Rebel Mechanics by Shanna Swendson
Synopsis:
It’s 1888, and seventeen-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.
Review:
Verity is a smart, independent young woman who leaves her family behind for a chance at a life on her own. She wants nothing to do with the rebels until she meets some of them and forms friendships with them – even going so far as to help them with spying if it means saving lives.
Rebel Mechanics is the first in an exciting new series. Verity is a strong female lead who doesn’t bow to conventional standards. Blending alternate history with steampunk and fantasy, I enjoyed every bit of this adventure. There is plenty of intrigue, suspense, and a bit of romance that make for a highly entertaining story. I look forward to the next from this engaging author.