This book is like a slice of perfect cake: light, fluffy, delicious and ideal to enjoy when curled up with a nice up of tea. 4/5 stars.
Yes, I know this is an enormous picture. But LOOK at that cover!
I was lured towards this book by the delightful, gold-embossed cover. Inside, the story is also peppered with cute illustrations. And “cute” and “delightful” are good words for this story. The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow is what you get if you mash together Nancy Drew, The Famous Five, Sherlock Holmes and set the action in a glittering London department store at the start of the twentieth century.
Special mention to the illustrator Júlia Sardà – beautiful work.
Sophie, our heroine, is wonderful. She’s going through a rough time and having to grow up much earlier than she should. But she gets on with it without complaining or feeling unduly sorry for herself. I warmed to her instantly. She’s brave, smart and resourceful. Not bad for someone who just turned sixteen and has to elude danger in a corset and long skirts.
One of the illustrations separating the parts of the book.
The villains are properly dastardly and their plot is diabolical. But, of course, you know that this story operates in a universe where nothing truly bad can ever happen and all will be well. This is a fictional world where our characters find themselves in life-threatening situations and the worst thing they come out with is “Gosh!” or “Golly!”. As a result, the story is a warm, relaxing read. If you’ve just finished a hard-going or traumatic story, I would prescribe this book as an antidote.
I guess this book is supposedly YA because all the main characters are in their mid- to late teens. That said, I didn’t think their ages mattered at all. This is a proper, old-fashioned mystery in the vein of Miss Marple where the mystery and intrigue are the focus.
Another illustration, featuring the eponymous sparrow.
So if it’s so enjoyable, why didn’t I give it 5 stars? Probably because there is nothing terribly original here, as you my have guessed from the many references I have made to other books/series. Also, though it is very well-written and entertaining, it’s not as gripping as I need a 5-star book to be.
It turns out it’s the start of a series! I look forward to buying the next one and saving it to cheer myself up after reading something upsetting 🙂
Love the cover… and my inner child is very tempted!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you ever enjoyed mystery stories when you were growing up (which I did, very much), this is great fun. Light and enjoyable 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah this sounds nice! And relaxing! I’m reading Kafka’s The Trial at the moment, so may well need your prescription after it.
Nancy Drew…I’d forgotten about her! I was a big fan!
Lovely review and oh such pretty pictures x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂
I think this would be perfect after Kafka (blimey, I think that’s the definition of “hard going”!). Fun and so easy to read. If you were a fan of Nancy Drew then you’ll like this 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, what a lovely cover! It looks so playful. This looks the light read I’m looking for at the moment. 🙂 Thanks for sharing Claire!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. I’d be surprised if this failed to cheer anyone up. And after a few YA books where the heroines are prone to a lot of moaning, it was refreshing to have a young lady heroine who refused to mope.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! It’s true, now that you mention it, there has been that trend in YA, fitting into the whole teenage angsty thing. I appreciate a heroine with a positive attitude too. It’s contagious, especially when we spend so much time reading. Neat, I’m going to go see what I can do about getting a download for my Kobo. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh that cover is so so beautiful! X
LikeLike
I know! 🙂 I wanted to give special recognition to the illustrator, Julia Sarda, because often the cover illustrators don’t get any/much recognition for their wonderful work.
LikeLike
That’s so lovely of you. I must go buy this book now. Thanks for the great review post! X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: WWW Wednesday 19th August 2015 | Art and Soul
This sounds like the perfect pick-you-up book! Great review and I love that sumptuous cover!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s lovely. I’ve book a lot of e-books recently, but I had to have the physical copy of this one 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag | Art and Soul
I hesitated a few years ago to buy it… But I have to admit that with your review, I just want to read it now !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hooray! It’s such good fun. I’m really looking forward to the next one. I’m going to get it, then save it for when I need cheering up 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: WWW Wednesday 13th April 2016 | Art and Soul
Pingback: Review | The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth by Katherine Woodfine, illustrated by Júlia Sardà | Art and Soul
Pingback: WWW Wednesday 20th April 2016 | Art and Soul
Pingback: 1st blogiversary + 500 followers = giveaway time! | Art and Soul
Pingback: Blogiversary giveaway. And the winner is… | Art and Soul
Pingback: Return From Hiatus + Reading Update | Read It or Not Reviews