"The Keys to the Kingdom" reviews

It's really time I reviewed these...

Mister Monday: On the first day, there was mystery. Arthur Penhaligon should have died, but instead finds himself in the midst of a time of great change. People in his city are getting sick. The virus seems uncurable. And Arthur finds an incredible House that holds the keys to it all (literally).

This book is a great intro to a fantastic series, and though it's not my favorite, it really deserves a mention. My rating: 8/10.

Grim Tuesday: On the second day, there was darkness. Arthur may have won the first key and the Lower House, saving his town, but there are still problems. Problems that threaten his family, the world, and the universe itself. Arthur must stop the greedy Tuesday before the Far Reaches are irreversably contaminated.

This book, while it is in my opinion one of the worst in the series, is still worth a read and an almost worthy followup to Monday. My rating: 7/10.

Drowned Wednesday: On the third day, there were pirates. Arthur is in the hospital, but that doesn't stop Lady Wednesday (who happens to look a bit like a whale) from sending Arthur an invitation to dine with her on the Border Sea. But now there are pirates after Arthur as well.

This book, while it is 50 pages longer than Tuesday, was a much easier and faster read, and it introduces you nicely to some important new characters and aspects of the House. My rating: 8.5/10.

Sir Thursday: On the fourth day, there was war. Arthur wants to go home more than anything, but he can't. The Skinless Boy is being used as a doppelganger, and it is up to Leaf to stop it. Also, Arthur is unwittingly pressed into service in Sir Thursday's army. It is up to him to stop Thursday from bringing his troops into a war they won't survive.

This is when the books in the series start getting shorter, but Thursday doesn't let up on you with the action, giving a solid middle installment. My rating: 9/10.

Lady Friday: On the fifth day, there was fear. Arthur and Leaf have been separated. Leaf finds herself in a hospital where the doctor is known as Lady Friday. Arthur finds himself in the middle of Friday's schemes. Arthur must find the fifth part of the Will of the Architect and wrest control of the Middle House and the fifth key from Friday, but can he do it in time?

I'm not sure why, but this book, while gripping and well-written, was a little weird for my tastes, but it leaves you still salivating for Saturday. My rating: 7.5/10.

Superior Saturday: On the sixth day, there was sorcery. The end game has begun. Lord Arthur is gaining control of the House, but as he does, he is losing his humanity. And Saturday is about to launch an attack on the Incomparable Gardens, Lord Sunday's domain. Can Arthur stop Saturday from taking control of the House... and the universe?

Garth Nix's sixth installment is his best yet: short, sweet, and impossible to put down, with plot twists galore and many questions on the verge of being answered, all the while leaving you waiting with bated breath for Lord Sunday. My rating: 9.5/10.