I believe I read an interview with Garth Nix in the early 2000s in which the reporter claimed that his new series, The Keys to the Kingdom, was destined to supplant the Harry Potter series. I can’t find any evidence of this interview anywhere, but the name and the claim quietly filed itself in the back of my head for these last 20 years. Though the series never did in fact topple J.K. Rowling’s blockbuster franchise, the comparison makes sense on the surface. Keys to the Kingdom has its own young, male protagonist who finds himself thrust into a fascinating and dangerous world where he alone can set things right. While, there seems to be no end in sight for the Potter franchise, if—for whatever reason—you are looking for an alternative for yourself or your kids, The Keys to the Kingdom is a great series to consider. While The Keys to the Kingdom may not have toppled Rowling’s wizarding world, it’s a series with its own unique magic that can captivate readers of all ages.
The Plot
The series itself gets off to a thrilling and dramatic start. An all-powerful being suddenly vanishes, leaving behind an enchanted Will and the seven Keys to the Kingdom. The Trustees, supernatural beings meant to uphold the Will, instead conspire to destroy the magical document, hide its pieces through time and space, and seize the power of the Keys for themselves. Should the Will escape, their work will unravel and they will surely be destroyed for their treachery. Thrillingly, the book’s prologue gets things to rollicking start as a sentient piece of the Will tricks its way out of its prison. Collusion, plots, and deadly stakes create an immediate sense of mystery and intrigue.
“One of the highlights of the series is how quickly Nix turns tropes on their head or unravels them completely.”
The stage set, we meet our protagonist, Arthur Penhaligon, trying his best to fit in on his first day at a new school. Right away it seems we’ll be seeing a lot of familiar middle reader tropes here: a misfit hero with an asthma problem and dead parents, a plucky young girl who befriends him, a school full of antagonistic grownups who just don’t get it. However, one of the highlights of the series is how quickly Nix turns these tropes on their head or unravels them completely. From the moment the titular Mister Monday appears and sets Arthur on the hero’s path, the plot rockets forward in ways that Arthur and the reader are unlikely to expect.
Arthur, for example, might have dead parents, but he’s hardly the stereotypical orphan living under cruel and unsympathetic guardians. Officially adopted by the Penhaligon’s years before the story begins, he is part of a big, loving family. He, his parents and his older siblings recognize that families come about in many different ways, not just through genetic ties. I personally found this detail affirming and refreshing, since so much of popular culture treats adopted children as imposters or worse.
Through a chain of events well outside of his control, Arthur finds himself the “rightful heir” to the Architect’s Will, essentially the Chosen One, destined to bring order back to a bizarre world known as the House. The House, it seems, is the center of all creation, all universes. It must be ruled with intention and care, or it and all worlds that exist will fall into Nothing. Naturally, the evil Trustees seem, through their own short-sighted desires, intent to send the House—and literally everything else—to its doom. Can Arthur, now armed with a mysterious Key and an even more mysterious “Compleat Atlas of the House and Immediate Environs” set things right?
The Characters
Garth Nix knows how to create a diverse and fascinating cast of characters. The people in the story, from the normal people of our world to the supernatural Denizens of the House, are engaging, unique and feel authentic. I particularly liked Arthur’s new friend, Leaf, a girl from his school with a knack for being cool-headed in a crisis; and the First Part of the Will, a couple paragraphs of legal document incarnated as a fussy, pushy frog. Nix does an incredible job making the non-human Denizens feel strange yet relatable. He has a knack for deft characterizations: I felt like I knew and understood his characters within the first few paragraphs of their being introduced.
In keeping with Nix’s convention-twisting style, Arthur (and the reader) can’t always tell who will play a significant role in the unfolding adventure. Familiar to anyone who’s ever started at a new school or job, Arthur is overwhelmed by a sea of new faces, both at school and in the House. Some, like Leaf, seem promising at first. But, just as in real life, Arthur can’t predict who will remain important, adding an air of unpredictability to the magical world he’s navigating. This sense of uncertainty echoes throughout the narrative, amplifying the tension and making the twists and turns feel even more impactful.
“Even characters who only appear briefly make a strong, sparkling impression.”
The least enjoyable character, for me, was Arthur himself. This is not to say that he’s undeveloped or poorly written. He is a well-rounded character in many important ways. His worldview and values are clearly shaped by his history: his medical struggles (and the people who both over- and under-react to his condition), his family dynamic and the incredible losses he has had to work through at a young age. However, Arthur’s reluctance to embrace his role as the Chosen One can feel frustrating at times. While it’s realistic for a 12-year-old to resist being thrust into such an immense responsibility, his constant complaints occasionally hinder the sense of adventure and fun that a story like this promises. The plot itself has all the twists and turns of a thrill ride, but Arthur’s constant complaints make it harder to enjoy the excitement. Just like a moody preteen can ruin a family vacation, Arthur’s attitude creates a seemingly unintended drudgery that makes his progress feel more like a chore than highly readable adventure. This may affect readers’ enjoyment, especially those looking for more heroic enthusiasm from their protagonist. However, for readers who appreciate a more realistic portrayal of a reluctant hero, this aspect of Arthur’s character may resonate.
Thankfully, the book’s many engaging characters add brightness and interest to the story. Even characters who only appear briefly, like Arthur’s school librarian or the Front Door’s Lieutenant Keeper, create a strong, sparkling impression. Mister Monday, a slothful youth who wants all the trappings of power without any responsibility, is a fun villain to root against. His dog-faced Fetchers add a sense of otherworldly terror. Ultimately, be they friend (like the precocious Suzy Turquoise Blue) or foe (like Monday’s Noon, with his literal silver tongue), all the story’s characters have an implicit depth and nuance. These aren’t stock characters here to fill out a roster; instead, they are fully realized beings with their own goals and agendas.
Major Themes
Hidden goals and agendas is an important theme in this narrative. Arthur enters the story as a mere pawn in the plans of two different otherworldly beings. Trapped in the House with little hope of returning to his own world and family, he works from a place of desperation. As he forges alliances and taps into magical forces he doesn’t understand, a particularly enigmatic character warns Arthur that even those who seem kind and helpful are playing toward their own ends. Throughout the story, Arthur has to look past people’s outward appearances in order consider their desires and how their loyalties might change. For example, Arthur’s interactions with the First Part of the Will, a fussy frog that seems helpful but whose motives remain unclear, give the reader a glimpse into how Arthur must question his allies as much as his enemies. Considering another’s internal world is a deep topic for a twelve-year-old protagonist to grapple with, but Nix shows faith in his potentially young readers by approaching it with depth and nuance.
Despite being thrust into the monumental role of heir to the Will, Arthur’s struggle with his newfound destiny underscores the larger theme of self-discovery amidst immense pressure. Many readers will relate to Arthur’s sense of being out of his depth, facing circumstances that are unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and even uninteresting to him. Arthur isn’t emotionally invested in all the political intrigues and the bureaucratic complexities of keeping the House running, but some how they’ve become his responsibility to bear. Nix takes the turbulence of youth and translates it into a fun, accessible adventure that still respects how draining even a “normal” life can feel when you’re young. While most middle graders are unlikely to encounter political intrigue or world-ending responsibilities, they can certainly relate to the feeling of being out of place or overwhelmed by expectations. Just as Arthur struggles to adapt to the expectations thrust upon him, many young readers will see echoes of their own emotional turbulence as they wrestle with their evolving sense of identity, the expectations of family and school, and their changing roles in the world around them. Arthur spends much of the novel trying to avoid his fate, rejecting his role as heir to the Will. Instead of immediately embracing his heroic destiny, he questions everything—from the validity of the Will to his ability to handle the responsibility. Though I won’t give away how Arthur’s character evolves during the series, I think most readers will find how he handles these new responsibilities both rewarding and believable.
A Note on the Audiobook
The audiobook version of Mister Monday is a treat for the ears, thanks to the skilled narration by British actor Allan Corduner. Known for his sophisticated, authoritative voice, he’s the perfect fit for a world populated by beings who clearly love to hear themselves talk. He’s a skilled storyteller and versatile actor, able to command a host distinct character voices that add an extra layer of personality to both the major and minor characters. Admittedly, the seasoned actor can only do so much to sound like a twelve-year-old boy, which can take away slightly from the sense of a child facing down a literal world of danger. Still, the performance is well-executed, edited and directed. Arthur’s struggles and the high-stakes moments come through clearly, making it easy for listeners to become fully immersed in the House’s mysterious world. If you enjoy audiobooks that bring stories to life with dynamic performances, Mister Monday won’t disappoint.
Who Would Enjoy This?
Overall, Mister Monday offers an engaging and imaginative adventure that will captivate readers who enjoy unique world-building and complex characters. While Arthur’s reluctance may be off-putting to some, his journey of self-discovery in the face of overwhelming odds is relatable and thought-provoking. The book’s mix of intrigue, fantasy, and memorable characters makes it a solid pick for middle-grade readers. Adult fans of fantasy and adventure are also sure to enjoy the convention-bending storytelling and thoughtful approach to its universal themes. If you’re looking for a fresh alternative to the typical “Chosen One” stories, Garth Nix’s Mister Monday is definitely worth adding to your reading list.
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