Mister Monday (The Keys to the Kingdom, #1)

by Garth Nix

book data

3,166 ratings, 3.80 average rating, 320 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		26%
4		37%
3		27%
2		7%
1		1%

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published

January 2006 by Listening Library (first published 2003)

details

Audio CD

characters

Arthur Penhaligon, Suzy Turquoise Blue, The Will …more

literary awards

Aurealis Children's Award (2003), Honour Book CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers (2004)

isbn

0739331272 (isbn13: 9780739331279)

description

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 ven…more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 4,319)

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Apr 11, 2007

katie rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

bookshelves: unfinished

Read in April, 2007

Okay, so I was all set to love this book. Like REALLY LOVE IT. I picked it up a few weeks ago but had to return it to the library, but because I was so SET TO LOVE IT etc., I went out and bought my own copy to take to New Zealand.

:|

I just didn't believe a bit of it. I thought the dialogue was rubbish. Arthur came across really nothingy to me. I loved the actual concepts, but it felt badly executed. I'm bothered, because it could've been so fantastic, and I heard an interv...more

Like this review? yes (4 people liked it)

2 comments

Jul 28, 2007

Res rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

bookshelves: locus_poll, sff

Read in December, 2007

The one where dangerously asthmatic Arthur gains possession of a clock hand that embroils him in a conflict with supernatural agents -- one that takes the form of a strange journey in one realm, and a deadly plague in another.

This was wildly original and yet also boring, which takes some doing. Part of the trouble was the writing, which was often clunky and weighed down with unnecessary details. Part of it was the plotting; sometimes the rules and complications were just right, but o...more

Like this review? yes (4 people liked it)

3 comments

May 22, 2007

Sarah rated it:

(review of isbn 0439551234)

Read in April, 2007

recommends it for: Science fiction readers, especially the Harry Potter audience

Mister Monday is the first book in a 7-part series (one for each day of the week). The first five books are currently available. I was dubious about reading this book because I thought it would be another Harry Potter rip-off. Its turned out to be a quite an exciting read. Young teenage boy becomes a "chosen one" of sorts, and needs to avoid destruction while gaining power over part of "The House", a place where all worlds meet and should be ruled over by laws put ...more

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Feb 11, 2010

James Helgren rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

Read in February, 2010

right now i am on page 175 when Arther had met the Will and Suzy. They almost got completly squashed when a elavator suddenly stopped! They are also getting chased by man eating dogs wearing coats and bowler hats. AWKWARD!!!!

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

1 comment

Feb 05, 2009

Karen rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

Read in February, 2009

All in all a good read. With the idea that there are other realms that can and do have connection to this life isn't a new idea. The way in which it is presented however is new. As Arthur finds out that sometimes you have to do the hard things in life not only for yourself but for others, he discovers his own growth.

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Jan 29, 2010

Rachael rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

Arthur Penhaligon is the kind of boy who doesn’t ordinarily stand out except for his medical condition. That’s precisely why he’s picked. So on the day he suffers from what’s supposed to be a fatal asthma attack, he receives a strange visitation and an even stranger gift—a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. It’s because of the key that Arthur doesn’t die, but not all is well in the world anymore. Arthur is being pursued by strange and otherworldy creatures that cause a puz...more Arthur Penhaligon is the kind of boy who doesn’t ordinarily stand out except for his medical condition. That’s precisely why he’s picked. So on the day he suffers from what’s supposed to be a fatal asthma attack, he receives a strange visitation and an even stranger gift—a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. It’s because of the key that Arthur doesn’t die, but not all is well in the world anymore. Arthur is being pursued by strange and otherworldy creatures that cause a puzzling malady everywhere they do, creatures at the beck and call of a certain Mister Monday who will do anything to get his key back. Desperate to escape the deadly clutches of his adversaries and determined to put the world back into order, Arthur stumbles upon another realm in which a power struggle has endured for the better part of all time, a struggle Arthur is only beginning to understand his own part in.

As a huge fan of Nix’s The Abhorsen Chronicles, I was willing to give this unusual novel a chance. The result is what I can only describe as nonsense that somehow makes sense. The book opens with a scene that clearly belongs to another realm, so the jump from that to Arthur’s tale, set initially in a reasonably earth-like place, is a little disconcerting. From then on, the story is a mishmash of odd encounters, peculiar places, and curious characters. In all, it’s a bit bizarre, sometimes so far out there, it seems only an overimaginative child could have thought it up, and I mean this in the best possible way, children having some of the best imaginations out there. I quite enjoyed Arthur’s unusual adventures; they were completely engrossing even when they challenged my ability to suspend my disbelief. There are only two points that were somewhat bothersome to me. Firstly, Arthur seems to be remarkably mature for a seventh grader, which I haven’t decided fits with the theme or is just unrealistic. Lastly, it’s clear that Arthur and the reader have only begun to delve into the new realms present in The Keys to the Kingdom series, and although much information about this new world was presented in this book, I still didn’t feel like it was enough.

This novel will be enjoyed by fans of Poison by Chris Wooding, Mirrorscape by Mike Wilks, and Darkside by Tom Becker, although I’m not quite sure it those who enjoyed The Abhorsen Chronicles, also by Nix, will be as quick to snatch this one up, as this type of fantasy is quite a bit more frivolous. Nonetheless, I look forward to catching the rest of the installments in this sure to be entertaining series.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com (less)

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Nov 24, 2009

Molly Davenport rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

Owns a copy

I'm not exactly the one that picks up a fantasy novel and thinks I'm going to enjoy it. When I first started reading the book, I was bored and didn't think I would find myself getting through to the ending. I had to change my maturity level and pretend that I was younger and involved in the fantasy of the book.
The book tells about a young kid, Arthur, that has posession of a key that looks like a clock hand. Throughout the book, he is being naive and giving in to other characters and Arth...more

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Jun 18, 2009

Maureen rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

Mister Monday - Book One of the Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix. (Fantasy; Young Adult)

Reason for Reading? After not really enjoying Jim Butcher's work, I wanted to read something that was both light and that I knew I'd enjoy. I knew this book fit the criteria. Also, I read this book almost five years ago now, in my first year of university. I have not, however, read the following books in the series, despite the fact that books two and three have been sitting neglected ...more

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Jun 13, 2009

Hilarie rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

This was not my first Garth Nix novel. I whole-heartedly enjoyed the Abhorsen Trilogy. So I was very intrigued when this book came to my attention. I immediately checked it out from the library and gave it a whirl. After a complete reading, I have decided that this series isn't for me. To provide another viewpoint, I am posting a link to the review that got me interested in the book in the first place, here.

Mister Monday (the first in the Keys to the Kingdom series) is the story...more This was not my first Garth Nix novel. I whole-heartedly enjoyed the Abhorsen Trilogy. So I was very intrigued when this book came to my attention. I immediately checked it out from the library and gave it a whirl. After a complete reading, I have decided that this series isn't for me. To provide another viewpoint, I am posting a link to the review that got me interested in the book in the first place, here.

Mister Monday (the first in the Keys to the Kingdom series) is the story of Arthur Penhaligon, a serious asthmatic, and the adopted son of a brilliant medical researcher and musician. Arthur is thrust into adventure, rather unwillingly, when he suffers what should be a fatal asthma attack but is saved by the appearance of a mysterious key which is literally thrust into his hands. I don't want to give too much of the plot away, so all I will say is that this key is related to the original forces which created the world. These forces have been twisted and are currently being used for no good by those very beings who were put in place to protect them.

Mister Monday is very fast moving. There are plenty of great moments in this book, and it really never lags. After I finished reading, it was hard for me to put my finger on what I didn't like about the book. After two days, I'm still unable to provide a concrete reason, except to say that I found the premise a little difficult to follow. It is difficult to talk too much about the parts of the book I found somewhat confusing without giving plot details away, so I will refrain. Basically, I felt that Nix tried to paint a grand canvas with this story, but it came out a bit jumbled. All I can say is, give this book a whirl and see if you like it any better. I have a feeling I am in the minority after reading other reviews.

One caveat, I would not recommend this book to those who are offended by novels which have plot lines involving the creation that may differ from a Christian perspective, such as the His Dark Materials series (which I enjoyed very much). I will definitely continue to look for new novels by Nix, but I won't be continuing on with the Keys of the Kingdom.
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Jun 04, 2009

Taco rated it:

(review of isbn 0439703697)

Read in May, 2009

The Keys to the Kingdom
By: Garth Nix
Reviewed by: Terran Cox

I have never been to high school. I’ve never been through a horrible plague that threatens to kill everyone in my city. I have never held a magic key before. And I have never traveled in a fantasy house that depends on me to save all the people that inhabit the house from an evil king while tying to find a cure for back home. But Arthur Penhaligon has in this fictional book called The Keys to ...more
The Keys to the Kingdom
By: Garth Nix
Reviewed by: Terran Cox

I have never been to high school. I’ve never been through a horrible plague that threatens to kill everyone in my city. I have never held a magic key before. And I have never traveled in a fantasy house that depends on me to save all the people that inhabit the house from an evil king while tying to find a cure for back home. But Arthur Penhaligon has in this fictional book called The Keys to the Kingdom written by Garth Nix.
The way that Garth Nix has written this book makes you feel like you were right beside Arthur on his adventures. The style that Garth Nix has written is like no other. He really makes you feel like he has written The Keys to the Kingdom for you and only you. It is like he took the time to interview you and figure out the emotions that you hold inside and he somehow takes those emotions and puts them in his book. So as you read those emotions that are hiding inside of you just fly.
Arthur Penhaligon is a freshman at his high school. And he isn’t the most popular kid in the school. You see Arthur often has asthma attacks and when he signs up for Cross Country at his school it isn’t the best idea.
In the beginning of The Keys to the Kingdom Garth Nix gives you some personality traits of Arthur and some other big beginning characters involved in this book.
So at Arthur’s first practice of Crosse Country he doesn’t hold up very well. He refuses to use his inhaler because he doesn’t want to look like a freak in front of all the kids. And because he refuses he passes out on the school field. And when he wakes up he finds a Minute hand from a clock lying in his hand. But what Arthur doesn’t know is that the Minute hand is actually a magic key
In the first couple Paragraphs Garth Nix really bored me with all the details about characters that Arthur would see walking down the hallway even though they don’t get mentioned in the book other than that short detail.
Another big character in this book is Suzy Turquoise Blue. She is one of the several citizens that live in the house. You will meet her around the middle of this book. Suzy is about Arthur’s age. She is an Ink Filler as her job. She is a very important character because she carries the Will. The Will is a creation of the Artist. The Artist created everything in the house. The Will knows everything about the house. The Will can also talk and change forms as a living thing. The Will despises the king, Mr. Monday. He is the evil king of the house. He is a very inconsiderate man that only thinks of himself. Mr. Monday holds the hour hand which is way more powerful then the minute hand that Arthur holds. So in order for Arthur to become ruler and defeat Mr. Monday he needs to steel the Hour hand.
This part of the book, when Garth Nix creates the adventures that Suzy, The Will, and Arthur go on to defeat Mr. Monday, is very entertaining. And if you are anything like me you won’t be able to put this book down. As I read on about the Will and Suzy, I started to begin to think that Suzy and the Will are traitors and only want to use Arthur to get to Mr. Monday and defeat him so they could become the new rulers. I started to think of this when Arthur received some helpful advice on how to trust from a friend that he meets close to the ending of the book. The friend said “Trust those how wish you well, not those how wish to use you well”.
If you think that The Keys to the Kingdom sounds interesting to you, then you are
going to have to go buy your own copy and find out yourself if Arthur will defeat Mr. Monday and save everyone in the house and also find a cure for the awful plague at home!

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Apr 24, 2009

Marsha rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

Read in April, 2009

A fun and interesting first book of seven in a series. Kind of a science fiction/fantasy type. Arthur Penhaligon is an asthmatic seventh grader who is suddenly visited by beings from another dimension and given part of a key--the minute hand of a clock--and an atlas. Mister Monday, who has usurped power and taken over the rule of Mondays, had been tricked into giving up this key to Arthur, and starts sending his minions to try and get it back. Arthur is charged with the responsibility of taking ...more

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May 22, 2009

Jack rated it:

(review of isbn 0007175019)

bookshelves: 05-may--09, fantasy, fiction

Read in May, 2009

I must say, to be able to find pleasure in read an adventure filled with magic after Harry Potter is not easy. I find myself easily turned off over most storylines. Thankfully, it's not the case with Arthur Penhaligon. Twelve year old, a little too young, but because of life, Arthur ended up being quite an intelligent child. His determination and his knowledge are impressive. Garth Nix hadn't overdone it. Arthur is not what you call a master genius. He's ordinary, twelve year old boy, dying from...more

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May 28, 2009

Janeen-san *Lover of books* rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

Read in May, 2009

My brother finished listening to it on CD, and he said it was good, so I picked it up.
I have just finished one of the most funny and widly imagenitive stories I have ever read. This book was great, and the narrator, Allan Corduner, added a fantastic touch to the story no other narrator could have.
I suppose that's why he narratored it.

This story is aout a boy named Arthur. His goes to school like any ordinary boy, and in fact thinks he is very ordinary. But then, somethin...more

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Aug 28, 2009

Talia rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

bookshelves: school

Read in August, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Arthur Penhaligon is supposed to die early. He has a severe case of asthma and is now barely conscious collapsed part way through the Monday school run. He is at a new school on his first day just recovered from an asthma attack. He was adopted after his birth parents died from the flu outbreak that gave him his asthma. As his vision darkens and he clutches at his inhaler, a man pushed by a dirty, scraggly butler in a wheeled chair appears out of a flash of light. The butler is arguing with th...more

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Jan 11, 2009

Jaemi rated it:

(review of isbn 0439551234)

bookshelves: adventure, fantasy, favorite-series, magic, series, ya-fiction

Read in October, 2005

After noticing Across the Wall on the shelf in the office, waiting to be processed, I remembered how much I liked Garth Nix, and while I was placing a hold on the aforementioned item, thought I'd see what else was out there I hadn't read, which led me to Mister Monday, in which we meet Arthur Penhaligon--which is quite the mouthful for someone suffering from severe asthma. In fact, just starting at a new school, Arthur ends up in fear of not even finishing his first day alive, let alone popular,...more

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Dec 30, 2008

Ashley rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

Arthur Penhaligon is a boy who just wants to live out his life in an ordinary manner. He wants to fight with his adopted siblings, get grounded by his adopted parents and suceed in gym class. Unfortuantely Arthur has been predestined to fufill the will of the Architect, the loving being who created the many galaxies that span the universe. Arthur doesn't want it, any of it, adn despite the fact that the Will (or rather the part of the will that Mister Monday possesed) did save his life, and offe...more

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Nov 30, 2009

Lea rated it:

bookshelves: action, animals, fantasy-lovers-books

Read in November, 2009

This was a pretty good book, for being a Juvenile read. I really enjoyed this because I love the idea of each day being personified. I also liked Dawn, Noon, and especially Dusk. At first I was a bit worried at the prolonged descriptions of Arthur's asthma attacks (can we move the plot along please!) but ended up really wanting to find out what was going to happen!! The descriptions, although lengthy, really let me see the House and it's Denizens. I also liked how real Arthur seemed, with a...more

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Aug 04, 2009

Larry Wentzel rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

Read in August, 2009

A really interesting fantasy.

What I liked:
-- the wild, eclectic nature of the fantasy realm: people, clothes, architecture, locations are wildly variable, and yet it all fits together because it follows the desires of whoever is in power. When you can create anything out of nothing, you can mash together whatever themes you like, as you like. I found that a reasonable explanation for a highly interesting fantasy realm.

What I didn't like:
-- I found the descr...more

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Feb 27, 2009

Kevin rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

Read in March, 2009

I enjoyed reading this book. It's about a boy who is given a key that helps him to overcome some of his physical deficiencies. The key come from a central realm that seems to be the origin of all creation in the universe. The architect created all and left a will on how it should be handled, but the overseers split the "living" will apart and have ruled and meddled in the secondary realms. (Earth being one of them.) A seventh part of the will escapes at the beginning of the book and ge...more

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Feb 13, 2009

Dian rated it:

(review of isbn 0439856264)

bookshelves: favorite

Read in February, 2009

Tick…Tock..Tick…Tock…

I know you…

I always be at your side…

But damn! You never realized it…

I can be slow…n tender…

I can be long…n gentle…

But you never look at me!

I’m the first! N always be!

I’m the last! N always be!

We are not that far…So you can’t realize me…

We are not that near…So you aren’t stuck with me…

I’m no different from yo...more