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.Superior Saturday (The Keys to the Kingdom)

by: Garth Nix

July 01, 2008
Having read and loved Garth Nix's OLD KINGDOM books (SABRIEL, LIRAEL, and ABHORSEN) as well as his SEVENTH TOWER series, I had pretty high expectations when I started in on SUPERIOR SATURDAY. I wasn't
disappointed. The action moves along quickly, with new and original presentations of magic at every turn, and major and minor characters worth cheering for (or, in the case of the antagonists, against).

The sixth book in Nix's KEYS TO THE KINGDOM series picks up right where the fifth book left off, making it a little confusing to understand at first, especially if you're a newcomer to the series, like I was when reading this. The book is certainly good enough to merit your going to the library and checking out all of the previous ... Read More:
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.Castle (The Seventh Tower)

by: Garth Nix

October 01, 2008
The second book 'castle' in the series is a improvement from the first, its starts to reveal the conspiracies that are happening in the castle, I won't say much but the adventure speeds up quite abit in this one.
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.Lady Friday (The Keys to the Kingdom)

by: Garth Nix

March 05, 2007
Barcode: 9780007175093

So, we had the series kicking off to a great start with Mister Monday before confirming its amazingness with the awesome Grim Tuesday (still the best one in my opinion) and adding a new depth and maturity in Drowned Wednesday. But with Lady Friday we have something of an enigma. It is still the same series we know and love, still the same characters and overall feel... but somehow, the energy and pace that made the other books such a joy to read isn't present as much here.

There is still plenty to enjoy here though, by the time you get to the middle of the book where Arthur is well stuck in to the conflict between the various factions and Denizens of the Middle House, things perk up and the 5th part of the Will ... Read More:
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.Grim Tuesday (The Keys to the Kingdom)

by: Garth Nix

June 07, 2004
Barcode: 9780007175031

So, having finished the simply awesome Abhorsen trilogy i was eager to read more of Garth Nix's books and thought where better to go next than the Keys To The Kingdom series. I was quite surprised for a number of reasons but thanfully, it was a pleasant kind of surprise.

My first recommendation is that make sure you read the first novel, Mister Monday, first as there is a lot of stuff you need to know about like the Will, the keys, the days, the house etc. the list goes on. You kinda get thrown in at the deep end and it can all seem a bit random and disorientating at the start but onhce you get into into it the world of the Keys To The Kingdom series is just as magical as the Old Kingdom.

Nix's ingenuity ... Read More:
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.Drowned Wednesday (The Keys to the Kingdom)

by: Garth Nix

May 23, 2005
Barcode: 9780007175055

Drowned Wednesday continues where preceding book, Grim Tuesday, left off. As with all of Nix's work it is some of the best contemporary fantasy on offer at the moment and his imagery is pure magic. On the whole, i felt Drowned Wednesday lacked some of the carefree charm of Grim Tuesday but made up for it with a more mature feel. It shows the series progressing, both Nix and his characters only adding to the appeal and power of the series.

Arthur comes across as a far more interesting character in this book, beginning to realise just what he has to do, his mission becomming ever more dangerous through the course of this book and seeing him taking up a sword and riding the waves in various boats and even a submarine. The delightful ... Read More:
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.The Fall (The Seventh Tower)

by: Garth Nix

March 03, 2008
I've already read this entire series. I was in America a couple of years ago and bought all six books in two volumes. You'll be pleased to that whilst it is not in the same league as the Abhorsen trilogy, it does improve as Garth Nix reveals more of the back story about the Sunstones and the Spiritshadows and the past of the Castle of Seven. The characters develop more and you actually begin to care about them and what happens to them. I recommend that even if you're unsure about this one, stick with it, they do get much better
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.Mister Monday (The Keys to the Kingdom)

by: Garth Nix

January 05, 2004
I would recommend this book to anyone. This fantasy is well worth a read (and the money) and you also know you have a good series to get into. With Superiour Saturday just released (all of which are great reads) you can read them all in time for Sundays book. Garth Nix is a great author and all his books are great. Would really recommend it.
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.Sir Thursday (The Keys to the Kingdom)

by: Garth Nix

February 27, 2006
Barcode: 9780007175079

With Drowned Wednesday we saw Garth Nix's fantastic series taking on a more mature, more epic feel and with Sir Thursday this vibe is amped up even more, as is the drama and tension.

Basically, the premise is that Arthur Penhaligon, the hero of the series - in the midst of his troubles combating the Trustees - is forcefully enlisted into the House's army to serve for 100 years. Masquerading as a Piper's Child, he also gets the unfortunate treatment of getting 'washed between the ears', effictively having his memory completely wiped.

There's a lot going on in this story, all of the above placed against the threat of a massive Nithling attack on the House, but it's testamant to Nix's skill as a writer that he keeps everything moving ... Read More:
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.Sabriel

by: Garth Nix

May 06, 2003
I came across this book later in its history, as a fantasy & science fiction fan of some 30 years. Favourite books being Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Dune etc.

Sabriel isn't really like those books at all and not just `cause it's (allegedly) written for young teenagers.

It's different due to its more downbeat and sombre tone and the feeling that the evil forces might actually win.

It does remind me a little of C.J. Cherryh's "Chronicles of Morgaine" in that it has a totally believable & completely un-stereotypical heroine (Sabriel) and with a similar down beat tale of a dying world.

The book is also a little like Harry Potter in that there is some magic in the `real' world but there is another world next to it were magic is much more in ... Read More:
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.Lirael

by: Garth Nix

April 05, 2004
Garth Nix changed the face of dark fantasy (usually just horror with a prettier cover) with his instant hit "Sabriel." It spun up an alternate world full of un-cute talking animals, deadly and dark magic, and a likably strong heroine.

And he doesn't disappoint in "Lirael: Daughter of the Clayr," a strong sequel that reenters the world of the Old Kingdom, and brings out a new threat and new heroes to combat it. Without missing a step, "Lirael" follows in "Sabriel"'s footsteps, with the same dark blend of humor and horror.

Lirael is a daughter of the Clayr, but she won't be a full Clayr until she gains the Sight. On her fourteenth birthday, she is the oldest girl to not yet have gained the Sight.

After contemplating suicide, Lirael is assigned to work in the library, and ... Read More:
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