Garth Nix rocks!

[logisticslad]

I recently read Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom YA fantasy series and very much enjoyed it. The story focuses on a teenage boy named Arthur who is dying of asthma and inherits a magical key that not only keeps him alive but provides him with his destiny. There are seven keys each controlled by a being who has domain over a day of the week. Each of these beings has been corrupted by one of the Severn Deadly Sins and it is up to the seven fragments of the Will of the Architect (representing the Seven Virtues) to help Arthur set things right. The first book is about Mister Monday who is afflicted with Sloth and opposed by Vigor. The second book is about Grim Tuesday who is afflicted with Greed and opposed by Prudence. The third book is about Drowned Wednesday who is afflicted with Gluttony and opposed by Faith. I don't actually remember what the remaining sins and virtues are, but I look forward to reading about them in the upcoming books. Arthur is an interesting character and is very grounded in our real world despite his magical adventures. Actually the real world in this series is a bit of an alternate world from ours, but it works. His adoptive family is filled with nonstandard characters, who have yet to play a major role in the series, but I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. The magic in the books is interesting and makes sense given the structure of the world. And while the story pattern is similar throughout the books, there is enough variation to keep it engaging and satisfying. I'd certainly recommend them.

Comments

[blueflamedfire.livejournal.com]

Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed, Sloth

Prudence, Temperance, Justice, Fortitude, Charity, Hope, Faith

[logisticslad.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the list! Then perhaps the Virtue in the first book was Fortitude rather than Vigor. It looks like the bad guy in the next book is afficted with Anger.

[hhw]

I recommend his Abhorsen trilogy as well. I haven't read Keys to the Kingdom yet, but you've convinced me to move it higher up on my list.

[logisticslad.livejournal.com]

I've read and enjoyed them, as well. In fact I've recommended Sabriel for my SF book club in Oct. Have you read any of his other works? They look much less appealing to me from the book jackets...

[hhw]

nope, that's all I've read.

[alikander.livejournal.com]

ditto