Book excerpt: 'The Purple Cloud' by M. P. Shiel is a haunting tale of a North Pole expedition that takes a chilling turn. Adam Jeffson's journey is fraught with strange forces beyond comprehension. As he navigates the frozen landscapes, he encounters a mysterious purple cloud and the remnants of a world plagued by its deadly touch. The enigmatic girl he meets, untouched by the world's previous calamity, becomes his unlikely companion on a path towards redemption and a new beginning.