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The Keys to the Kingdom #3
Drowned Wednesday
On the third day, there were pirates.
Wednesday has rolled around, and Arthur Penhaligon has an invitation to return to the House that he can’t refuse. Drowned Wednesday has sent a ship to pick him up from the hospital . . . even though his hometown is miles away from any ocean.
From hospital room to the high seas, Arthur finds himself on an adventure that will pit him against pirates, storms, explosions of Nothing-laced gunpowder, and a vast beast that eats everything it encounters. Through it all, he is drawn deeper into the central mystery of the House. Arthur must find the third part of the Will and claim the Third Key–not just for himself, but for the millions (if not trillions) who will suffer if he doesn’t.
The first step? Surviving life aboard a ship on the Border Sea. . . .
Wednesday has rolled around, and Arthur Penhaligon has an invitation to return to the House that he can’t refuse. Drowned Wednesday has sent a ship to pick him up from the hospital . . . even though his hometown is miles away from any ocean.
From hospital room to the high seas, Arthur finds himself on an adventure that will pit him against pirates, storms, explosions of Nothing-laced gunpowder, and a vast beast that eats everything it encounters. Through it all, he is drawn deeper into the central mystery of the House. Arthur must find the third part of the Will and claim the Third Key–not just for himself, but for the millions (if not trillions) who will suffer if he doesn’t.
The first step? Surviving life aboard a ship on the Border Sea. . . .
Audio CD
First published September 1, 2004
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About the author
Garth Nix
131 books14.9k followersGarth Nix was born in 1963 in Melbourne, Australia, to the sound of the Salvation Army band outside playing 'Hail the Conquering Hero Comes' or possibly 'Roll Out the Barrel'. Garth left Melbourne at an early age for Canberra (the federal capital) and stayed there till he was nineteen, when he left to drive around the UK in a beat-up Austin with a boot full of books and a Silver-Reed typewriter.
Despite a wheel literally falling off the Austin, Garth survived to return to Australia and study at the University of Canberra. After finishing his degree in 1986 he worked in a bookshop, then as a book publicist, a publisher's sales representative, and editor. Along the way he was also a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve, serving in an Assault Pioneer platoon for four years. Garth left publishing to work as a public relations and marketing consultant from 1994-1997, till he became a full-time writer in 1998. He did that for a year before joining Curtis Brown Australia as a part-time literary agent in 1999. In January 2002 Garth went back to dedicated writer again, despite his belief that full-time writing explains the strange behaviour of many authors.
He now lives in Sydney with his wife, two sons and lots of books.
Despite a wheel literally falling off the Austin, Garth survived to return to Australia and study at the University of Canberra. After finishing his degree in 1986 he worked in a bookshop, then as a book publicist, a publisher's sales representative, and editor. Along the way he was also a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve, serving in an Assault Pioneer platoon for four years. Garth left publishing to work as a public relations and marketing consultant from 1994-1997, till he became a full-time writer in 1998. He did that for a year before joining Curtis Brown Australia as a part-time literary agent in 1999. In January 2002 Garth went back to dedicated writer again, despite his belief that full-time writing explains the strange behaviour of many authors.
He now lives in Sydney with his wife, two sons and lots of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 554 reviews
February 24, 2019
In book 3 of the series, Arthur is familiar with the House and how it works and is becoming more proactive. Lady Wednesday, also called Drowned Wednesday, is not so much a villain as a tragic figure and asks for Arthur’s help.
The story takes place at sea, Wednesday’s domain, and Arthur spends much of his time evading or fighting pirates. It has the feel of a classic fairy tale with the oddness of Wizard of Oz with a Narnia vibe. It’s ideal for middle schoolers and a quick light read for everyone else.
The story takes place at sea, Wednesday’s domain, and Arthur spends much of his time evading or fighting pirates. It has the feel of a classic fairy tale with the oddness of Wizard of Oz with a Narnia vibe. It’s ideal for middle schoolers and a quick light read for everyone else.
September 27, 2024
Overall Rating : B+
"The longest Wednesday of my life."
Stranded alone on the Border Sea with his friend Leaf taken by a Denizen ship, Arthur must find help wherever he can to stop "Drowned" Wednesday's insatiable hunger and free the 3rd Part of the Will. But pirates abound in this lawless Sea, and it'll be a race to against capture, death, and Nothing.
For a kids book it has a lot of serious elements in here that's surprising. But it can still catch my interest and the hits keep coming! And that cliffhanger ending means a lot more on the way.
"The longest Wednesday of my life."
Stranded alone on the Border Sea with his friend Leaf taken by a Denizen ship, Arthur must find help wherever he can to stop "Drowned" Wednesday's insatiable hunger and free the 3rd Part of the Will. But pirates abound in this lawless Sea, and it'll be a race to against capture, death, and Nothing.
For a kids book it has a lot of serious elements in here that's surprising. But it can still catch my interest and the hits keep coming! And that cliffhanger ending means a lot more on the way.
January 8, 2012
This book presents a bit of a change of pace from the first two. Instead of having to fight the holder of the Key for its possession, Lady Wednesday, or Drowned Wednesday as she's now known, would be happy to give both the Key and her portion of the Will to Arthur. The only problem is, the other Days tricked and trapped her thousands of years ago and she has no idea where the Will is hidden now.
And that's the challenge for Arthur, this time. He has to track down the Will and free it. In the process he's shipwrecked (well, bedwrecked would be a more accurate term), takes a trip on a submersible with the Piper's rats, and has to go up against pirates. Drowned Wednesday may be willing to hand over her Key, but that doesn't mean getting it or the Will is going to be any easier for Arthur. A ravenous whale, shipwrecks, pirates, storms, jumping between worlds, and this time Arthur doesn't have a trace of the power from either Monday or Tuesday's Keys to help him out. He's on his own.
The story is a good one, moving at a fast pace and building up good tension. Once again, though, I have a problem with Leaf. For once she's being included in the story, getting sucked into the House and then impressed as ship's boy on one of Wednesday's ships, but she's barely there. We only see glimpses of her on a couple occasions and she hardly has anything to do with the story itself. Even the part she plays at the end could easily have been done by another character, Suzy, for instance. I don't see why she was included here, but I really wish that she'd get a better part in the next few books.
On the good side of things, though, I liked that Arthur couldn't rely on his magic this time around, only on himself and how clever he could be in a given situation. I really liked that he realized at the end how in over his head he's gotten, how he can't possibly be that clever or lucky all the time. He has to carry at least one of the Keys now, otherwise the next time he and people he cares about could be killed.
Arthur's growing up, far faster than any kid should have too, definitely, but there's no choice for him here. At least he's willing to learn, though. He does spend too much time on the "why me?" in this book, but it seemed at the end that he'd gotten that out of his system. He knows what he has to do now and although he may not like it, he's determined to do it and not to be caught powerless the next time. Good for him. The next book promises to be very interesting indeed.
And that's the challenge for Arthur, this time. He has to track down the Will and free it. In the process he's shipwrecked (well, bedwrecked would be a more accurate term), takes a trip on a submersible with the Piper's rats, and has to go up against pirates. Drowned Wednesday may be willing to hand over her Key, but that doesn't mean getting it or the Will is going to be any easier for Arthur. A ravenous whale, shipwrecks, pirates, storms, jumping between worlds, and this time Arthur doesn't have a trace of the power from either Monday or Tuesday's Keys to help him out. He's on his own.
The story is a good one, moving at a fast pace and building up good tension. Once again, though, I have a problem with Leaf. For once she's being included in the story, getting sucked into the House and then impressed as ship's boy on one of Wednesday's ships, but she's barely there. We only see glimpses of her on a couple occasions and she hardly has anything to do with the story itself. Even the part she plays at the end could easily have been done by another character, Suzy, for instance. I don't see why she was included here, but I really wish that she'd get a better part in the next few books.
On the good side of things, though, I liked that Arthur couldn't rely on his magic this time around, only on himself and how clever he could be in a given situation. I really liked that he realized at the end how in over his head he's gotten, how he can't possibly be that clever or lucky all the time. He has to carry at least one of the Keys now, otherwise the next time he and people he cares about could be killed.
Arthur's growing up, far faster than any kid should have too, definitely, but there's no choice for him here. At least he's willing to learn, though. He does spend too much time on the "why me?" in this book, but it seemed at the end that he'd gotten that out of his system. He knows what he has to do now and although he may not like it, he's determined to do it and not to be caught powerless the next time. Good for him. The next book promises to be very interesting indeed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2021
Im dritten Band der Reihe um die Schlüssel des Königreichs trifft Arthur auf Kalten Mittwoch. Auch diese Geschichte mochte ich sehr. Sie war wieder sehr originell. Jedes mal gibt es ein komplett neues Setting. Die Phantasie des Autors scheint unerschöpflich zu sein.
Warum wird diese Reihe nicht verfilmt? Das würde so eine tolle Serie ergeben.
Warum wird diese Reihe nicht verfilmt? Das würde so eine tolle Serie ergeben.
November 17, 2015
A medley of literary and Scriptural allusions drift in and out of this book.
A touch of the story of Jonah and the whale, with a hint of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea thrown in. A whiff of Celtic legend in the reference to the Red Hand, and also of Norse legend mediated via Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy plus a more hefty dollop of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, both in the Raised Rats and the sea that spills over into a bedroom. There's also a glancing nod to The Silver Chair in the thought that perhaps Arthur is not actually invited to a feast, so much as to be the feast. Then of course there's the odd allusion to Alice in Wonderland and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Like the salvagers in the book who picked up flotsam and jetsam from the Border Sea, Nix has raided the rich froth of many classic works and blended together the finest story in this series so far.
This one packs an emotional punch - largely because Drowned Wednesday is such a tragic figure. It was hard to feel any sympathy for slothful Monday or greedy Tuesday but gluttonous Wednesday is a victim of the wiles of others. (Hmmm... just noticed as I wrote that last sentence that three of the seven deadly sins have turned up. I guess that means there are going be more...)
Once again, as in Grim Tuesday, there is clear evidence of Nix dealing with his own name - and these are my favourite kinds of books. I just love the whole Jacob-wrestling-with-the-angel aspect of this sort of fiction.
Arthur has received an invitation to a feast of 17 removes from Lady Wednesday and he's anxious about it. Holed up in the hospital with a broken leg and a return of his asthma, he realises that it only a matter of time before someone from the House arrives to spirit him away. His friend Leaf comes to visit and is there when a huge wave breaks into the room and washes his bed away.
Leaf is rescued by a ship with shimmering green sails - and Arthur is accidentally left behind. He's alone on the sea in a sinking bed, rapidly moving towards a line of storms. Picked up by the Moth, a ship converted from a counting house, he finds he has made an enemy of the dread pirate Feverfew.
His thoughts of approaching Lady Wednesday for help are met with stunned horror. It seems that Wednesday went mad some millennia ago, turned into a whale and began eating everything in sight. She's even eaten her own officials. Nothing escapes her voracious appetite and she has become a monstrous leviathan hundreds of miles long and wide.
Arthur finally realises that he needs to find the Third Key to help both Drowned Wednesday and everyone else on the Border Sea. And, according to some mercantile-minded Raised Rats that he meets, it's hidden by sorcery in the one place no one can ever get to and come back alive. Inside Drowned Wednesday's belly.
A touch of the story of Jonah and the whale, with a hint of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea thrown in. A whiff of Celtic legend in the reference to the Red Hand, and also of Norse legend mediated via Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy plus a more hefty dollop of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, both in the Raised Rats and the sea that spills over into a bedroom. There's also a glancing nod to The Silver Chair in the thought that perhaps Arthur is not actually invited to a feast, so much as to be the feast. Then of course there's the odd allusion to Alice in Wonderland and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Like the salvagers in the book who picked up flotsam and jetsam from the Border Sea, Nix has raided the rich froth of many classic works and blended together the finest story in this series so far.
This one packs an emotional punch - largely because Drowned Wednesday is such a tragic figure. It was hard to feel any sympathy for slothful Monday or greedy Tuesday but gluttonous Wednesday is a victim of the wiles of others. (Hmmm... just noticed as I wrote that last sentence that three of the seven deadly sins have turned up. I guess that means there are going be more...)
Once again, as in Grim Tuesday, there is clear evidence of Nix dealing with his own name - and these are my favourite kinds of books. I just love the whole Jacob-wrestling-with-the-angel aspect of this sort of fiction.
Arthur has received an invitation to a feast of 17 removes from Lady Wednesday and he's anxious about it. Holed up in the hospital with a broken leg and a return of his asthma, he realises that it only a matter of time before someone from the House arrives to spirit him away. His friend Leaf comes to visit and is there when a huge wave breaks into the room and washes his bed away.
Leaf is rescued by a ship with shimmering green sails - and Arthur is accidentally left behind. He's alone on the sea in a sinking bed, rapidly moving towards a line of storms. Picked up by the Moth, a ship converted from a counting house, he finds he has made an enemy of the dread pirate Feverfew.
His thoughts of approaching Lady Wednesday for help are met with stunned horror. It seems that Wednesday went mad some millennia ago, turned into a whale and began eating everything in sight. She's even eaten her own officials. Nothing escapes her voracious appetite and she has become a monstrous leviathan hundreds of miles long and wide.
Arthur finally realises that he needs to find the Third Key to help both Drowned Wednesday and everyone else on the Border Sea. And, according to some mercantile-minded Raised Rats that he meets, it's hidden by sorcery in the one place no one can ever get to and come back alive. Inside Drowned Wednesday's belly.
April 7, 2021
Lady Wednesday is an interesting villian. Her story is really tragic and shows not all of the trustees are cruel and heartless. She tried to fulfil her duty and her gluttony overcame her. It's interesting that the hunger set upon her after accepting custody of the 3rd key. What is it about the keys that are bringing these sins upon their bearers? And as Arthur is forced to wield the keys more, as we know he will have to as he faces the remaining four days, will we see these sins manifest in himself? I'm also trying to see how or if the seven virtues are in play with this series. They might be reflected in the different parts of the will? But i'm not sure.
We started to see a shift with Arthur from a victim of the house to a person taking an active role in choosing his destiny. I'm looking forward to seeing how his shift in his paradigm will affect the story and how the remaing days will respond.
We started to see a shift with Arthur from a victim of the house to a person taking an active role in choosing his destiny. I'm looking forward to seeing how his shift in his paradigm will affect the story and how the remaing days will respond.
May 29, 2019
Dieses Ende!
Langsam weiß Arthur, wie das Haus und alle seine Reiche funktionieren und es macht Spaß, seinem Weg zu folgen. Vor allem, weil er beginnt, selbst aktiv zu werden.
Langsam weiß Arthur, wie das Haus und alle seine Reiche funktionieren und es macht Spaß, seinem Weg zu folgen. Vor allem, weil er beginnt, selbst aktiv zu werden.
October 22, 2011
Definitely my favorite of the series so far. Also the one I have the least to say about, because it's really just a strong continuance of an already strong story. It's worth noting that Garth Nix, in my experience at least, doesn't have problems with writing excellent middle books - it's where most series fail, but here it's clear that Nix is just hitting his stride with these books. The titular character's role is different than those of her predecessors, which I loved; the maritime world of her realm is fascinating and the characters Arthur meets there are quite entertaining indeed. I particularly liked the fact that the stakes do seem to be getting higher, at least in terms of how much Arthur is being changed by his experiences - he's going through a true character arc, albeit slowly, and it's nice to see how much he's grown and yet know how much further he has to go. Also worth noting: the non-House world sounds even more quasi-science-fictiony than ever, with the mention of 'nanonic healing enhancers'; the foreshadowing that makes me really excited to see what the Morrow Days are like; and some geniuine 'heroing isn't easy' scenes where Arthur must make the most expedient choice for the good of the many, even if the few are counting on him to save them first.
A few quotes I liked a lot-
'Somehow yep seemed the most positive thing he could say. Stronger than yeah and more heroic than yes. He hoped he could live up to it.'
'"Mind you, that old Primus doesn't really read like normal folk. She just sits there absorbing it. Like dropping a biscuit in tea. Oops!"'
Sorry, Cillian, that this review isn't longer. It's 1:15 in the morning and I have to take the book back tomorrow. You'll get a better one for Sir Thursday, I promise.
A few quotes I liked a lot-
'Somehow yep seemed the most positive thing he could say. Stronger than yeah and more heroic than yes. He hoped he could live up to it.'
'"Mind you, that old Primus doesn't really read like normal folk. She just sits there absorbing it. Like dropping a biscuit in tea. Oops!"'
Sorry, Cillian, that this review isn't longer. It's 1:15 in the morning and I have to take the book back tomorrow. You'll get a better one for Sir Thursday, I promise.
May 11, 2018
I enjoyed seeing Arthur going after the trustees in this installment rather than being taken by surprise. It was also nice that Lady Wednesday didn't want to kill him. I liked the different pirates and sailors Arthur ran into in this one, definitely made it stand out from the Far reaches and the House.
It seems like things are building up for a larger conflict with Saturday or Sunday so that will definitely be interesting. I liked seeing Leaf in this a bit more, but I think she got more than she bargained for. I love the different manifestations of the Will and I can't wait to see what will happen when Arthur gets all of it and the keys.
It seems like things are building up for a larger conflict with Saturday or Sunday so that will definitely be interesting. I liked seeing Leaf in this a bit more, but I think she got more than she bargained for. I love the different manifestations of the Will and I can't wait to see what will happen when Arthur gets all of it and the keys.
June 16, 2017
4,5*
Pre mňa zatiaľ najlepšia časť! Zbožňujem celú túto sériu - tie svety, čo Nix v Dome vytvoril sú magické, nádherné, šialené... no proste neskutočné! A v tejto sú aj piráti!!! A je mi úplne jedno, že som na takéto knihy pristará (podľa istých 13-ročných jedincov zjavne patrím už do starobinca...), neviem sa už dočkať ostatných kníh!
Pre mňa zatiaľ najlepšia časť! Zbožňujem celú túto sériu - tie svety, čo Nix v Dome vytvoril sú magické, nádherné, šialené... no proste neskutočné! A v tejto sú aj piráti!!! A je mi úplne jedno, že som na takéto knihy pristará (podľa istých 13-ročných jedincov zjavne patrím už do starobinca...), neviem sa už dočkať ostatných kníh!
March 8, 2023
I enjoyed this a lot more than the first two books, partly because I liked Lady Wednesday more than Mister Monday or Grim Tuesday, but also because Arthur, albeit very reluctantly, is starting to do what he needs to do even if he's not happy about it. I also really liked some of the new characters, like Sunscorch, and that Leaf had her own adventure separate from Arthur. She was more of an "extra" in the first two books, but I was intrigued by her ability to see what others can't see, perhaps because she inherited her grandmother's second sight. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her.
November 14, 2021
Fabulous!
Loved the complexity of this third book in the Keys to the Kingdom series almost more than the first one. The new characters were great - especially the Raised Rats and Sunscorch - and I can’t get over how fantastically detailed and imaginative this world is. Excited for the next one!
Loved the complexity of this third book in the Keys to the Kingdom series almost more than the first one. The new characters were great - especially the Raised Rats and Sunscorch - and I can’t get over how fantastically detailed and imaginative this world is. Excited for the next one!
February 1, 2012
Arthur Penhaligan was only chosen as Heir to the Architect's Will because he was about to die of a brutal asthma attack. But to the surprise of the magical beings known as the Morrow Days, he not only survived, he also managed to wrest control from Mister Monday and Grim Tuesday. Each of his triumphs only serve to whip his foes into a greater froth of rage, and they are drowning him in paperwork, pursuing legal action--and threatening his mortal family. Arthur has barely returned from his adventure against Grim Tuesday when he's magically whisked back to deal with the next of the Morrow Days: Lady Wednesday. Unlike her fellows, Wednesday would love to relinquish her power to Arthur, but a fiendish pirate named Feverfew has control over it. To save the Border Sea from being eaten by the voracious Wednesday (who no longer has control of her appetite), Arthur must defeat Feverfew--all while he has no magical power, a broken leg, and asthma.
This might actually be my favorite of Arthur's adventures yet. Nix is gifted at creating fantastical magic and creatures without ever seeming derivative or cutesy-clever. There's danger in the magic, particularly to the mortal main character, who is surrounded by magical creatures who don't need to eat, drink, or breathe, and can even survive beheading. Even Arthur's allies are a bit casual about his bodily needs (like breathing). But there's also wonder and imagination in Nix's world: a counting house is turned into a sailing ship, but remnants of old magic remain and so every day at teatime cups of tea and biscuits appear out of the sea in the exact location of the former tea-room; every inch of a sorcerer's skin is tattooed, and the tattoos reflect his current state (broken masted hulks sinking when he's depressed that abruptly gain masts and bouyancy when Arthur asks him if he's really recovered enough to help); the rats the Pied Piper piped away from the mortal realm have become Risen rats who will help anyone in exchange for new information...it's all wonderful and memorable, and viewed through the eyes of a very nice, relateable boy.
It's all a bit mad and topsy-turvey and out of Arthur's control, but he's smart, good-hearted, and hard-working, so it might turn out all right after all. It's a bit like a mash-up of Treasure Island with Alice in Wonderland--very fun!
This might actually be my favorite of Arthur's adventures yet. Nix is gifted at creating fantastical magic and creatures without ever seeming derivative or cutesy-clever. There's danger in the magic, particularly to the mortal main character, who is surrounded by magical creatures who don't need to eat, drink, or breathe, and can even survive beheading. Even Arthur's allies are a bit casual about his bodily needs (like breathing). But there's also wonder and imagination in Nix's world: a counting house is turned into a sailing ship, but remnants of old magic remain and so every day at teatime cups of tea and biscuits appear out of the sea in the exact location of the former tea-room; every inch of a sorcerer's skin is tattooed, and the tattoos reflect his current state (broken masted hulks sinking when he's depressed that abruptly gain masts and bouyancy when Arthur asks him if he's really recovered enough to help); the rats the Pied Piper piped away from the mortal realm have become Risen rats who will help anyone in exchange for new information...it's all wonderful and memorable, and viewed through the eyes of a very nice, relateable boy.
It's all a bit mad and topsy-turvey and out of Arthur's control, but he's smart, good-hearted, and hard-working, so it might turn out all right after all. It's a bit like a mash-up of Treasure Island with Alice in Wonderland--very fun!
January 11, 2019
Inhalt:
Arthur Penhaligon weiß nicht, was er davon halten soll, als er von Lady Mittwoch, der dritten Treuhänderin des Hauses, eine Einladung zum Mittagessen bekommt. Ist das ein Trick, mit dem sie verhindern will, dass er den 3. Teil des Vermächtnisses findet und den 3. Schlüssel beansprucht?
Als seine Klassenkameradin Blatt ihn besucht und Mittwochs Boten ihn abholen wollen, landet durch ein Missgeschick Blatt auf dem von Mittwoch geschickten Schiff, während Arthur allein auf einem sinkenden Metallbett auf der Grenzsee zurückbleibt. Doch Arthur muss bald feststellen, dass es nicht das schlimmste Schicksal ist, in Seenot zu sein, was ihm auf der Grenzsee blühen kann. Und schon bald muss er nicht nur versuchen, Blatt zu retten, sondern bekommt es auch mit Piraten, Meeresmagie, seltsamen Seemännern, Seeschlachten und einem riesigen Wal zu tun.
Meine Meinung:
Der 3. Band der Fantasyreihe "Die Schlüssel zum Königreich" ist wieder eine große Überraschung und zeigt eine neue Facette des Hauses, dem Zentrum des Universums, auf. Nach dem Unteren Haus und den Fernen Weiten lernen wir nun ein neues Herrschaftsgebiet des Hauses kennen: die Grenzsee, die zu 90% aus einem riesigen Meer besteht.
Folglich ist der komplette Band ein einziges, abwechslungsreiches Meeresabenteuer inklusive Schiffbruch, Treibgut, Bergungsschiffen, Piraten, Piratenschätzen, einer versteckten Pirateninsel, Verfolgungsjagden auf dem Meer, Kämpfen und Meeresungeheuern. Nur dass der meilengoße Wal in diesem Fall Lady Mittwoch ist, deren Fresssucht für ihre Verwandlung und eine Sintflut gesorgt hat.
Für Spannung ist somit gesorgt. Und da Garth Nix immer neue Ideen hat, macht er auch aus dem Meeresabenteuer wieder eine einzigartige Geschichte voller großartiger Magie, Wendungen und Anspielungen. Besonders ein Seitenhieb gegen die "Chroniken von Narnia" ließ mich schmunzeln, vor allem als dann später die Auflösung kam.
Schön fand ich auch, dass Blatt, die in den ersten beiden Bänden immer nur kurze Auftritte als Nebenfigur hatte, dieses Mal eine größere Rolle bekommen hat. Nicht nur, dass Arthur sie endlich eingeweiht und ihr vom Haus erzählt hat, sie ist jetzt erstmals beim Abenteuer selbst dabei. Auch mit Susi Türkisblau gibt es ein Wiedersehen, doch im 3. Band nehmen die neuen Figuren dieses Mal einen größeren Raum ein: da sind der Doktor für Hauszauberei Scamandros, der Seemann Sonnenstich, der Kapitän Katzenkissen und noch ein paar Figuren mehr, aber ich will nicht zu viel verraten. Insgesamt ist es wieder eine tolle Mischung aus ungewöhnlichen Charakteren, aus bekannten und neuen Figuren.
Fazit: Auch "Kalter Mittwoch" war wieder ein Lesevergnügen.
Arthur Penhaligon weiß nicht, was er davon halten soll, als er von Lady Mittwoch, der dritten Treuhänderin des Hauses, eine Einladung zum Mittagessen bekommt. Ist das ein Trick, mit dem sie verhindern will, dass er den 3. Teil des Vermächtnisses findet und den 3. Schlüssel beansprucht?
Als seine Klassenkameradin Blatt ihn besucht und Mittwochs Boten ihn abholen wollen, landet durch ein Missgeschick Blatt auf dem von Mittwoch geschickten Schiff, während Arthur allein auf einem sinkenden Metallbett auf der Grenzsee zurückbleibt. Doch Arthur muss bald feststellen, dass es nicht das schlimmste Schicksal ist, in Seenot zu sein, was ihm auf der Grenzsee blühen kann. Und schon bald muss er nicht nur versuchen, Blatt zu retten, sondern bekommt es auch mit Piraten, Meeresmagie, seltsamen Seemännern, Seeschlachten und einem riesigen Wal zu tun.
Meine Meinung:
Der 3. Band der Fantasyreihe "Die Schlüssel zum Königreich" ist wieder eine große Überraschung und zeigt eine neue Facette des Hauses, dem Zentrum des Universums, auf. Nach dem Unteren Haus und den Fernen Weiten lernen wir nun ein neues Herrschaftsgebiet des Hauses kennen: die Grenzsee, die zu 90% aus einem riesigen Meer besteht.
Folglich ist der komplette Band ein einziges, abwechslungsreiches Meeresabenteuer inklusive Schiffbruch, Treibgut, Bergungsschiffen, Piraten, Piratenschätzen, einer versteckten Pirateninsel, Verfolgungsjagden auf dem Meer, Kämpfen und Meeresungeheuern. Nur dass der meilengoße Wal in diesem Fall Lady Mittwoch ist, deren Fresssucht für ihre Verwandlung und eine Sintflut gesorgt hat.
Für Spannung ist somit gesorgt. Und da Garth Nix immer neue Ideen hat, macht er auch aus dem Meeresabenteuer wieder eine einzigartige Geschichte voller großartiger Magie, Wendungen und Anspielungen. Besonders ein Seitenhieb gegen die "Chroniken von Narnia" ließ mich schmunzeln, vor allem als dann später die Auflösung kam.
Schön fand ich auch, dass Blatt, die in den ersten beiden Bänden immer nur kurze Auftritte als Nebenfigur hatte, dieses Mal eine größere Rolle bekommen hat. Nicht nur, dass Arthur sie endlich eingeweiht und ihr vom Haus erzählt hat, sie ist jetzt erstmals beim Abenteuer selbst dabei. Auch mit Susi Türkisblau gibt es ein Wiedersehen, doch im 3. Band nehmen die neuen Figuren dieses Mal einen größeren Raum ein: da sind der Doktor für Hauszauberei Scamandros, der Seemann Sonnenstich, der Kapitän Katzenkissen und noch ein paar Figuren mehr, aber ich will nicht zu viel verraten. Insgesamt ist es wieder eine tolle Mischung aus ungewöhnlichen Charakteren, aus bekannten und neuen Figuren.
Fazit: Auch "Kalter Mittwoch" war wieder ein Lesevergnügen.
September 14, 2025
I loved the turn of events in Book 3 of the Keys to the Kingdom series. Rather than facing off with the bad guys to earn their key, this time our hero needs to help to win the key. The theme once again revolves around a deadly sin, Gluttony, and Drowned Wednesday truly embodies it.
I love the world building in this one that is set on the sea and is filled with pirates and rats and battleships and talking fish.
I recommend this series for a number of reasons, first and foremost is our reluctant hero who has asthma, anxiety, doubt and so many issues and isn't just a natural born leader which in many series makes the kids have to grow into an adult far too fast. Arthur works with it and has support overcoming it from his friends, his family and most often from the strength that comes from within.
I also love that it is wholesome and silly and unlike a lot of multi-book series, does not seem to need to ratchet up the adrenalin to keep our attention.
So if you are an adult that likes middle grade fantasy or have a kid that loves fantasy, I recommend you diving in, so far I have not regret it.
I love the world building in this one that is set on the sea and is filled with pirates and rats and battleships and talking fish.
I recommend this series for a number of reasons, first and foremost is our reluctant hero who has asthma, anxiety, doubt and so many issues and isn't just a natural born leader which in many series makes the kids have to grow into an adult far too fast. Arthur works with it and has support overcoming it from his friends, his family and most often from the strength that comes from within.
I also love that it is wholesome and silly and unlike a lot of multi-book series, does not seem to need to ratchet up the adrenalin to keep our attention.
So if you are an adult that likes middle grade fantasy or have a kid that loves fantasy, I recommend you diving in, so far I have not regret it.
August 4, 2022
This is my favorite Keys to the Kingdom so far--I found Lady Wednesday to be an interesting trustee and the codfish piece of the will much more endearing than the sun-bear piece. I also liked that there were pirates, treasure, and talking rats (Reepicheep's relatives from Narnia, perhaps?).
January 25, 2009
Never a dull moment in this series, and Drowned Wednesday is no exception. As per usual, we pick up with Arthur about where we left off: home, injured, hospitalized. But this time it's not disaster or trouble that brings him back to the House, it's an invitation to dine with Drowned Wednesday, the next of the Morrow Days. Unsure how the "arranged" transportation is going to reach him, Arthur waits and counts the minutes as they pass by. Unfortunately his friend Leaf stops by to visit and is still there when his ride arrives.
This is probably the most action-packed of the series so far, though they've all been adventurous. Here we meet pirates, a whale larger than I can quite get my imagination around, the Raised Rats, and more. And not only does Arthur need to get to Drowned Wednesday, and find the third part of the Will, he also has to find and save Leaf, who was picked up by the ship meant for him, as he was left behind.
And for a change from the usual, we don't get the nice clean ending where we know we'll pick up next time. Arthur is of course set to go home and check up on things...and yet his parents are already talking to him.
I'm glad I checked beforehand and know that Sir Thursday is due out in March. I'll be eagerly awaiting!
This is probably the most action-packed of the series so far, though they've all been adventurous. Here we meet pirates, a whale larger than I can quite get my imagination around, the Raised Rats, and more. And not only does Arthur need to get to Drowned Wednesday, and find the third part of the Will, he also has to find and save Leaf, who was picked up by the ship meant for him, as he was left behind.
And for a change from the usual, we don't get the nice clean ending where we know we'll pick up next time. Arthur is of course set to go home and check up on things...and yet his parents are already talking to him.
I'm glad I checked beforehand and know that Sir Thursday is due out in March. I'll be eagerly awaiting!
January 11, 2012
I unapologetically love this series! Garth Nix is just too clever and his scenarios are so far out there but semi-believable anyway. Some of the stuff he comes up with is just way too cool. Case in point, Drowned Wednesday used to be a person. However she was cursed by the Morrow days and her appetite grew to such immense proportions that she literally turned into a whale, and a ginormous one at that. Now she is "drowned" since it is necessary for her to stay submerged in the Border Sea to survive. Of course, she doesn't want to be a fish but even with the third key, she just cannot control her appetite or her human shape and hence eats entire ships, schools of fish, denizens (people), etc without intent. Lady Wednesday invited Arthur Penhaligan to lunch (yeah that's what I thought was going to happen too) and pleads with him to help her. Since getting the keys (and The Will) is Arthur's ultimate goal anyway, he agrees and thus starts his latest adventure into the House.
August 5, 2016
As another great installment in the seven-book series by Garth Nix,the Keys to the Kingdom, as I trust you, reader, have already come to know (excuse my redundancy), Drowned Wednesday is a spectacular novel, branching further from established typicalities in fictional literature even further now than the series has previously. In this issue, Arthur must again embark on an quest for a one of the many keys to the kingdom, and one of the many parts of the will, along with the titular Drowned Wednesday, a daunting friend as well as a threat in some respects. Having finished this book, I have discovered a pattern concerning the escalation in enjoyment with each book as the long narrative progresses, for this is my favorite of the first three novels of the series, on account of its creativity, multi-dimensional and understandable characters, and gripping story that had my interest, affection, and obvious total control over my emotions. I hope this helped...if so, thank the Intelligencer.
January 1, 2015
Toto bola zatial najlepsia cast!!! Ano, prvych 50 stran bolo vcelku nudnych... chalan sa len plavil na tej svojej posteli v Border Sea, ale to co prislo potom... nemam slov. Akcia za akciou. Mozno je to aj tym, ze ako kazdy chalan aj ja som chcel byt piratom, a nejako prirodzene nas to fascinuje, velmi sa mi to pacilo!
Teraz pre tych co to citali:
Teraz pre tych co to citali:
September 13, 2013
In Drowned Wednesday, Arthur, a teenage boy with asthma and a broken leg, heir to the Keys to the Kingdom, has to not only survive an ocean adventure but must save that part of The House (think of it as the records house for the entire universe and several other universes) from a maniacal pirate and a whale the size of an island.
Drowned Wednesday, the third book in the Keys to the Kingdom series, is the first in the series that I can say was better than "good". The vast part of the improvement was that the secondary characters in Drowned Wednesday really came to life. From Drowned Wednesday herself to Sunscorch, Doctor Scamandros, Captain Catapillow, and the 3rd part of The Will, I had no problem imagining each character as having their own life within The House.
Drowned Wednesday, the third book in the Keys to the Kingdom series, is the first in the series that I can say was better than "good". The vast part of the improvement was that the secondary characters in Drowned Wednesday really came to life. From Drowned Wednesday herself to Sunscorch, Doctor Scamandros, Captain Catapillow, and the 3rd part of The Will, I had no problem imagining each character as having their own life within The House.
August 13, 2019
2019: Still my favourite in the series, I still love the border seas, Sunscorch especially, Catapillow was hilariously annoying in his reluctance to be Captain or know anything about ships, Dr. Scamandros's tattoo descriptions are among my favourite things. I also liked the twist they took on Arthur's relationship to the Days, with Drowned Wednesday not being the typical antagonist as Monday and Tuesday were. Also the Carp and his followers, amazing. And the Raised Rats! just everyone in this book is kind of delightful.
My favourite in the series so far, I think, and definitely a step above the second one. Broadens the scope of the world and ramps up the pace a bit. Also I love anything with ships and so the Border Seas and all its denizens were among my favourite characters so far.
My favourite in the series so far, I think, and definitely a step above the second one. Broadens the scope of the world and ramps up the pace a bit. Also I love anything with ships and so the Border Seas and all its denizens were among my favourite characters so far.
October 30, 2011
The quest by Arthur Penhaligon continues! Arthur has defeated Mister Monday and Grim Tuesday. In this book he seeks out Lady Wednesday, a trustee of the seas who through massive overeating has turned into an enormous whale. Since each of the Days represents one of the Seven Deadly Sins, my guess is that this is Gluttony! As with the other books in this series, Garth Nix creates a magical out-of-this-world setting with a strong plot. Great humor and a great listen. "Long Swim the Carp!"
March 27, 2015
On this book, I wzs so shocked that Lady Wednesday died. She deserves a second chance. And there's that thing that hinted me on something. I think the morrow days were actually not what they were before as to what they are now (in the story). It's like they were possessed or cursed or something after they broke the Will then assumed power to the keys. I think it's after that they change because ofthat certain curse or something. so yeah, that's thatfor now...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2019
I listened to this on audiobook and I was just kind of bored. I previously read the first 2 books in this series and enjoyed them, but this time around I wasn't as thrilled. This was my first time reading this one and I did like it, but it didn't keep my attention at all. I was planning on listening to this whole series, but I am going to put the rest aside for a while and maybe they will catch my attention more when I pick them back up.
February 13, 2017
This is my favorite of the Keys of the Kingdom series so far. Arthur is growing into himself. He's less the whiny, scared boy we saw in the first two books and is becoming a brave leader. He is becoming the Lord of the Lower House!
Also, this book was just really super creative. The door to the realm inside Lady Wednesday's stomach? Clever. Strange. But clever.
Also, this book was just really super creative. The door to the realm inside Lady Wednesday's stomach? Clever. Strange. But clever.
April 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this and felt so sorry on Wednesday. I also like that Arthur is starting to doubt The Will and the giving the keys to them as I really dont trust them as a character at all.
Having this also have pirates and feel more like an adventure than the other books made me so happy and I enjoyed so much of this book.
ALSO WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?!
Having this also have pirates and feel more like an adventure than the other books made me so happy and I enjoyed so much of this book.
ALSO WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?!
February 1, 2016
One Piece-ish setting, Pinocchio situation, and a Doctor Who/Narnia reference. That's what I got from what happened in the book this time. I guess, growing up, the things I've seen really have changed how I'm perceiving this book upon the second read. Moving on to the next one!
May 26, 2022
I didn't particularly like Grim Tuesday so I'm glad that Drowned Wednesday was a much better sequel. This book had a lot more adventure and world-building, and who doesn't like a nautical theme anyway?
July 6, 2024
DNF around halfway through. i just don't have the energy to get past the fatphobia and i wasn't that into this series anyway so really a great point to just drop the whole thing.
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