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The Elsewhere Express
Not yet published
Expected 20 Jan 26When 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?
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?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 20, 2026
35 people are currently reading
15702 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Sotto Yambao
6 books1,659 followersSamantha 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)
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November 3, 2025
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.
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.
Want to read
June 28, 2025Do yourself a favor and go look at the Deluxe edition on the @Delreybooks Instagram page… it’s stunning! 😍
September 3, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ Review to come. 🩷
November 9, 2025
While I this is creative plot is rather repetitive and got boring real fast.
August 26, 2025
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.
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.
August 20, 2025
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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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.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
to-be-released
July 15, 2025y'all i just requested this eARC and i will totally cry be an adult about it if it gets denied 🙃
August 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
The Elsewhere Express
by Samantha Sotto Yambao
Magical trains that appear out of nowhere? Cars that double as meadows, picnic lily pads, and bars where whales swim through clouds? Sign. Me. Up. On paper, this book had everything I usually devour in a single sitting: whimsy, wonder, cozy vibes, and the promise of purpose. But in execution? Well… the train arrived, I boarded, and it turns out I was stuck sitting next to Raya—our main character—who spent most of the ride wishing she could get off.
And that’s really the core of my issue. You’ve got this lush, imaginative setting just begging to be explored, and instead of leaning into the magic, Raya treats the whole thing like a bureaucratic layover she didn’t sign up for. I wanted someone wide-eyed, curious, maybe even a little selfish about staying on board. Instead, I got reluctant, resentful, and honestly… a bit of a downer.
Q, our resident tortured-artist-love-interest, was… fine. Charming in spurts, frustrating in others. Sometimes he felt like an actual character, sometimes like a plot device who showed up exactly when needed. I didn’t hate him, but I also didn’t exactly ache for more page time with him either.
The worldbuilding, though? Gorgeous. Whimsical. Exactly the kind of fantasy escapism I was hoping for. And I’ll admit—the late-stage twists and the little sting in the epilogue did perk me up. But by that point, I’d already skimmed through chunks of the middle because my connection to Raya (or lack thereof) was dragging the magic down.
So yeah, this book wasn’t bad—it’s well-written, imaginative, and I can already see it being someone else’s five-star comfort read. But for me? It missed the stop. Every time I wanted to sink into the wonder, Raya yanked me back into her sulking, and the spark fizzled. Three stars feels fair: a lovely concept with stunning details, but paired with a main character I never really wanted to sit with.
The Elsewhere Express
by Samantha Sotto Yambao
Magical trains that appear out of nowhere? Cars that double as meadows, picnic lily pads, and bars where whales swim through clouds? Sign. Me. Up. On paper, this book had everything I usually devour in a single sitting: whimsy, wonder, cozy vibes, and the promise of purpose. But in execution? Well… the train arrived, I boarded, and it turns out I was stuck sitting next to Raya—our main character—who spent most of the ride wishing she could get off.
And that’s really the core of my issue. You’ve got this lush, imaginative setting just begging to be explored, and instead of leaning into the magic, Raya treats the whole thing like a bureaucratic layover she didn’t sign up for. I wanted someone wide-eyed, curious, maybe even a little selfish about staying on board. Instead, I got reluctant, resentful, and honestly… a bit of a downer.
Q, our resident tortured-artist-love-interest, was… fine. Charming in spurts, frustrating in others. Sometimes he felt like an actual character, sometimes like a plot device who showed up exactly when needed. I didn’t hate him, but I also didn’t exactly ache for more page time with him either.
The worldbuilding, though? Gorgeous. Whimsical. Exactly the kind of fantasy escapism I was hoping for. And I’ll admit—the late-stage twists and the little sting in the epilogue did perk me up. But by that point, I’d already skimmed through chunks of the middle because my connection to Raya (or lack thereof) was dragging the magic down.
So yeah, this book wasn’t bad—it’s well-written, imaginative, and I can already see it being someone else’s five-star comfort read. But for me? It missed the stop. Every time I wanted to sink into the wonder, Raya yanked me back into her sulking, and the spark fizzled. Three stars feels fair: a lovely concept with stunning details, but paired with a main character I never really wanted to sit with.
September 23, 2025
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.)
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.)
dnf
September 3, 2025Deadly 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.
Read
November 24, 2025This 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!
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!
November 1, 2025
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.
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.
November 25, 2025
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.
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.
November 9, 2025
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.
November 10, 2025
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!
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!
Want to read
November 14, 2025
pre-read
જ⁀➴
╰┈➤ requested an arc 🤭 let's see if i'm lucky enough to get one!
╰┈➤ requested an arc 🤭 let's see if i'm lucky enough to get one!
November 4, 2025
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.
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.
October 8, 2025
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!
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!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2025
*thank you to Del Rey Books and netgalley.com for an eARC in exchange for an honest review*
Welcome aboard the Elsewhere Express! Where you’re on the ultimate journey of self discovery. A mysterious and magical train that only appears when a person has truly lost their purpose in life.
There’s no way for me to describe this book other than its capital W: Whimsical.
Just like in Yambao’s previous book, Watermoon, the Elsewhere Express belongs in Studio Ghibli’s lineup. The whole experience was set up like one of their child-like adventure movies.
My pros:
•The setting! Each compartment of this train was so interesting.
•The overall concept of a magical train
•The way the metaphors tied into the “train magic”
My cons:
•The characters. Raya was borderline annoying and Q had no depth.
•Starting around the 30% to the 70% mark it all felt very repetitive and boring.
•Lots of twists especially at the end.
I would recommend if you’re looking for something whimsical and fun but I’m afraid for me this one was convoluted in terms of pacing and storyline.
3 solid stars.
*thank you to Del Rey Books and netgalley.com for an eARC in exchange for an honest review*
Welcome aboard the Elsewhere Express! Where you’re on the ultimate journey of self discovery. A mysterious and magical train that only appears when a person has truly lost their purpose in life.
There’s no way for me to describe this book other than its capital W: Whimsical.
Just like in Yambao’s previous book, Watermoon, the Elsewhere Express belongs in Studio Ghibli’s lineup. The whole experience was set up like one of their child-like adventure movies.
My pros:
•The setting! Each compartment of this train was so interesting.
•The overall concept of a magical train
•The way the metaphors tied into the “train magic”
My cons:
•The characters. Raya was borderline annoying and Q had no depth.
•Starting around the 30% to the 70% mark it all felt very repetitive and boring.
•Lots of twists especially at the end.
I would recommend if you’re looking for something whimsical and fun but I’m afraid for me this one was convoluted in terms of pacing and storyline.
3 solid stars.
*thank you to Del Rey Books and netgalley.com for an eARC in exchange for an honest review*
November 18, 2025
"The Elsewhere Express" is a whimsical novel set on a train for people who have lost their purpose in life. It explores deep, dark concepts like grief, depression, and morality, but in a magical setting which lifts the tone. The story follows 2 people, Raya and Q, who end up on this train on the same day. Raya has been struggling with the grief of losing her brother, and the guilt that comes with it. Q is a famous artist who has lost his vision, and therefore, his purpose in life. As the 2 try to find their place aboard the train, they traverse through magical train carts, with things like songs that can heal, and paint that creates the stars at night. While they have a time limit to find their compartments on the train to be able to stay, they're also recruited by the conductor to fight of a darkness that has become a threat to the peaceful existence of the inhabitants of the train.
This book was SUPER whimsical and definitely fits in the genre of magical realism. While the story starts in the real world, our characters get dragged into a magical realm where grudges become dragonflies and songs can heal damaged train parts. Each train compartment is unique(imagine a beach in a train compartment) and you can travel between them by jumping through picture frames and such. If you're ready for your imagination to go for a spin, this book is for you!
I enjoyed this a lot - it's super unique and deals with a heavy topic in a light hearted way. I do think sometimes the magical elements were just a bit too bizarre for my brain to imagine(I visualize everything I read, so imagining objects made of grudges or dreams sometimes threw me off). I also was a little confused at how time worked -especially in the ending. I think I need to go back and read the last 3 pages again because it left me confused.
Overall this is another enjoyable novel by Samantha Sotto Yambao, and I think both general fiction and fantasy readers would both enjoy this as it has a touch of both genres.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was SUPER whimsical and definitely fits in the genre of magical realism. While the story starts in the real world, our characters get dragged into a magical realm where grudges become dragonflies and songs can heal damaged train parts. Each train compartment is unique(imagine a beach in a train compartment) and you can travel between them by jumping through picture frames and such. If you're ready for your imagination to go for a spin, this book is for you!
I enjoyed this a lot - it's super unique and deals with a heavy topic in a light hearted way. I do think sometimes the magical elements were just a bit too bizarre for my brain to imagine(I visualize everything I read, so imagining objects made of grudges or dreams sometimes threw me off). I also was a little confused at how time worked -especially in the ending. I think I need to go back and read the last 3 pages again because it left me confused.
Overall this is another enjoyable novel by Samantha Sotto Yambao, and I think both general fiction and fantasy readers would both enjoy this as it has a touch of both genres.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, Del Ray, Random House Worlds and Inklore for the eArc in exchange for an honest review!
I'm actually not sure how to describe this one. I think this story had the potential to be very Studio Ghibli-esque, which I'm guessing is what the author was going for, especially with the success of her previous novel, Water Moon, which was like reading a beautiful anime come to life. The Elsewhere Express is a second chance for people who have lost their purpose, but can find it again on this magical express through the stars, defying all concepts of realism and normality. It's made from daydreams, thoughts, worries, grudges, etc, but no excess baggage is welcome.
Raya is our main character, and she is dealing with the loss of her brother and guilt over his death. Q is dealing with the loss of his eyesight as well as an overall feeling of hopelessness. Together, they find themselves aboard the express and must go on a quest to find which compartment they belong to. I think my main issue with this story are the characters and the romance(?). I really think that the subplot did not need to be included, but I also thought that Raya's inability to suspend her disbelief really annoyed me to the point of irritation with her as a whole. The entire time she spent wanting to get off this whimsical beautiful ride (you can eat dinner on LILYPADS and use paintings as doors???) And that pissed me off.
I think the plot twists as the story went on were predictable but fit the Studio Ghibli vibe; I again thought it was unnecessary and kind of wished for a more gentle and whimsicle vibe from the story, but hey ho. This book was excellently written and I did enjoy the world building and rules of the train, as well as the way that the story was structured with the itinerary and legs of the journey and I already know the special editions will be spectacular, but I can't give this higher than a 3 based on the character work.
I'm actually not sure how to describe this one. I think this story had the potential to be very Studio Ghibli-esque, which I'm guessing is what the author was going for, especially with the success of her previous novel, Water Moon, which was like reading a beautiful anime come to life. The Elsewhere Express is a second chance for people who have lost their purpose, but can find it again on this magical express through the stars, defying all concepts of realism and normality. It's made from daydreams, thoughts, worries, grudges, etc, but no excess baggage is welcome.
Raya is our main character, and she is dealing with the loss of her brother and guilt over his death. Q is dealing with the loss of his eyesight as well as an overall feeling of hopelessness. Together, they find themselves aboard the express and must go on a quest to find which compartment they belong to. I think my main issue with this story are the characters and the romance(?). I really think that the subplot did not need to be included, but I also thought that Raya's inability to suspend her disbelief really annoyed me to the point of irritation with her as a whole. The entire time she spent wanting to get off this whimsical beautiful ride (you can eat dinner on LILYPADS and use paintings as doors???) And that pissed me off.
I think the plot twists as the story went on were predictable but fit the Studio Ghibli vibe; I again thought it was unnecessary and kind of wished for a more gentle and whimsicle vibe from the story, but hey ho. This book was excellently written and I did enjoy the world building and rules of the train, as well as the way that the story was structured with the itinerary and legs of the journey and I already know the special editions will be spectacular, but I can't give this higher than a 3 based on the character work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2025
*I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
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 🌟
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 🌟
October 18, 2025
Samantha Sotto Yambao. Ma’am. Once again, you have written a book that had me enthralled, then confused, wondering if it was good or not, and then in tears. Truly a master of the craft.
The Elsewhere Express, like the pawn shop in Water Moon, offers people a way to escape, this time from their present rather than their pasts. But escape comes at a price, and for Raya and Q, that price is each other. The Elsewhere Express is a beautiful story about what happens when you can’t let go of the thoughts holding you back, holding you hostage. And to me it was a really good thought exercise about what happens when the different versions of yourself are avoiding each other.
This is not a love story, but it is a story about people who have intertwined faiths, and story about choosing someone over and over again, even at your own expense, and what it looks like when you stop being self sacrificing and start living for yourself, and how another person fits into that story. That’s probably not a great explanation, but it’s something like that.
This book is deep and very heady, and some people won’t jive with it. And others won’t get it. But there is a group of people that this will really resonate with, and I’m one of them. This was a beautiful work. Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the ARC. Can’t wait to have a hard copy.
The Elsewhere Express, like the pawn shop in Water Moon, offers people a way to escape, this time from their present rather than their pasts. But escape comes at a price, and for Raya and Q, that price is each other. The Elsewhere Express is a beautiful story about what happens when you can’t let go of the thoughts holding you back, holding you hostage. And to me it was a really good thought exercise about what happens when the different versions of yourself are avoiding each other.
This is not a love story, but it is a story about people who have intertwined faiths, and story about choosing someone over and over again, even at your own expense, and what it looks like when you stop being self sacrificing and start living for yourself, and how another person fits into that story. That’s probably not a great explanation, but it’s something like that.
This book is deep and very heady, and some people won’t jive with it. And others won’t get it. But there is a group of people that this will really resonate with, and I’m one of them. This was a beautiful work. Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the ARC. Can’t wait to have a hard copy.
November 8, 2025
I've found myself increasingly drawn to speculative fiction, a genre I wouldn't normally gravitate toward. Having adored Water Moon, I approached The Elsewhere Express with high hopes, and I'm delighted to say it was no exception!
This novel is profoundly reflective and is complemented by truly beautiful writing. The author's skill with description shines, as the imagery was vivid and immersive (not a surprise if you've read Samantha Yambao before). I could picture the train and every scene perfectly. While the MCs each grappled with their own significant issues, I enjoyed watching how they ended up on the train and why.
The overall feeling of the book is a wonderful balance and blend between the emotional depth of Inside Out and the whimsical, rich aesthetic of a Studio Ghibli world. It was such a thoughtful, reflective read that I finished it feeling happily absorbed in my own contemplations long after turning the final page (I usually can write reviews immediately, but this took me longer than most).
Thank you Del Rey and Netgalley for the ARC!
This novel is profoundly reflective and is complemented by truly beautiful writing. The author's skill with description shines, as the imagery was vivid and immersive (not a surprise if you've read Samantha Yambao before). I could picture the train and every scene perfectly. While the MCs each grappled with their own significant issues, I enjoyed watching how they ended up on the train and why.
The overall feeling of the book is a wonderful balance and blend between the emotional depth of Inside Out and the whimsical, rich aesthetic of a Studio Ghibli world. It was such a thoughtful, reflective read that I finished it feeling happily absorbed in my own contemplations long after turning the final page (I usually can write reviews immediately, but this took me longer than most).
Thank you Del Rey and Netgalley for the ARC!
August 7, 2025
This book is not for me. That's not to say that it's a poorly written book, or that others won't enjoy it, but every shot it took at me missed.
I think the most challenging part for me was seeing things from the protagonist's POV - in Raya, we have someone experiencing a magical, mystical adventure on a train where each car is its own little world contained within, and rather than wanting to experience the fantastical nature of the trip, she just wants to find out how to leave. Even when her motives have to shift from getting off the train to finding her compartment and looking for the stowaway, there was a sense of resentment and reluctance in her that I did not find myself enjoying. I think I would have enjoyed it more if Raya had desperately wanted to stay on the train and was keeping secrets hoping she wouldn't be kicked off rather than desperately trying to leave.
Q was ... fine. I felt for his character, but I also thought he bounced rapidly between being boring and too convenient.
I did enjoy the little twist in the epilogue, and the twist that came before but ... ultimately, the fantastical world of this novel was being explored by a character that I struggled to like, so I had a hard time enjoying myself. If I hadn't skimmed through the 50-70% range to speed up, I probably would have DNFed this book.
I think the most challenging part for me was seeing things from the protagonist's POV - in Raya, we have someone experiencing a magical, mystical adventure on a train where each car is its own little world contained within, and rather than wanting to experience the fantastical nature of the trip, she just wants to find out how to leave. Even when her motives have to shift from getting off the train to finding her compartment and looking for the stowaway, there was a sense of resentment and reluctance in her that I did not find myself enjoying. I think I would have enjoyed it more if Raya had desperately wanted to stay on the train and was keeping secrets hoping she wouldn't be kicked off rather than desperately trying to leave.
Q was ... fine. I felt for his character, but I also thought he bounced rapidly between being boring and too convenient.
I did enjoy the little twist in the epilogue, and the twist that came before but ... ultimately, the fantastical world of this novel was being explored by a character that I struggled to like, so I had a hard time enjoying myself. If I hadn't skimmed through the 50-70% range to speed up, I probably would have DNFed this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2025
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.
Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the ARC!
I did miss a narrative thread that intrigued me and pulled me throughout the story, but it remains a very magical book.
Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the ARC!
November 14, 2025
The Elsewhere Express was such an incredibly magical journey! Not only in the Studio Ghibli esque world building, but in the beautifully lyrical prose that have found a home in my heart and soul. I sobbed when I finished this book. Sobbed!
Samantha Sotto Yambao's ability to write poignant, impactful, and heart felt one liners is astounding. Sometimes I find that some attempts at poetic writing can come off as inauthentic, forced, and detracts from the story, but it only helped move the story along in the most beautiful way! I also found myself falling in love with all of these characters and all of their flaws and was completely invested in every decision and action every character made. I can't recommend this book enough!
This was an ARC from Net Galley and Del Rey | RH
Samantha Sotto Yambao's ability to write poignant, impactful, and heart felt one liners is astounding. Sometimes I find that some attempts at poetic writing can come off as inauthentic, forced, and detracts from the story, but it only helped move the story along in the most beautiful way! I also found myself falling in love with all of these characters and all of their flaws and was completely invested in every decision and action every character made. I can't recommend this book enough!
This was an ARC from Net Galley and Del Rey | RH
August 19, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for an ARC of The Elsewhere Express.
I'm honestly shocked how little I enjoyed this book. The ideas were very creative but I just was not swept away by the magic like I was when I read Water Moon. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be profound and reading it felt like a chore. Although the world-building was elaborate, I had trouble picturing the train cars in my mind and I didn't feel an emotional connection to any of the characters. I'm unsure if I'll try another book by this author after this one.
2.5 stars
I'm honestly shocked how little I enjoyed this book. The ideas were very creative but I just was not swept away by the magic like I was when I read Water Moon. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be profound and reading it felt like a chore. Although the world-building was elaborate, I had trouble picturing the train cars in my mind and I didn't feel an emotional connection to any of the characters. I'm unsure if I'll try another book by this author after this one.
2.5 stars
October 21, 2025
Words I would use to describe this book: introspective. poetic. whimsical. metaphoric. symbolic. unique. hyperbolic.
If I had not already read Water Moon by this author, I’m not sure I would have liked this read as much as I did. It felt different from Water Moon in the sense of the characters but the same desperation within the story and trying to accomplish a task on a journey. I liked the airy and spacey vibes, and I enjoyed the ending as well!
If I had not already read Water Moon by this author, I’m not sure I would have liked this read as much as I did. It felt different from Water Moon in the sense of the characters but the same desperation within the story and trying to accomplish a task on a journey. I liked the airy and spacey vibes, and I enjoyed the ending as well!
Want to read
November 11, 2025Okay but this cover?? It looks straight out of a dream. I can’t stop staring at it...it’s so soft and beautiful...
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