From the Publisher
High-spirited and fun. Gives new life to Arthurian legends and may just send readers back to more traditional tellings.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Short, action-packed chapters and funny dialogue make this book a surefire hit with the legions of Rick Riordan fans.” — School Library Journal
“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
“Fresh and fun, with plenty to offer the avid reader looking for a new series.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Fresh and fun, with plenty to offer the avid reader looking for a new series.
Booklist
An entertaining quest fantasy, sprinkled with hints of hidden agendas, and juiced with enough creativity to carry readers happily into future episodes.
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
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.
Booklist
An entertaining quest fantasy, sprinkled with hints of hidden agendas, and juiced with enough creativity to carry readers happily into future episodes.
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.
Kirkus Reviews
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)
