Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra, mglit as great as it gets

Soooooo good. We’ll just cut to the chase on Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra and say that this book all but reads itself due to it being so entertaining. It’s one of those middle school books that upper elementary kids can read, and that their parents will borrow from them-and find it just as entertaining. Curse of Cleopatra, much like the first book in the Charlie Thorne series, is so much fun to read that you’ll wish that you hadn’t read it so that you can read it again the first time. So what is this book that had me and our 12 YO raving about?

Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra is the third book in the Charlie Throne series. We read the first one and absolutely loved it. We somehow missed the second book in the series, Charlie Thorne and the Lost City. It might have been due to COVID and the book draught that we’re still recovering from. It’s a testament to how great the characters are that Stuart Gibbs has created in this series that one is able to skip a book, seemingly not miss any major plot points and add to the story’s evolution.

It’s worth noting Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra is by Stuart Gibbs. Gibbs is the author of many books, including the go-to, Spy School series. That book series has its own vibe and crackles with an air that ages 8-16 will devour. Those parents who want a great read will also dive in deep to Spy School and absolutely love every book. The characters in that series make it more of a direct hit with those younger ages, but with a breezy story that adults will eagerly play along with.

I say all of that because, despite the fact that we didn’t read the second one, Curse of Cleopatra is a joy to read. It’s obvious that there’s been some character development, as well as some new people that came into the fray, but they’re seamlessly blended into the story. Or rather, I, and the fact that I missed a book into their journey, have been effortlessly woven back into their scenario.

Charlie Thorne is a genius, and in addition to being wicked smart, she’s physically able to defend herself as well as any normal early–teen is able to do. She’s not imbued with superpowers or alien abilities, and that’s one of the key aspects that makes this series join Gibbs’ other one as a go-to, can’t miss for those ages eight and up.

This is realistic fiction for upper elementary school readers and way up. Your inner monologue will urge them to make a movie about the Charlie Thorne books, but then you’d just grouse about how the books were so much better.

The plot in Curse of Cleopatra centers on an ancient prophecy that Cleopatra had left behind an unlimited amount of treasure. Thankfully there’s a map to it that was put on a stone tablet, but this tablet is thought of as more of a snipe hunt, than an actual quest grounded in reality. There are real-world elements and STEM facts in the book that make it oh so tangible and one that you want to believe.

Every student in fourth grade and older know that ‘octo’ means eight, so why isn’t October the eighth month of the year? I’m also looking at you September for not being the seventh month. There are other geographical examples that make Curse of Cleopatra jump off of the pages like the Jason Bourne, The Lost City, James Bond, National Treasure literary fun show it is. You can jump in on with Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra and be able to follow along just fine with the characters and the story. However, as soon as you finish the book you’ll make your way to the library or Thriftbooks to find the first two in the series.

Charlie Thorne and the Curse of Cleopatra is the third book in the Charlie Thorne book series by Stuart Gibbs and available on Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

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