Series: Rebel Mechanics #1
Genre: Alternate History/Urban Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Paperback: 320 pgs
Published: Square Fish
2016
2016
Rating: 4/5
A sixteen-year-old governess becomes a spy in this alternative U.S. history where the British control with magic and the colonists rebel by inventing.
It’s 1888, and sixteen-year-old Verity Newton lands a job in New York as a governess to a wealthy leading family—but she quickly learns that the family has big secrets. Magisters have always ruled the colonies, but now an underground society of mechanics and engineers are developing non-magical sources of power via steam engines that they hope will help them gain freedom from British rule. The family Verity works for is magister—but it seems like the children's young guardian uncle is sympathetic to the rebel cause. As Verity falls for a charming rebel inventor and agrees to become a spy, she also becomes more and more enmeshed in the magister family’s life. She soon realizes she’s uniquely positioned to advance the cause—but to do so, she’ll have to reveal her own dangerous secret.
Recently I feel
like I'm using the word delightful to describe all the books I've been reading.
However, I don't think I can use anything else to describe Rebel Mechanics. I
loved this first book in this series and I'm so glad I took the plunge and
picked this up.
Verity is a feisty
character who I really enjoyed following through her adventures in this first
book. She does what she thinks is right even though she knows she is risking
her job. I like how she is unique and integral to the rebellion, but she isn't
a "chosen one." Even though she can be a bit naïve about her new
surroundings, Verity is smart and quick to figure out problems. She uses her
knowledge and her skills to help her though. I love her as our main character
and her journey through this book was fun to follow.
There are several
threads of romance in this book as well, but none of them are the main focus of
the novel. Romance takes a backseat to revolution and activism for the most
part. The writing might be the weakest part of the novel. It is a tad immature
even for a young adult novel and I’m hoping things will improve in the next two
books. I’m very excited to see where the story goes in the future and how the
author balances the plot and the romance.
Overall this was a
strong start. Even though there are some parts that follow tropes and are
predictable, it is very enjoyable and fun to read. I’m completely engaged and
ready to read the next book. (Good thing I’ve already picked it up, huh?)
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