I picked this arc up on a whim and did NOT expect to love it as much as I did. The world is large and compelling without ever falling into the alluring trap of too much lore, the characters have depth, and the story is compelling. What more could I ask for?

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

I enjoyed the premise of the book. It felt a bit like Snowpiercer, with people separated by class in some weird train dystopia-ish situation. I liked the book, up until the ending. The ending/epilogue just didn't make a lot of sense to me; it just felt like an easy way out. I think there needed to me more consequences or a stronger direction or something, instead of just petering out to things being just fine. 3 5 stars.

1 train, 23 days, 3 different points of view. Hop on the Trans-Siberian Express at your own risk but witness the wonders of the Wastelands. The warning: do not let it in or it may just consume you.

I love the way the story begins. It has a very Murder on the Orient Express feel with the introduction of the train and all its different characters. The story, however, plays out much more differently. This is not a murder mystery, this is an adventure of discovery. The wastelands are a dangerous place, and this crossing is a risk to every passenger that decided to take it on. Though the Company boasts safety, all the characters are affected and transformed one way or another by the wasteland.


I enjoyed reading this story immensely. I felt like I was on a train adventure myself. Though the wastelands had little effect on me, I felt immersed every single step of the way.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Taking place aboard a transiberian train designed and engineered to carry passengers across the eerie and corrupted wastelands, this story tells the tale of the train’s travels, and the passengers on it. This journey feels different though- something happened on the last trip, something that is spoken about only in rumor and whispers, in which the survivors claim no memory.

The story feels like it’s holding its breath, like something is always *almost* going to happen, creating a very ominous air at first. The style reminds me a lot of Annihilation. Very different stories, but similar weird, almost psychedelic imagery that leaves you like “woah what” at the end. At no point did I really know what to expect. This is like a slow unraveling of your sanity along with the characters, and I’m still not totally sure what I read.

Overall, recommend this one- just know that it’s a slow burn and very weird.

The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands follows an eccentric cast of passengers as they ride the Trans-Siberian Express across the strange and sinister Wastelands, stretching from (if I recall correctly.) Beijing to Moscow. Their conflicting motivations and hidden connections to the shadowy Company that operates the train come to a head when the journey begins to go awry.

Highlights of this book for me included the concept (locked-room mystery meets creeping supernatural horror), the cast of characters (including a Chinese train brat born on the rail, a disgraced English naturalist, and a Russian woman with something to hide), and the framing device ( the in-universe titular travelogue). I really felt the author's background in the details about the geographic setting (entering Siberia via China), which was another high point for me and something she made real use of.

Going into this book, I imagined a cross between Murder on the Orient Express and a horror novel like Mexican Gothic, and though elements of each were present in the story I ultimately felt that it was much more of a magical realism piece, genre-wise. There wasn't much mystery (things were simply revealed over the course of the novel), nor was it particularly scary/suspenseful. Though I enjoyed the archetypical characters, I found them to be tonally quite similar and never really connected to any one of them or their motivations in anything but an intellectual sense. I also felt that the supernatural/magical elements were overexplained, and though the worldbuilding was interesting it felt a little spoon-feedy at the cost of real investment in the plot. Overall I would rate this 3.5/5 stars, and would recommend it to someone with the caveat that it is more magical realism then anything else.

The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands is definitely a unique book. The entire book is set on one train journey between Beijing and Moscow and what happens while the train is traveling through the Wastelands, a desolate barren place between the two that people fear and are curious about.

The book took a little time to get going, as it was introducing characters and setting up the story. It moved a little slow, but you learn the backstories of all the main characters as well as why they are on the train. However, about halfway through the book, it really picks up and gets interesting, and that’s where the magic occurs.

Beautifully written, this book has lots of detail and train(?) building. The descriptive writing really helps you to really imagine what the train and Wastelands look like.

I really enjoyed reading this unique book. If you like trains, magic realism, and wonderfully descriptive books, you definitely need to read this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

"What’s that? A refrain that echoes through every crossing. The crew have taught themselves not to react. A crawler, a specter; some familiar strangeness."

This was really good and inventive. The writing is a little thick so it took me a while to finish, but I was engrossed almost the entire time.

One part historical fantasy, one part science fiction, and a decent helping of horror thrown in. A train full of people traverses the wastelands that are both dangerous and unknowable, a land known for inducing bouts of madness or even memory loss.

The Plotting + Writing:
The story is told from 3 POVs. Arguably WeiWei, the child of the train, is the main POV and where most of the story orbits. She is curious and confident with a streak of defiance that helps her pursue a new relationship with the Wastelands.

Next is Marya, who is investigating a mystery and what happened on the previous journey. And lastly the scientist Grey (arguably the closest the book comes to a villain, other than the Crows/corporation) who is wealthy and entitled and driven by a need to define, own, and put his name to the universe.

Horror:
I'm honestly surprised that Horror isn't a higher label for this book. Maybe it's that the US cover is deceptively sweet, even while the plants on the UK cover mimic skeletons. There are a lot of bugs and tendrils and a persistent sense of uneasiness/foreboding that starts around the first third and never lets up for the rest of the novel. For the most part the descriptions are not gruesome, only haunting, aside from some predator/prey observations.

The Train:
Looking back at the synopsis, I totally see the Piranesi comparisons now. This isn't like Piranesi in the language and almost poetic nature, nor in the mysteries or plot unfurlings, but it's certainly similar in that the train and the Wastelands are essentially characters themselves. The setting is essential to the story and is often a living thing (the pulse of the train like a heartbeat, the connections in the Wastelands like veins).

Overall:
I really enjoyed this a lot and would probably give it a solid 4.5/5 stars, but with potential to be upgraded on further reflection if it really sits with me. If anything about the synopsis or reviews appeals to you, definitely try it! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Awesome idea, beautiful atmosphere, and compelling plot. The second half was bursting with gorgeous imagery that reminded me of Annihilation. However, my main nitpick was that the characters were just not fully realized enough. I feel like I barely knew anyone except Weiwei, and even she was pretty weak. Because I didn’t really know in the players, it was really only by the strength of concept and the skillfully growing sense of dread kept moving it forward—I actually almost gave up at the 43% mark but I am super glad I picked it up again! Absolutely worth reading (if only for the ending) but not a good as it could have been.

Thanks to NetGalley for the EArc!

Reading the synopsis for this books didn’t really give the reader a idea of what lay within. This book should be read all in one sitting, if you wait too long between readings or only read a little at a time details get lost and continuity fails. Reading the first half the wrong way made me appreciate reading the last half that much more.

Absolutely loved the atmosphere of this book - inventive, creepy, mysterious, and awe-inspiring at time. Great cast of characters who kept me intrigued throughout. Excellent descriptive writing. Overall a solid 4.5 stars out of 5. I do wish there had been a bit more concrete answers given regarding the mystery around happenings of the previous journey on the train, but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book.

Described as steampunk fantasy and set in the Victorian age (end of 19th Century), The Cautious Traveler's Guide to the Wastelands features a trans siberian train reminiscent of Agatha Christie's classic. In this story, the train is the only way to travel to the Wasteland - a land of "terrible miracles" and an indescribable marvel.

As the story begins and the train bears down on the area between Beijing and Moscow we meet a series of passengers that have decided to pay the price for a ticket including a child born on the train! The widow Marya, the naturalist Henry and even a stowaway feature in this story and the group decides to trust each other as things on the train begin to go wrong. If you are a lover of scify, dark stories and historical fantasy this is a book for you! #flatironbooks #thecautioustravellersguidetothewastelands #sarahbrooks

Summary:
This follows multiple PoV’s during the multi-day journey from China to Moscow on the Great Trans-Siberian Express. There aren’t solid character chapter designations, but it does follow 3 characters really consistently with the occasional foray into other minor characters.

Positives:
+ I loved how colourful the descriptions of the strange train happenings were. So beautiful and horrible at the same time.
+ Absolutely loved the final chapter of the story and the epilogue. Are you allowed to love the wrapped up conclusion of a story more than the actual journey through it? I adored how the author tied things together. Such a beautiful feeling to end on. Recommend on the feelings-high provided alone.

Negatives:
- I could not bond with any of the main or side characters in the book. The way that the perspectives jumped around so much didn’t give me time to sympathize with them. There were absolutely characters that I didn’t enjoy: Henry Gray immediately jumps to mind. I feel like the most interesting aspect about the two main female characters started to really flourish at the end of the book. Why were the most epic parts of them confined to the last few chapters? … Side note, if there is a second book and it jumps off from where this book left off, awesome.

Final Thoughts:
I have mixed feelings about this book. This was a roller-coaster of feelings: from mounting horror to wonder. The story reminded me of a combination of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” and T. Kingfisher’s “What Moves the Dead”. I would have loved it more if the last few chapters were the first few chapters of the story and it went on from there. There was a mounting creeping horror throughout the story that was done really well. This book didn’t feel like it was the right fit for me. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy a sinister sneaking horror throughout their historical fantasy.

This book was a hit for me. Although it started off a bit slow, it quickly picked up and had me hooked. I loved the genre blend of sci fi and fantasy this novel embodied. It transported me to an alternative timeline for 19th century China/Russia, showcasing modern marvels and alien landscapes. The group of character onboard the Great Trans-Siberian Express were eclectic and well-written. You were drawn into their stories and why they are connected to the train. The prose is engaging, and the plot is unique and mysterious-keeping the reader in its grip until the end. This is an easy book to recommend because I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. 4.5 stars.

So, this book was on my radar from the jump (I mean, c'mon? That title??), but it was an author recommending it on their Insta that really cinched it for me. This was a weird, wonderful, fantastical book with this undercurrent of unease running throughout the majority of the novel. Part historical fantasy, part gothic horror, part mystery, this book follows three main POVs: Marya (a woman posing as a grieving widow with secrets of her own), Weiwei (the child of the train), and Dr. Grey (a disgraced naturalist trying to regain his former glory). I'd say that Dr. Grey was my least favorite character and POV, but considering I loved this book that doesn't mean much.

The writing in this was just... so, so luscious. From the descriptions of the landscape and the train to the way the characters interacted with one another. I loved it all.

I will say that I can definitely see why this would be divisive. This book takes place in a sort of alternate history where the stretch of land between Beijing and Moscow becomes... strange. It necessitates the building of a railway between the two points to reconnect an area that was previously lost. The Wastelands are weird and surreal and haunting and occasionally confusing. This book doesn't really take the time to fully explain the finer nuances of the Wasteland. It sort of just is. And the ending might be a bit confusing, too. But, again, I loved all of it.

I wish I could articulate better just how weird and wonderful and creepy this was, with like the faintest undercurrent of hope towards the end. Just a delightful read and one I'm probably going to think on for some time.

I'm not going to lie, this one was a bit disappointing. From the description it sounded right up my alley and I was super excited to read it. I waited over four months for the publisher to approve my ARC request and another month until I could find a spot in my schedule to start it, and then … sadness. I really, really wanted to love this one.

I just could not get into this story, though. The first 60% pretty much just consists of the characters walking around the train and talking to each other. Nothing happens. I mean, I suppose there's the whole thing with Elena, but for something that should be a very surprising occurrence, it's tremendously anticlimactic. And, honestly, I just couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters – they're all pretty one-dimensional and I never felt like I got to know them in the slightest. I kept thinking that things had to get interesting at some point so I kept on reading, despite the fact that I really wanted to DNF around the 40% mark (I actually got out of bed around 2 a.m. to go downstairs and “officially” mark it as DNF'd on Goodreads but changed my mind at the last second). And there is a bit of action around the 60% mark, and things get supremely wonky after that point, but I can't say that I ever truly got invested in the story. It just all felt so … flat.

But, with that said, this book has a fantastic premise. A dangerous train journey though the magical wastelands of Siberia? Yes, please! And I have to say that I didn't hate the ending. I wasn't exactly invested in it, but it's unique and seems appropriate considering the events that lead up to it. If there were just a little more “oomph” to this story, it really could have been phenomenal.

Obviously I'm in the minority here – lots of other reviewers have loved this book. While I wasn't its biggest fan, I'd certainly be willing to try out another book by Sarah Brooks in the future – she definitely knows how to come up with an intriguing premise!

My overall rating: 2.75 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

The book is categorized as scifi/fantasy, but really I’d term it more Victorian Gothic. There is a fantasy element of the wastelands, the creepy “changed” area the train crosses, but overall the story feels more Gothic horror tinged than your standard fantasy. Nothing too horrific or graphic happens, but there’s definitely a sense of ominous dread and a few “jump scares” throughout.

I thought this story had some unique, creative ideas. Without spoiling anything, I think my favorite part of the book was the commentary it makes on dealing with change. I haven’t read anything quite like this, and I read a lot of sff, so that’s saying something. I was caught up in the idea of the train as the only safe haven, all on its own in a tainted, magical landscape. It’s a story of “strangers on a train,” and has a little of that “Orient Express” feel in that you don’t know what each character might be hiding. The train is truly on its own out in the Wastelands. If something goes wrong, no help is coming, which adds to the tension throughout. The story follows three different passengers, and I generally liked the multiple perspectives, although there were times when I wish we got a little more or less of various characters.

That said, early on, some of the characters make some incredibly foolish choices without good reasoning as to why. The story didn’t wrap up quite as neatly as it could have, and I was still left with some questions about what exactly happened on the prior train journey that everyone is mysteriously silent about. In the end, we never get a straight answer on what is going on in the wastelands, and maybe that’s supposed to be the point, but personally I’d have liked a little more clarity.

Overall, though, this was a unique story that was definitely worth a read for someone who likes historical fantasy/gothic horror.

I found the premise and the world of this engaging and the overall atmosphere incredible, but it never became more than the sum of its parts for me. I think I wanted more of a forward drive, which admittedly is not what this is going for. I could see someone in the mood for a meditative mystery with a strong whiff of strangeness really falling for this!

This book straddles every single genre I love: historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, magical realism, speculative fiction, mystery, steampunk fantasy, and alternate history. It is written in vivid descriptive prose, and is surpringly engaging and fast-moving even when so much of it feels like a metaphor on society, science, history and our constant human need to ascribe meaning to things.

Sarah Brooks creates an enrapturing version of the world with the wild landscape of the Wastelands that lie between China and Russia, which are connected by a train and its secrets. She weaves the story of the characters well with the (literal and metaphorical) journey they take across the Wastelands, and balances the realism of the world with the magic associated with fantasy novels.

This book has echoes of many books I've previously read, and would appeal to those who've read the same: Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials, Susanna Clarke's Piranesi, Yann Martel's Life of Pi and R.F. Kuang's Babel. It's strange, fantastical, whimsical, and introspective. I can't wait to get my hands on a paperback, dive back in, and understand the story deeper. This book is a definite contender for the best book I've read this year!

Thanks for the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of the book, and thank you to the author for that wonderful, beautiful story!

I’m giving this 5 stars because it was so beautifully written and so unique, anything less would be wrong.

But it was also sad and very strange, and I’ll have to think about how exactly I feel about it for several days.

A great adventure story reminiscent of The Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer. Great for readers of fantasy and speculative fiction.