HOL

We'll be discussing chapters 1 through 6 of The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow in this thread.

In the first few chapters, we're already introduced to both Sophie and Billy. On the surface, both seem rather ordinary characters prone to mishaps, though not without hopes and dreams of their own. They're not Chosen Ones, but they try carry out what is expected of them as best they can until they get thrusted into the heart of the story. Do you prefer reading about unlikely heroes or those who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances but with the means with which to achieve?

Please remember to include spoiler tags when discussing specifics.

Yay, I got the book from the library via an Interlibrary Loan!

This is entirely different and not at all what I was expecting. What a cast of characters introduced in these first chapters!

Here's Sophie and she has a story which is tragic but is gritting through. And Billy who is alert and gets into trouble. Here's Edith who makes up lies and tries to make herself seem important by putting others down. Here's Bert, who seems a jerk. Here's Lil (who somehow reminds me of Queenie in Fantastic Beasts!) -- and to top it off is an unknown mysterious character. Added to all of them are the rest, who might have more 'important' parts to play in the story later on. Who knows?

I really like how London is described. It's like I open the book and start reading and I can step into the story quite easily.

And already there are mysteries to solve. Who broke in and stole the treasures? Who injured Bert? What's going on?!

This is fun.