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Archibald Lox and the Bridge Between Worlds: Archibald Lox series, book 1 Kindle Edition

by Darren Shan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,380 ratings
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"A brisk, entertaining tale that unfolds in a wonderfully bizarre world." Kirkus.

There is a universe beyond our own, known as the Merge.

A young locksmith called Archibald Lox is about to cross worlds and explore it.

As he learns about these lands of wonders, he will have to face cold-blooded killers, rivers of blood, hell jackals and more...

Book one of the Archibald Lox series, by Darren Shan, the New York Times bestselling YA author of Cirque Du Freak and Lord Loss.

"Shan has created an alternative world that is extraordinary and imaginative with fantastical creatures that both delight and horrify. A soon-to-be fantasy classic." The US Review of Books.

"It's a gripping saga that will be appreciated not just by young adult audiences, but by adults who enjoy other strong YA authors who create fantasy worlds appealing to young and old alike." Midwest Book Review.

"Archibald Lox and the Bridge Between Worlds is a perfect middle grade book. I couldn't put it down and read it in almost one sitting. For grabbing my attention from the very first page and making me excited about a series for the first time in ages, I give it a superb five out of five stars." Addicted to Media.

"Inventive and imaginative with plenty of jeopardy - as satisfying a read as we've come to expect from Darren Shan. I read quite a lot during the seemingly endless lockdown but nothing made me smile quite as much as the Archibald Lox series" The Bookbag.

"Filled with fantastic characters, true to form description, and Shan’s distinct writing style, Archibald Lox is sure to enthrall readers of all ages." The Haunted Wordsmith.

"I believe that the Archibald Lox series has the potential to be the author’s best work since The Saga of Darren Shan, it has the magical, dream-like overtones of Lewis Carroll’s Alice books and the captivating, world-hopping drama of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. I can’t recommend it highly enough, perfect for fantasy fans of all ages." Books, Films & Random Lunacy.

"High fantasy that allows you to step away from the real world and into a vivid space of wonder." The Reading Corner For All.

"Perfect for fans of adventurous fantasy stories!" Mind of Luxe.

"I loved everything about the story, and can’t wait to see how it continues!" Rajiv's Reviews.
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 9
    Archibald Lox
  2. Print length
    157 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    March 30, 2020
  6. File size
    1645 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B086LKBHD6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Home of the Damned Ltd (March 30, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 30, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1645 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 157 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B08LNGTN5C
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,380 ratings

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
1,380 global ratings
An excellent start to an amazing series
5 Stars
An excellent start to an amazing series
I have been a fan of Darren Shan ever since I read the “Cirque Du Freak” series long ago. I was very excited to get my hands of the The Archibald Lox series, which features the first three books. This series does not disappoint and I loved reading all the three books of the first Volume. Its one of those books that I feel a reader of any age would enjoy!As this is the first book, the book introduces the pivotal characters and sets the main story-line for the series. I loved Archie’s friendship with Inez and how they support each other no matter what. Their friendship was the highlight of the book.Even though the book is quick to read, the duo face many adventures; from meeting Preston, to fighting the creepy Orlan and Argate, and meeting the King and solving a puzzle with gargoyles! The story takes you on a ride, and you have no idea how it is going to turn out.I loved everything about the story, and can’t wait to see how it continues!
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Top reviews from the United States

Owl
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Read
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022
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One of the things I love most about Darren Shan (other than his captivating writing style of course) is how much he truly cares about his readers. He released “Archibald Lox and the Bridge Between Worlds” early when everything came to a standstill with the covid 19 virus. To top it all off, he generously listed this first book in the series for FREE! He knew people were bored at home and looking for something to do and what better way to spend your time off by relaxing with a Darren Shan original???

This book starts off by explaining that Archie doesn’t have a particularly happy home life. He’s thinking about his brother, who he has just recently lost, before school one morning. Filled with the pain of loosing someone so important to him, he decides that instead of going to school he will wander around his home town. But this day of playing hooky will change his life forever.

While he is roaming the streets killing time, he comes across a girl who is being chased by two men who obviously mean to either kill or at the very least hurt her. However, no one can see the three of them but Archie. Everyone else is oblivious to the situation going on around them. She manages to slip away into a borehole before the men can reach her and Archie decides to follow her, taking him to a world completely unlike his own.

This book reminds me a little bit of one of Shan’s stand alone books called “The Thin Executioner”. Like “The Thin Executioner”, “The Bridge Between Worlds” is an adventure story. It’s filled with weird and interesting places, all found in a world called The Merge. In the merge, there are dangerous rivers of blood, giant vines to explore, twisted monsters called hell jackals, and mushrooms. Lots and lots of mushrooms. The book is crazy, fun, and fast paced until the very end! Definitely not a dull read!
One person found this helpful
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Beagle Lover24
4.0 out of 5 stars A young boy from London unwittingly is thrust into other realms.
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2023
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4.25 solid stars

The first book in the "Archibald Lox" series draws the reader into Archie's unintentional adventure from the start and keeps them there with imagination, exceptional world building and an excellent plot.

To date, I have never read a book by Darren Shan I did not like. (And I have read many!) I am happy to state that statement continues to be true.

Written for younger readers, I, being an adult, enjoyed this story immensely. Some scenes reminded me of adventures, real or imagined, I experienced as a youth. I found it quite refreshing!

Huge bonus: No editing mistakes!!

Upon completing this book, I am eagerly looking ahead to the entire series.
3 people found this helpful
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Teresa Grabs
5.0 out of 5 stars Shan is back!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2020
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We join Archie one morning as he decides to skip school. It’s something he’s done often since the death of his brother a few months earlier. No one in Archie’s family is handling the change well and he feels ignored and alone. While walking a bridge in London, he spots a girl around his age who is fleeing from some unknown threat. No one else seems to notice her. No one notices when she makes faces at a slab on the bridge and no one notices when the slab glows and she disappears inside. No one except Archie.

Archie’s world changes after he copies the faces the girl made, picks the lock on the slab, and leaves the bridge, London, and his invisible life behind.

Shan is back on his game, not that he ever really left, with this new YA series (although Book 1 could also be read by middle grade readers). The new world waiting for Archie, and readers, is called the Merge. A place created and governed by nine families, each ruling over a separate realm. When the last family member dies, the realm disappears.

Archie’s guide in this new world is Inez, the girl from the bridge, who turns out to be a camel, someone who carries messages between realms. Inez is not all she appears to be, and as the story progresses, Shan expands on the Merge to reveal it’s true nature of dedication, duty, love, and loyalty to the families.

Filled with fantastic characters, true to form description, and Shan’s distinct writing style, Archibald Lox is sure to enthrall readers of all ages. I would recommend ages 10 and up for Book 1 because there are a few “scary” scenes once the SubMerged and their “pets” show up to ruin a trip down the river of blood.

Book 1 left me with predictions I hope are not correct, questions about the King and his life in the Born (the real world), and salivating over what is to come.

Some readers may not like where Shan left off in Book 1 but the trilogy is already finished and published, so readers can immediately begin the next book and continue the story.

Overall, another fantastic story by Shan and one that feels long overdue (even though Koyasan was published in 2006 and is another fine YA story, so go check that one out if you haven’t read it yet). This trilogy will become a must-have for any Shan fan.
17 people found this helpful
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Cheryl
3.0 out of 5 stars Cheryl
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2023
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The book was mildly entertaining. I wasn’t invested in the author’s world-building—it seemed too much like an over-the-top weird dream. But, on the other hand, the characters seemed just plain ordinary. Won’t be going forward with this series.
One person found this helpful
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LindaRN
5.0 out of 5 stars Clever premise
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024
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Archie is a foster child grieving the loss of a friend. While strolling through London he comes across a young girl who's being chased by two men and he follows her into another realm. This is a Y.A. fantasy story that has a clever premise and is well written.
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Steve R. McMullin
5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed this book
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2023
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This book has an interesting storyline that I’ve never ever thought about. I am fascinated to see how it continues. Once I started reading this book, it was hard to stop and put it down.
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Books in the Hall
4.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2020
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I don't usually find myself reading shorter books as I typically get lost trying to sort out the plot and characters in the short expanse that I have to get familiar with them, but this book eloquently spread out a complex world and personable characters that I found quite interesting. I liked the descriptive and well rounded fantasy I found myself in, although I do wonder if perhaps there could have been a tad more backstory on the main character Archie and his foster family (I'm assuming this is something that I will see in coming books). I'm excited to see what the future holds for this series! It's a tasteful blend of fantasy with a dash of a thrill ride, and I'd recommend picking it up if you're looking for a quick but exciting read.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

B Thomas
4.0 out of 5 stars A Way to Escape
Reviewed in Canada on June 12, 2020
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Growing up, every child has times when the unhappiness gets too big, when nothing seems right, when no one understands. That's how it has felt ever since Archie's foster brother David died. The world for Archie and his foster parents seemed to have stopped turning. But on the day when Archie skips school again only to find himself witnessing the almost-murder of a young girl, everything changed. In his curiosity to discover how she escaped and where did she go, he finds himself down a Alice-like rabbit hole where there are worlds and worlds far different from all he has known. The dangers and adventures he encounters in the company of Inez will keep you turning pages eagerly.
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George B
5.0 out of 5 stars Darren Shan is back and more fantastic than ever!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2020
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The internationally acclaimed author makes his long-awaited return to the Young Adult genre with the first three of his Archibald Lox books.

1. Archibald Lox and The Bridge Between Worlds
2. Archibald Lox and the Empress of Suanpan
3. Archibald Lox and the Vote of Alignment

These three stories (which collectively make up the first volume of the series) take us on a thrillingly surreal and gloriously fast-paced fantasy adventure as we follow the protagonist, Archie into an alternate world called the Merge. Shan throws his readers head-first into a mind-bogglingly immersive and delightfully odd new universe populated by extraordinary people with unique magical abilities, bloodthirsty killers with scores to settle and a powerful yet divided royal family who rule over its many wondrous realms. The characters are three-dimentional and thoroughly engaging, the plot ticks along with the exquisite precision of a Swiss watch and as with all Shan tales, there are some jaw-dropping twists to enjoy as well.

This opening trilogy has the rich creative depth and imaginative scope of Philip Pullman's ‘His Dark Materials’ and the intoxicatingly dream-like overtones of Lewis Carroll's ‘Alice’ books. Archibald Lox has all the makings of a YA classic and I can't wait to see where this enthralling series goes next. Highly recommended to fantasy fans of all ages.
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Tony Calder
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent series opener
Reviewed in Australia on October 13, 2023
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I had not previously read any Darren Shan, although I was aware that he is a popular (and prolific) author for younger readers. Do not be put off by the reputation of Shan as an author for younger readers - this is a thoroughly enjoyable story for all ages.

There are 9 books in the Archibald Lox series, written as three trilogies. The trilogies seem to be made of closely connected stories - certainly this book ends without any real resolution of the story.

All-in-all, an excellent series opener.
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Andrew Dott
5.0 out of 5 stars The start of another great series by Shan.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2020
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I’ve loved Darren Shan’s books since I was a preteen reading Cirque du Freak so, with that in mind, I’ll try anything he writes. He has a special knack of pulling the reader in very quickly and carrying them along for the ride. And what a ride this one is. It starts off fast and just keeps going. It’s very much the first chapter of the story, (it’s clearly labelled book 1 of 3 in Vol. 1, so not sure what else you’d expect), and as such it ends with many questions and few answers and much to be resolved, but like any Darren Shan series, you know he’s going to take you somewhere wild. This first books sets the scene, builds the world and introduces the characters, without actually really explaining much of what the plot is, but as much as that sounds like a negative, it’s actually a big part of what keeps you intrigued, left just as bewildered and in-the-dark as the main character. The story moves at such a pace that there isn’t much time to stop and explain things, but I’m certain Shan has his plan set out and the seeds planted here will grow into something fantastic in further books. One of the main things which struck me about this new series of his, is how original it is in a lot of the ideas it introduces. Many were not something I’d personally come across before and this made the book feel really fresh and unexpected. It almost has a kind of Alice in Wonderland feel to it, in the sense that anything can happen and at first it doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense, but if you just let yourself get swept up in the tide and go with it, you’ll get taken somewhere really fun. Darren Shan never lets you down. Instantly starting book 2 now.
3 people found this helpful
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jemgeo1
4.0 out of 5 stars A mostly good fantasy story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2021
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Most of the story enjoyable, but some bits dragged on a bit
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