The Invisible Tower (Otherworld Chronicles #1)

The Invisible Tower (Otherworld Chronicles #1)

3.61 of 5 stars 3.61  ·  rating details  ·  111 ratings  ·  24 reviews

Part of the spell has already been broken.

The first stones have begun to crumble.

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

You are special, Arthur,

Says the mysterious message in his game.

In one week’s time you will come to

...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published January 3rd 2012 by HarperCollins (first published December 27th 2011)
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Heidi
I confess, I didn't enjoy this as much as I had hoped. I mean, the story was fine, the plot was action-packed and moved quickly. The characters were interesting and easy to follow, although they felt rather two-dimensional to me, not much depth to them. Artie and his sister seemed to adapt rather too easily to the shocking revelations presented to them. The settings were great, I liked the idea of two worlds hooked together that effected each other and being able to move between them. The fantas...more
Barbara
Merlin--yes, he of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table fame--has been imprisoned in a tower for nearly a thousand days. But he just might win his freedom through the efforts of twelve-year-old Artie Kingfisher whose video game Otherworld mimics some of the events in King Arthur's life. When Artie beats the game, he receives an odd message that starts him and his older sister Kay on a journey he never expected. Artie is led to Merlin who runs a shop in Cincinnati, of all places. Merlin...more
Jennifer Monzon
If you are looking for an imaginative story for you child around the age of 9 or 10, this is a great book to start with. I wish I would have read a story like this at that age. It has so many adventures and such neat characters that you’ll love them all. The story begins with this boy named Arthur but they called him Artie. He loves playing video games and he’s great at them, but not better than his sister Kay. She’s a genius when it comes to video games and competes in them too. They both live...more
Once Upon
If you are looking for an imaginative story for you child around the age of 9 or 10, this is a great book to start with. I wish I would have read a story like this at that age. It has so many adventures and such neat characters that you’ll love them all. The story begins with this boy named Arthur but they called him Artie. He loves playing video games and he’s great at them, but not better than his sister Kay. She’s a genius when it comes to video games and competes in them too. They both live...more
Leslie
(and a 3/4 star for this juvenile adventure)

The nearly-twelve daughter inhaled The Invisible Tower, and said she was already for the next. Too bad since Otherworld Chronicles book one was only just getting published. How did I feel about it?

I’d been wonder when Arthurian legends would make the rounds in popular juvenile fiction. I understand Meg Cabot has modernized the lore for teen girls and Mary Pope Osborne plays with it a bit (near the beginning at least) with The Magic Tree House for the e...more
Beth G.
Arthur "Artie" Kingfisher -- twelve, rail thin, and not nearly tan enough for a kid in July -- had just finished slaying Caladirth, a female green dragon with sharpened rubies for teeth and curved golden spikes for horns.

Synopsis:

Artie Kingfisher is a pretty average kid. He likes Mountain Dew and video games. He has a close relationship with his older sister, Kay, and their dad, Kynder. (Since he was eight years old, when he learned that he was adopted, Artie has called his father by his first n...more
Jaclyn
Dr. Pepper Heads and Tom Thumb

I find Middle Grade reads rather invigorating because they can take you places that other books just can't with good clean fun.

The Good

The transition from old school legend to modern day gamers and technology in this book is fascinating. I don't know a child alive that wouldn't enjoy the idea that they could actually go into their video games. Now, what I know about the legend of King Arthur comes from the movie The Sword in the Stone so I'm aware that I only have...more
Gabrielle
I had to read this book for work because we might be using it as the basis of a competition.

The Invisible Tower by Nils Johnson-Shelton is neither an original story idea nor innovative concept. It takes the legend of King Arthur and places it in a modern setting. This is done in a way similar to the Artemis Fown, and Rick Riordan books. In some parts the writing doesn’t flow well and the story doesn’t seem authentic. Reading the conversations among the characters was like watching a poorly scrip...more
Claire
Artie is a young gamer, adored son of Kynder and adopted twin of Kay--- are the names sounding familiar yet? How about Merlin?
Artie is a primo gamer in our fair Ohio, when he and Kay go to a gaming contest- both are shoe-ins to win the games- they find Merlin has been waiting for them to release him for the Invisible Tower.
The Game is On and the kids work with ancient persons to valiantly battle the evil Morgaine.
All good fun for the young readers as Arthur is reimagined as a young king hidden...more
Daisy
This was a pretty sweet book. I was really interested in reading this one because I LOVE everything about the Arthurian legend. I'll admit it, I'm an Arthur junkie. And a modern twist with a video game entering into it sounded really exciting :)

And it was a sweet book and I thought how Johnson-Shelton incorporated the myth into The Invisible Tower was pretty good in my opinion. It had enough of the original thing and also a definite touch from the author.

Things happen with enough speed to keep...more
Jessi (Reading in the Corner)
If you're looking for a light-hearted fantasy adventure, look no further. Nils Johnson-Shelton brings to life a fun story of two contemporary tweens who find themselves pulled into an adventure to save the world the know and the world that they just discovered.

Arthur "Artie" Kingfisher was adopted by his family when he was just a baby. Until recently he's never really questioned where he came from, but after a not-so-chance meeting with Merlin, he's curious. The answers are not what he ever expe...more
Gail
When I read the blurb about this book, I was intrigued because I am a fan of King Arthur stories. This book tried to mesh present day with the world of King Arthur, Merlin, and Morgaine. It didn't work for me. I liked it well enough to finish reading the story, but I didn't feel like the story was well written. It had some interesting ideas such as the sword being able to guide and direct the boy, but I wouldn't recommend it to others to read.
Tracie
A young boy discovers he is King Arthur returned as he becomes involved in the fight to save both our world and the magical Otherworld. Excellent adventure and bonus for Ohio settings. Will recommend for Percy Jackson fans.
Kevin Miller
I enjoyed the simplicity of this book. The main character was likable and the bits of humor that were thrown in were a nice addition. I also liked the various other characters that were involved.
Donna
Amazing story. I've always been a fan of Arthurian legends.
This is a wonderful book to share with an 8-12 yr old. Both boys
and girls may love this story.
The characters are fun to read about,
Artie (Arthur) is a somewhat weak, simplistic character and is a
perfect foil to his more independent sister Kay. The relationship they
share with Dad Kynder was close and warm.

This is a light hearted story appropriate for young Middle Graders.
The adventurous storyline will hold their attention. I think...more
Allison
This book is just a set up for more adventure to come. It is the story of Artie, a fairly typical modern 12 year old with an older sister Kay and a good father. He soon learns that he is really a young King Arthur destine to reconnect the two worlds. Fun story that is a good set up for more books to come.
Chad
Just finished this book, and was ready for the rest in the series, but they haven't been published yet since this one was just published in January 2012.
Meghan
Read this book after the author came to visit my school. While it is not my style I can see why many of my students are very excited to read it. The story is fast-paced and a more modern version of King Arthur.
Epicbladesmaster
Good book if you like king Arthur and the round table.And a easy to understand plot.And a good book if you like adventures!
Emily Leathers
Arc from sfpl friends at fort mason on the day where I also got my transistor shoulder bag from dinomeg in mid 2012.
Deidre
I liked it. I was fast paced, and it would be a good book to hand to young boys who like adventure.
Shruti
An adventurous story about a present-day reincarnation of the King of Camelot.
Angela
A cool reimagining of the Arthurian legend! Adventure and magic abound as well as cool technology, family loyalty, and humor. I really like this as an audiobook--the narrator was able to capture each character in a unique and spot-on way! Recommended for a wide variety of readers.
Allyson
While not as horrible as a number of other books I have read recently, this simply didn't make the grade. The plot was poorly executed, the dialogue was stilted and uneven, and the pacing left a lot to be desired. How did this get past an editor???
Debbie
This is a good King Arthur and Merlin story. Arthur is a young boy named Artie, and Sir Kay is his sister. I liked this story, and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I just re-read this book again. I still like it.
Isha
May 21, 2013 Isha marked it as to-read
CJ
May 19, 2013 CJ marked it as to-read
Maryanne Tran
May 12, 2013 Maryanne Tran marked it as to-read
Sierra
May 11, 2013 Sierra marked it as to-read
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Otherworld Chronicles: The Invisible Tower (Paperback)
The Invisible Tower (ebook)
Otherworld Chronicles: The Invisible Tower (Audio)
The Invisible Tower (Hardcover)
Otherworld Chronicles: The Invisible Tower (Audio)

1960761
While a shocking number of future New York Times bestselling writers were born in log cabins on dirt floors to unwed mothers, I was born in a hospital, though my mom and dad weren't married—which is why I have two last names. I have to say that even though it may sound nice and literary, having two last names is a pain in the butt, so if you're thinking of doubling the surnames of your offspring,...more
More about Nils Johnson-Shelton...
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“He had an invisible sword. Really?
He walked through the lobby, got into a full elevator, and no one stared. He passed a cleaning lady in the hallway outside his room, and all she said was,"Hello there."
He had an invisible sword. Really.”
1 person liked it
“He was a very tall, very thin creature that could only be described as a wood elf. His long, ponytailed hair was every color of autumn leaves; his skin was the hue of fresh-cut pine boards; and his eyes were the vibrant color of fresh spring foliage. He also wore blue jeans and brown loafers and a ragged t-shirt that read, "Choose your Weapon!" under which sat a line of Dungeons and Dragons dice of various shapes and denominations.
Kay could barely believe it. For one, where did he get that shirt? These Otherworld people LIVED Dungeons and Dragons--they played it too? For a second Kay thought she might be looking at the most ironic t-shirt and t-shirt wearer combination ever.”
1 person liked it
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