philosophical while doing so!

(Thank you to Del Rey for providing me a free ARC via NetGalley! I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.)

[brewdy_reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Thank you @delreybooks and @prhaudio for the galley and ALC ♡

👉🏽🌙🌧️🪭 Studio Ghibli vibes right here.

“𝙸𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚜 𝚊���𝚍 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚗’𝚝 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚋𝚢 𝚑𝚊𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚘𝚞𝚋𝚝𝚜.”

🚂💺✨☁️ Hop aboard a magical train that will take you to where water fountains flow up, and pain can be erased away with magical tonics. Where those who are lost can find themselves.

This is a found friendship between two lost souls who are each going through their own grief and guilt.

“𝙽𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚞𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚑𝚞𝚛𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚘. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚐𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚜 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚝𝚢.”

🌙 Fans of Water Moon will love this as it carries the same cinematic and whimsical elements that would translate beautifully to the big screen.

Overall, I was feeling the vibe and the prose was beautiful. However, I lost the plot through the middle with the magical train rules piling up and then being rewritten. A slow journey to healing.

·..·˙✧˖°⋆⊹ “𝙼𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎.” ⊹⋆..·˙✧˖°·∘

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။‌‌‌‌‌|• 🎧 TBH, would recommend eyeballs or immersive reading. Narrators were great, but as with nonlinear stories, prepare to rewind to catch what was missed.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Del Rey for the ARC!

Once again, this was BEAUTIFUL. Where Water Moon is about living with regret, The Elsewhere Express is about finding your purpose even when it feels like you have none. And how we can find purpose in the most unexpected places.

Samantha has SUCH a way with metaphor--the entire train is a metaphor for various parts of life, and is constructed with the feelings and thoughts of people in a way that makes sense while also being intangible. I don't know how she does it, because my brain could NEVER. Just like Water Moon, this is beautifully written. I loved the chapter headers too--they read like a "normal" FAQ sheet, but tie in directly to the story in a way that's really clever.

I think this is a great read for anyone that's struggled with identifying their purpose in life, or coming to terms with figuring out who they ARE--not who other people THINK they are. Raya's emotional journey is SO relatable even if her specific situation is not. I'm definitely going to be thinking about this one for awhile.

This was such a fun read while also being melancholy. Thought provoking while also not taking itself too seriously. This book definitely solidified SSY as an auto buy author for me. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

[Robin]

Deadly combo of this book being way too twee for me and having a 2-year-old and being just so sick of trains right now.

[Christine P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transported me. Absolutely magical and just what I needed. Beautiful and moving.

[Bee¹⁷ .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱ || semi-ia]

This was cutesy rtc (maybe lol)

pre-read .𖥔 ݁ ˖.
Alexa start playing Sunday Driver by Soobin‼️🗣 (that’s just the vibes I get from the cover lol)
Anyway, trying to read through my arcs and I somehow got the arc for this?? ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!
It looks gorgeous so I’m hoping the story is just as good as the cover!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

This was absolutely beautiful and so vivid. The way Yambao creates worlds and images? Wow. I wish I had her talent. This is steeped in grief, possibility, growth, and love.

The mystery of the book took a larger role than I had anticipated and I think it got a little muddled there in the middle, but when it all comes together it is beautiful.

Thank you Del Rey books for gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Del Rey for the ARC!

The Elsewhere Express is an imaginative and heartfelt story that blends whimsy, grief, and self-discovery. I enjoyed the premise of a mysterious train that takes passengers to places they have longed for or lost. The world-building was enchanting, like a dream you can almost remember. Similar to the author’s debut book, Watermoon, I felt like I was experiencing a Studio Ghibli movie.

Raya and Q are interesting characters who face various challenges throughout their journey on the train. I liked them, but seemed undeveloped both individually and as a pair. I expected more character growth with a story like this. The philosophical passages also felt heavy-handed at times, and the conclusion (while touching) wraps up more neatly than expected.

Overall, I thought this was a unique and atmospheric read. I look forward to seeing what Samantha Sotto Yambao writes next.

[Val~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao, to be published on January 20th, 2026. This is a whimsical book, perfect for Hayao Miyazaki fans. The design and layout are really beautiful. You will find excerpts in the form of tickets; and the story is written as a handbook for passengers, but there are other types of entries as well. The topic is an interesting concept surrounding people who have lost meaning in life.

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cozy, gentle read.

The Elsewhere Express feels like stepping into a dream. It’s whimsical, atmospheric, and emotionally soft in that quiet, reflective way very much a mood book. The story follows two lost souls who find themselves aboard a magical train that appears only to those who are adrift, carrying them through surreal, beautiful places while gently nudging them to confront grief, guilt, and the question of purpose.

I really enjoyed the overall vibe of this one. The train itself was the highlight for me floating fountains, strange cars, magical tonics, and settings that felt straight out of a Studio Ghibli film. The writing has a lyrical, cinematic quality that made the journey feel cozy and immersive, even when it touched on heavier themes like loss and regret.

This is a quiet, character-focused story about healing, letting go, and learning how to move forward. There is some romance, but it stays very soft and subtle, letting the emotional journey and the atmosphere take center stage.

If you love whimsical fantasies, found connection stories, and books that are more about feeling than fast-paced plot, this one is definitely worth picking up especially on a rainy day when you’re in the mood for something gentle and reflective. Thanks to DelRey for the gifted ARC.

[Mirinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Elsewhere Express is a train made from daydreams and memories, carrying passengers who must discover where they truly belong. Raya and Q are both grieving, one weighed down by guilt, the other by hopelessness, and their journey becomes a quiet exploration of loss, healing, and purpose. It’s whimsical, surreal, and tinged with Studio Ghibli–style melancholy.

The worldbuilding is gorgeous: cars that double as meadows, picnic lily pads, even bars where whales swim through clouds. On paper, it’s everything I love: whimsy, wonder, and cozy escapism. But while the setting sparkles, Raya’s reluctance often dulls the magic. I wanted wide-eyed curiosity; instead, I got someone desperate to get off the train.

Still, the smooth pacing, thoughtful disability representation, and emotional depth make this a rewarding read. Predictable at times, sure… but if you’re willing to embrace the dreamlike nonsense and bittersweet heart, The Elsewhere Express is a ride worth taking.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[vaishnavi ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*]

pre-read જ⁀➴
╰┈➤ requested an arc 🤭 let's see if i'm lucky enough to get one!

[Pearla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay what the actual FUCKKKK. I need time to process this. 😭😭

Okay I am back. Thank you Del Rey for the e-arc!!!

I have settled on 3.75 but rounded up to 4. This one you had to trust the process and I failed to in the beginning, which tainted my experience. BUT at the end I thought to myself...how dare I NOT trust Samantha. I will never NOT read her books. The themes, the quotes, the creativity, the worlds she creates...are next level. I know there was a reason for the pacing and laxness in the beginning but it made me not really care for the characters and their problems as much, but the ENDING, all the emotions and depth I wanted just hit me like a train.

I would totally recommend this book to people who love learning lessons through crazy and unconventional manners :). Again, this hits the mark for studio ghibli lovers. Can't wait to see what she writes next.

[Iffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars! The Elsewhere Express was perhaps the most whimsical and abstract book I have ever read. I enjoyed the premise and the world building was so majestic and magical. However, I did have a few issues.

I adored the first 25% of this book and was sure it was going to be a 4-5 star read for me. After that, the plot became repetitive and I didn’t sense any character growth. The middle stretched on forever and it felt like we were being taken from point A to point B to C and D without any real purpose. A lot of the world/magic was not fully explained (or explained at all) so you just had to trust it and go - so although the world was beautiful, it made no sense and I did not feel grounded.

I did, however, like the ending quite a bit and appreciated the disability representation!

I think a lot of people could really love this book and there were parts that I loved as well, but overall the execution missed for me.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine you’re on a train, heading home from work or school. What if your mind went Elsewhere? More specifically to the Elsewhere Express: a train built entirely from the daydreams of passengers with no destination but the journey.

This book is beautifully written and brings to mind so many thoughts on… well, thoughts themselves. As an overthinker and someone who has struggled with mental health issues, I really appreciate this story’s exploration of purpose. This book deals with emotionally heavy topics wrapped up in a fantastical setting.

4 ⭐️ because the timeline did confuse me a bit, and there were some chapters in the middle of the book that I found a little tedious (which is more indicative of my personal taste than the book itself!)

Thanks to net galley for an ARC of this book.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bantam books for this proof copy for review!

4⭐️| OUT January 29th 2026

Once again I am blown away by Samantha’s writing style and imagination. The concepts and the world Samantha builds are so immersive and thought provoking.

We follow Raya as she finds herself aboard the Elsewhere Express after her mind wanders too far. The famous saying goes not all those who wander are lost - Raya definitely is after losing sight of her life’s purpose.

On board she also meets Q a handsome artist. Together they work against the clock to find their compartments and a new purpose.

However a stowaway on the train threatens to destroy the magic of the train and bring their magical journey to a complete stop.

The ending hurt my soul but was so beautifully written I (almost) forgive the author for hurting me like this.

I would recommend this for fans of Studio Ghibli and of course fans of Samantha’s previous book - Water Moon!

[Jordyn Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was really good! I think I enjoyed Water Moon more but I loved the philosophy in this book and how whimsical and mind bending this world was. the concept of being on a train that never ends at a destination, having to do away with your baggage and worst memories and confronting some of your worst experiences is so interesting.

thanks to Del Rey for the free early copy! full rtc!!

[Jordan Armes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC!

How do I even begin this? This book was exquisite in every sense of the word. It was whimsical and cute but also heart breaking and heavy. Some of the quotes in this book had my jaw hanging open and my eyes welling up with tears.

Samantha Sotto Yambao has the type of talent for story crafting I love to read. It’s so delicate and intricate and perfectly pieced together, you’d think Samantha boarded the Elsewhere Express herself and lived it.

I was slightly confused about the ending, but maybe I just need to go back and reread it again. How did Raya manage to go back to her time and see Q’s exhibit but then also meet him again back at the train station? He said he lived at a different time than her. But he also said time had broken some rules when he jumped from the train so maybe that’s the explanation. Whatever the case, I loved this book so much and I can’t wait for more people to experience it!