Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris

Well, I am finally getting to what I promised initially-- reviewing the complete (so far) Theodosia Throckmorton series.  And it had better not be done, Robin Lorraine LaFevers, so help me.

Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris
by R. L. LaFevers

Things have settled down somewhat for Theodosia since her last escapade.  However, her father makes her start cataloging the artifacts down in the basement, which is worrisome to Theo because of the potential curses she feels coming from these objects.  Theo begins her usual methods of checking for dark magic, but in the midst of her working, a jackal statue seems to come to life.

Following some other strange happenings, all the mummies from all the museums and the like disappear, only to begin turning up in the hallway of Theo's father's museum.  There is definitely magic afoot here, but is it the work of the Serpents of Chaos group or something else entirely?

Meanwhile, Theo's grandmother, who seems to have an admirer in an Admiral, brings new loathsome governesses to educate Theo, but our clever girl needs none of that deportment stuff.  Nor does she need to be doing lessons all day when she has to protect the British empire from all these curses!

Sticky Will, the pickpocket turned messenger for the Brotherhood is not as helpful or open as he once was, and Theo feels more alone than ever.  Her father is on the verge of arrest for stealing the mummies that appear in his locked museum every morning, and something is amiss with some of the artifacts down in the basement.  What can Theo do to prevent the arrest, stop the mummies from wandering, defeat the Serpents again, and get back her friendship with Will?


This book continues from where the last one left off after Theo and her mother get back from her unscheduled trip to Egypt.  I love how LaFevers continues to show the steps to defeat the curses.  As I said before, some might find these parts slow moving, but I think it just further envelops the reader in Theodosia's world, making it seem more real.  There is still plenty of excitement, though the first part of the book is not as full of action as the second.  The idea of mummies walking on their own might scare younger readers in the suggested range, but if they read the first book, there isn't anything much scarier than what happened within.  The book is very engaging once more, though it does suffer a little for being a second book in a series.  But not too much.

I give this 8 out of 10 sonic screwdrivers.

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos

When I was little, I used to think that chaos was pronounced tcha-Os, which makes sense when you don't understand the rules of English, especially when it isn't even an English word.  So the title Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos will helpfully assist in some pronunciation lessons for some precocious children.  Of course, that isn't all that Theodosia will do.

Theodosia Throckmorton, or Theo, is peculiar and knows it.  As an 11-year-old in Edwardian London, she should really be in boarding school or under a governess's tutelage, but she instead creates her own studies based on the scholarly materials available at the museum where her father is curator: The Museum of Legends and Antiquities.  Even more fantastic is her ability to see the dark curses surrounding the artifacts, including those that her archaeologist mother is bringing from Egypt.

So if you are like me, you can already see why I am super into this series.  Theo spends some nights in the museum sleeping in a sarcophagus (which keeps her safe from curses) and creates her own curriculum, learning all about Egyptian history, relics, and hieroglyphs.  Aside from the scary curses bit, what book-loving kid would not want to practically live in a museum?  Of course, it is not glamorous (very dirty), and Theo does not get along with the second assistant curator.  Theo also has a wonderful cat called Isis, who seems at home with her human in the museum.

Now I am going to say SPOILERS AHEAD, though they are vague.

Sensing the curator's interest in dark curse-ridden artifact, Theo uses the methods of curse removal she has learned from her studies to make it safe.  I love how R. L. LaFevers  actually describes the methods that Theo uses and her substitutions for living in England. Some might find these parts slow, but I like how they add realism to the story.  There are unfortunate side effects to this removal, which make Theo's life more difficult.

Also, Theo's mother brings back The Heart of Egypt, which is very powerful and soon brings out evil forces interested in obtaining it.  But it reveals another group of powerful men who are dedicated to stopping this evil force, The Serpents of Chaos, from trying to descend Great Britain and the entire world into chaos.  Theo also makes friends with a pickpocket, Sticky Will, who becomes her help and eventually messenger with the wise group, the Brotherhood of the Chosen Keepers.

End Vague Spoilers

What captured me with the Theodosia books is the mythology, archaeology, supernatural, and historical in one place.  As an anthropology student as an undergrad, I loved archaeology.  And even as a child, I loved Egyptology.  In theory, this might be great to fit in with mythology curricula.  There aren't enough Rick Riordan books to go around, and this would provide an alternate series, especially for girls who don't like as much action*.

I cannot say that everyone will enjoy this book.  Fans of Percy Jackson or the Kane Chronicles may find little action.  The detail combined with only a little action may not appeal to certain readers, but it is a perfect series for me.  However, as the series progresses, there is more and more action and travel and danger.  *If a reader finishes the book but is not convinced based on lack of action, let them know there is more to come.

I recently referred to Robin LaFevers on her blog as a sort of Judith Merkle Riley for teens and children.  The more I have thought about the sentiment, the more I agree.  I have read all LaFevers' books since Theodosia began (there are few written before that), and I have read all Judith Merkle Riley's works.  The detail, history, and supernatural elements are in both authors' works.

I give Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos 9 out of 10 sonic screwdrivers.