17) Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos

Bibliography: LaFevers, R.L; Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos; Houghton Mifflin Company; Boston; 2007; 344 pages; ISBN 978-0-618-785638-4.

Plot: Theodosia is a rather peculiar eleven year old girl.  Her parents run the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in London.  Her mother frequently spends her time in Egypt excavating the pyramids of some of the greatest pharaohs to find ancient artifacts for the museum.  Theodosia is able to feel the curses imparted upon the artifacts, and works to remove them.  When her mother brings back the Heart of Egypt, Theo is in for one of the largest jobs of her life.  The curse on the artifact brings chaos to London, and it is up to Theo to return the artifact to the pyramid.

Review:  The novel is told from Theodosia’s point of view and she is very creative and interesting character.  Even though she should be in school, she has talked her parents into letting her quit school to hang around the museum.  Her brother Henry dislikes the museum and willing returns to school at the start of every term.  When Theo’s mother returns after an exceptionally long trip to Egypt, she is very happy to see her mother, but worries about all of the new curses that will be brought into the museum.  Her brother Henry returns to London for winter break and starts to help Theodosia after they discover the Heart of Egypt has gone missing from the museum.  Theodosia is soon able to regain possession of the Heart of Egypt and is chosen by The Brotherhood of Chosen Keepers to return the Heart to Egypt.   Theodosia has to stow away on a ship and face the members of the Serpents of Chaos to return the Heart of Egypt. 

I really enjoyed this book and the adventure that Theodosia takes readers on.  Setting the story in historical London, helps with the ideas of different societies fighting over an ancient artifact.  The story starts slowly, but speeds up about half way through.  As great as the story is, the action happens to quickly and the ending comes too soon.  I do think that once a tween is hooked on Theodosia’s character, they will be quick to pick up the other books in the series.

Genre: Historical/Adventure

Interest Level: age 10-14

Related Books: The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson; The Bones of the Holy by Jennifer Allison; The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Characters: 

Theodosia – the protagonist

Henry – Theo’s brother

Sticky Will – an orphaned pick pocket that comes to the aid of Henry and Theo

Theodosia’s Parents – Her father runs the museum, while her mother explores Egypt for artifacts

Wigmere – The head of the Brotherhood

Awards:

A Junior Library Guild Selection

A Booksense Summer Pick

Michigan Library Association 2007 Mitten Award Honor Title

Author Information: http://www.rllafevers.com/About.html