Rebel Mechanics

All Is Fair in Love and Revolution

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 nonmagical 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 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, which 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.

©2015 Shanna Swendson (P)2015 Recorded Books

good book for middle schoolers.

as an adult reader I found that the story was lacking any unpredictable twists and over explained the plot. I think it would be a very interesting book for 12-14 year olds.

Excellent steampunk series

It was a wonderful listen, the performance was superb. Verity Newton is learning more about herself while also really seeing the world. She is an intelligent young woman with a taste for adventure and some courage to follow through in what she believes. Fun characters and story, wish the other two books in the series where on audible.

A good beginning to a series

Light, fun, steam, gears, magic... a good realization of a great premise. I liked it.

Disappointing

I truly loved Shanna Swendson's Magic, Incorporated series; it was a fun and interesting story line. Her Fairy Tales series wasn't quite as good, but was somewhat enjoyable. This book just seems to drag along, without really going anywhere. I made it halfway through before giving up. I was really hoping for more.

Magic and Steampunk!

What a great book. Follow the exploits of Verity Newton, new come to New York to find work as a nanny. Little does she know, she's going to find a revolution along with an interesting employer in the form of Lord Henry. Great book and highly recommended.