Keys to the Kingdom - Books

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Superior Saturday (The Keys To The Kingdom)

Garth Nix

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Superior letdown 4 out of 5 stars.
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Each book in this series has been something of a surprise. Each one occurs in a different "part" of "The House of the Architect". Up to now, only a tag at the end of the previous volume has given the reader any hint as to the location in the House of the next volume's story.

But Saturday has been hinted at as the master intriguer against Arthur, the Rightful Heir to the Kingdom. She has masterminded the demise of many, including former Key Holders, and nearly Arthur himself on multiple occasions, sacrificing Saturday's Dusk in the second book to set up one such attempt. She was prefigured as a mover and shaker before we knew even the names of most of the other six Days. So I expected the real fireworks to fly in this volume, even though there would clearly be one more to go - Sunday. True, the reasons behind Saturday's destruction of others are made clear, even to her destruction of whole portions of the House. Still, the level of circles within circles found in the earlier volumes is missing here. Once Arthur manages to get to the Upper House, it seems only a matter of time before he subdues Superior Saturday, clearly the most powerful of his enemies.

Yes, there is a cliffhanger at the end, and some uncertainty about the subduing. And we are certainly left with mystery regarding Lord Sunday. I just felt disappointed at the denouement, but perhaps the last volume will show that I was mistaken, and Saturday still has a role.

I can't wait, which shows that I still enjoyed the whole series to date!

Editorial Review:

The secret of his own identity.
The identity of The Architect.
The complete Will of the House.
The fulfillment of his fate.

Arthur Penhaligon is getting closer and closer to these things... but not without risks, conflict, and adventure.

Lady Friday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 5)

Garth Nix

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A fine addition to a fine series. 4 out of 5 stars.
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Garth Nix is one of my favorite fantasy writers. I first discovered him through his Abhorsen trilogy-a richly written set of fantasy books for a young adult audience. Those books are on the long side and are what I would consider YA if not adult literature. Nix's more recent writing endeavor, a series of seven books entitled The Keys to the Kingdom, began in 2003 with the publication Mister Monday. As you might have guessed, each book is titled for a different day of the week.

Lady Friday is the fifth book in the series (first published in 2007) with the next installment due out in August 2008. Before saying anything else, I have to say that this is not a stand alone book. If anything is going to make sense, you have to read the series starting at the beginning. If you can also read them close together, even better. For my part, I had to wait over a year before I procured a copy of this book. As a result, some of the details were a bit fuzzy until I remembered what was happening in the story.

This series takes place in the course of one week (one day for each title). And, for Arthur Penhaligon our twelve-year-old hero, it has been a very long week. Arthur is the Rightful Heir of the Architect (the creator of Earth and everything else). Over the course of the first four books, Arthur has worked to free parts of the will of the Architect in order to gain help while battling the treacherous Trustees who decided to imprison the Will and steal the Architect's power for themselves. Four trustees have been defeated, their keys taken, but that doesn't mean Arthur has time to rest on his laurels.

Arthur's friends, Suzy and Fred, are still imprisoned by the Piper whose New Nithling army has taken over the Great Maze in the House. Superior Saturday, in an attempt to cripple Arthur's efforts to consolidate power, is cutting off phone and elevator service to and from the House. To make matters worse, Arthur still isn't sure when he'll be able to go home or if he will be able to at all. Meanwhile, Lady Friday sends Arthur an offer that he might not be able to refuse. Even if it might also be a trap.

This novel moves the action from the Lower House to the new territory of the Middle House. The descriptions here are really fun. Lady Friday is in charge of all the House's record keeping and book making, so there are a lot of book references in terms of places and characters. Nix also incorporates a lot of information about Arthur's military training during Sir Thursday to good effect.

As Arthur races to find the Will and Lady Friday's key, the story also follows Leaf's own difficulties with Lady Friday. This part of the story is interesting and does eventually tie in with Arthur's story, but at the same time it made for a slow start. (The books prologue begins with Leaf.) In the early chapters, Nix alternates between Leaf and Arthur which I guess integrates the stories but it also made for some really frustrating cliffhangers at chapter ends.

Lady Friday had a bit of a slow start compared to earlier novels in the series, but the dramatic ending makes up for it. A fine addition to a fine series.

Editorial Review:

Four of the seven Trustees have been defeated and their Keys taken, but for Arthur, the week is still getting worse. Suzy Blue and Fred Gold Numbers have been captured by the Piper, and his New Nithling army still controls most of the Great Maze. Superior Saturday is causing trouble wherever she can, including turning off all the elevators in the House and blocking the Front Door.
Amidst all this trouble, Arthur must weigh an offer from Lady Friday that is either a cunning trap for the Rightful Heir or a golden opportunity he must seize--before he's beaten to it!

Mister Monday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 1)

Garth Nix

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 108 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

a fresh new look at children's fantasy 5 out of 5 stars.
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I have always had a particular interest in children/teen fantasy. I normally am an adult fantasy reader, but sometimes it is nice to read a book that isn't trying to play off like the real world. This book is such a clever, compelling read that I was sorely disappointed to have to wait for more. I have never (so far) read a Garth Nix book that doesn't re-inspire me to read more books.

Anyway, onto the actually book itself. We are introduced to the typical male-boy protagonist, the awkward in school, unsure of himself protagonist with an incredible future. Arthur soon learns that his immediate problems are not the first day of school, but instead are the fact that he has to become the heir to the center of the universe.

The entire idea of the House with different levels of work (mostly paperwork) is extremely creative. Everything about the environment and, we could say, culture of the House is a parody and play on real life. It is ironic that the nether-world still has to deal with paperwork and useless workers and bosses that could care less if what they are doing is right or not. The House also offers a sense of the extreme. Anything described inside usually is accompanied by ridiculous dimensions. For example any major room is about 40-50 football fields length or the job of filling a few hundred thousand ink bottles. It also offers a different version of the afterlife, as in it doesn't exist. The main reoccurring theme is "from nothing we came, and to nothing we return" a bit unsettling for the typical child.

And that brings me to my next point. These books are labeled, "Children Fantasy", but contains many references to myths and ideas that I believe are beyond a normal 9 year's old pool of knowledge. There are also a few really violent scenes that make me want to classify this more for Teens. Not that I am saying don't read this for the violence, just be warned if your a parent I recommend reading this ahead of time to make sure it'd be ok for your child (and really it only takes about a day or two to do).

In conclusion, this is a highly originally tale and I for one can't wait to read the other books of this series. My only complaint is that Garth Nix takes about a year for every book he writes and that's a long time to wait. But I guess if it makes the books a masterpiece, it's a small sacrifice.

Editorial Review:

Seven days. Seven keys. Seven virtues. Seven sins. One mysterious house is the doorway to a very mysterious world -- where one boy is about to venture and unlock a number of fantastical secrets. This is another thrilling, triumphantly imaginative series from Garth Nix, the best-selling author of THE SEVENTH TOWER, SABRIEL, and LIRAEL.

Drowned Wednesday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 3)

Garth Nix

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Drowned Wednesday is WONDERFUL!!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
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Drowned Wednesday, the 3rd book in The Keys to the Kingdom series, by Garth Nix, is a fantastically original read. (It is the 3rd book in the series, so you do have to start with the first book in the series, Mister Monday.) The characters are very well developed, and it is just as exciting as the previous books in the series. This book is a great blend of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Adventure that you will not forget! I can't wait to get my hands on the 4rth one in the series!

Plot: Along comes Wednesday, and Arthur Penhaligon knows that soon enough he will be summoned back to The House to deal with Lady Wednesday, the third Morrow Day. Unfortunately, when a giant ocean wave comes to do the job, his friend Leaf is with him, and she is forced to come along for the ride.

Arthur and Leaf will have their fair share of adventure this Wednesday: Leaf is mistook for Arthur and picked up by a ship with fluarescent green sails, leaving Arthur afloat alone in the ocean until he is picked up by a ship full of rather incapable 'Salvagers.'

Along with his salvager friends, Arthur will narrowly escape the wrath of Feverfew (a horrible pirate), Learn of the fall of Lady Wednesday, and her transformation into Drowned Wednesday, and eventually be found by Wednesday's Dawn, who takes him to Wednesday herself.

There he learns of how he must find the 3rd part of the Will, and save Wednesday from her horrible fate, A process which will not be easy! But he will be aided by friends old and new, so he might just make it!!

Read this great book to find out what happens!

Editorial Review:

Everyone is after Arthur Penhaligon. Strange pirates. Shadowy creatures. And Drowned Wednesday, whose gluttony threatens both her world and Arthur's.

With his unlimited imagination and thrilling storytelling, Garth Nix has created a character and a world that become even more compelling with each book. As Arthur gets closer to the heart of his quest, the suspense and mystery grow more and more intense. . . .

Sir Thursday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 4)

Garth Nix

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great book series!! 5 out of 5 stars.
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The keys to the kingdom books are great for pe-teens up. Arthur is the lead role in the book, and he copes with his new found powers well. He shows caring and compassion for his friends and family, he does what is nessacery to protect them from the baddies while trying to complete his new tasks to gain a new key of power. It is a fansty type book, it does have some dangerous situations, and it is a series, so if your thinking about buying this please read the other books that are before it in the series. The story line is not so complicated that a young reader couldn't follow it with easy. Adults would enjoy it also. It's a good book.

Editorial Review:

On the fourth day there was war...
Following their adventures in the Border Sea, Arthur and Leaf head for home. But only Leaf gets through the Front Door. Arthur is blocked because someone . . . or something . . . has assumed his identity and is taking over his life.
Before Arthur can take action, he is drafted by Sir Thursday and forced to join the Glorious Army of the Architect. While Leaf tries to banish Arthur's doppleganger on earth, Arthur must survive his basic training, avoid getting posted to the Front and work out how he can free Part Four of the Will....

Grim Tuesday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 2)

Garth Nix

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 44 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

If you thought Monday was bad..... 5 out of 5 stars.
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This is the second book in Garth Nix's engaging fantasy series Keys to the Kingdom, although it is billed as children's literature, it contains many sophistocated allusions that most kids probably wouldn't get (and some adults might not get either), and is extremely well written and highly recommended for anybody who likes fantasy, be warned however that it is not typical fantasy, it is sometimes very dark (this book is particularly dark and dreary).

After Arthur defeated Mister Monday and cured the Sleepy Plague which threatened to ravage his town and possibly his whole world, he thought he'd get 6 years off to grow up and relax before having to deal with the fantastical realm of the House again, unfortunately the greedy and corrupt Trustee of the Architect, Grim Tuesday has other ideas, he has sent two of his twisted warped Grotestques to Arthur's world where they have proceeded to commence the ruining of Arthur's family's finances and the finances of a good portion of the rest of the world, in order to stop them, Arthur must find a way back into the House, and once there survive Grim Tuesday's horrible Pit, which he has dug in his greed to mine Nothing, which can be made into everything. Along the way he teams up with various characters, new and old, including the irrepressible and irreverent Suzy Blue, and one of Grim Tuesday's many indentured Denizens, a former Theasureus named Japeth, who has a bad habit of talking, well like a theasureus which provides a certain amount of comic relief in the despair of the Pit. He also must convince the sullen stubborn Second Part of the Will to co-operate with him and beat Grim Tuesday in a contest of artistry in order to obtain the Second Key to the Kingdom of Reality and, most importantly as far as Arthur is concerned, save his family and his world from a new Great Depression and get back home.

All and all this is a great book, although not quite as interesting as the first one, perhaps because the first one had more mystery in it, in this one Arthur knows what is going on.

Editorial Review:

Arthur doesn't think he will ever have to return to the strange house that nearly killed him on Monday -- the house that contains an entire world. But Tuesday brings new challenges -- in the form of an enemy named Grim Tuesday, who threatens the well-being of both Arthur's family and his world. Arthur must retrieve the Second Key from Grim Tuesday in order to save everything -- an adventure that will include stealing a Sunship, surviving a very weird work camp, befriending a bearlike spirit, fighting the voidlike Nithlings, and traveling to the scary Far Reaches for the ultimate showdown.