The Indigo King

by James A. Owen

Book Overview

John and Jack are mystified when they discover a cryptic warning on a medieval manuscript--a warning that is not only addressed to them, but seems to have been written by their friend, Hugo Dyson. But before they can discover the origins of the book, Hugo walks through a door in time--and vanishes into the past. In that moment, the world begins to change. Now, the Archipelago of Dreams and our world both suffer under the reign of the cruel and terrible...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416951075
• ISBN13: 9781416951070
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

Oh the beautiful web that Owens weaves.

I find this autors imagination, approach and story weaving to be pretty ingenious and enthralling. I also find this to be a book to read, to absorb and even be willing to reread and look up history, facts and even the authors mentions in the series. Not really a good book to get in the habit of skimming or you miss things you need to know. I love all the connections Owens has made between so many different areas. I love that it has a definate feel of originality by using old familiars! From my review of Search for the Red Dragon: am absolutely rivoted by the author's continued ability to weave so many different aspects of literature, mythology, religions and more to encompass one world. It fascinates me. From my review of Here There Be Dragons: "by the end I was very fascinated with the characters\plot\history\mythology and how the writer has built and intertwined all these elements into one world. how this one place could be the whole base of not only our various gods and mythical ledgends but the very place that some best loved Authors drew their inspiration. I spent the last half of this book with one hand holding the book and the other searching Wikipedia!"

Take the time to read this awesome series.

Pacing back and forth I debated starting with this book or at the beginning of the series. You just never know if you'll get lost by skipping around in the series. I was surprised and delighted to find I was instantly drawn into the pages of this story and catapulted through an awesome adventure starring some of my most favorite authors. Obviously, I now have to go back and read all of them. The Indigo King is full of marvelous creatures, imaginative plot lines and entertaining dialogues between characters. I don't dare share the story here because I'd end up giving too much away. Let's just say it starts with three friends coming upon a door ... when that door shuts, a whole world of chaos is born until two of them can figure out what happened and how to fix it. You'll meet giants, Wickermen, trackers, Badgers, witches, etc. etc. along the way. All wrapped up in one wonderful story.

A celebration of imagination

More than most novels of the imagination, The Indigo King makes the creative act the centerpiece of the plot. From its beautifully designed and executed cover art to the author's splendid ink illustrations that festoon the book, the novel's presentation celebrates the artistry involved in its own creation as well as others like it. With a plot that involves such masters of the imagination as J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Charles Williams and H. G. Wells, and an imaginary atlas called the Imaginarium Geographica - an atlas of imaginary places - that the famous writers are asked to guard, all aspects of creativity are exalted in this superlative fantasy novel. James A. Owen is doubly gifted: he writes well and draws beautifully. His lovely illustrations, resembling classic 19th century wood-block drawings that one might see in a masterful Folio Society rendition of a book of fairy tales, raises the bar in new imaginative fiction. I found myself quickly drawn into his world, the beauty of the book acting as a portal through which my own imagination acted as the guide. This is the third book of a series but it can stand alone without loss of continuity. Ostensibly written for young adults, adults who enjoy works that break the boundaries between what is real and what exists in imaginative worlds lying just beyond our reach will appreciate the many beauties contained between its covers. A lovely book that is strongly recommended. Mike Birman

A fantastic adventure for young people

The Indigo King by James A. Owen is a wonderful adventure for young people that uses time travel to weave history and mythology of two alternate worlds. It is alive with problems to solve, obstacles to overcome, and challenges to take. The adventure begins with English scholars and a time portal, then along comes talking animals, kings and wizards, giants and dragons. There are magic, battles, and heros. The pace is fast enough to keep your attention and most of the mysteries are solved. I would recommend it for any teen or older reader. I am well beyong teen and enjoyed it.

An incredibly engaging story that builds into the Imaginarium Geographica series and James Owen's le

An interesting story which was wonderfully executed, The Indigo King is a story no fantasy fan should miss. The story follows the adventures of all-time favorite writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, which occur throughout history and mythology, from Homeric Myth to Arthurian Lore, all perfectly bound with the flawless craftsmanship James Owen has displayed throughout the series. This is an easy read, quite dynamic, and very hard to put down. Everyone should find something compelling in this story: kids will love the engaging plot and adults will love the numerous references to milestones in world literature, varied mythology, and even events of true world history. As always, a big plus with this series is that, as an adult, you will feel compelled to brush on your literature; and you will find children interested in many classic authors, opening their horizons considerably. They will joyfully go back to Dickens, Verne and many more. The Indigo King is the third part of The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Georgraphica. Here, There Be Dragons and The Search for the Red Dragon are parts 1 and 2. I strongly recommend all three of them.