3.0
mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This was such an interesting and unique read! The concept of the Trans-Siberian Railway traveling through a magical no man’s land instantly drew me in, and I loved the eerie, otherworldly atmosphere it created. That said, I do wish the world-building had been stronger—I found myself wanting more detail about the mysterious magical landscape and the creatures within it.

I especially enjoyed the friendship between WeiWei and the magical stowaway, Elena—it brought warmth and humanity to the darker elements of the story. Marya’s quest to clear her father’s name and uncover the horrors lurking aboard the train also kept me invested.

Given the title, I was really intrigued by the idea of The Cautious Traveller’s Guide itself. While there were small snippets of the guide sprinkled throughout, I would have loved more depth and detail from it to enrich the reading experience.

I listened to the audiobook and thought it was very well performed—the narration added tension and intrigue that enhanced the atmosphere.

Overall, this was an imaginative story with fascinating ideas and compelling characters, though I craved more world-building to fully ground myself in the Wastelands.