Review: Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos

 By: R.L. Lafevers

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, 2007  

 

Main Character: girl  

Location: England, circa 1907  

Focus: Ancient Egypt, fantasy, mystery, strong female heroine 

Review

Theodosia Throckmorton is the daughter of the head of the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in London, England. Many of the artifacts come to the museum from Egypt thanks to her mother who is the head of archeology for the museum. Unbeknownst to her parents, many of the artifacts brought into the museum are cursed with powerful black magic. Theodosia is the only one who knows about this magic and she has taken it upon herself to rid the artifacts and the museum of the curses. Although she is somewhat hesitant about working with such powerful curses, she has spent a good deal of time researching counter curses and collecting important bits of potion making materials. Theodosia is busy throughout the book reversing curses and learning about secret societies. Finally, she takes a trip to Egypt to save Great Britian. There is constant action and it is quite impossible to read the book without picking up some interesting information about ancient Egypt. Theodosia is a strong, adventurous and humorous character whose adventures your readers will want to follow in, Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris. 

Possible Uses

This book would be a great fictional companion to a unit on ancient Egypt. 

It is also an interesting book with a strong female lead character.  

If your students are interested in or are studying Edwardian England, this book is set in that time period. There are even some references made to the political issues of the time. 

http://www.theodosiathrockmorton.com/ is an excellent site penned by Theodosia herself, with a little help from R.L. Lafevers.