The Elsewhere Express

Embark on a magical journey in this cosy and inspiring fantasy from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Water Moon – perfect for fans of Spirited Away, Dallergut Dream Department Store and The Starless Sea.

Raya is a lost soul, going through the motions of life without a dream of her own.

One night, on her subway ride home, Raya’s thoughts wander too far. She wakes on the Elsewhere Express, a magical train that offers its passengers a sense of purpose, peace, and belonging. The train’s endless journey is a chance for Raya to reimagine her life – but only if she finds her compartment before time runs out.

On board, Raya meets a charming, handsome artist named Q and together they race to find their place on the train, through a boarding car carpeted in meadow grass and along a dining carriage where passengers picnic on lilypads.

But a mysterious stowaway has boarded with them, and with it a dark, malignant magic that threatens to destroy the train and everything in it. The closer Raya comes to uncovering the stowaway’s identity, the nearer she draws to the ultimate question: what is her life’s true purpose – and might Q be connected to it?

Praise for Samantha Sotto Yambao

‘Full of adventure and marvellous creativity, Water Moon surprises and delights with every turn of the page’ — Megan Bannen, bestselling author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

‘A spell-binding journey into a magical Ghibli-esque world. Endlessly inventive, this haunting and enchanting tale is not to be missed.’ –A.Y. Chao, author of Shanghai Immortal

‘Water Moon is unlike anything I’ve ever read, full of wonders and terrors…a haunting, half-remembered dream of a book.’ –Gareth Brown, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of Doors

‘An engaging, dreamy fantasy with an atmosphere reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli production’ — Guardian

‘Water Moon is a dreamy, ethereal fantasy, set in a fascinating faerie tale world with appropriately dark corners. Fans of Hayao Miyazaki will love this one.’ –Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul

‘Whimsical, poignant, thought-provoking, and wildly adventurous, Water Moon will bend your imagination in the very best of ways.’ –Mikki Brammer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover

‘A unique and beautiful fantasy novel’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘A whimsical and immersive [Studio] Ghibli-esque adventure’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘Every leg of the journey unfolded with its own distinct charm‘ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘The world building [is] so exquisite‘ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐