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The Keys to the Kingdom #2
Grim Tuesday
It's Tuesday, and young Arthur Penhaligon has a new problem. The Architect of the universe has not yet returned. The Trustees of her Will are struggling for power in the surreal Kingdom of the House and, while the Kingdom is in chaos, the real world and all the people Arthur loves are in peril.
301 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2004
277 people are currently reading
5305 people want to read
About the author
Garth Nix
236 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 659 reviews
March 1, 2024
Overall Rating : A-
A minute after midnight on Tuesday is all it takes for Arthur to be thrust back into the world of the Morrow Days. With another Lord wreaking havoc on Earth and potentially taking over Monday's domain, Arthur heads back to set everything right again.
I don't think I've read any story this unique and geared towards kids. It almost makes my head hurt with all the silliness mixed in with the deadly premise, but it works out splendidly.
A minute after midnight on Tuesday is all it takes for Arthur to be thrust back into the world of the Morrow Days. With another Lord wreaking havoc on Earth and potentially taking over Monday's domain, Arthur heads back to set everything right again.
I don't think I've read any story this unique and geared towards kids. It almost makes my head hurt with all the silliness mixed in with the deadly premise, but it works out splendidly.
April 5, 2018
Having defeated Mister Monday, Arthur gets very little rest before Grim Tuesday shows up to bother him. Arthur has another crazy adventure trying to get back into the House, finding the next part of the will, and the second key. It’s highly imaginative and slightly odd. I enjoyed it as an adult but probably would have absolutely loved it as a child.
September 11, 2011
Garth Nix just never lets us down, does he?
Grim Tuesday, the second (as one might expect) in the Keys to the Kingdom series, is as solid a fantasy as its predecessor, Mister Monday. It was, in fact, almost better - but unfortunately its primary strength was counterbalanced by a weakness, so it gets the same four as the first.
That strength was this: the first book had little in the way of consequences. No one got seriously injured who didn't deserve it. That changes here. Grim Tuesday is an excellent example of a quest novel in which the hero must truly bleed and suffer to achieve his goals, in which plans don't go perfectly even when they work, and in which victory, once achieved, seems to have been genuinely earned.
The flaw, though, is that the victory is not as hard-fought as the one. Things went a lot more neatly in this book and the titular villain, Grim Tuesday, was not nearly as scary as Mister Monday. There was, over all, less emotion involved in the book, it seemed: while the starting point (Arthur alone in the House, trapped in the Pit no less) could have been an opportunity for great pathos and tension, it was wasted by something which did smell rather of deus ex machina. A large section of the plot was just executing a plan and while there were small hitches, it basically went the way it was supposed to. While I read most of this book in half a day, I can't say that I flew through it because it was really more of a glide - Nix's prose and plotting moves the reader along smoothly, like they're sitting on a conveyor belt. In his better-paced books, it's more of a roller coaster, so I was somewhat disappointed.
The things that I identify as strengths of the series concept are here, though: the wild creativity that a setting like the House enables is running gleefully rampant, and there's even a reference to a famous work of literature finagled in here which I appreciated very much. I'm not up to date enough on middle-grade fiction right now to judge how it compares to the field - except to say that it's without a doubt superior to the endless Warrior cat books - but this book is definitely better than a lot of YA novels nowadays. So take heed, YA fans: if you're disappointed with your library's crop of paranormal romance, wander on into the children's section and look for this series. You will not regret it.
Grim Tuesday, the second (as one might expect) in the Keys to the Kingdom series, is as solid a fantasy as its predecessor, Mister Monday. It was, in fact, almost better - but unfortunately its primary strength was counterbalanced by a weakness, so it gets the same four as the first.
That strength was this: the first book had little in the way of consequences. No one got seriously injured who didn't deserve it. That changes here. Grim Tuesday is an excellent example of a quest novel in which the hero must truly bleed and suffer to achieve his goals, in which plans don't go perfectly even when they work, and in which victory, once achieved, seems to have been genuinely earned.
The flaw, though, is that the victory is not as hard-fought as the one. Things went a lot more neatly in this book and the titular villain, Grim Tuesday, was not nearly as scary as Mister Monday. There was, over all, less emotion involved in the book, it seemed: while the starting point (Arthur alone in the House, trapped in the Pit no less) could have been an opportunity for great pathos and tension, it was wasted by something which did smell rather of deus ex machina. A large section of the plot was just executing a plan and while there were small hitches, it basically went the way it was supposed to. While I read most of this book in half a day, I can't say that I flew through it because it was really more of a glide - Nix's prose and plotting moves the reader along smoothly, like they're sitting on a conveyor belt. In his better-paced books, it's more of a roller coaster, so I was somewhat disappointed.
The things that I identify as strengths of the series concept are here, though: the wild creativity that a setting like the House enables is running gleefully rampant, and there's even a reference to a famous work of literature finagled in here which I appreciated very much. I'm not up to date enough on middle-grade fiction right now to judge how it compares to the field - except to say that it's without a doubt superior to the endless Warrior cat books - but this book is definitely better than a lot of YA novels nowadays. So take heed, YA fans: if you're disappointed with your library's crop of paranormal romance, wander on into the children's section and look for this series. You will not regret it.
February 3, 2022
While not as outstanding as Mister Monday, this second volume in the series was nevertheless very well written and satisfyingly exciting. Mr. Nix has created a uniquely deep, imperfect world with peril aplenty and villains dastardly. While this volume seemed stalled for the first-half, it rapidly gained speed and adventure much like the frightening spike-studded train ridden by Tuesday himself. The character of The Captain was absolutely outstanding; I would love to read a whole series about him alone. For now, though, Lady Wednesday awaits and I am eager to meet her! 🚂💀
May 7, 2018
I'm really falling in love with this narrator! This was a step up from book 1 because I actually understood what happened this time 😂😂😂
So in this book another Lord of the realm of this house thing Arthur fell into in book 1 is out to get him. Grim Tuesday sends his minions to cause complete financial catastrophe for Arthur's family so of course he must get back to the house and somehow take down the big bad.
Unfortunately when Arthur stumbles into the other world he's sent to the Far Reaches which is Grim Tuesday's land and he's forced to disguise himself as another indentured servant. He makes a couple friends there and knows he must free the unfairly indentured workers.
I really liked Arthur in this book, he has a touch of magic from being Master of the first key which was fantastic. I think being able to pay attention to this made me enjoy the story much more. I could envision the Far Reaches clearly and I loved the story. I wonder what will happen on Wednesday.
So in this book another Lord of the realm of this house thing Arthur fell into in book 1 is out to get him. Grim Tuesday sends his minions to cause complete financial catastrophe for Arthur's family so of course he must get back to the house and somehow take down the big bad.
Unfortunately when Arthur stumbles into the other world he's sent to the Far Reaches which is Grim Tuesday's land and he's forced to disguise himself as another indentured servant. He makes a couple friends there and knows he must free the unfairly indentured workers.
I really liked Arthur in this book, he has a touch of magic from being Master of the first key which was fantastic. I think being able to pay attention to this made me enjoy the story much more. I could envision the Far Reaches clearly and I loved the story. I wonder what will happen on Wednesday.
November 1, 2019
4 stars!
Mr. Nix definitely maintained the level of weirdness in this one.
It's Tuesday and it was just yesterday that Arthur defeated mister Monday. He has to return to the house and stop Grim Tuesday before he could destroy Arther's family.
I loved Suzy in this one. She's a bit changed than the last one.
The second part of the Will is far more annoying.
The ending has an awesome cliffhanger as the first.
Definitely recommended to continue with the series.
Mr. Nix definitely maintained the level of weirdness in this one.
It's Tuesday and it was just yesterday that Arthur defeated mister Monday. He has to return to the house and stop Grim Tuesday before he could destroy Arther's family.
I loved Suzy in this one. She's a bit changed than the last one.
The second part of the Will is far more annoying.
The ending has an awesome cliffhanger as the first.
Definitely recommended to continue with the series.
May 11, 2010
After _Mister Monday_, I was hoping the author would take _Grim Tuesday_ a step further and really draw the readers into the story. I wanted to know more about the House and the Will, and see Arthur and Suzy really grow as characters. Unfortunately, none of those things happened. Arthur and Suzy seem exactly the same as before, the drive behind the story is exactly the same (Arthur needs to get the Keys in order to save his family), and that made the story very predictable and boring. Disappointing.
Granted, the drive behind every story in this series will have to be similar, because Arthur is the heir apparent and must eventually inherit all the keys to the kingdom. But it's the author's job to keep his readers interested, so he must give us new and exciting aspects to the House, the Will, and the characters in each book. Unfortunately, he didn't do that here.
This also had a rushed-out-the-door feel to it. The writing was clumsy in places, with a lot of telling instead of showing. It felt as if the author were laying the groundwork for further stories. If so, then the best thing to do would be to keep the important pieces, cut the rest, and add it to the real story.
The most intriguing part was the end, where we see how Arthur will meet Wednesday. Wednesday sounds like an intriguing and dangerous character, much more so than Tuesday. It's too bad Tuesday couldn't have been as well.
Granted, the drive behind every story in this series will have to be similar, because Arthur is the heir apparent and must eventually inherit all the keys to the kingdom. But it's the author's job to keep his readers interested, so he must give us new and exciting aspects to the House, the Will, and the characters in each book. Unfortunately, he didn't do that here.
This also had a rushed-out-the-door feel to it. The writing was clumsy in places, with a lot of telling instead of showing. It felt as if the author were laying the groundwork for further stories. If so, then the best thing to do would be to keep the important pieces, cut the rest, and add it to the real story.
The most intriguing part was the end, where we see how Arthur will meet Wednesday. Wednesday sounds like an intriguing and dangerous character, much more so than Tuesday. It's too bad Tuesday couldn't have been as well.
November 9, 2021
Fun and unique series
Such an entertaining series: Steampunk and unusual with great characters and fast-paced plotting. I especially enjoyed meeting the Ancient Mariner.
Such an entertaining series: Steampunk and unusual with great characters and fast-paced plotting. I especially enjoyed meeting the Ancient Mariner.
June 4, 2018
Es war schon gut, vor allem, weil man gut wieder über die Geschehnisse aus Band 1 informiert wurde. Aber irgendwie hatte ich das Gefühl, dass zwar viel passiert ist, aber gleichzeitig kaum etwas.
November 16, 2010
Reading this series back to back is definitely better than the piecemeal way I was reading them when I read them as they came out (briefly as that lasted). There's no space between the books -- minutes at best between the end of Mister Monday and the beginning of Grim Tuesday. So it's nice to read them in one go. (It's also nice to read them on the appropriate days. I'll be greatly amused if I can keep that up all week.)
I didn't remember this book as well as Mister Monday, but I'm pretty sure I did read it. The same applies to this book re: the pace, the fun-ness, the lack of true emotional connection... It might be more helpful to think of this series as one long book split up into seven: so far that's true, anyway, but we'll see.
I'm interested by the reversal of the magical healing of Arthur: often, if characters have some kind of disability, it's handwaved away. People think that it only makes sense, things are easier plot-wise that way. But with Arthur, Garth Nix went out of his way to reverse that.
I loved the inclusion of the Mariner, and the slight reference to his background, which doesn't wave it around shouting, "Look! Clever literary reference! Look at meeee!". I love that he's related to the Piper, and whose son he is. I hope he comes into it more later, and I hope more is revealed about what his parents are/were like...
I didn't remember this book as well as Mister Monday, but I'm pretty sure I did read it. The same applies to this book re: the pace, the fun-ness, the lack of true emotional connection... It might be more helpful to think of this series as one long book split up into seven: so far that's true, anyway, but we'll see.
I'm interested by the reversal of the magical healing of Arthur: often, if characters have some kind of disability, it's handwaved away. People think that it only makes sense, things are easier plot-wise that way. But with Arthur, Garth Nix went out of his way to reverse that.
I loved the inclusion of the Mariner, and the slight reference to his background, which doesn't wave it around shouting, "Look! Clever literary reference! Look at meeee!". I love that he's related to the Piper, and whose son he is. I hope he comes into it more later, and I hope more is revealed about what his parents are/were like...
January 10, 2019
Inhalt:
Arthur Penhaligon hat gerade erst Herrn Montag besiegt und die Herrschaft des Unteren Hauses an den ersten Teil des Vermächtnisses, Madame Primus, abgegeben, da wartet bereits neuer Ärger auf den Siebtklässler. Denn nun ist Dienstag - und Grimmiger Dienstag hat keineswegs die Absicht, sich die Herrschaft über die Fernen Weiten so einfach streitig zu machen. Mit der Hilfe der Morgigen Tage lässt er Montags Schulden bei dessen Nachfolger, Arthur, eintreiben. Und wenn Arthur den ersten Schlüssel und das Untere Haus und auch das Haus seiner Familie nicht verlieren will, dann muss er erneut Das Haus aufsuchen und gegen einen der betrügerischen Treuhänder der Architektin kämpfen ...
Meine Meinung:
Nach "Schwarzer Montag" ist "Grimmiger Dienstag" der zweite Teil der zeitgenössischen Fantasyreihe "Die Schlüssel zum Königreich" von Garth Nix. Wer jedoch denkt, dass er / sie nach dem ersten Band weiß, wie Das Haus und die Nichtlinge sind, die Arthur in seinem 2. Abenteuer erwarten, der täuscht sich. Garth Nix hat es wieder einmal geschafft, eine Schippe draufzulegen und sich etwas Neues auszudenken, das das Bekannte aus dem 1. Band jedoch gut ergänzt.
Nach dem Unteren Haus lernen wir nun die Fernen Weiten kennen. Statt zahlreichen Etagen, Aufzügen und Bürokraten begegnen wir jetzt schwer arbeiteten Vertragsarbeitern (Bürger aus den anderen Häusern, die von den anderen Tagen zur Bezahlung als Arbeiter an den Grimmigen Dienstag abgetreten wurden), die in einer endlos erscheinenden dunklen Grube Nichts abbauen müssen, welches der Grimmige Dienstag dann in Metalle umwandelt und an den Rest des Hauses verkauft. Ruß, Dunkelheit, Nichtlinge, harte Arbeit, Todesgefahr und Schienen, die sich durch eine trostlose Weite ziehen - das ist auch der Eindruck, den Arthur erhält, als es ihn bei seiner Rückkehr unerwartet in die Fernen Weiten verschlägt. Dummerweise ist er dieses Mal sogar noch schlechter gestellt als bei seinem ersten Besuch des Hauses, denn er hat weder den Schlüssel des Unteren Hauses (den hatte er Dame Primus anvertraut) noch hat er bis auf den Vollständigen Atlas des Hauses Hilfe. Und selbst der Atlas kann ihm keinen Ausweg aus seiner Lage aufzeigen geschweige denn einen Weg aus den Fernen Weiten hinaus.
Spannung ist also angesagt. Nicht nur Arthurs Lage im Haus erscheint wieder aussichtslos, auch das Schicksal seiner Familie und seiner Freunde auf der Erde steht wieder auf dem Spiel. Doch zum Glück ist er nicht allein: Wir Leser dürfen uns auf ein Wiedersehen mit bekannten Figuren aus dem ersten Band wie dem Leutnant Hüter, Susi Türkisblau, Dame Primus oder Nieser freuen. Auch neue Figuren kreuzen Arthurs Weg wie der Kapitän Tom und neue Schergen und Nichtlinge bedrohen Arthur und seine Verbündeten. Es wird auf keiner Seite langweilig und man fragt sich, was sich Garth Nix wohl als Nächstes für Band 3 ausgedacht hat. Ohne Frage, es wird wieder genial und sehr kurzweilig. Für Fantasyfans jeden Alters sehr zu empfehlen!
Arthur Penhaligon hat gerade erst Herrn Montag besiegt und die Herrschaft des Unteren Hauses an den ersten Teil des Vermächtnisses, Madame Primus, abgegeben, da wartet bereits neuer Ärger auf den Siebtklässler. Denn nun ist Dienstag - und Grimmiger Dienstag hat keineswegs die Absicht, sich die Herrschaft über die Fernen Weiten so einfach streitig zu machen. Mit der Hilfe der Morgigen Tage lässt er Montags Schulden bei dessen Nachfolger, Arthur, eintreiben. Und wenn Arthur den ersten Schlüssel und das Untere Haus und auch das Haus seiner Familie nicht verlieren will, dann muss er erneut Das Haus aufsuchen und gegen einen der betrügerischen Treuhänder der Architektin kämpfen ...
Meine Meinung:
Nach "Schwarzer Montag" ist "Grimmiger Dienstag" der zweite Teil der zeitgenössischen Fantasyreihe "Die Schlüssel zum Königreich" von Garth Nix. Wer jedoch denkt, dass er / sie nach dem ersten Band weiß, wie Das Haus und die Nichtlinge sind, die Arthur in seinem 2. Abenteuer erwarten, der täuscht sich. Garth Nix hat es wieder einmal geschafft, eine Schippe draufzulegen und sich etwas Neues auszudenken, das das Bekannte aus dem 1. Band jedoch gut ergänzt.
Nach dem Unteren Haus lernen wir nun die Fernen Weiten kennen. Statt zahlreichen Etagen, Aufzügen und Bürokraten begegnen wir jetzt schwer arbeiteten Vertragsarbeitern (Bürger aus den anderen Häusern, die von den anderen Tagen zur Bezahlung als Arbeiter an den Grimmigen Dienstag abgetreten wurden), die in einer endlos erscheinenden dunklen Grube Nichts abbauen müssen, welches der Grimmige Dienstag dann in Metalle umwandelt und an den Rest des Hauses verkauft. Ruß, Dunkelheit, Nichtlinge, harte Arbeit, Todesgefahr und Schienen, die sich durch eine trostlose Weite ziehen - das ist auch der Eindruck, den Arthur erhält, als es ihn bei seiner Rückkehr unerwartet in die Fernen Weiten verschlägt. Dummerweise ist er dieses Mal sogar noch schlechter gestellt als bei seinem ersten Besuch des Hauses, denn er hat weder den Schlüssel des Unteren Hauses (den hatte er Dame Primus anvertraut) noch hat er bis auf den Vollständigen Atlas des Hauses Hilfe. Und selbst der Atlas kann ihm keinen Ausweg aus seiner Lage aufzeigen geschweige denn einen Weg aus den Fernen Weiten hinaus.
Spannung ist also angesagt. Nicht nur Arthurs Lage im Haus erscheint wieder aussichtslos, auch das Schicksal seiner Familie und seiner Freunde auf der Erde steht wieder auf dem Spiel. Doch zum Glück ist er nicht allein: Wir Leser dürfen uns auf ein Wiedersehen mit bekannten Figuren aus dem ersten Band wie dem Leutnant Hüter, Susi Türkisblau, Dame Primus oder Nieser freuen. Auch neue Figuren kreuzen Arthurs Weg wie der Kapitän Tom und neue Schergen und Nichtlinge bedrohen Arthur und seine Verbündeten. Es wird auf keiner Seite langweilig und man fragt sich, was sich Garth Nix wohl als Nächstes für Band 3 ausgedacht hat. Ohne Frage, es wird wieder genial und sehr kurzweilig. Für Fantasyfans jeden Alters sehr zu empfehlen!
April 24, 2018
This is the second in a series about Arthur. He has inherited this job that he doesn't want and a house that isn't really a house. After his adventures on Monday, he thinks he is free and clear but finds out that Mr. Tuesday won't take no for an answer and insists that Arthur come back to the house. He has the ability to cause bad things to happen to his family so Arthur must go back and confront Tuesday.
This is a very imaginative story and really has a very well developed set of creatures that truly come from nothing.
Highly recommended for young boys and girls and a good change of pace.
This is a very imaginative story and really has a very well developed set of creatures that truly come from nothing.
Highly recommended for young boys and girls and a good change of pace.
December 28, 2011
This series is really cute and especially designed for boys under the teen level. It just has so many creative elements and events that would appeal to the younger set. That being said, I loved it as it's rather different from what I usually read and great for listening in the car.
Arthur Penhaligan, a normal person in the 7th grade, was somehow selected to become the rightful heir to the Keys to the Kingdom (a universe adjacent to Earth that can be accessed through a monstrous house that only Arthur can see). And this is book two of his adventures outsmarting the Morrow days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc), each one has control on the day of his name. For example on Monday, Arthur had to deal with and defeat Mister Monday. On Tuesday it is Grim Tuesday and on Wednesday it will be Lady Wednesday. This is a cleverly written tongue in cheek kind of story that actually teaches morality to some degree. Arthur is set by The Will to correct the wrongs done by the Morrow days. The Morrow days aren't really evil but they have been corrupted by greed and the powers they have acquired. Grim Tuesday is a treasure hoarder and has become a slaver in the hopes of gaining more treasures. Arthur is appalled and vows to set the slaves free once he becomes keeper of the second key. Arthur and his ally Suzy Turquoise Blue spend their time in the house trying to get to the treasure tower and find the snippet of The Will that will bestow ownership of the Key to Arthur. You must keep in mind that Arthur doesn't want to be keeper of the keys to the kingdom, he just wants to return to his normal life but the House and it's denizens just won't allow that since he is already Lord Monday and the responsibility of the Lower House falls squarely on his shoulders. The other Morrow days sense disaster in the making and want to wrest control from Arthur's rather human hands. I find this really entertaining and it's fun to read about Arthur (and Suzy's) adventures and the defeat of the arrogant Morrow days.
Arthur Penhaligan, a normal person in the 7th grade, was somehow selected to become the rightful heir to the Keys to the Kingdom (a universe adjacent to Earth that can be accessed through a monstrous house that only Arthur can see). And this is book two of his adventures outsmarting the Morrow days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc), each one has control on the day of his name. For example on Monday, Arthur had to deal with and defeat Mister Monday. On Tuesday it is Grim Tuesday and on Wednesday it will be Lady Wednesday. This is a cleverly written tongue in cheek kind of story that actually teaches morality to some degree. Arthur is set by The Will to correct the wrongs done by the Morrow days. The Morrow days aren't really evil but they have been corrupted by greed and the powers they have acquired. Grim Tuesday is a treasure hoarder and has become a slaver in the hopes of gaining more treasures. Arthur is appalled and vows to set the slaves free once he becomes keeper of the second key. Arthur and his ally Suzy Turquoise Blue spend their time in the house trying to get to the treasure tower and find the snippet of The Will that will bestow ownership of the Key to Arthur. You must keep in mind that Arthur doesn't want to be keeper of the keys to the kingdom, he just wants to return to his normal life but the House and it's denizens just won't allow that since he is already Lord Monday and the responsibility of the Lower House falls squarely on his shoulders. The other Morrow days sense disaster in the making and want to wrest control from Arthur's rather human hands. I find this really entertaining and it's fun to read about Arthur (and Suzy's) adventures and the defeat of the arrogant Morrow days.
January 27, 2009
The book "Grim Tuesday" is a truly amazing I was fortunate enough to find and read after finishing the first book of this amazing series. "Grim Tuesday" is a book like no other, with the features of every fantasy book like magic, and friendship, but still uniquely its own.
The book is about a boy named Arthur who happens to be in an outside gym class one day. He is phsically weak, and gets an asthma attack which proves to be almost fatal. He is abot to die, but a man appears in front of hi and hands him a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. The clock gives Arthur powers, which he uses to find out how to live a normal life again afterdealing with powerful enemies.
In "Grim Tuesday", Arthur is sent to rid the House(the world first made by the Architect)of one of the Architects direct descendants who do nothing al day but laze around and break all the rules set up by the Will of the House that the Architect invented. Arthur is faced with having to defeat Tuesday and regaining another piece of the Will which was broken up to make the House rule-free.
The book is fun to read, and will have you reading on endlesly unil you finish the chapter. Unill you are hungry for more.
The book is about a boy named Arthur who happens to be in an outside gym class one day. He is phsically weak, and gets an asthma attack which proves to be almost fatal. He is abot to die, but a man appears in front of hi and hands him a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. The clock gives Arthur powers, which he uses to find out how to live a normal life again afterdealing with powerful enemies.
In "Grim Tuesday", Arthur is sent to rid the House(the world first made by the Architect)of one of the Architects direct descendants who do nothing al day but laze around and break all the rules set up by the Will of the House that the Architect invented. Arthur is faced with having to defeat Tuesday and regaining another piece of the Will which was broken up to make the House rule-free.
The book is fun to read, and will have you reading on endlesly unil you finish the chapter. Unill you are hungry for more.
January 25, 2009
The second installment in the Keys to the Kingdom series, Grim Tuesday picks up right where Mister Monday left off, mere hours after Arthur has returned home for what he thought would be a five or six-year break. Unfortunately, time in his realm does not equate to time in the House. To top it all off, the phone call warning him of mischief afoot gets cut off, leaving him only half in the know.
When mysterious men appear across the street with a Sold sign, and his father receives a call that he owes his record company millions, it becomes quickly clear that something has to be done, and it won't happen in his realm. With a little luck and help from Leaf and Suzy Blue, Arthur finds his way back into the House, but comes out where he did not expect--right at the heart of Grim Tuesday's domain.
The sense of urgency in this race against time is much greater, as greater things are now at stake. The next key, the entire state of affairs of Arthur's entire family back home, the life of the House. Can Arthur save it in time?
When mysterious men appear across the street with a Sold sign, and his father receives a call that he owes his record company millions, it becomes quickly clear that something has to be done, and it won't happen in his realm. With a little luck and help from Leaf and Suzy Blue, Arthur finds his way back into the House, but comes out where he did not expect--right at the heart of Grim Tuesday's domain.
The sense of urgency in this race against time is much greater, as greater things are now at stake. The next key, the entire state of affairs of Arthur's entire family back home, the life of the House. Can Arthur save it in time?
April 16, 2008
I love the characters in this, from Arthur to Suzy Turquoise Blue and Dame Primus. And the new characters for this one: The Second Part of the Will and Captain Tom were great. If these books have a flaw, it's that the title characters (Mr. Monday, and Grim Tuesday in this one) barely have a presence. They are talked about, but only show up briefly in the actual narrative. The books would be more menacing if we had more time with the Days.
March 6, 2023
3.5 stars
I was not as much of a fan of this one as I was of the first book. After all that Arthur experiences in the first book, I would think he would have learned his lesson about not complaining and just diving into what life throws at you. He is definitely our reluctant hero, making him the ideal candidate for the Will to wield the Keys to the Kingdom, without becoming corrupted, or at least that seems to be the direction this series is headed. But Arthur continues to resist the responsibility, and after all, he is just a kid and an asthmatic one at that.
My main complaint about this book was that he spent most of his time in the dark underground camps of Grim Tuesday, and as his name implies, it's all pretty grim down there and he doesn't know if he can trust anyone. Still, my fuzzy memory recalls that I really enjoyed the series as a whole, so I know things will pick up. I'm diving immediately into the third book in any case.
I was not as much of a fan of this one as I was of the first book. After all that Arthur experiences in the first book, I would think he would have learned his lesson about not complaining and just diving into what life throws at you. He is definitely our reluctant hero, making him the ideal candidate for the Will to wield the Keys to the Kingdom, without becoming corrupted, or at least that seems to be the direction this series is headed. But Arthur continues to resist the responsibility, and after all, he is just a kid and an asthmatic one at that.
My main complaint about this book was that he spent most of his time in the dark underground camps of Grim Tuesday, and as his name implies, it's all pretty grim down there and he doesn't know if he can trust anyone. Still, my fuzzy memory recalls that I really enjoyed the series as a whole, so I know things will pick up. I'm diving immediately into the third book in any case.
September 21, 2024
Nix has a crazy imagination...reverse Matryoshka dolls, space pirate ships, islands in the sun, etc etc. almost too much fantasy for my taste
January 3, 2024
I still remember reading the books as they came out, but I lost interest before the series fully came out. So rereading this series for fun.
It’s quite decent for children’s books - full of action, and Arthur remains a reluctant hero.
It’s quite decent for children’s books - full of action, and Arthur remains a reluctant hero.
September 17, 2020
I am enjoying this series so far! I like the characters overall. Arthur can feel a little whiny sometimes... but they are usually very relatable.. or well maybe not relatable but reasonable complaints (who wouldnt want to be freed from the ginormous and overwhelming responsibility of saving the universe?) And I have been happy with his decisions/drive to do the right thing.
August 21, 2016
Grim Tuesday is the second book in a series of seven known as the Keys to the Kingdom series each book named after a day of the week. The first book Mister Monday was a book I reviewed a long while ago. I had a desire to go through and finish the series but needed to re-read the first two and a half books in order to do so. In my review of Mister Monday I expressed that I was bored and kept tying to remember the events of this book as the events of that book. Coming to this book I knew there was less to get confused and there was only one event that I wasn’t sure it if was this book or the next that I remember reading it but I was certain it was the next book – but overall it wasn’t a major event and didn’t disturb my reading.
Going through this book a second time wasn’t bad – the book held my attention and it was vaguely amusing. Having a familiarity with the book I began to wonder how the main character Arthur got out of one situation that I didn’t remember at all to the next situation which I remembered. Over all I did not remember much of the book but one main event which made things a whole lot easier to read.
The general plot of this book picks up where Mister Monday left off. Arthur awakes to a new day (Tuesday) glad that the events of Monday are well taken care of and happy to live his normal mortal life for the next several years to discovered that Grim Tuesday has set out to collect a past debt left behind by Mister Monday that Arthur now owes. Arthur finds that everyone is in financial ruin and there are Denizens (the people/creatures of the house where Mister Monday and Grim Tuesday reside) causing problems as well.
Despite the fact of not wanting to go back into the House and fight another trustee (as Mister Monday and Grim Tuesday are known) he goes in and is faced with various challenges to try to get what he needs to fight off Grim Tuesday and take ownership of yet another region of the house just like he had done in the first book only with new challenges. Which also included an issue with creatures based out of nothing called nithlings which are hell bent on destroying the House structure something that Arthur cannot allow as said destruction would destroy the entire universe considering that the house is also known as the center of the universe. It is a bit of a whirlwind of a tale and there are hints of something more nefarious going on than just the present issues at hand.
Overall I think I would give the book a 4 out of 5 pages as it was rather good and kept my attention. I will also say that this book is very much a children’s middle grade book, but still something that an adult can enjoy as well.
Going through this book a second time wasn’t bad – the book held my attention and it was vaguely amusing. Having a familiarity with the book I began to wonder how the main character Arthur got out of one situation that I didn’t remember at all to the next situation which I remembered. Over all I did not remember much of the book but one main event which made things a whole lot easier to read.
The general plot of this book picks up where Mister Monday left off. Arthur awakes to a new day (Tuesday) glad that the events of Monday are well taken care of and happy to live his normal mortal life for the next several years to discovered that Grim Tuesday has set out to collect a past debt left behind by Mister Monday that Arthur now owes. Arthur finds that everyone is in financial ruin and there are Denizens (the people/creatures of the house where Mister Monday and Grim Tuesday reside) causing problems as well.
Despite the fact of not wanting to go back into the House and fight another trustee (as Mister Monday and Grim Tuesday are known) he goes in and is faced with various challenges to try to get what he needs to fight off Grim Tuesday and take ownership of yet another region of the house just like he had done in the first book only with new challenges. Which also included an issue with creatures based out of nothing called nithlings which are hell bent on destroying the House structure something that Arthur cannot allow as said destruction would destroy the entire universe considering that the house is also known as the center of the universe. It is a bit of a whirlwind of a tale and there are hints of something more nefarious going on than just the present issues at hand.
Overall I think I would give the book a 4 out of 5 pages as it was rather good and kept my attention. I will also say that this book is very much a children’s middle grade book, but still something that an adult can enjoy as well.
February 6, 2017
Personal Response: I really enjoyed this book. Garth Nix did a good job putting it together and making it close to unpredictable. Most of the book just made me not want to put it down. He also did a good job making it visual so it was easy for me to follow it and make a picture of what is going on in my head. I also really enjoyed this book because it’s not slow and it flows nicely. The only thing I didn’t really mind was earlier in the book and a little way through the book it was a little hard to imagine and picture what was going on. Other than that I enjoyed it and thought it was a good read.
Plot: The first part of this book Author is in his house. Then he gets a phone call from the house, and he goes looks for a way in, he then gets chased by a weird creature and runs to Leafs house. She tells him how to get in, when he gets in the door guard tells him where to go and he ends up close to the pits. He then ends up marching down to the pit, but ends up being too weak to make it all the way. So he and a friend stop, and later someone comes down the railway. Sally comes and helps Arthur and guides him to get the key and part two of the Will. They get wings and go to the top of the ceiling, and crawl the way to the tower. Then they get a little assistance getting into the tower. They then find a very helpful helper who by carefully turns on Grim Tuesday and helps them get the Will. As they get the Will it refuses to help them because there is no proof Arthur is the heir to get the Will. So he gets Dame Primus, the first part of the will, to prove that he is. He is then put in a competition against Tuesday to get the Key. He amazingly wins and has to build up the wall, so pieces of Nothing, which make things disappear if they touch them, don't get in and take over the Tower and the house.
Recommendation: I recommend this book to early middle schoolers because it is quite an easy read. I would also recommend this book to people who have a good imagination because it can be difficult to understand if you don't have a good imagination. Boys would probably enjoy this book more because it's very adventurous, but girls can also read it if they like adventurous books.
Plot: The first part of this book Author is in his house. Then he gets a phone call from the house, and he goes looks for a way in, he then gets chased by a weird creature and runs to Leafs house. She tells him how to get in, when he gets in the door guard tells him where to go and he ends up close to the pits. He then ends up marching down to the pit, but ends up being too weak to make it all the way. So he and a friend stop, and later someone comes down the railway. Sally comes and helps Arthur and guides him to get the key and part two of the Will. They get wings and go to the top of the ceiling, and crawl the way to the tower. Then they get a little assistance getting into the tower. They then find a very helpful helper who by carefully turns on Grim Tuesday and helps them get the Will. As they get the Will it refuses to help them because there is no proof Arthur is the heir to get the Will. So he gets Dame Primus, the first part of the will, to prove that he is. He is then put in a competition against Tuesday to get the Key. He amazingly wins and has to build up the wall, so pieces of Nothing, which make things disappear if they touch them, don't get in and take over the Tower and the house.
Recommendation: I recommend this book to early middle schoolers because it is quite an easy read. I would also recommend this book to people who have a good imagination because it can be difficult to understand if you don't have a good imagination. Boys would probably enjoy this book more because it's very adventurous, but girls can also read it if they like adventurous books.
Read
June 9, 2010The second installment in the Keys to the Kingdom series, Grim Tuesday picks up right where Mister Monday left off, mere hours after Arthur has returned home for what he thought would be a five or six-year break. Unfortunately, time in his realm does not equate to time in the House. To top it all off, the phone call warning him of mischief afoot gets cut off, leaving him only half in the know. Talk about a lot of creativity. Garth Nix has loads of imagination in this hero journey. I was tickled and intrigued by the plenitude of literary and mythological allusions that are twisted in fun ways. For instance, each protagonist is a day of the week and possesses one of the Seven Deadly Sins (Mister Monday, Grim Tuesday, etc.). They are opposed by each paragraph of The Will personifying a complimentary virtue (frog/fortitude, bear/prudence). It's interesting to me that a virtue that is taken to excess can be as imbalanced and wrongheaded as a vice. I've read the first two books in the seven-book series and quite enjoyed the fast-paced romp through an amazingly imaginative world
October 30, 2011
Arthur Penhaligon is an ordinary boy whose life changes when he has a near-fatal asthma attack while running during PE. Just as he is about to lose consciousness he is given a key by a mysterious man. The man, Mr. Monday, has determined that Arthur is about to die, but with the benefits of modern medicine and his inhaler, Arthur survives and sets off an adventure quest to search for 7 keys of a mysterious house. Each quest involves battling 7 Morrow Days who are the trustees of the house and represent the 7 Deadly Sins. Grim Tuesday is the 2nd book in the series (Mister Monday is the first), and in this book Arthur's adventure takes him to the Far Reaches of the house where he must face Grim Tuesday who is afflicted by Greed. I had listened to Mr. Monday many years ago but have started the series over in audio with my 13-year old son... and loving it. Very well narrated and incredibly clever.
January 31, 2012
In the midst of a fatal asthma attack, Arthur was given a smidgen of magical power. Using it, he was able to not only survive the attack, but also stage a revolution against the languid Mister Monday. After claiming Monday's powers for his own, Arthur granted them to a Steward so he could return to the mortal world to continue living life as a child. But the second Monday ended, Tuesday began--and Grim Tuesday was fearful that Arthur would do to him what he'd already done to Mister Monday. And so once again, Arthur was forced into a magical world where he was magically out-classed and far too physically delicate.
Arthur is wonderfully unique, and his travails always thrill. His first opponent was the epitome of a man made lazy and entitled by unchecked privilege. The second, Grim Tuesday, could easily be read as a personification of industrial progress at the expense of ecology or human rights. I'm interested to see what the third one will be!
Arthur is wonderfully unique, and his travails always thrill. His first opponent was the epitome of a man made lazy and entitled by unchecked privilege. The second, Grim Tuesday, could easily be read as a personification of industrial progress at the expense of ecology or human rights. I'm interested to see what the third one will be!
July 21, 2009
Another great book in the Series. I like how Garth Nix introduces new characters as each day proceeds and yet there aren't to many characters to keep track of. The stories finish themselves and yet you know that Arthur is going to have to go back to the House to help put it back in order.
Each book builds upon the previous building to a climax that will end with Sunday. The story uses allies, friends and cunning to get the will that has been misused. Can't wait to get into the next book. I am glad there are only 7 days of the week as I am hooked!!!
Each book builds upon the previous building to a climax that will end with Sunday. The story uses allies, friends and cunning to get the will that has been misused. Can't wait to get into the next book. I am glad there are only 7 days of the week as I am hooked!!!
April 1, 2013
Recently I read Grim Tuesday, Book #2 of The Keys to the Kingdom series. It is extremely interesting. First off, Arthur Penhaligon's family is being taxed to the maximum level by Grim's Grotesques, for example, there house is being "sold" to the grotesques. Second of all, Arthur has to go back to the house and defeat Grim Tuesday in order to save his family! Then he gives both keys to the will! If I had to go through the whole story... You would be reading forever!
I am currently reading Drowned Wednesday.
I am currently reading Drowned Wednesday.
January 1, 2015
SUPER!!!
Úplne skvelé je na tom to, že aj keď má kniha rovnakú zápletku a základnú osnovu - ARthura utorok vyzve, artur sa musi branit, artur musi dostat kluc - kniha vyznieva uplne inak ako pondelok. A za to Nixovi kvitujem. Mám úplne taký pocit, akoby Nix za tie roky nazbieral nenormálne množstvo nápadov, a teraz to sem všetko dáva... Čo je najlepšie - nepôsobí to ako nepodarený zlepenec, ale všetko dokopy úžasne zapadá:)
A Artura práve pozvala Lady Streda na lančon! Čo môže byť lepšie:)
Úplne skvelé je na tom to, že aj keď má kniha rovnakú zápletku a základnú osnovu - ARthura utorok vyzve, artur sa musi branit, artur musi dostat kluc - kniha vyznieva uplne inak ako pondelok. A za to Nixovi kvitujem. Mám úplne taký pocit, akoby Nix za tie roky nazbieral nenormálne množstvo nápadov, a teraz to sem všetko dáva... Čo je najlepšie - nepôsobí to ako nepodarený zlepenec, ale všetko dokopy úžasne zapadá:)
A Artura práve pozvala Lady Streda na lančon! Čo môže byť lepšie:)
April 7, 2021
a really fun middle grade, creative and a kinda weird haha
April 4, 2017
i liked the first book better
overall a nice book to read
overall a nice book to read
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