Synopses & Reviews
The second book in the thrilling time-travel series that Children's Literature
called "upbeat, adventuresome"In this sequel to the critically acclaimed The Golden Hour, sibling rivalry between twins Xanthe and Xavier threatens to keep them trapped in the past forever.
The Twilight Tourist Frequent Flier Club, an elite organization, sends its trial members—Xanthe and Xavier Alexander, and Rowan and Nina Popplewell—on a mission to Egypt, 58 b.c.e. This trip seems like a snap for the veteran travelers . . . until Xanthe is mistaken for a goddess by none other than Cleopatra. Desperate for some independence from Xavier, Xanthe just can't resist a little meddling. Escapes from mummy-filled tombs and fights with sword-wielding gladiators are among the many highlights in this thrilling adventure.
Awards and praise for the trilogy:
A Book Sense Pick!
International Reading Association Fiction Award
Southern California Booksellers Association Children's Book Prize
"Fun . . . for all lovers of fantasy, and thediversity is welcome."—Detroit News and Free Press
"Engaging . . . smart." —The Newark Star-Ledger
"One of the few fantasies with any African-American characters . . ." —Booklist
"Fills the gap between Harry Potter and A Series of Unfortunate Events." —Time Out New York Kids
"It's refreshing to have African American teens as main characters without their race being a main theme of the book . . . this action packed fantasy will appeal to adventure readers and those who like time travel or historical fiction . . . readers will eagerly await the next trip."—VOYA, 4Q 4P
Synopsis
This sequel to the award-winning time-travel adventure, The Golden Hour, takes readers to Cleopatra's Egypt
This time fourteen-year-old Xanthe leads the adventure as the four time-traveling kids from The Golden Hour make a trip back to ancient Egypt to rescue the library at Alexandria from destruction by Caesar's troops. Xanthe is particularly excited to visit Egypt, where she hopes to get a glimpse of Cleopatra. But she gets more than the quick peek she bargained for when young Cleopatra mistakes her for the goddess Isis. The princess begs Xanthe to intervene in a royal feud between Cleopatra and her brother Ptolemy. Xanthe, who's feeling overshadowed by her own brother, Xavier, is tempted to help the princess, thus changing history and setting off a chain of events that traps Rowan and Nina in time limbo.
The Egyptian setting and action-packed plot makes this a particularly exciting installment in the series, and the African American heroine is a welcome addition to the ranks of fantasy protagonists.
Awards and praise for The Golden Hour, the prequel to The Hour of the Cobra
Book Sense Pick
International Reading Association Intermediate Fiction Award
Southern California Booksellers' Association Children's Book Prize
A trip well worth taking. -The New York Times
One of the few fantasies with any African American characters... - Booklist
Action-packed and laden with good-natured humor, Williams' tale is a journey worth taking. - Publisher's Weekly
About the Author
Maiya Williams was an editor and vice president of the Harvard Lampoon and writer for the TV shows Rugrats, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and MAD TV, which she also produced. She lives with her husband, three children, a labrador retriever, and a variety of fish in Pacific Palisades, California.