The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao
When you lose your way in life, the Elsewhere Express just might find you. Step aboard the train that can take you to your life’s purpose, in this cozy and inspiring fantasy from the nationally bestselling author of Water Moon.
This whimsical, deluxe first edition hardcover includes designed sprayed edges, a full-color illustrated book case with character art, and interactive endpapers with a scene you can color in—while supplies last!
You can’t buy a ticket for the Elsewhere Express. Appearing only to those whose lives are adrift, it’s a magical train carrying very rare and special cargo: 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, a charming, handsome 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.
But they also discover that the train harbors secrets—and danger: 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 question: What is her life's true purpose—and might Q be connected to it?I got an ARC from New York Comic Con '25. Thank you to Del Rey/Penguin Random House.
I really liked this story, though I am a bit confused by the conclusion and I have some theories.
It is very imaginative. Samantha's ideas for the train cars are so creative and fantastical they truly are beautiful and out of this world. One of the things I loved was the message of the story: that the guilt, sorrow and regret you carry is like being on a train on a looped track that leads to nowhere. While it's important to remember your past you also must let go of those feelings that weigh you down.
The prose is beautiful and I end up bookmarking so many quotes.
I love the characters of Raya and Q and the building of their romance. Some passages are really romantic, yet sad at the same time. I also really related to Raya's frustration with the cryptic conductor of the train and just wanting answers.
I give Samantha a lot of credit for weaving this somewhat complicated story together. Some downsides for me were that I did lose track (pun!) of some of the details. I would quickly forget some of the rules and which thoughts did what on the train. But maybe memorizing all that wasn't the point.
My other gripe was that while it is obviously magical realism, is the train
( SPOILERS )In conclusion, I really enjoyed it even when I was confused or frustrated. It's a beautiful and fantastical story and I do love the whimsical mind of Samantha Sotto Yambao.
4 out of 5 Train Cars.( Quotes ) 
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