Comments for Cleopatra in Space: Target Practice

Cleopatra in Space: Target Practice: 09/19/14

Sometimes a great new book just lands in your lap. Or, it's helped there by a friend or family member who knows your taste in books and is willing and able to feed your addiction.

In the case of Cleopatra in Space: Target Practice by Mike Maihack, it was a two step process. Books Inc had set up a book fair in the cafeteria where my husband works. He knows I love books about Ancient Egypt, tween graphic novels, and time travel stories. This book was a trifecta! So he snagged a copy for me.

Cleopatra in Space: Target Practice is the first of a new tween graphic novel series. Cleopatra of ancient Egypt is recruited by time travelers to save the far future. But before she can do that, she has to pass algebra. It sounds silly but it works. It works with the same goofy enthusiasm that Doctor Who does.

The book opens en media res with Cleopatra and a talking cat finishing up a dangerous mission. Of course they are discovered and there's a chase, and a quick battle. It's an energetic and exciting way to meet the two stars of this new series.

With that introduction, I was perfectly willing to go with a far future built on an ancient Egyptian aesthetic. I was even willing to let there be characters with the names of famous Egyptians. Heck, one of my favorite films is Stargate.

But then, with the second chapter, we're taken back to the beginning, and we see Cleopatra in school doing her best to avoid her lessons, except for the ones that involve combat. Just like Alice or Dorothy, Cleopatra's desire to be anywhere else is the impetus to new adventures well beyond her imagination.

Length wise, it's about as long as an Amulet book. There's just the right mix of world and character building to go with the adventure and mystery. The second book, The Thief and the Sword comes out next year and I am eagerly awaiting it.

Five stars

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