This book takes you on a journey from Granville to Paris in 1895, inspired by a real train crash. The story is packed with over 30 characters from all walks of life—a knitter, a revolutionary with a bomb, a medical student, and more. It’s an interesting mix, and the setting really brings the time period to life.

But honestly, there were just too many characters for me to keep track of. I couldn’t tell who I was supposed to focus on, and some of the details—like how steam trains work—felt unnecessary. By the halfway point, I was a little overwhelmed.

That said, if you enjoy historical fiction with lots of perspectives, you might like this one. The premise is fascinating, even if the story felt a bit crowded to me.