Rebel Mechanics: All is Fair in Love and Revolution

by Shanna Swendson Narrated by Liz Pearce

Overview

In a world where the British nobility comes to power because they have magical abilities, the American Revolution of 1776 never got beyond a few angry protests to Parliament. The colonists didn' t stand a chance against a ruling class with that much power. Now it' s 1888, and an underground society of mechanics, scientists, and engineers is developing non-magical sources of power via steam engines and electric dynamos that they hope will put them on an even - or superior - footing so they can overthrow the magical rulers and gain freedom and independence for the American colonies. When Verity Newton comes to New York City to serve as young governess to one of the leading magical families, she accidentally befriends several rebel mechanics. They immediately recruit her as the perfect spy to gain inside information on the magister class in a magical Gilded Age New York. Even though Verity fights for the rebel cause, she' s torn because she feels more at home with the blue blood Lyndon children and their young guardian uncle than she ever did with her own family. She also feels the strain of her own secret that would turn the rebels against her and cause her to be shut away by the magisters: she' s half-magical herself--born of an illicit relationship between her mother and a magister man. Her very existence is seen as a threat to the purity of the magical bloodline. Meanwhile, her employer, Lord Henry, has his own secret. Verity is increasingly convinced that he' s the Robin Hood-like leader of a band of magical rebels working to free the colonies from British rule. As the actions of the rebel mechanics and the rebel magisters gain the attention of the Crown, Verity realizes that it will take both groups to achieve American independence, and she' s uniquely situated to bring them together - that is, if they can survive long enough once the city comes under martial law and the British forces stop at nothing to uncover the rebels and seize their machines.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

“Verity, a spunky, highly believable, well rounded character . . . keeps the reader turning the pages.” —VOYA

"It is 1888, and the Magisters, the magical British upper-class, rule the American colonies after their devastating victory in the American Revolution. The rebels now look elsewhere—to science and engineering—for the power to help them overthrow British rule. Seventeen-year-old Verity Newton comes to New York City looking for work and is quickly swept up in the revolutionary fervor of the young mechanics, engineers, and scientists who befriend her. . . . Recommend to fans of Gail Carriger's "The Finishing School" series. . . . a whole lot of fun." -School Library Journal

"Steampunk fans will enjoy this gadget-filled costume drama." -Kirkus Reviews

School Library Journal

06/01/2015
Gr 7–10—It is 1888, and the Magisters, the magical British upper-class, rule the American colonies after their devastating victory in the American Revolution. The rebels now look elsewhere—to science and engineering—for the power to help them overthrow British rule. Seventeen-year-old Verity Newton comes to New York City looking for work and is quickly swept up in the revolutionary fervor of the young mechanics, engineers, and scientists who befriend her. Even the handsome, young magister who has hired her as a nanny for his nieces and nephew seems suspiciously sympathetic to the cause. So when Verity's rebel friends and developing love-interest ask her to become a spy among the magisters, she takes up the task. But in so doing, she puts her own secrets at risk of exposure. Verity, although only a professor's daughter, has magical abilities. Steam-powered and magic vehicles, electric dynamos, and other interesting inventions pepper the exciting steampunk setting of this rollicking, campy adventure that moves along at the pace of a charging train. New secrets unfold every chapter, speeding toward the action-packed ending that easily sets the scene (and the love triangle) for a follow-up novel. Recommend to fans of Gail Carriger's "The Finishing School" series (Little, Brown). VERDICT Overall, a predictable story that's a whole lot of fun.—Mariah Manley, Salt Lake City Public Library

Kirkus Reviews

2015-04-15
Plucky Miss Verity Newton intends to become a governess in the British colony of New York, circa 1888. In a world where the nobility has magic, there's never been any hope for Britain's rebellious colonies. Magisters live in wealth and glory, never intermarrying with the poor, the military, or even the nouveau riche. Seventeen-year-old Verity arrives in New York nigh-penniless, determined to make her own way. Though she wants to be acceptable to the potential employers of New York's best families, she befriends some friendly scoundrels: the Rebel Mechanics. These rascally engineers are determined to overthrow their colonial overlords through the power of machines. Verity's torn between her dangerous new friends (with a cute guy among them) and her kindly employers (with a different cute guy). With the author's note and opening scenes spoon-feeding the alternate-history premise, readers won't be confused about why the rebels are angry. They may be confused, however, about the so-sneaky Mechanics' predilections for wearing corsets over blouses and waistcoats over union suits, as no justification is given for Victorian characters dressing more like modern cosplayers than like their nonrebellious compatriots. Still, there is no denying the novel's got verve, and there's an undeniable appeal to plucky, would-be governesses. Despite lackluster worldbuilding, steampunk fans will enjoy this gadget-filled costume drama. (Steampunk. 12-14)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171053123
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	07/14/2015
Edition description:	Unabridged

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