Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17467 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 352 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-8–The week just gets longer for Arthur Penhaligon in this fourth book in the series. After Drowned Wednesdays submission of the Will and her subsequent death, he is tricked into joining Sir Thursdays army as they fight a large group of Nithlings in a shifting maze. To complicate matters, Arthur must serve as one of the Pipers children, unable to use his powers as the Heir of the Will. Back on Earth, a Nithlin, disguised as Arthur, is infecting mortals with a plague that controls their minds. Old characters return, including Suzy and Leaf, to help Arthur in the fight against Thursday and his denizens of The House. Nixs new addition to the series is a good continuation of the story, covering two plots at once, with each chapter providing cliff-hangers. While the events move a little slower than in previous installments, there is satisfaction in the resolution, and, of course, a lead-in into the next addition, Lady Friday. Reluctant or hard to fit readers will find this series enjoyable, as Nix is able to create vivid pictures in the minds of his readers. Fans of the fantasy genre will appreciate these books for their strong continuity, believable characters, and edge-of-your-seat-action. This offering complements the series well-established structure.–Richard J. Snyder, Inglewood Junior High School, Sammamish, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 5-8. In the fourth of a projected seven-book series, young Arthur Penhaligon (also known as Lord Arthur, Rightful Heir of the Architect) wants nothing more than to return to his own world. Instead, he is drafted into Sir Thursday's army and led into battle. On the home front, his friend Leaf fights against a stealth invasion. The pace lags initially, but picks up considerably along the way. This isn't for readers unfamiliar with the Keys to the Kingdom series; those kids should begin at the beginning, with Mister Monday (2003). Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
Garth Nix was born in 1963 and grew up in Canberra, Australia. He has worked in the publishing industry and currently lives in Sydney, where he is both a marketing communications consultant and a writer.

Customer Reviews

a verry good book (A++)
Sir Thursday was an interesting book. You will have to read the previous three books to enjoy it thoroughly. Keys to the Kingdom is a fantasy series, a very good one. The book starts off at a council of war between Dame Primus, Arthur and all of his subjects. When they are interrupted and Arthur is drafted into Thursday's army. He has to go! Here he is trained and finds out he has a new enemy while he looks for the will and Key. Over the entire book impressed me. I wish the author would have given more information on Saturday and Sunday, but the book also left me wanting more.

Books that get boys reading!
I'm a writer. And I have three boys who don't read. How embarrassing is that? But they have all picked up these books (10, 12, & 13) and I catch them reading instead of watching television. That is this mother's dream, and I'm so grateful. Incidentally, this was their favorite because they liked all the "war". Warning: your kids may feel especially heroic after reading this series. And I have a message from my sons Garth Nix, hurry up, they're waiting for Sunday! Kristin

Wow! War and Bravery!
Garth Nix creates two stories that comes together with a fantastic ending. Arthur is drafted into the Architect's Army, and Leaf volunteers to help on Earth by finding the one important object that will help stop Arthur's double from infecting people on Earth. For a little while, Suzie is left out...unable to do anything for Arthur or Leaf. But when she does get involved, she makes all the difference.

Leaf plays an important role in this version. She is a brave little girl trying to outsmart Arthur's double. Even though, Leaf does not want anymore adventures after her Border Sea experience from the last book, she steps up to the plate without hesitation. She becomes a key character in saving Arthur and the world. Meanwhile, Arthur is going through training in the Architect's Army and eventually fights in a battle with the Nithlings. He even gets washed behind the ears and loose his memory, but he gains it back just in time to face Sir Thursday.

My favorite character in this novel is Leaf. I really liked how Garth Nix puts her more into the book and made her very important to Arthur's success.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one...Lady Friday.

Thanks.