Rebel Mechanics: All is Fair in Love and Revolution

Written by Shanna Swendson

Narrated by Liz Pearce

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490683966

Shanna Swendson

Shanna Swendson earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas and used to work in public relations but decided it was more fun to make up the people she wrote about, so now she’s a full-time novelist. She lives in Irving, Texas, with several hardy houseplants and too many books to fit on the shelves.

Reviews for Rebel Mechanics

[Ashley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the magical twist on the American Revolution. This is a great book my daughter and I both enjoyed reading.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Verity Newton finds herself in the thick of revolution when she accepts a job as governess to three children in New York. Verity begins her adventure by being present when a group of masked bandits rob the train she is riding to New York. Then she encounters the Rebel Mechanics when she is on her way to her job interview.This is alternate history. The American Revolution never happened. The colonies are controlled by the British who have magic and who strongly discourage any technical inventions that would put their rule at risk. The rebels are inventors and engineers working with steam engines and other non-magical sources of power.Verity is befriended by the rebels and is uniquely placed to be able to spy for them. Her charges are the grandchildren of the Duke of New York who is in command. Her charges' guardian is Lord Harry Lyndon, the children's uncle, who portrays himself as an eccentric entomologist but who Verity learns is actually in command of the Masked Bandits.Verity also has a secret that could put her in danger. She also has magical abilities but isn't of the magister class. That puts her in danger if the ruling magisters find out because they would see her as an abomination. The book was filled with wonderful steampunk inventions. It was also a romance though not one with a happy ending. Verity is a very plucky 17 year old and a great character.

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very entertaining alt-history, steampunk nouveau american revolution. What I loved: fast paced and fun, doesn't take itself too seriously, totally all about steampunk and magic and the main character is a delightfully intelligent young woman, who keeps her cards close to her chest. She's awesome. Bit of a love triangle (yes, I felt the feelings of doom that presents in a YA novel, and was delighted when it resolved in a different manner than I expected). While I found it not at all realistic in a social mores reading of history, I loved the deconstruction of how one comes to find oneself spying for a revolution, the airships and steam constructs, the mechanics and magic, and frankly a heroine I could not just like but respect. Pretty cool.

[acargile-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I would call this novel steampunk, which I usually don’t care for, but I liked this book. I think the cover is odd, I will say.The author writes a note at the beginning of the novel, saying that she wondered what life would have been like in America is the colonies hadn’t won independence from England and what if people who have magical abilities were the ruling class? She sets the novel in New York City, 1888. Verity Newton seeks a job as a governess. She’s late to her last interview when she’s offered a ride on a steam-powered bus. She’s just met the rebels--the people who want a better life, fewer taxes, and more opportunities. They are the Rebel Mechanics. Unless one is a magical, one lives a lower caste life, so to speak. They want freedom from the tyrannical British rule and want to develop their steam engine so that they aren’t reliant on magic. It’s on this last interview of the day that she is hired by Lord Henry.Verity believes that she recognizes Lord Henry. She had met him earlier on the train as the bandit who robbed the train. He acts as if he’s never seen her. Lord Henry is unusual--he’s an absent minded, bumbling man who is only interested in insects. While convinced Lord Henry is putting on an act, Verity works her own secret identities--one of which only she knows. She becomes friends with the Rebel Mechanics and agrees to spy for them--partly because she likes Alec, one of the rebels, and mostly because she believes they are somewhat right. She just doesn’t always agree with their methods. As the rebels become bolder and the British decide to use more force, Verity is caught between helping and keeping her charges safe and believing she’s keeping Henry’s secret.Not a terribly long book, Rebel Mechanics, is entertaining. I recommend this novel as well. I liked Verity and enjoyed the altered history of the United States.

[anyaejo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was so much fun! I don't normally go for steampunk, but the magic reimagining of the revolutionary time period was awesome, the characters are great (cute kid alert!), and the pacing is seriously impressive. Perfect for fans of Jane Eyre with slight magic ;).

[stefferoo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

“Magic vs. Machines” seems to be a recurring theme in my YA lately, and Shanna Swendson’s alternate history steampunk fantasy novel Rebel Mechanics is my latest venture. In it, we go back to 1888 New York City in the American colonies still under British rule. The revolutionary war never happened because the Britain have magic on their side, but the desire for independence cannot be extinguished. Instead, a new faction of rebels calling themselves the Rebel Mechanics have emerged, determined to invent machines to prove that science and technology can not only match the might of magic, they can also replace it. If the colonies are no longer dependent on the British and their Magisters, America can win her freedom.Sixteen-year-old Verity Newton arrives in the city in the early days of the rebellion, seeking a position as a governess. Overwhelmed by the new sights and sounds, she is unexpectedly befriended by a group of young men and women from the Rebel Mechanics who notices her plight and helps her out. Verity ends up being hired by the brilliant but absent-minded Magister Lord Henry who tasks her to look after his nieces and nephew. Recognizing an opportunity to aid her Rebel Mechanics friends, Verity agrees to become a spy, gathering intelligence from Lord Henry’s household as well as the various Magister events she would be invited to. However, that was before she discovers that her employer might actually be more sympathetic to the rebels than anyone thought.The beginning of this novel showed real promise. I loved the writing style, the time period, as well as the idea that a showdown between Magisters and Mechanics is being set up as the catalyst for this alternate world’s version of the American Revolution. But as the story progressed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing for me, something vital. Eventually, I realized what it was: I could not connect at all with any of the characters in this book.Let’s start with Verity – an independent, ambitious and determined young woman. So far so good. Throw a dreamy green-eyed boy in her path, however, and that whole persona promptly shatters. She goes from being an interesting character to an exasperating one in the span of two seconds it takes for her to fall head over heels in lust with a Rebel Mechanic named Alec. After this, it’s “I wonder if Alec feels the same way about me?” or “Oh I do hope Alec will be at this party!” Alec this and Alec that. Verity becomes blinded to everything around her, even though as the reader, all kinds of alarm bells were ringing in my head warning me that our poor besotted protagonist might be walking into various traps. Verity is oblivious of course, because her brain stopped working as soon as Alec stepped into the picture.It was also hard to sympathize with the Rebel Mechanics, which didn’t help. Regardless of their cause, I lost whatever respect I had for them the moment they put the lives of children at risk to forward their agenda. The scene was somewhat glossed over, but it didn’t lessen my disbelief or revulsion at the selfishness of these characters. Even Lord Henry, who was by far my favorite character in this novel, goes gallivanting off on his clandestine nightly adventures without much thought to the future of his young niece and nephew, though admittedly his situation is a lot different. But with all the deceit and trickery and dishonesty flying around, I was feeling just done with everyone in this book. Perhaps all the subterfuge was supposed to make the book more suspenseful, but it completely backfired on me. Still, despite the issues I had with this book, I had some fun. Rebel Mechanics had a great premise and the writing was great, creating a rich atmosphere. I felt the spirit of independence in this story, and interestingly, I read most of it over the 4th of July weekend so it added to the vibe. If I hadn’t felt so aggravated by the vast majority of characters in this novel, I might have really liked it, but the awkward romance also ruined much of the enjoyment. For now I have doubts that I will continue with the series.

[cablesclasses · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Two distinct worlds, yet both must coexist in New York in 1888. Magic used to power vehicles for the magical while the non magical learn to build machines with brute force and talent. Who is the better in this British ruled world? The rebel mechanics (non magical) are determined to prove that their talent is better than the ruling government and work towards causing a revolution. Newly arrived to the city, Verity looks for a job as governess to the magical but finds herself embroiled in the rebel mechanics movement. She must decide which side to trust, her employer or hew new friends. The ending allows for a sequel yet also complete enough as a stand alone book. Recommended for 7-12 grades, either gender, history buffs with the okay with magic mixed with realism, and general adventure seekers.Try reading The Unnaturalists by Trent.