Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
Book one in a blockbuster series, The Keys to the Kingdom, by the internationally acclaimed Garth Nix. Moving between our familiar world and bizarre other realms where nothing is predictable, Nix delivers a thrilling adventure-fantasy of breathtaking scope and ingenuity.Arthur Penhaligon is not supposed to be a hero. He is, in fact, supposed to die an early death. But then he is saved by a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock.Arthur is safe but his world is not. Along with the key comes a plague brought by bizarre creatures from another realm. A stranger named Mister Monday, his avenging messengers with blood-stained wings, and an army of dog-faced Fetchers will stop at nothing to get the key back even if it means destroying Arthur and everything around him.Desperate, Arthur ventures into a mysterious house a house that only he can see. It is in this house that Arthur must unravel the secrets of the key and discover his true fate.Mister Monday is the first book in The Keys to the Kingdom series.Garth Nix is the best-selling author of Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen.
Is Keys to the Kingdom appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 10 and up.
Parents should know this features plague, dangerous creatures, and fantasy violence including blood-stained messengers and an army of supernatural beings pursuing the protagonist. The action is suspenseful but age-appropriate for middle grade readers.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death, violence, and plague/epidemic (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Kids will love the mysterious house only Arthur can see, the magical clock key, and the thrilling race to stop bizarre creatures from destroying everything.