Rebel Mechanics

May 1, 2015
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)

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June 1, 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

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May 15, 2015
Grades 8-12 Magic meets steampunk in Swendson's young adult debut. Verity Newton's first day in New York City begins with a ride in an omnibus pulled by a steam engine. Although a steam engine is a perfectly normal part of a steampunk novel, here it has a special place. In Verity's world, British magic practitioners, called magisters, make up the ruling class. America is still a colony because unrest is easily put down with magic. But the people responsible for keeping the omnibuses running are rebel mechanics, young men and women devoted to capturing the power of steam and liberating people from their forced dependence on the British upper class. Verity secures a position as a governess in the household of magister Lord Harry, and before she knows it, she is a spy for the rebel mechanics. Verity makes for an appealing heroine. Insecure and naive, yes, but she displays strong spirit when challenged. Fantasy fans may find the story is steampunk lite, but it's undeniably a jolly good romp.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2016
Gr 7 Up-Plucky ingenue Verity Newton, the half-magical child of a strict academic father, leaves her home in search of governess work in 18th-century New York. On her first day in the city she falls in with the Rebel Mechanics, a group of colonists who are determined to develop nonmagical means to break the hold of the British magistrates on the colonies. But that same day, she is hired by one of the most prestigious families of the magical British aristocracy. Verity finds herself torn between these two worlds. While she attempts to come to terms with her own half-magic nature (something she must hide from everyone), she also finds herself attracted to two young men from opposing sides of the conflict. Verity's calm and clear-headed thinking, despite the nonstop action and drama, is articulated perfectly by Liz Pearce, whose accents and children's voices are also spot-on. The moral dilemmas in this story may not be deeply investigated, but it is not an entirely superficial romp. VERDICT A good listen for those who like Gail Carriger, steampunk, romance, alternate history, and historical fiction. ["A predictable story that's a whole lot of fun": "SLJ" 6/15 review of the Farrar book.]-"Chani Craig, Converse Middle School, Palmer, MA"

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.