The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands: A Novel by Sarah Brooks

In this stunning historical fantasy novel, passengers aboard the Trans-Siberian Express embark on a perilous journey across a magical landscape known as the Wastelands. The train, renowned for its luxury yet fraught with danger, attracts travelers eager to witness fantastical creatures. However, on its last journey, a mysterious incident occurred, now shrouded in uncertainty.

As the train prepares for its next voyage, new passengers board, each with their own secrets and motives. Zhang Weiwei, who thought she knew all the train's secrets, finds herself intrigued by Elena, a beguiling stowaway with a mysterious connection to the Wastelands. Despite knowing she should report Elena, Weiwei forms a forbidden friendship with her.

Among the passengers are Marya Petrovna, using a borrowed name to escape grief, and Henry Grey, a disgraced naturalist seeking redemption. As alliances form and tensions rise, signs emerge that the rules governing the Wastelands are shifting, endangering the train and its passengers. Can they trust each other amidst the growing chaos outside?

With echoes of "Piranesi" and "The Midnight Library," this narrative, praised by Samantha Shannon for its breathtaking mysteries and marvels, weaves a tale of adventure, friendship, and perilous discovery. As the train hurtles through a landscape both wondrous and treacherous, the characters confront their own pasts while navigating a world where danger lurks in every corner and secrets unravel in unexpected ways. ❤️📚❤️