A dazzling, entrancing WW2 debut novel about a young girl whose life with a travelling circus is upended when the two people she loves most - her illusionist father and an orphan refugee - suddenly vanish.

Two lives collide in a world of secrets. But one secret greater than them all...is about to tear them apart.

At the World of Wonders, Europe's most magnificent travelling circus, every moment is full of magic, and nothing is as it seems-especially for the people who put on the show. Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the circus, even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Theo. Brilliant and curious, Lena yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, despite her father's overprotection and the limitations of her wheelchair. Her unconventional life takes an exciting turn when she rescues Alexandre, an orphan with his own secrets and a mysterious past.

Over several years, as their friendship flourishes and Alexandre trains as the illusionist's apprentice, World War II escalates around them. When Theo and Alexandre are contracted to work and perform in a model town for Jews set up by the Nazis, Lena becomes separated from everything she knows. Forced to make her own way, Lena must confront her doubts and dare to believe in the impossible-herself.

A must-read for fans of The Night Circus and Water for Elephants, The Circus Train will take readers on a heart-wrenching and spectacular two-decade journey across Europe. When all is lost, how do you find the courage move forward?

THE MAGICAL INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER 'A compelling story of magic and survival against the odds.' SUNDAY TIMES 'Uplifting . . . a welcome escape from our turbulent times.' GUARDIAN 'An enchanting story of love, loss and survival' MAIL ON SUNDAY 'Full of hope and bravery' PRIMA Brought together by magic. Torn apart by war. _________ Europe, 1938. Even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the World of Wonders - a travelling circus that traverses the continent in a luxury steam engine. Brilliant and curious, Lena yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, despite the limitations she feels in her wheelchair. But when a young French orphan, Alexandre, comes aboard the circus train, Lena's life is infused with magic and wonder for the first time. But outside the bright lights of the circus, darkness is descending on Europe. War is about to shatter Lena's world, and take away everything she holds dear. And to recover what she has lost, Lena will have to believe in the impossible. A must-read for fans of Water for Elephants, The Circus Train will take readers on a heart-wrenching two-decade journey across a continent in which great beauty and unimaginable horror live side by side.

THE MAGICAL INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER Brought together by magic. Torn apart by war. 'A magical, vibrant parade of a novel about extraordinary people finding light in history's darkest decades. Spellbinding stuff' ERIN KELLY 'DAZZLING' Ellen Keith 'SUPERB' Reader Review (5 stars) 'EXTRAORDINARY' Kristin Harmel 'PHENOMENAL' Reader Review (5 stars) 'CAPTIVATING' Constance Sayers 'MESMERIZING' Reader Review (5 stars) 'SPELLBINDING' Carol Windley _________ Europe, 1938. Even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the World of Wonders - a travelling circus that traverses the continent in a luxury steam engine. Brilliant and curious, Lena yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, despite the limitations she feels in her wheelchair. But when a young French orphan, Alexandre, comes aboard the circus train, Lena's life is infused with magic and wonder for the first time. But outside the bright lights of the circus, darkness is descending on Europe. War is about to shatter Lena's world, and take away everything she holds dear. And to recover what she has lost, Lena will have to believe in the impossible. A must-read for fans of Water for Elephants, The Circus Train will take readers on a heart-wrenching two-decade journey across a continent in which great beauty and unimaginable horror live side by side. _________ 'BEAUTIFUL' Reader Review (5 stars) 'POWERFUL' Pam Jenoff 'DELIGHTFUL' Reader Review (5 stars) 'TRIUMPHANT' Lorelei Savaryn 'EXQUISITE' Reader Review (5 stars)