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Book synopsis

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'

Book details

• Full title: Elsewhere Express
• Author: Samantha Sotto Yambao
• Language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336
• EAN: 9781804993316
• ID: 50245453
• Publisher: Transworld Publ. Ltd UK
• Weight: 500 g
• Dimensions: 198 × 127 mm
• Date of publishing: 17. September 2026

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