The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao

Summary - Follow Raya and Q as they board The Elsewhere Express, a train that gives you a purpose, a sense of belonging, and peace. Something Raya desperately needs, as her lost soul walks through the motions of living without dreams of her own. Alongside Q, an intriguing artist who has also boarded, they must work together to find their place on the train before it’s too late. A train that could help them both reimagine their lives, but only if they can find their compartment in time. Running against the clock, and something dark and mysterious stowed away, will Q and Raya be able to figure it all out and find their true purpose on The Elsewhere Express?

Thoughts -

Thank you once again, NetGalley and Samantha Sotto Yambao, for this ARC. I was so excited to be accepted for this!

Welcome Aboard, a truly beautiful tale written by Samantha Sotto, who has crafted magic once again! Water Moon was a moody and vivid love story. The Elsewhere Express is a pastel, dream-like Studio Ghibli-inspired world that focuses on you and your purpose. Samantha's writing is something so colourful and vibrant that you truly are transported into a realm of pure imagination and exquisite world-building. As well as thought-provoking, emotional characters whom you can relate to and understand through your own lived experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters, and, most importantly, the beautiful message that is consistently woven into Samantha’s narratives. As someone who thrives on imagination, who loves to daydream, who will follow her dreams until the very end, this was a fantastic story to dive into.

Raya was someone whom I truly wanted to see follow her dreams to take the leap and renew her lost soul. To find the purpose she so desperately needed and to do that with someone who truly understood her and accepted her, and that was Q, someone who was also struggling with his own grief. He seemed to teach Raya a lot of self-discovery and showed her that being her truest self can help find her place on board the train. There were a lot of different and beautifully unique characters throughout this story, each helping Raya and Q along their journey within each carriage.

Ah, the carriages, what a journey between each one. The train itself is made from all things that make a human beautiful. It is literally made from our thoughts, memories, daydreams, and emotions. So it is only fitting that each carriage is like a dream-like realm with giant lilypads you can dine on. Living meadow grass as carpet, office space within teacups, and more whimsical surroundings. It truly pulled you within the pages of a story you never want to leave. The way Samantha has written The Elsewhere Express, you are shown surreal elements vividly through her words. Even when dealing with the dark and mysterious stowaway that causes drama throughout the book, you can feel the emotions, the negativity, and the pain of it all. Samantha can truly create a world with words alone, and every one you read creates a perfect picture within your mind, and you cannot read fast enough to keep the breathtaking visuals going. It is honestly a unique journey on board The Elsewhere Express, and I highly recommend you grab your ticket today and come on board within the pages. You will not be disappointed.