I've marked this quote as a spoiler, because it does give away a minor plot point; but really, who can resist a line like this?

"My secret? What secret?" My voice squeaked and I cleared my throat, trying to fight the rising panic.

"Why, that you're Isis reincarnated, of course."

My jaw dropped, and I gaped at the Third Assistant Curator on his knees in front of me as I realized he was utterly, barking mad.

Any scholar knows that the Egyptians didn't believe in reincarnation!

Theodosia was a little slower on the uptake on this book than in the first book, but I gasped in surprise at the major revelation of the villain.

I enjoy these books because Theodosia rather reminds me of a young Amelia Peabody. ( )

I didn't like this one as much as the first one...the story seemed to be a little rushed in places. But still, a good read, and I'm looking forward to starting the next one. ( )

When Theodosia finds the staff of Osiris in the basement of the museum and accidentally invokes its power, it gains the attention of the Serpents of Chaos (again) and Theodosia must keep herself and the staff safe, or else the whole world is in trouble.

I really like this series - it is interesting and quite clever. ( )

These books remind me of everything I loved about Harry Potter. I do like the fact that it has a great female heroine too, and I think it tackles Egyptian mythology quite well. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series as well. ( )

She's back! Prickly, lonely, blindingly intelligent, and unorthodox to her core, Theodosia Throckmorton has been cast into a new adventure.

Another ancient Egyptian artifact is in the hands of the Serpents of Chaos, and it's up to Theodosia to save the world, yet again. Unfortunately, this time she's not only forced to fight a deadly secret society, more hampered than helped by the vague assistance of the Brotherhood of the Chosen Keepers. This time she faces an even worse danger than living mummies, Egyptian curses, and foreign spies....governesses! Grandmother Throckmorton is determined to find a governess who can mold eccentric and unladylike Theo and preserve her from her unfashionable parents.

Will Theodosia save her father from prison? Can she defeat the Serpents of Chaos yet again? Is Will really on her side? Who are the mysterious hooded men following her? Will she spend the rest of her life doing sums? Read Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris to find out!

Verdict: Fans of Kirsten Miller's Kiki Strike, Harry Potter, and Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant will love this series! It takes a little booktalking to get kids past the Victorian setting, but it quickly grows on them.

ISBN: 978-0618927647; Published November 2008 by Houghton Mifflin; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library; Added to my personal wishlist