This was a charming, if melancholy read. Set in a sort of steampunk Britain, very Victorian, with odd new countries, like Americanada and Neo-Gaul.

Ben Braddock is a young man returned from the Great War and heralded as a hero for doing nothing more than surviving the final battle. He was impoverished before the draft and really has nothing to return to, until he is taken in by the family of his commanding officer. His shame and discomfort is palpable; he allows himself to be manipulated by the family out of a combination of survivor’s guilt and a desperation to keep a roof over his head and because he just doesn’t know how to tell them no.

His commanding officer, Wickersly, died in the battle but did not come home to a hero’s burial. His performance as a leader did not cover him in glory, and now he is haunting the young man who is living in his home, sleeping in his bed, and dining, reluctantly, with his family. Braddock is already dealing with his PTSD, the lingering pain of his injuries, his poverty, and now the appearance of his disgraced commanding officer at his window every night.

This is a short read, more of a novella, but well-written. It’s sad but suspenseful, and manages to paint its picture of steampunk Britain without a lot of exposition, just well-placed details. A bit of a palate-cleanser before I dig into some longer works.

My copy of The Apple-Tree Throne came from my Kindle library.