Otherworld Chronicles: The Invisible Tower

by Nils Johnson-Shelton

Overview

In Artie Kingfisher's world, wizards named Merlin and fire-breathing dragons exist only in legends—until the day his favorite video game, Otherworld, springs to life.

You are special, Arthur, says a mysterious message in the game. In one week's time you will come to me at the IT.

Cryptic clues lead Artie to a strange place called the Invisible Tower, where he discovers he is actually King Arthur, brought to life in the twenty-first century. Artie has already conquered the virtual Otherworld—now it's up to him to save the real Otherworld as well.

Magical dragons, hungry wolves, and powerful sorcerers await as Artie and his sister, Kay, embark on a quest worthy of the Knights of the Round Table.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062070883
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	09/04/2012
Series:	Otherworld Chronicles , #1
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	1,010,895
Product dimensions:	5.12(w) x 7.62(h) x 0.74(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Nils Johnson-Shelton is the coauthor of the international bestseller No Angel: My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels. He is also the author of the Full Fathom Five series for tweens Otherworld Chronicles.

Editorial Reviews

The draw here is the action, and there is plenty of that. As Artie dodges fire spells and enchanted swords, gamers will find themselves reaching for their controllers while they await the series’ next installment.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

The draw here is the action, and there is plenty of that. As Artie dodges fire spells and enchanted swords, gamers will find themselves reaching for their controllers while they await the series’ next installment.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

An entertaining quest fantasy, sprinkled with hints of hidden agendas, and juiced with enough creativity to carry readers happily into future episodes.

Booklist

"The draw here is the action, and there is plenty of that. As Artie dodges fire spells and enchanted swords, gamers will find themselves reaching for their controllers while they await the series’ next installment."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

The draw here is the action, and there is plenty of that. As Artie dodges fire spells and enchanted swords, gamers will find themselves reaching for their controllers while they await the series’ next installment.

The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books

An entertaining quest fantasy, sprinkled with hints of hidden agendas, and juiced with enough creativity to carry readers happily into future episodes.

Booklist

Gr 5–8—The King Arthur legend gets a modern update in this new series. Artie Kingfisher, 12, doesn't realize that he is special until he is contacted by a mysterious Mr. T (aka Merlin) through his favorite Otherworld video game. A powerful magical demonstration convinces Artie that he really is a clone of the original King and that it is his duty to reconnect the real Otherworld with his world and save both from impending disaster. He and his 13-year-old sister, Kay, locate Excalibur and set off on a quest for the key that will free Merlin from his tower prison. Short, action-packed chapters (each with a cheeky title), funny dialogue, and an amusing trick for pulling the wool over the eyes of a parent, who would definitely not approve of sword-fighting practice with razor-sharp blades in the backyard, make this book a surefire hit with the legions of Rick Riordan fans. Adults may be disappointed that Artie gets knowledge and battle skills magically instead of through hard work, but kids won't care, and it's the choices and natural leadership that he displays that mark him as the true king. The witch Morgaine is set up as the villain, but only her minions make an appearance, and the final battle won't happen for at least few more books.—Caroline Tesauro, Radford Public Library, VA

School Library Journal

In his first novel for middle-grade readers, Johnson-Shelton serves up the first installment of an Arthurian trilogy starring 12-year-old video-gamer Artie Kingfisher. Artie begins receiving mysterious computer messages telling him "it has begun," and soon he is off to fulfill his destiny as the once and future king. It turns out that Artie is King Arthur--or, rather, Arthur's genetic sibling, created out of Uther Pendragon's finger bone and a lock of Lady Igraine's hair. At a gaming tournament in Cincinnati, Artie comes across Merlin, trapped in an invisible tower downtown, and it's Merlin who directs Artie on his quest. Much is expected of him: He must destroy the invisible tower, travel to the Otherworld and put an end to Lordess Morgaine's evil reign and gain access to the Otherworld's clean energy resources. No pressure, except the world is doomed if he fails. This new take on the Arthurian legends, told in third-person, pits wisecracking contemporary teens with their contemporary banter--" freaking awesome," "far out"--against all manner of obstacles: killer tornadoes, dire wolves, a green dragon, an elf and a wolf-headed man. At times, the prose is wordy and awkward, but it's always high-spirited and fun. Gives new life to Arthurian legends and may just send readers back to more traditional tellings. (Adventure. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews

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