Gr 4-7 Cleopatra is back for more galactic adventures. In the opening scene, a foreign spaceship is infiltrated by a young thief using a series of daring and skillful maneuvers to defeat scores of troopers. The action then shifts to the futuristic Planet Mayet, where young Cleo and her talking cat now reside. Cleo, outfitted in a cheerleader-style space outfit with a cobra headband over multicolor bobbed hair, possesses a fearless and impulsive attitude. These attributes, along with her ray-gun skills and predetermined status as heroine of the universe, make her a popular teen classmate. Maihack's characters, both human and nonhuman, are diverse, expressive, and visually distinct. With action varying from tumultuous chase scenes to quiet secret meetings, the book skillfully uses color to impart mood. This title is suitable for fans of Ben Hatke's "Zita the Spacegirl" series (First Second) and Jeffrey Brown's "Jedi Academy" (Scholastic) who are ready to move on to older characters and more complex images. Younger devotees of Jeff Smith's "Bone" (Scholastic) may also it. VERDICT This full-color adventure series is recommended for public and school libraries. Gaye Hinchliff, King County Library System, WA

Cleopatra went to a lot of trouble to steal an ancient sword in her first book, Target Practice (2014), but now someone's planning on stealing it back! On top of that, if she doesn't figure out the secret of the time-traveling tablets that brought her from ancient Egypt to a future in outer space, she may never live up to the prophecy naming her savior of the galaxy. Maihack's series has good bones, though it occasionally drags, particularly when it focuses too much on moments of stereotypical teenage-girl school drama. Where Maihack truly shines, however, is in his action sequences. Almost half of book two is one long chase, which allows him to show off his skill with timing. He knows just when to add stillness, allowing the audience to catch its breath for a needed moment before hurtling back to the action. The rich colors of Maihack's art and the unique combination of Egypt and outer space should help make this one a popular choice for readers looking for adventure.

Five months after being zapped from ancient Egypt to the distant future in book one, Cleo, the hot-headed "savior of the galaxy," tries to nab a thief, discover more about the prophecy she's fulfilling, and navigate new friendships--all while attending school (and, ugh, the winter dance). Panels of crisp, jewel-toned art showcase the graphic novel's blend of action and humor.