From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8–Narrator Allan Corduner expertly carries listeners into the dark, dreary realm of
Grim Tuesday in the second installment of
The Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix (Scholastic, 2004). The novel takes place one day after young Arthur Penhaligon has been thrust into the complicated world of The House, and conquered the formidable Mister Monday. Hoping to go back to his normal life, he is again catapulted into this new world when his family's and the world's finances are being threatened. This time, Arthur must enter the Lower House that is in jeopardy from the excessive mining of Nothing by the greedy Grim Tuesday. With the help of a ragtag group of creatures, Arthur must gain possession of the Will and the Second Key in order to fight off the Grim's Denizens and Nithlings. Fantasy readers will have to sink their teeth into this one. Nix has created a complex world, with specific rules, lore, and vocabulary. The quality of the recording is excellent, but young adults should read or listen to the first book in the series,
Mister Monday (Scholastic, 2003), in order to enjoy this one. Corduner captures the feel of Arthur's excitement, fear, surprise, and wonder, and creates voices for all of the different characters, allowing the story to unfold at just the right pace. This title in a projected seven book series is for Garth Nix fans and those who have already become enmeshed in
The Keys to the Kingdom.–Jo-Ann Carhart, East Islip Public Library, NY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
The second book in The Keys to the Kingdom series is another treat for young fantasy enthusiasts. The youthful hero, Arthur, has barely returned to normal life on Earth after saving the world on Monday. He awakens on Tuesday to the dreadful realization that he must return to the mysterious Kingdom, not only to restore balance in the crazy netherworld, but also to preserve his family and real life. Reader Allan Corduner enriches the saga of Arthur's weird challenges as he attempts to retrieve the Second Key from Grim Tuesday. Corduner voices the imperious tones of the Kingdom's authorities as believably as the tentative bravery of the schoolboy conqueror. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.