Keys to the Kingdom

Mister Monday by Garth Nix
Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix


My most recent read has been the first two books of Garth Nix's series The Keys to the Kingdom, Mister Monday and Grim Tuesday. This series is directed at a younger crowd, perhaps 7-11 year olds or so. I had previously read his YA Abhorsen Trilogy which I really enjoyed, despite the fact that my father, who read it after me, found numerous faults with it. These first two books in The Keys to the Kingdom I think better display the kinds of problems my father was citing about those books.

The books are indeed fun and engaging. The hero is Arthur Penhaligon, who was supposed to die on Monday, but was fortunately chosen to become the heir to the Keys to the Kingdom. I won't go into explanations of the plot. Arthur is a brave hero who is also believable -- this fate was chosen for him, and he just wants to live life as a normal kid. He is joined by some spunky female helpers, Suzy and Leaf, who add humor.

The problem for me lies mainly in the execution. Unlike Harry Potter or other great fantasy series, Nix doesn't fully work out or explain the ways in which the plot unforlds. Often, Arthur will do something because he "feels" it will work, which works a few times but in the end is not a very satisfying plot device. There are also some very paltry explanations for big events. For instance, we learn that in the first book that part of the Will was freed by snuff, but we never really know why or how that worked. Basically, there are too many loopholes in the plot. I doubt that most young readers will notice or be bothered by these things, but I think it does reduce the pleasure adults might take in reading this series. However, I will finish out the series as it comes (the first four are out I believe).