Discussion Question #15

[Amy]

Isobel is a silent, yet integral, partner in both the circus and the competition. She has an ally in Tsukiko, but seemingly no one else, especially not Marco. How much does Marco’s underestimation of Isobel affect the outcome of the competition?

[Amy]

It affects it completely. In fact, Isobel is the whole undoing of the circus, though fortunately Celia manages to save it (with Bailey, Marco, Poppet, and Widget's help, of course). I wish the novel had been written differently, because more could have been made of the startling knowledge that Isobel has been the one influencing things all along.

[Amy]

I agree, I was very surprised to see that she had been playing such a big role in the balancing act! So much more could have been done with her character. But again...we fizzle!