Review of "Here There Be Monsters"

"Here There Be Monsters" in the anthology BURNING UP
Meljean Brook
Berkley Sensation, August 2010
ISBN:  978-1-61664-711-7

Ivy is born into a rather dismal world, in which, the Horde has used nanoagents to control the population of England and much of the world for two centuries.  When pirate captain, Rhys Trahaearn, destroyed the tower, that the Horde used to control the nanoagents, the Horde rule was ended.  For seven years Ivy has known freedom from Horde subjugation, but one night she awakens and is unable to move, and upon further investigation, finds several people in her building have disappeared.  Fearing that the Horde may be returning, Ivy seeks transport out of England with the pirate, Mad Machen.  Unfortunately, Ivy has little to bargain with, and, in desperation, offers herself in return for passage.  Lady Corsair helps Ivy flee Mad Machen, who searches for her for two years.  When Ivy's great blacksmithing skills are needed, Lady Corsair leads Mad Machen to her, because they have a common enemy.

"Here There Be Monsters" is a very entertaining steampunk romance with great world-building and unique characters.  Ivy is a strong, intelligent woman, who is something of a mechanical genius.  Ivy has survived great hardship during the time of the Horde, and, now, barely eeks out a meager existence working with the Blacksmith.  When Ivy thinks, that the Horde is returning, she becomes desperate to escape-- desperate enough to put herself in the hands of a ruthless pirate like Mad Machen.  Mad Machen has done everything in his power to enhance his bad reputation, in order, to help his fight against the Horde and others similar in nature.  Unfortunately, this stands in the way of what he most wants, Ivy's love.  These two make a wonderful couple, and I love the interesting and compelling world, which Ms. Brook creates.  This story is a keeper, and the next in the series, THE IRON DUKE can't be released soon enough.

NOTE:  I own this book and gave an impartial review.