MISTER MONDAY is the first in a new series by Garth Nix, author of THE SEVENTH TOWER. Well paces and written for it's intended audience, younger readers, it weaves a spell binding story of reluctant heroes and less than evil villains. The young protagonist; Arthur Penhaligon, is chosen by the Will (the last instructions from the Great Architect, read God, before she takes off to places unknown,) to be the heir of the Keys to the Kingdom, to be the master of the House and the known universe. Problem is he's in the seventh grade and doesn't want to rule the world, all he wants to do is save his family and friends from a plague let lose by the same forces who don't want him to succeed, principally Mr. Monday, one of the seven trusties entrusted with the Will while GA is off gallivanting about. Although a lot of the characters, ok most of the characters, are rather bizarre the one that stands out in this sea of strangeness is Arthur. Throughout the story Arthur, even though given one of the keys to the universe, remains little more than a boy, a seventh grade boy. No superhero, no genius, just a boy who's forced to do something he really doesn't want to do. Written slightly below the level of the Harry Potter books this series should still capture the attention and imagination of young readers attracted to these types of stories. I found it to be a fun and enchanting read, maybe a little tame, but then I'm somewhat older than the target audience. I would certainly RECOMMEND this book to all the young readers out there, and even a few of the older ones
I would certainly RECOMMEND this book to all the young readers out there, and even a few of the older ones