Imagine an alternate steampunk history where ghosts and demons are a normal part of life. Families known as the Great Houses control the economy of the Great States of America and the middle class and the lower class Irish sole purpose is to not only to serve them, but to rid their lives of supernatural beings.Discover the life of Medium and Spirit Photographer, Andrew O’Sullivan, before he went … before he went to work for ex-Pinkerton detective, Samuel Hunter in “The Devil Within.” Search for demons (human and otherwise) alongside Granville Woods in “The Demons of Liberty Row.” And learn why Caitlin O’Sullivan must hide who she is from those closest to her in “The Secret of Kage House.”
Compiled together for the first time are seven stories based on the popular comic Boston Metaphysical Society. The collection also includes “Steampunk Rat” and “The Secret” in addition to the short stories,” The Clockwork Man” (published in eSteampunk Magazine) and “The Way Home” (previously published in the A1/Atomic Press Anthology). All stories are prequels to the comic and do not contain any spoilers.
The book also includes line art by Emily Hu.
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Coming-of-Age Short Stories Set in a Well-Crafted, Steampunk Alternative History
Prelude, a short-story collection, is one of three literary paths into an alternative, steampunk world that is the Boston Metaphysical Society. The other two paths are a novel, Storm of Secrets, which I have read, and a comic book/graphic novel, which I have not. The two I’ve read lead to a fascinating world where steam power and gauges replace the electronics and digital readouts of our world. And it’s not just technology that’s different, but history and society as well. Then, add a supernatural element with mediums, ghosts, and demons, and you have a fertile setting for the imaginative tales that make up Prelude.
The collection of shorts in the book can be thought of as specific, significant events in the backstory of the Boston Metaphysical Society saga—how Samuel Hunter came to wed Elizabeth Weldsmore who was well beyond his social station or how the second born of the Weldsmore sons came to power in his family. Even in just these two examples, you may notice one of the prominent features of Holly-Rosing’s alternative history; Boston is composed of a highly stratified society with the politically powerful living in opulence on Beacon Hill, while the Irish struggle and die in obscurity and abject poverty on the South Side. Much of the population is trapped between these extremes in the Middle District. Based on social standing, there are vast differences in the characters’ speech, thought, and dress, which the author has skillfully crafted and consistently maintains. And as you might guess with such a strict structure, the stories often feature protagonists struggling against these constraints, which are imposed by a parent, grandparent, or spouse as well as society as a whole. Add a bit of light humor (as in the Steampunk Rat) and some demon-hunting action (as in The Demons of Liberty Row), and you have a mix that makes these stories a pleasure to read.
My concerns are relatively minor. First, there are more typos than one would like, particularly in the use of the wrong word, a missing word, or an extra one. The author’s meaning is easily understood, but the errors can draw the reader’s attention from the story. Second, I would have preferred that the stories be in chronological order or have some type of introduction. I found myself resetting my mental history at the start of each short story—where are we in the character’s life and how does this play into what he/she becomes? I would have welcomed some help from the author in these transitions.
Overall, Prelude is a carefully crafted and well-written Steampunk version of history. Coming of age themes with a sprinkling of humor and plenty of action make this collection of short stories a very entertaining read.
“Boston Metaphysical Society: Prelude” is a riveting collection of seven stories, each connected to the previous one in a very clever way. It all starts with Lucius, a man who got betrayed by a mad scientist and saved by a child; then we are introduced to Andrew, a medium and a spirit photographer, who finds himself hoping that at least his young daughter won’t inherit his curse of a “gift”. Samuel makes an appearance soon after, and his role is not an envious one: to participate in an experiment without knowing it. Samuel’s chapter is seamlessly followed by the one in which Elizabeth, a medium, falls in love with him and perhaps now he is the one who is to be saved instead of being a savior… As you shall read further, you’ll definitely fall in love with Tinker, a brave and affectionate rat who was saved by a talented young engineer and you’ll root for Caitlin, a medium, Andrew’s daughter, who is struggling not only with her gift but with her relationship with her mother.
The writing is compelling and pulls you right in from the very first page. The steampunk world comes alive with its history, engineering wonders, strict hierarchy and, of course, schemes and evil plots. You will root for the characters; you will admire their spirit and you will hold your breath when, once again, they will find themselves in danger. I really can’t recommend this story collection highly enough! An excellent read!
Having read the author’s earlier work: Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets and enjoyed that, I looked forward to this collection of stories and novellas. I enjoyed Prelude: A Seven Story Collection, which was a combination of steampunk and paranormal. The characters were all unique, alive and bright; achieved with an impressive economy of writing. Similarly alive and bright but also sketched economically were the settings for this alternate world. Madeleine Holly-Rosing does have a lovely style of writing.
I have no hesitation in recommending this collection of stories.