The Apple-Tree Throne

This novella is a ghost story, but not like any ghost story that you have read before. It is moody with rich language that you nearly want to read out loud, just to hear the words spoken. It is set in an alternative historical context, but the steampunk aspects are merely a backdrop to one soldier’s emotional journey after returning from the war, and a complicated relationship with a ghost. I loved this book. I wish it was sold in print rather than only on Kindle.

It is the turn of the century in an England that never was. Bright new aqua-plants are generating electricity for the streetlights; news can be easily had on the radio-viz; and in Gundisalvus’ Land, the war is over and the soldiers are beginning to trickle home. Amongst these is Lt. Benjamin Braddock, survivor of the massacre that ended the war, and begrudgingly ready to return to a world that, well, doesn’t seem to need him any more than it did in peacetime. His friends have homes and families to return to, while he’s got nothing but his discharge papers and a couple of unwanted medals. Oh, and one new thing: the furious ghost of his commanding officer.

Fortunately, since the officer’s family is so vehemently adamant that Braddock join their rich and carefree fold, he doesn’t have much time to fret about being haunted. But the secrets of the war are about to catch up to them all.

The Purple Fantastic Steam Meter gives this read a 2. It acknowledges sexual desires but that is not the focus of this book. More about The Purple Fantastic Steam Meter on the About page.