Ivana March runs a very special toy shop in the heart of Victorian London. The last person she expects to see enter it is an earl. Not that she has time to entertain him. Someone is stealing children, and the street kids whisper tales of a “Metal Man”. Ivana must find the monster, rescue the children, and if the earl really wants to help, he can come with her. Only, no one warned her she’d have to venture to places better left unexplored. A good thing, then, that the new Earl of Somer is a noted explorer. When the two of them join forces, what could possibly go wrong?
Current series: Caldryn Parliament. Golden Age mysteries in the realm of science fiction & fantasy.
Magic parliament mysteries - political intrigue, family drama, and the cutest gremlin sidekick ever!
I've curated my bookshelf to share books which I hope readers of Caldryn Parliament will enjoy. With the older books, please be aware that they are a product of their times and read with care.
Ivana March stormed out of the police station in anger, frustrated by the police and their uncaring attitude toward the local street kids. Reporting and requesting assistance was a waste of time; she had suspected it would be but now she knew for certain she would have to find the monster named “Metal Man” who was taking young kids off the streets of London herself.
Andrew, Earl of Somer was in the same police station, also looking for a lost street kid. The sergeant directed him to see Ms March as she knew the street kids and they trusted her. Surprised at where he would find her, he arrived at the Toy Shop in the heart of London to find a suspicious and untrusting Ivana. But when he explained his mission it seemed they had a common goal.
What would happen when they began their search through the slums; the evil smells rivalled the rats that ran up the alleys – but there was more evil out there than that. Could they stop that evil? Would the innocent children be safe?
This short steampunk novella by Aussie author Jenny Schwartz is thoroughly enjoyable. An intriguing plot about the street urchins of Victorian London and the horrors of the shadowy slums; a hint of romance and a whisper of the suffragette movement - all in all an excellent if ominous novella that I have no hesitation in recommending.
This short romance set in a steampunk Victorian London was a terrific read. Ivana, the heroine of the piece is a fiercely independent young woman who runs a toyshop selling personal protection devices to other young women under the counter. She also looks out for the street urchins and when a young girl is snatched off the streets by a man the kids describe as a 'metal man' she recruits an explorer, Andrew (aka the Earl of Somer) to help her hunt him down. I would love to see more of Ivana and Andrew in future adventures together.
"It’s the traces of his humanity that add horror to the madness.”
Children are disappearing from the streets of London and the whispers carry the tale that a "Metal Man" is to blame. Ivana runs a toy shop that has helped her gain the trust of the street children, so she is the first that they turn to for help. When Andrew, the newly minted Earl of Somer, goes to the police station to ask for help in finding his late cousin's bastard son the over worked coppers direct him towards Ivana claiming she would be the best bet in finding the child's whereabouts. From there our leads team up in an ominously mysterious steampunk novella to save the children from the Metal Man.
As mentioned this is a novella and certain intriguing story threads simply didn't have room to fully develop, I became hooked and wanted more. The story threads of Ivana using her toy store as a front to develop instruments of protection for women, who "The Chemist" is that was helping the Metal Man in his schemes, and Andrew and Ivana's relationship were hinted at and discussed and were immensely engrossing, this story definitely could have been made into a full length novel. Even with the short amount of pages the author managed to create a villain that was ghoulish and menacing but also showed a hint of humaneness.
Ivana is the stronger of the characters as more of her past and personality are shown but Andrew works as a terrific accompaniment. Their partnership in finding the children flows gently and believably into a romantic relationship. The reader can feel something tangible between them and they are a pleasure to read about, even though their story ends rather abruptly.
If looking for a quick eerily fantastic steampunk novella with a hint of romance, then The Icarus Plot would be a great choice to spend an hour or two.
The Good: It's well paced, with interesting and endearing characters. Even the villain is endearing in a sick, twisted way. The Victorian London setting really comes alive, despite (or because of) so much anachronism - this is steampunk. It's supposed to be like that.
The Bad: The story is angsty and whiny. There is far too much inner monologue, not to mention the outer monologue, as the protagonist, her love interest, and the villain all preach at each other for the reader's pleasure.
'Friends' character the protagonist is most like: Ivana is Ross, only with cool gadgets. Or she's like Batman without the silence.
I've read several of Jenny Schwartz's novellas and this one is my all time favorite!! (I think I say that after each new read.) Seriously, an interesting plot jumps to life and the sights and sounds of a dark, dreary English night are easily imagined.
Ivana is a woman with passion, purpose, independence, and heart. She is the owner of a local toy store but Ivana is secretly trading more than children's toys. Ivana is filled with guilt and remorse over a past relationship. Unable to move forward, she has found ways to alleviate her pain.
Andrew has recently become an earl, a title his loathsome cousin once held. With the title of earl comes great responsibility and Andrew intends to honor the responsibilities his cousin ignored.
Then, there are the street urchins of this vast, Victorian city. So many children without parents and cast into the horrid, lonely streets. Somewhere in the darkness, a monster lurks and children are mysteriously disappearing. Ivana and Andrew are united in their separate searches for two of the missing children. What horrors will they uncover in the shadows of the night?
The Icarus Plot is Schwartz at her steampunk best.
What a great short story! I normally don't read historical but I have to say this one surprised me, it was really good. It's a mystery with a little bit of romance thrown in there as well. I loved the characters. Ivana and Andrew make a great pair and I loved how the author didn't make the story all about them and the side "love story". It has a great plot and the story is well written. The story has a little bit of dark in it but nothing too dark and it does have a good outcome in the end. I liked the kids, they were funny at times and I loved how Sammy was so courageous. Our heroine Ivana is also very strong and I loved how she didn't just wanted the Earl to save her or the kids. I loved how it ended and it made me laugh a few times. HEA with lots of mystery and a sprinkle of romance. Will recommend to my friends.
I was provided a copy of The Icarus Plot in exchange for an honest review.. This was a very different kind of read for me.. I was skeptical at first, but at the end I was very happy that I took a chance on The Icarus Plot.
The story is packed with mystery along with a bit of romance. When five year old Janey one of London's street kids becomes missing, supposed toy shop owner Ivana March seeks the help of the authorities when police to help and send her on her way she is boiling mad...
When Andrew Grier the Earl of Somer goes to the authorities to seek help to find a lost boy he is refused as well and sent to Ivana March. Andrew and Ivana hit the streets of london they find there is so much more evil then they imagined..
This was a great fast past read.. I could of read more... If you liked mystery with a touch of romance this is a terrific read.. Highly recommend it
A great, short steam punk novella with a mystery plot. Ms Schwartz immerses the reader into an alternate lower London where the Metal man is stealing children. The H/h take it upon themselves to find the most recent captives. What ensues is a quick mystery with a smattering of romance thrown in. All to create an exciting novella that I wish had been an entire novel. I will look for more from this author.
Ivana 🙄 March owns a “toy” shop, that stocks toys and intriguing inventions. The inventions are equalizers for women, little seemingly innocuous things that deliver a punch. The shop is a memoriam for a friend, who was brutally used and killed, while her murderer was lightly chastised.
But her shop has opened her eyes to so many more things: injustices, abandonments, indifference, and the children who try to live and grow in the warrens that mark life near the Thames.
When Janey disappears, taken by the Metal Man who is stealing children, the police refuse to act. And, when a man follows her back to her shop, Ivana is not expecting an ally. But, Andrew, Earl of Somer, has real reason for seeking her out, and asking for help. He is trying to find a boy, with an “X” branded on his cheek.
Finding and rescuing one child, in the face of the plight of so many others, doesn’t sit right with Andrew. Especially, when the children insist that Miss March needs backup to confront the Metal Man.
I am not usually a fan of short sessions that this one is worth it can you can't beat the price!
I am not usually a fan of short sessions that this one is worth it can you can't beat the price!
Literally can't, unless someone pays you to read it. Definitely made me want to read more by this author. In fact, I hope the auther continues with these characters; although the story is so complete that this is probably not the beginning of a series.
But if the author was able to get me interested and invested this quickly, I'm looking forward to reading anything else by the author!
8/10: Excellent read, well written, fell right into the fictional world created.
These stories are great (this one follows The Lion & The Mouse.) But they're simply too short. They deserve more time spent with them. The characters have depth enough, the world building draws you in, and the plot could definitely handle a full-length novel.
I would gladly read a series set in this world, but it's not to be. And sometimes novellas just don't cut it. I want more!
A very interesting tale showing love, the strength of women, the barbarity of the human mind and courage. A tale that will keep you interested and part repelled throughout. A thoroughly enjoyable tale which will leave you wanting more.
I really enjoyed this novella. I love Ivana and what her shop stands for. The romance was a little jarring for me as I felt it didn’t have place in this short story. Overall a very good read!
As usual an interesting plot, well-drawn characters and believable dialogue make for a good read. Ms. Schwartz writes good stories of strong people doing what's right in grim circumstances.
Should have given it one star due to it being too wonderful to be sooooo short! These two characters have things to do. Villains to thwart, kids to rescue! Just like the Thanksbee novella. Write more please!
I really enjoyed this short story. There was just enough mystery, character development and romance to satisfy anyone and yet it was a quick read. Well worth it and fun!
Just not my cup of tea. Short story was a given with the small page count, but the characters were flat and devoid of personality. Written to illustrate a point.
Wonderfully brilliant. This is the first book I’ve read by Jenny Schwartz, and I devoured it. I was transported back into Victorian London, and I loved every minute of it. A must read story and a must read author. The story is wonderful, filled with danger and intrigue, in a time where a child going missing is thought nothing of. Where a woman of knowledge and determination are unusual, never mind an Earl wanting to help! Add all of that into a plot ripe with mystery and you come up with this fantastic story, where the monster has a name and it’s called The Metal Man. Loved it.
Opening Scene:
“She’s a little girl. Five years old, if that, and you’re not going to look for her? You’re not a man, you’re a mouse. A worm.”
The Review:
Ivana Marsh is searching for missing children. Someone in Victorian London is stealing them. A monster the kids whisper about and call The Metal Man. So when an Earl walks into her special toy shop, she owns and runs, she has no time to entertain him. But as he insists on helping her find the missing children, she allows him to come with her. Exploring places best left alone, it’s a good thing the new Earl of Somer is a noted explorer. With the two of them working together, what possibly could go wrong?
Notable Scene:
“Thank you, Lucy. I have a customer. A man.” A strange comment to add, he thought. But it must have served its purpose because Miss Marsh replaced the receiver on its brass hook without further conversation. “May I help you?” She moved away from the telephone and stood behind the counter. She didn’t look wary or nervous, but she definitely wasn’t welcoming. He sighed for his idle thoughts of dalliance. “Miss March, perhaps you remember me from the police station?” “No.” “My name is Andrew Grier, Earl of Somer.” He presented her with his card. Their fingers brushed: his gloved, hers ungloved. “The police sergeant said you might be able to help me with a problem. It seems we’re both looking for a lost child.” Miss March glanced at his card, then tapped it against the counter. Her fingers were slender and well-kept, the nails trimmed short. “Not to be rude, my lord. But why would the Earl of Somer be looking for a child?”
FTC Advisory: Victoria Joy Stolte through Book Ninja Reviews provided me with a copy of The Icarus Plot by Jenny Schwartz. Kindle Edition. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
this was a good concept but the whole thing felt kind of awkward and rushed and just ...too convenient i guess. it started really well but then it felt like she just went 'oh i guess i should finish this now' and tied everything up in a few pages
like at the end when they catch the guy he's just like oh well let me give you my entire backstory/evil plot without you really even asking and then i'll conveniently run off and commit suicide so as to save you the moral dilema of what to do with me. i would have liked to get some more insight into the metal man and the icarus imagery but it's basically brought up and discarded again within a few paragraphs.
and the whole romance angle. like this woman that doesn't trust men - and for good reason - is just also going to spill her entire tragic backstory and secret life to some guy she just met. the whole thing was like 'oh i've been hurt in the past but thank god he's here to show that ~not all men~ are like that'. and then she's just gonna run off with him after knowing him for literally a day? ugh. pass.
I was so incredibly disappointed by the ending of this story. I understand that it's a short story, not a full novel nor a moderate novella, but the completely sudden and cut off climax, with what felt like not three paragraphs of resolution was a huge disappointment. The details and thought that went into the beginning, with vivid descriptions and characters that had real personalities rather than mere masks of identity completely hooked me. But
It was dark and had a great mystery. Ivana & Andrew cross paths and together they save the missing children society turned their backs on because they were among the poor & forgotten. Ivana & Andrew save each other with their love and decide to begin a life full of adventure together with the plan to make better for others & put their stamp on society and it's future. I don't know if everyone will enjoy this book as much as I did but I hope so. & they give it a chance !
A short, sweet steampunk mystery romance that's good for light reading, though it touches on darker issues of how veterans and post traumatic stress disorder are treated today. Not to mention differing ideas about what's good for children...
Plenty of suspense fuels the mystery as the romance is more of a glaze over the top of this story, which is well worth a read.