The Invisible Tower: Otherworld Chronicles, Book 1
By Barbara Lawrence,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
King Arthur meets gamers in action-packed series start.
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What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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What's the Story?
Avid gamer Artie Kingfisher starts getting messages in his favorite video game, Otherworld, only to find out that his destiny is to save the world from disaster. When he meets Mr. T (aka Merlin), he discovers that he's a clone of the original King Arthur and his quest is to venture into Otherworld. Merlin also helps him to claim Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake. Well equipped, Artie, along with his older sister Kay and a few other trusted knights, faces challenges in Otherworld such as a ferocious she-wolf, tornadoes, an evil witch and a dragon, all to bring back the key that will unlock Merlin from his imprisonment in the invisible tower.
Is It Any Good?
Full of action and adventure, OTHERWORLD CHRONICLES: THE INVISIBLE TOWER will appeal to fans of Rick Riordan, King Arthur, and/or gamers. The action is fun and the violence not too gruesome. The characters are funny, wisecracking teens who rise to the challenge to save the world. Ultimately, this is an easy reading book, a perfect summer read for teens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what teens learn from video games. Can some games be educational and informative as well as entertaining?
Even though his sister, the loyal Sir Kay, plays second fiddle to King Artie, Kay is a smart brave teen who faces danger alongside her brother. Families can talk about gender stereotypes in media and how girls are portrayed.
Why do the centuries-old King Arthur legends remain so popular in books and movies? What others books or movies have you encountered that draw on or update them?
Book Details
- Author: Nils Johnson-Shelton
- Genre: Adventure
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Book Characters, Brothers and Sisters
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
- Publication date: September 4, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 352
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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