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Lady Friday (The Keys to the Kingdom) |
Average User Rating: 80% (9 Reviews) | |
| 4 / 5 | Nothing's the same here on FRIDAY
E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - 10 March 2007 The week is close to its end, and for Arthur Penhaligon, it can't happen soon enough. At least, that's how it seems in "Lady Friday," the next-to-penultimate book of the Keys To The Kingdom series. Garth Nix's latest suffers from a bit of middle-book syndrome, but he keeps things interesting with a brewing three-way battle, a New Nithling ally, and a vampiric Trustee who sucks the experiences from her victims. Arthur is struggling with a bunch of new problems, when he is given Lady Friday's resignation... and a transfer plate. The next thing, he's been transported to Lady Friday's frozen, mountainous realm. And unknown to him, Leaf has followed thousands of senior citizens (including her disabled aunt) into Friday's realm. Arthur's dire situation becomes even more difficult when he learns that his friends Suzy and Fred have been forcibly drafted into the Piper's army (they're only allowed out with a New Nithling accompanying them). And Superior Saturday is claiming control over Friday's realm. Time is growing short for Arthur to find the fifth piece of the Will... but that can't stop Saturday and the Piper. "Lady Friday" suffers from the "middle book" syndrome -- it's building up to the battle between Saturday, Arthur and the Piper, but not quite there yet. By the cliffhanger ending, Nix has spun up the beginnings of an epic conflict, which only promises to get nastier when Superior Saturday finally makes an appearance. And who knows what's going to arrive with Lord Sunday? The plot is slower-moving and darker than the previous books, with lots of ruthless Denizens who want Arthur stopped, not to mention the haughty, cruel Friday stealing the good experiences from elderly mortals. And a measure of uncertainty has come into the plot, with the New Nithlings and their ambiguous loyalties. Even Dame Primus (four-sevenths of the Will) is getting unreliable. But Nix includes the occasional quirky moment to lighten all this dark stuff, such as the rather funny Beast, and the fact that the New Nithlings just want to garden. It's a bit like Lewis Carroll writing a steampunk epic. And by the last few chapters, things speed up to breakneck pace, and even dealing with the latest Trustee won't fix things. Arthur is under plenty of stress in this one, since every time he uses a Key, he comes closer to becoming a Denizen. So he has to rely mainly on his wits in this one, to deal with everything from savage Nithlings to Friday herself. And poor Leaf is even worse off -- she's far away from Arthur, and surrounded by some very nasty Denizens. "Lady Friday" is the buildup to the grand finale of Garth Nix's newest series, and while it's slower than the other books, it holds the promise of a great "Superior Saturday."... Read Full Review » |
| 4 / 5 | "On the fifth day there was fear..."
CriticalThinker - 28 March 2007 As Keys to the Kingdom fans will already know, the trustees all embody a deadly sin and the part of the will they have locked up embodies a cardinal or theological virtue. This has always been a really interesting aspect of the books for me and Lady Friday does not disappoint in this respect. Lady Friday's Sin is Lust and the Will's Virtue is Temperance. That is the idea driving a lot of Lady Friday's actions... she constantly lusts after the experiences of aged humans and kidnaps them from the hospital Arthur's mother works at. This idea really sets the plot. The four parts of the will which make up Dame Primus have become cantankerous and vengeful. Superior Saturday is really trying to extend her power, the fact that she seems to have a constant shadow over events seems to indicate that she'll play an important role in the upcoming books. This book isn't as eventful as the previous four but it really is because it is the "middle book" in a sense. This is the book that has to set the events; it has to start themes and gets the plot really cooking. But this is what is so great about the book, when you finish reading it, you're left with questions. I know some people have complained the characters aren't as developed and that Lady Friday isn't as explored as the other trustees but I disagree. The fact that Lady Friday acts the way she does (I'm refraining from giving the plot away) indicates much a about her character, and her lust for experiences also demonstrates the way her mind works in terms of morals etc. I love Suzy in this book as always, she really adds humour to the darkest of situations. Hopefully in Superior Saturday the fifth part of the will would have balanced Dame Primus... but in this book I have to admit you start asking yourself why Arthur doesn't just destroy it somehow because Dame Primus really grates on your nerves. ... Read Full Review » |
| 4 / 5 | Day 5 & Arthur Roles On...
Chris Chalk "Chris" (Croydon, United Kingdom) - 27 February 2007 I must admit I wasn't enamoured with the previous outing of young Arthur on his quest to rejoin all the pieces of the Will, capture all the keys and return to his home in the secondary realm whilst ensuring the house and all within in remain safe and with all the trustee's defeated. Oh that and ensure the Piper doesn't reek havoc. You could just say I was getting jaded with the series... Lady Friday doesn't exactly snap me out of this but it doesn't sink me any further towards this conclusion either, I am still left with the feeling that Nix is now waiting to finish the book but because we have this situation with 7 trustees he has to pad out these middle sections but thankfully I think the editor has gotten onto him about this one and the padding that was clearly evident in Sir Thursday isn't quite so obvious this time. Lady Friday as a character is far more underused in comparison to the other trustees but that is fine for me as this book more than any other feels like a precursor to the next - Superior Saturday is mentioned a lot in this book and clearly this trustee is going to be far more of an issue than any before. On top of this there is the development of the secondary characters which I really enjoyed, most specifically Leaf but also Suzie Turquoise Blue and Fred Gold Numbers - now that they are reunited I feel the whole will be greater than the sum of the parts. One obvious omission is the Will itself which since it has subsumed the snake like 4th part has become slightly less trustworthy in Arthur's eyes. It's a bit of a shame this wasn't explored as I liked the concept but so be it. I am finding it harder and harder to think of Arthur as this asthmatic, weak young boy and much more as the leader he so clearly is becoming and this is quite skilled writing by Nix throughout the series but if you read this book cold without having had the introduction from the other books I get the feeling this would be tough to reconcile. Whereas the first 3 books felt exciting, chilling and standalone the last 2 have felt far more like the glue that binds the middle and the end and have as such had to be deliberately vague and far more about setting us up for the conclusion. In a way I almost feel glad to have gotten them out of the way as I know feel in a position where I can enjoy the end and that is no bad position to be in. ... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | On Friday there was fear but fear not...
Mr. Humphrey Mildred "Ben" (Edinburgh, UK) - 3 March 2007 On Friday there was fear but fear not for this is another excellent read from Garth Nix. Not the best in the series (Monday and Thursday being my favourite) but is still an brilliant read but be warned I could not put it down so make sure you have a few hours to spare. The Pros are: 1. You get to meet all your favourite characters 2. Arthur has a key! 3. Sub characters are deveolped very well 4. Arthur is no longer weak and more of a leader 5. Extra information is given concerning the big showdown 6. Saturady and the Piper are mentioned frequently 7. Lots of action (highest body count yet probably) The Cons 1. Lady Friday is not as developed as other trustees 2. You have to wait for Friday 3. Arthurs feeling towards the first four will parts take an interesting turn but it is not developed 4. It is just a bit too easy for Arthur it is becoming a bit like : I came I saw I conquered I just wanted it to be more challenging. ... Read Full Review » |
| 3 / 5 | Roll on Saturday
Laura Phillipson "Pern Fan" (UK) - 14 July 2007 Whilst I adore Garth Nix fantastic and boundless imagination, I find myself more and more skimming to get to the end of the books. I am a bit bored by the whole "want to go home, cant get home, must find key, must free will blah blah thingummy" Its a shame there are 7 days in a week because frankly I just want to know what the heck is going to happen. Where and who is the architect. What will happen when the will is whole again. What will happen to Arther. Surely he will be a full denizen by the end. And so on and so forth. I really feel like we're killing time til Sunday. Hurry up Garth, we need to know stuff! However, despite my rambling and grumbling. I love these books and would recomend them. Just a pity its going to take 7 days to save the universe rather than a long weekend!... Read Full Review » |
Publisher
HarperCollins Children's Books
Publication Date
5 March 2007
Format
Paperback (384 pages)
ISBN
9780007175093
Price Range
£3.79 - £3.79
List Price
£5.99
