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A review by bookaneer808
The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Imagine Shadow & Bone written with the weirdness of China Miéville and you have a little of the flavour of this tale.
In the early 19th century, a wasteland has appeared between the great powers of China and Russia, haunted by terrifying, unearthly creatures. Massive walls are built on either side to keep the Wasteland out; the only direct connection between these nations is the mighty train, created and run by the Company.
Weiwei is a child of the train, born on board and kept as a talisman.
Marya Petrovna is a young passenger with a secret, seeking answers.
Henry Grey is a natural philosopher, keen to make fresh discoveries in this strange place and erase his recent humiliation.
All of their certainties will be washed away in this journey, because as people stare out at the Wastelands from the powerful, impregnable train, something stares back...
Adventurous, beautiful and unnerving story that swerves from the expected.
In the early 19th century, a wasteland has appeared between the great powers of China and Russia, haunted by terrifying, unearthly creatures. Massive walls are built on either side to keep the Wasteland out; the only direct connection between these nations is the mighty train, created and run by the Company.
Weiwei is a child of the train, born on board and kept as a talisman.
Marya Petrovna is a young passenger with a secret, seeking answers.
Henry Grey is a natural philosopher, keen to make fresh discoveries in this strange place and erase his recent humiliation.
All of their certainties will be washed away in this journey, because as people stare out at the Wastelands from the powerful, impregnable train, something stares back...
Adventurous, beautiful and unnerving story that swerves from the expected.