Rebel Mechanics
Author: Shanna Swendson
Series: Rebel Mechanics #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Historical Fiction, Steampunk
Release Date: July 14, 2015
Publisher: Farrar Straus and Giroux
Summary:
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.
First Sentence: If I’d let myself think about what might lie ahead for me, I’d have been terrified.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Review:
I haven’t been reading many steampunk books ever since I started blogging since I sadly didn’t fall in love with all the steampunk books that I’ve read. When I happened upon Rebel Mechanics and saw the words “A young governess becomes a spy,” I was automatically hooked even though Rebel Mechanics was a steampunk book because who can resist those six magic words?
“I said I wouldn’t stop you, and I’m here with you now.”
“That’s not what I meant. Are you choosing to be one of us, to be a full member of the movement? Can we trust you absolutely?” (ARC 140)
The first chapter or two of Rebel Mechanics immediately caught my attention – bandits are robbing a train and the main character dares to slap the leader in the face with her bag! – and made me read on. However, after that point, Rebel Mechanics slowly grew dull and I could feel my attention gradually slipping away. I didn’t really care about the rebels, what they were doing, or how Verity was working as a spy for them. (I guess I was expecting Verity to be working for them in a very dramatic and ninja-ish way, but she didn’t. I’ve been watching way too many dramas lately.) Rebel Mechanics didn’t start picking up until a reveal at the two-thirds point in the book.
The saving grace of Rebel Mechanics was Lord Henry himself as he’s so sweet and adorable and cute and just oh my -fans self.- Yes, all the rumors I side-eyed are true – Lord Henry will make you swoon and want to hug the book all day. He’ll make you wish he was a real person so you can tackle hug him and squeal. I will definitely be reading the sequel just so I will get to see more of Lord Henry.
I had no claim to him, no hope with him. I hadn’t even realized I felt that strongly for him…Oh, but this was most inconvenient. (ARC 245)
I surprisingly enjoyed reading about the steampunk world Rebel Mechanics was set in. What happens when the America colonies never won the Revolutionary War because Britain had magic to help them? That is the world we get in Rebel Mechanics. I love the magic aspect in Rebel Mechanics and how the rebels got creative since they didn’t have magic.
Overall, Rebel Mechanics was a creative, fun book with the cutest character ever that you have to read about because how can you not? I am definitely looking forward to reading the sequel.
SO IT’S LIKE MAgical Britain won because they are like bunch of wizards , sounds like Voldy’s work….hahahaha!
i have enjoyed most steampunks books i’ve read so far…i would like some more action going on in this book though.
I have this book, but I have yet to read it! I need to get to it soon because I love how it is a steampunk novel! Lovely review!
I can’t only think of on steampunk novel I enjoyed and that was Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianne Wynne Jones. Although I only read it because I love the Studio Ghibli animated movie version of it. That being said, I can’t say that it’s specifically the steampunk quality about it. I think I like the idea of steampunk more than I have ever seen it executed in a book.
The fact that there is a swoon worthy potential book boyfriend though still makes me want to read this one xD
I haven’t read many steampunk novels and will admit that I TRIED reading this book but I didn’t succeed. The train robbery right off the bat was like “Holy crap Batman, I can’t handle this intensity right off the bat!” Also, it just didn’t seem like the book I wanted to be reading at the time. Oh the woes of being a mood reader!
Gorgeous review Kelly :D I’m glad you liked this one, despite not loving it :) I.. gave it two stars. Sigh. It was interesting, sort of, yet I just did not like it at all :) I would have loved Lord Henry; if he had been in the book more. If he had been the love interest. But he was not. Ugh. I was misled, lol. Thank you for sharing your thoughts sweetie :)
Carina Olsen recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday #201
LORD HENRY 4 EVA. I adored Henry oh so much. He made the book for me too. I want more of him. I’d love to read an entire novel of just his story. I need more, more, more.
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…Review of Beastly Bones by Will Ritter
THIS LOOKS SO GOOD. I love spy books and I’d like to read more steampunk books and it’s got an adorable character so I will definitely be reading this! Great review! :)
Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic recently posted…Review – A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J. Maas
Aw man, it sucks when the book you thought was awesome turned out to be quite bland, but hurray for swoonworthy men and lords! I’m still intrigued to read this though. I’ve never read any Steampunk books, though I don’t think I should start off with this one as it seems it’s not a recommended starter. Wonderful review! Oh, and I’m a new follower! Love the blog, it looks really sweet and cozy here. :)
Blessie (Mischievous Reads) recently posted…BOOK REVIEW: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Firstly, aahh i’ve been waiting on this book so long due to the hype and i’m sad that it didn’t live up to it but i will give it a try. I love the cover so much and the swoons you felt omg yes yes yes and the magic!? So looking forward to reading this, i love when books make you think and take history and make it pop even more in their own way
Never read any steampunk novel. Maybe i’ll give this one a try later when i have time. Definitely want to read about this lord henry person ;) Nice review.