Rebel Mechanics by Shanna Swenson - ADVISABLE

Swendson, Shanna Rebel Mechanics: All is Fair in Love and Revolution, 310 pages.  Margaret Ferguson Books, 2015. $17.99. Language: PG(1 swear, 0 “F”); Mature Content: PG (kissing, but no nudity); Violence: PG-13 (shooting, and death).

In 1888, Verity Newton has decided to move to New York to become a governess. The British Magisters are ruling the colonies through powerful magic and some have decided to start a revolution. Verity lands herself right in front of the Rebel Mechanics and falls  for a rebel boy named Alec. Verity soon realizes she can obtain vital information for the rebel, and she becomes a rebel spy. Verity is not the only one keeping secrets and she grows suspicious around her employer, Henry. Verity soon realizes that although many are having to reveal secrets, including her, she may have to reveal her biggest secret of all, one that could help to start changing the world.

I feel the book was intriguing, and I liked that it was a dystopian book, but in included a twist on history. Verity was a little...bland though. After she met  Alec, it was “let’s go see Alec!” or, “Will Alec be at the party? Oh, I don’t care if it might be a trap, let’s go see Alec!” and although they weren’t traps, I was growing suspicious about some of parties or gathering  the rebels though, and I thought Verity should be at least a little more cautious. Overall, the book was really good, and I liked that even though there was magic, there were limits (it kept it realistic), and the magic was engaging, but not overpowered. The book had fairly short chapters, under 10 pages, which was good for reading in school. 

MS, HS - ADVISABLE.   KK, 7th grade