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The Pharaoh’s Catacombs follows five misfit cats into Paris’s shadowy underground, where friendship and cleverness prove their only weapons against supernatural peril. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I love ancient Egyptian history and I always knew I would write something about Egypt. But I wanted a twist. I wanted a story where the reader would search the internet to see if Rameses VIII’s mummy is even in Paris.
Each cat has such a distinct personality. Do any of them draw from people (or pets) in your own life?
This all started with my first cat (as an adult), Franky. He was a sassy fellow with fluffy pants. And since then many more have entered my life and they each have their own lives. Some are lazy. Some run the neighborhood poker game, and some collect the money from the losers of the poker games. It’s fun to create little lives for them.
How do you balance historical detail with magical storytelling without losing pace or accessibility for young readers?
My editor. He reels in my history lesson and reminds me that this is not a boring world with spreadsheets, but a place to escape to and explore.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Book 3 will have the same cast of characters and a grumpy dragon that was rudely waken from his thousand-year nap. It will still have riddles, but will also have a whodunnit component to it. I plan to release it in April 2026.
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🐾 A new maze. A deadly secret. A race against time. ✨
Legends whisper of treasures in the Paris Catacombs, but the kittens of Caylor Academy get more than they bargained for when an ancient mummy pulls them into a dangerous game of riddles and clues.
To survive, Sheba, Buckley, Tank, and their new ally Ruby must solve puzzles carved in stone, survive traps that spring without warning, navigate eerie passageways, and face a mummy who will stop at nothing to free himself from his ghostly world. One wrong answer could mean doom—not just for them, but for the magical world itself.
Dark forces are moving fast, and one wrong choice could unravel everything like a frayed ball of yarn. 🧶⏳
Danger is closer than ever. The question is—can they solve the mystery before time runs out?
For readers who crave thrilling quests, magical riddles, and adventures with claws. 🐱✨
Paws what you’re doing and dive into this CAT-astrophically delightful sequel! 🐾
The Cats of Caylor Academy: The Pharoah’s Catacombs
What unfolds when a band of spirited young cats collides with supernatural adversaries in the shadowy depths of Paris’s underground funerary labyrinth? A mix of intrigue, humor, and unexpected poignancy, far richer than one might anticipate from a children’s tale.
Karen Bitzer’s The Pharaoh’s Catacombs, the second entry in The Cats of Caylor Academy series, offers a brisk yet absorbing read. Five feline protagonists, each with quirks and flaws as vivid as any group of adolescents, must rely on cleverness and the unshakable bond of friendship to survive. Their adventure carries them into danger, wonder, and the kind of magical mayhem that feels instantly captivating. Historical touches, woven seamlessly into the narrative, lend an educational edge to the book’s enchanting blend of action and charm.
Comparisons are inevitable. Some readers may catch echoes of Harry Potter in the camaraderie and peril, while others will recognize the wry tone of James and Deborah Howe’s Bunnicula novels. Yet Bitzer carves her own imaginative space. Even those who missed the first volume needn’t worry, this story stands solidly on its own, thanks to the memorable personalities of Quinn, Buckley, Tank, Sheba, and Ruby.
Bitzer wastes no time tossing her band of misfit cats into trouble, and watching them claw their way out is a consistent delight. Each character resonates in archetypal fashion: Quinn, spirited and eccentric; Buckley, the thoughtful strategist; Ruby, bold and daring; Tank, ever resourceful; and Sheba, sharp-eyed and strong-willed. Young readers will almost certainly discover a favorite, a kindred spirit among the whiskers and tails.
Beyond its magic and mischief, the book respects its audience. It challenges as much as it entertains, delivering both excitement and substance. The Pharaoh’s Catacombs proves itself a children’s story of uncommon depth, one that educates, enchants, and refuses to underestimate the intelligence of its readers.
Pages: 177 | ASIN: B0FLH1R587
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