Sixteen-year-old Verity Newton is certain that her university-quality education and the numerous novels she has read will be preparation enough to work as a governess among the upper class magisters who rule Britain and its American colonies with magic in 1888.
Soon after arriving in New York City, Verity learns that unrest is growing and a group of colonists calling themselves the Rebel Mechanics hope to use ingenuity and mechanical inventions to unseat the magical might of the magisters.
After securing a job as governess to one of New York’s premier families, Verity finds herself caught directly between the magisters and the mechanics. Although she is sympathetic to the rebel cause, she also realizes there is more to the magisters than anyone might think–particularly when it comes to her new employer Henry.
When Verity is drawn into the fledgling rebellion as a spy, she learns that anything goes when it comes to revolution–and love in Rebel Mechanics (2015) by Shanna Swendson.
Swendson blends historic details and steampunk sensibilities perfectly in this novel to create a fun alternate history New York filled with magic and powerful inventions. Verity’s sense of wonder at everything she sees in the city will capture similar feelings from readers.
Verity starts out as a naive heroine with little life experience and a lot of uncertainty about her place among the magisters or the mechanics. Although she makes a few blunders along the way, Verity learns from her mistakes and her character development is perfectly paced throughout the novel. Despite her naivete she is a pragmatic and thoughtful narrator who refuses to let things like bandits or revolutionaries fluster her.
Although Verity’s love interest for much of the novel is not ideal, the story is still filled with enough swoony moments and excellent characters to forgive Verity’s lack of good taste. Henry, a magister with rebel sympathies and Verity’s unlikely employer, is guaranteed to be fan favorite.
Rebel Mechanics offers a perfect blend of fantasy, action and romance that is sure to leave readers smiling. This book is currently a standalone (with a largely self-contained plot to prove it!) but we can only hope Verity and her friends will eventually return with new stories and adventures.
Rebel Mechanics is a delightful steampunk novel filled with adventure and magic. Highly recommended for readers looking for an effervescent read as well as fans of fantasy/steampunk or historical fiction/alternate history novels.
Possible Pairings: The Shadows by Megan Chance, Scarlet by A. C. Gaugen, The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg, This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, A Spy in the House by Y. S. Lee, Winterspell by Claire Legrand, Clariel by Garth Nix, Across a Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski, Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood, Enchantée by Gita Trelease, Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
You can also read my exclusive interview with Shanna about the book!
*An advance copy of this book was provided for review consideration by the publisher*
Miss Print 
Ah, I’ve heard quite a bit about this book! Some good, some meh, some not so good, but overall I’m interested in it. I adore the steampunk era and think it’s so interesting. I’m not sure about the romance aspect (since you mention the interest isn’t so ideal), but I think someday I’ll give it a try! Great review, Emma. :P
I hope you can give it a try soon! I’m very invested in this book doing well so I can get a sequel!
I’m not usually a fan of historical fiction, but I love when there’s the introduction of magic. I might have to check this one out. :)
Do it! I think you’ll really enjoy it. Historical fantasies are a lot of fun.
As it stands, I don’t think I’ll be reading this unless a sequel comes out. The romance, I don’t think, would be satisfying enough! The switch seems to happen too late. :/ But I keep hearing how fun this book is, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I hope the author will write a second book!
Lovely review, lady!
Thank you! Hopefully there will be enough interest/demand to justify a sequel. I don’t do this for a lot of the books I request for review (way too many to be budget friendly!), but I’ll be buying a finished copy of this one to do my part.
I just finished this one a few days ago and really enjoyed it. I loved the merging of historical fiction, feminism, and steampunk — it was super well done. I really hope that there is a sequel! There are so many things left unanswered.
Agreed! This is definitely a world I hope to see more of.