What do you think?
Rate this book
Cleopatra in Space #2
The Thief and the Sword
Cleopatra's space adventure in the really far future continues. Now an animated TV series streaming on Hulu and Peacock! A mysterious thief has stolen the ancient sword Cleo recovered in Book One: Target Practice , and she's determined to get it back. But her teachers at Yasiro Academy forbid her from risking her life, so she's stuck at school, trying to adjust to her newfound popularity and responsibility. And when she learns more about the prophecy that names her the savior of the galaxy, she must go on a dangerous journey to find the time tablets that could decide her fate... before they fall into the wrong hands!
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2015
104 people are currently reading
1036 people want to read
About the author
Mike Maihack
43 books165 followersMIKE MAIHACK is the creator of the Cleopatra in Space graphic novels published by Scholastic/Graphix. The six-book series has earned him a Florida Book Award, a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers selection, a starred review from School Library Journal, and a wealth of sharable knowledge about sequential storytelling. Cleopatra in Space was also produced as a children’s animated series by DreamWorks Television with episodes currently airing worldwide and on both NBCUniversal’s new streaming service, Peacock and HULU. Currently he is working on a series of Spider-Man young reader books in collaboration with Marvel and Abrams Books.
Mike lives in Land O Lakes, Florida with his wife, two boys, and one extraordinarily fluffy cat. More of his work can be found online at operationspacecat.com.
Mike lives in Land O Lakes, Florida with his wife, two boys, and one extraordinarily fluffy cat. More of his work can be found online at operationspacecat.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
January 30, 2018
A strong follow up to the previous book. Has all the same charm, plus it's expanding the universe some. I'm not crazy about the new, thief character, but he's redeemable. I only dock the book a star because it ends on a cliffhanger. That's not exactly a dislike, because I'd wanna read the next one anyway, but I can't give a perfect grade to an incomplete story.
February 12, 2022
Cleopatra is a celebrity at Yasiro Academy, and her roommate is doing what she can to get her to a school dance so more students will attend. Meanwhile, a hired thief steals the ancient sword Cleopatra recovered in the first book in this series (against an army of robots). Cleo chases him all over, causing lots of damage to the buildings and grounds, but she is hauled back when she tries chasing him off into space as a mission team is assembled to go after the artifact. Good action between the fast-paced chase scenes and laser blasting battles.
January 19, 2018
Very cool fights.
April 12, 2020
It was fun, but I didn't like it as much as the first one.
Read
August 18, 2025Mmm....can't decide yet how weird this is going to get yet so, no rating....will proceed with the next book for now...
October 27, 2015
Cleo returns in another excellent adventure. This series is a science-fiction Indiana Jones with a female protagonist full of derring-do and realistic characters. I love all four main characters, two female/two male and am even intrigued by the new thief introduced in this volume. He's mysterious and though presented, obviously, as the antagonist I can't help but wonder if more will be revealed about him in another volume. Wonderful art, vibrant and full of motion with a wide variety of panel styles used. This volume has a build-up plot which takes the story from the first book and builds upon it, raising the action and continuing the plot to a crescendo, leaving us with a cliffhanger anxiously awaiting book three. I'm loving this series and look forward to the next volume which will be out Spring 2016.
June 12, 2015
I actually enjoyed this more than the first book in the series. Cleo seems to have settled into her role as as scifi heroine by this point, and Octavian's appearance certainly seems to imply that she's not the only one who's done some time travel. Maihack is clever enough with the history to make this feel like an acceptable alternate universe (why would Cleo assume she'd be pharoah when she has all those siblings?) and it's certainly one for readers looking for a new kick-ass heroine...especially since it may lead you to read about the real Cleopatra VII, who wasn't so bad herself in that department.
September 16, 2019
A huge improvement from the first book. 3.5 rounded up because, by comparison, this was way more well-developed. I’d returned the first one when I checked out 2&3, but my 17yo didn’t have trouble jumping in and figuring out the story (and didn’t have to suffer through book one).
February 17, 2022
Absolutely a PERFECT sequel to the first book of the series, while adding more depth to our main protagonist and her friends we get introduced to more lore, conflict and motivations. Gloriously development of the world we were thrown into in the last book. The fact I was begging for more shows the ingenuity.
June 21, 2023
This one was so much fun to read. Exciting and funny with more information about Octavian and the world, I enjoyed this one even more than the first.
October 21, 2017
This volume focuses more on Cleopatra's relationships with her friends than on life at the academy, and it explores why Cleopatra was displaced in time. However, there is also a lot of action as well, so it feels like this was quicker to read than the first volume, which had a lot of exposition. The art, as in the first volume, is really attractive. In the wide shots in some panels, there are a lot different kinds of aliens, which was fun for my kids to look at.
December 23, 2023
yeah these slap!! really kicking myself for not getting to them earlier but I'm excited for the rest of the series!
August 6, 2022
i love it
October 31, 2019
This book is about a girl named Cleopatra and she was gonna get a sword until it got stolen by a thief named Anthony. I recommend this book to people who like graphic novels like me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2015
The Thief and the Sword is the second book in the graphic novel series Cleopatra in Space. Cleo has time traveled into a strange space atmosphere and basically saved the day in the first book. She’s become somewhat of a celebrity as she is the center of a prophecy that she will basically save the world from destruction. Or worlds? I like the mix of student life with the actual overlying plot. Cleo has a friend named Akila who is a bit jealous of her popularity, especially when the dance she coordinated is ruined by a thief. Cleo runs off after him and it causes quite a bit of chaos.
There’s a lot of scenes featuring our thief Anthony, who I think will play a larger role in the next graphic novel. He was swift and evaded our heroine with some witty one-liners. He even managed to swoon a girl in the process. It was all very charming and debonair. Cleopatra has a lot on her shoulders and is still adjusting to how everyone views her, so it’s nice to see such a cocky character in comparison.
The best thing about these graphic novels are the illustrations. The colors are so vibrant and vivid, I love soaking in every page of glorious illustrations. The plot goes by so quick that I always go back and relook at some of my favorite pages. I really have been enjoying this series and cannot wait for the next volume.
Verdict:
A great graphic novel series that will have readers get a glimp into mythology and science fiction all at once.
There’s a lot of scenes featuring our thief Anthony, who I think will play a larger role in the next graphic novel. He was swift and evaded our heroine with some witty one-liners. He even managed to swoon a girl in the process. It was all very charming and debonair. Cleopatra has a lot on her shoulders and is still adjusting to how everyone views her, so it’s nice to see such a cocky character in comparison.
The best thing about these graphic novels are the illustrations. The colors are so vibrant and vivid, I love soaking in every page of glorious illustrations. The plot goes by so quick that I always go back and relook at some of my favorite pages. I really have been enjoying this series and cannot wait for the next volume.
Verdict:
A great graphic novel series that will have readers get a glimp into mythology and science fiction all at once.
July 27, 2015
4.5 Stars, Buy it
Self Purchase, Kindle Edition
It’s been a while since I’ve read a graphic novel on my kindle- as opposed to reading on my computer via comixology. I forgot how nice and clean the images are on a smaller screen.
I love the coloring and the art. Love talking cats. I can’t ever get enough of talking cats.This series is really how kids/teen books should be done. I love the story line. I love the characters. I love the art. I wished the scenes without Cleopatra had been cut back on. She is what really makes this series and I felt like there were too many scenes that missed her. In any case, this series is fantastic. This volume leaves off on a bit of a cliff hanger so it’s going to suck a little waiting for the next volume to come out.
Description (Amazon): Cleopatra's space adventure in the REALLY far future continues!
A mysterious thief has stolen the ancient sword Cleo recovered in Book One: Target Practice, and she's determined to get it back. But her teachers at Yasiro Academy forbid her from risking her life, so she's stuck at school, trying to adjust to her newfound popularity and responsibility. And when she learns more about the prophecy that names her the savior of the galaxy, she must go on a dangerous journey to find the time tablets that could decide her fate... before they fall into the wrong hands!
October 25, 2015
3.5 Stars
In the second book of Cleopatra in Space things are picking up! Action, adventure, thievery, a new character and more to the prophecy. Plus we get some more information on the characters, hints at more involving the prophecy and a possible way for Cleo to go home (maybe, eventually). It seems the new character has a name based on a historical figure as well, like Cleo and Xaius Octavius (Gaius Octavius/Augustus) - it's Antony (Marc Antony), the boy thief.
So we have a theft of the sword which is probably not the sword that is in the prophecy and the revelation of the tablet that brought Cleo to the future in the first place - and is the "sister tablet" so to speak which could send her back. Plus more action and some of Akila's past is revealed to us. This book ends on a cliffhanger - Khensu leads the group (Cleo, Brian, Akila and Zaid) to Hykosis to go after the tablets but before they get there they are intercepted…and in trouble if they can't get out of this mess! It's bright, colorful and a lot of fun. I look forward to seeing more of the characters and the story!
October 7, 2016
For me, this is three stars, but it'd be higher for the kids who make up the target audience for The Thief and the Sword. I was a little bored, but I still like the conceit of Cleopatra IN SPACE! and I love Maihack's style; even when I wasn't super hooked on the story, I enjoyed the illustrations.
The situations and characters all seem too familiar to me to be exciting (and there were a few pages full of fight panels which aren't my thing) but for younger readers, it'd probably be a great adventure.
I think kids who love Zita the Spacegirl will also get a kick out of Cleopatra in Space (which is why I'm going to be looking for copies for the Zita fans in my house).
The situations and characters all seem too familiar to me to be exciting (and there were a few pages full of fight panels which aren't my thing) but for younger readers, it'd probably be a great adventure.
I think kids who love Zita the Spacegirl will also get a kick out of Cleopatra in Space (which is why I'm going to be looking for copies for the Zita fans in my house).
January 19, 2020
Cleopatra is back and kicking more butt!
A sneaky thief, Antony is causing a ruckus and Cleo won't let him get away with it!
I really love these books. I have copies for my classroom, but I think I'll have to buy some of my own to keep at home.
Review #2 - January 2020
Update: I did buy my own set!
It's been so much fun rereading the series. It really is exceptionally done. I love the illustrations, the adventure and the characters. I love the nudge about Cleo and Antony. I wonder where all that will head... :D
Will definitely be rereading this series! Glad I have my own set that the students can't destroy.
A sneaky thief, Antony is causing a ruckus and Cleo won't let him get away with it!
I really love these books. I have copies for my classroom, but I think I'll have to buy some of my own to keep at home.
Review #2 - January 2020
Update: I did buy my own set!
It's been so much fun rereading the series. It really is exceptionally done. I love the illustrations, the adventure and the characters. I love the nudge about Cleo and Antony. I wonder where all that will head... :D
Will definitely be rereading this series! Glad I have my own set that the students can't destroy.
August 12, 2020
Guau. Un no parar, acción sin descanso. Divertido, el cameo de "Los Scarabs" (aka versión futurista de Los Beatles) es genial, los puntazos qué tiene. Mención especial para el dibujo, las expresiones están super bien conseguidas, no necesitas ni que los personajes hablen, es como si fueran reales; también tiene toques cuquis y divertidos.
Me ha encantado conocer más a los personajes y la relación entre Cleo y Akila. Más misterio y unas líneas de profecía misteriosas. Aquí se está cociendo algo grande. ¡Y el final, me muero de la intriga. A ver cómo salen de ese lío...! ¡Necesito el siguiente!
Me ha encantado conocer más a los personajes y la relación entre Cleo y Akila. Más misterio y unas líneas de profecía misteriosas. Aquí se está cociendo algo grande. ¡Y el final, me muero de la intriga. A ver cómo salen de ese lío...! ¡Necesito el siguiente!
October 13, 2015
These books are just buckets of fun! I love the combination of Egyptian mythology/history and science fiction... it seems like that combo shouldn't work, but it totally does. Cleo is a fierce, funny heroine who fights her own battles while dealing with typically middle school drama too. My only wish was that the third book was out already, it's killing me that the book ended on a cliffhanger! The artwork in this series is great as well, lots of vivid depictions of Maihack's world and characters! So much fun. My students are loving the first one and I cannot wait to share this second book with them too.
April 7, 2015
A funny, action-packed follow-up to Cleopatra's first adventure!
Cleopatra is still adjusting to life in the future, but still loves to stretch her legs and practice her ninja-like skills and relishes the chance to put them to use when a mysterious thief steals the ancient sword she had just recovered (against an army of robots, mind you). Yasiro Academy forbids her from going on this mission, however, and she's stuck at school. Meanwhile evil forces in the galaxy are gathering strength and more secrets are revealed in between fast-paced chase scenes and laser blasting battles.
Cleopatra is still adjusting to life in the future, but still loves to stretch her legs and practice her ninja-like skills and relishes the chance to put them to use when a mysterious thief steals the ancient sword she had just recovered (against an army of robots, mind you). Yasiro Academy forbids her from going on this mission, however, and she's stuck at school. Meanwhile evil forces in the galaxy are gathering strength and more secrets are revealed in between fast-paced chase scenes and laser blasting battles.
August 24, 2015
Nice balance between action, advancing the story, and real world relatable friendship management. Cleo battles a thief who's after the ancient sword she recovered in the first book of this series. She learns more about her prophecy and heads off on a journey to find time tablets that results in a big time cliffhanger.
Highly recommended series for fans of the Princeless, Zita the Spacegirl, and Dragons Beware series. Grades 4-6.
Highly recommended series for fans of the Princeless, Zita the Spacegirl, and Dragons Beware series. Grades 4-6.
May 23, 2017
The future that Cleopatra is now living in reminds me of a peaceful version of the empire the Goa'uld conquered in Stargate and SG-1. Cleopatra herself is torn between enjoying her adventures in the future, and her desire to get home. In this regard she reminds me of a young version of Kiera Cameron from Continuum.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...
May 21, 2015
This second volume in the series is really disappointing after a promising first book. It doesn't stand on its own, so you need to have read the first book to figure out what is going on. There is no real ending to the story, just a cliffhanger. Great drawing style, cool character and settings concepts, but really poor storytelling.
July 13, 2017
This is still a solid ok read for me, kids seem to really like this book. I like this volume better than the first and I feel like they are setting something up because they have introduced a new character and the big bad villain. ~Ashley
UPDATE! They did do a great set up! I've read up to book #3 and it gets pretty amazing. I recommend you keep reading and get to book #3
UPDATE! They did do a great set up! I've read up to book #3 and it gets pretty amazing. I recommend you keep reading and get to book #3
May 21, 2015
I liked the book who their is a thief in Cleopatra's school and she tries to get him but Khensu doesn't let her because he said that she could've gone killed, and the party that Akila made and she trying trying to make other people to dance and some people didn't want to.
May 14, 2020
Ei hyvää päivää, tämähän on aivan mahtava sarja! Cleopatra on näsäkkä nuori nainen, jonka ampumatarkkuus on sata ja refleksit jotain tuhat. Äksöniä, juonittelua, koulutantsut, kissoja ja mysteerillinen varas! Mitäpä lukija voisi enempää toivoakaan!
May 20, 2015
I really like this book because first of all it's a comic book and I love comic books. I really like all the bright colors in the book. And I can't wait for the next book.
June 10, 2015
I loved it because it had a lot of action and sometimes in the book it was funny.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews