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On the sixth day, there was sorcery.
ARTHUR PENHALIGAN HAS wrested five of the Keys from their immortal guardians, the Trustees of the Will. But gaining the Sixth Key poses a greater challenge than any he has faced before. Superior Saturday is not just one of the Trustees—she is also the oldest Denizen and the most powerful and knowledgeable sorcerer within the House. She has tens of thousands of sorcerers at her command, and she has been preparing her forces all along for the Will's escape and the activites of the Rightful Heir.
As Saturday's schemes become evident, Arthur is beset on all sides. The House is being destroyed, and only the power of the Keys can hold back the tide of destruction. Arthur's home city is under attack. His allies are unreliable. He can't even get into the apparently impregnable Upper House...and even if he does, finding the Sixth Part of the Will and gaining the Sixth Key might not be enough to counter Saturday's sorcerous hordes or stop her bid for ultimate power.
The stakes are getting higher and higher
Can Arthur survive?
Gr 5-8
The sixth title (Scholastic, 2008) in Garth Nix's series begins with Arthur Penhaligon's asthma attack that results in his being taken to the Lower House, which is the center of all Universes. He is then declared Heir to the Kingdom and must wrest the Keys to the Kingdom from the Architect's appointed Trustees who are no longer loyal. Arthur has successfully defeated five of the Trustees, gaining dominion over all of the Lower House, the Far Reaches, the Border Sea, the Great Maze, and the Middle House. In doing so, he has become more Denizen than human and fears that he will never be able to go home upon completing his destined path in the House. Arthur is faced with simultaneous attacks in both the House and his own world, as Superior Saturday schemes to defeat him and become Denizen of all Universes. His home is beset by a nuclear attack while the Lower House is destroyed by a giant wave of Nothing. Arthur mounts an attack to take the Upper House from Superior Saturday. The novel ends with a real cliffhanger. Allan Corduner gives all the characters distinct voices. Listeners will be enthralled and eagerly await the final volume in the series. A good addition to school and public library collections.-Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT
Anonymous
Posted December 6, 2011
this book is really good and is adventurous as can be. It starts to make you wonder what will happen in the next book, how will the keys affect him further? it is a fun book to read and makes you wanting more.
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Posted December 15, 2010
I like the character Arthur Penhaligon. Also all the different personalities of the Will. I will be purchasing the last book soon.
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Posted February 25, 2010
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The adventures of Arthur Penhaliagon come to a chilling climax as he combats Superior Saturday in the vestiges of her domain! This book is a perfect antecedent for anyone who is ready to become enthralled in a world of fantasy. I definately recommend reading it and the others that preceeded it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.There's certainly one thing to be said about everything Nix writes, and that is that it's rife with original creativity and completely new fantasy stories. However, sometimes the books themselves, although phenomenally imaginative, are hit or miss depending on how much Nix is able to flesh out the story. The Seventh Tower series, for instance, is deftly imagined, a two worlds drawn together through light and shadow, and the ability to use colored gemstones to create light beams that can do all sorts of interesting things. Unfortunately for whatever reason, Nix doesn't explore the world and the story enough. It's much more like eating watery soup than it is like consuming a good meal.
The Abhorsen Trilogy, on the other hand, is a great work, and although it's not a classic literature sort of story, the world itself is fleshed out well, so that the reader can really imagine the world and lose themselves in it. I feel like the Keys to the Kingdom series is a mixture of both, and I'd love to see the world more fully explored. The first book, especially, seems to move toward that path, but as the books progress, they seem to become more and more formulaic and lacking in substance. Ultimately, Nix's imagination seems to know no bounds, but if he would slow down and put more life into these books, I think they would be much better. Not to say that the books aren't fun to read, but I believe they could be fun to read and rich. Hopefully his next fantasy series will be more like The Abhorsen Trilogy.
-Lindsey Miller, www.lindseyslibrary.com
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Posted June 29, 2009
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I've been reading the Keys to the Kingdom series for awhile now. I haqd to wait a year for this one to come out. I thought that maybe the book wouldn't be too good. But, it was great! I can't wait for the seventh one!!
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Posted May 9, 2009
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An awesome book! Garth Nix really lived up to the credability of his past five in this series! Great plot and ending. I cannot wait to read the final book.
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Posted February 16, 2009
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It is always wonderful to find an author who writes across the ages. I loved this book and I am happy to say that my 12 year son is enjoying it as well. Garth Nix is an amazing writer who never fails to please the reader.
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Posted February 9, 2009
I really enjoy this series, as does my daughter and grandchildren. However, this particular book was written in what I would consider a "hurried" manner----it was still a decent read, but the plot wasn't as fully developed as previous books in the series. Still worth reading!
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Posted December 13, 2008
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Yet another 11-year-old adventure atory which really rocks. This is page-turning fun and adventure for anyone with a great imagination. Simply the best!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged."Superior Saturday", by Garth Nix, is the sixth book in an awesome series, "The Keys to the Kingdom." Not boring in any way, this series is great for anyone thirsty for adventure, thrill, and just plane awesomeness! This book leaves you on the very edge of your seat and just waiting for the next installment in this magnificent series!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Having read and loved Garth Nix's OLD KINGDOM books (SABRIEL, LIRAEL, and ABHORSEN) as well as his SEVENTH TOWER series, I had pretty high expectations when I started in on SUPERIOR SATURDAY. I wasn't disappointed. The action moves along quickly, with new and original presentations of magic at every turn, and major and minor characters worth cheering for (or, in the case of the antagonists, against). <BR/><BR/>The sixth book in Nix's KEYS TO THE KINGDOM series picks up right where the fifth book left off, making it a little confusing to understand at first, especially if you're a newcomer to the series, like I was when reading this. The book is certainly good enough to merit your going to the library and checking out all of the previous ones in order to get up to speed, but in case your library is as negligent as mine, here's the background that I wish I could have had going in. <BR/><BR/>Our protagonist, asthmatic twelve-year-old Arthur Penhaligon, through a series of complicated circumstances described in previous novels, is taken from his home on Earth and granted the power of being the Heir to the Kingdom. Nix's complicated but fascinating universe centers around a grand House that is the epicenter of all universes, and is ruled by seven Trustees, all named for the days of the week. Within the House, each Trustee has its own domain. As the Heir, Arthur's duty is to wrest the Keys to the Kingdom from the corrupt Trustees, and to recreate the Will of the Architect, which the Trustees have consistently disobeyed. The Architect is a mysterious figure responsible for creating both the House and the "secondary realms," including Earth. <BR/><BR/>In this sixth book in the series, Arthur is up against one of the toughest of the Trustees: Superior Saturday, with her power to work great sorceries with the help of the sixth Key. With the help of friends and acquaintances throughout the House, Arthur attempts to infiltrate Saturday's portion of the House and find the sixth part of the Architect's Will. He's running out of time, though, as the dangerously corrosive Nothing eats away at the House's foundations. <BR/><BR/>Arthur must retrieve the Key, and the next part of the Will, in time to ensure that the House is not destroyed--for if the epicenter of all universes is demolished, the secondary realms that depend upon its survival will also crumble and fall, making for the end of Earth and Arthur's home. <BR/><BR/>Nix always has a unique perspective on magic, and this series is no different in that respect. His innovations draw heavily upon archetypes and numerous different branches of mythology that add a richness and texture to his world, even if the average reader does not see them all on the first read-through. I also enjoyed his characterization of Arthur, a young boy who is taking on increasingly difficult tasks and succeeding at them, so that although he is young, there is a strength and maturity to his outlook. Of course, this doesn't prevent him from having his share of doubts. <BR/><BR/>Overall, I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend the series to anyone interested in fantasy adventure.
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Posted November 9, 2008
Superior Saturday by Garth Nix<BR/>Publication Date: July 2008<BR/>5 out of 5 stars<BR/>PG - Some Gruesome Violence<BR/><BR/>The House is being destroyed by Nothing and Earth¿s existence is being threatened. And the only person who can save the House and Earth is the rightful heir of the architect, a boy named Arthur Penhaligan.<BR/><BR/>The Lower House has already been destroyed by the Nothing and without Arthur and his 5 keys he has claimed from the unruly Trustees of the Will, the rest of the House will be destroyed. Arthur, with his best friend Suzy Turquoise Blue, set out in search of the sixth part of the Will. But to get into the Upper House, where Part Six of the Will is hidden, they have to outwit thousands of Superior Saturday¿s sorcerers, survive working with the grease monkeys and the creatures lurking in the dark, figure out who they can and can¿t trust, and hope that Superior Saturday, the oldest and most powerful denizen, doesn¿t detect their presence. If they are revealed, their outcome and the world¿s outcome looks dim. With outstanding odds against them, Arthur begins to fear more and more about what he is becoming, then the task at hand. The outcome of Arthur¿s victory or defeat will affect the fate of the House, Earth, and all their inhabitants. But first, he has to get in¿<BR/><BR/>Superior Saturday was another outstanding, unique, brilliant book in the Keys to the Kingdom Series. This book was an amazingly fast read, just like every book in the series. The plot was not rushed or clumsy, but steadily sped up with each event and was intriguing and held your attention the whole time.<BR/><BR/>Arthur¿s inner battle was realistic and completely believable. His fight to stay human although his outer appearances began to change at an alarming rate, added to my respect for him. He realizes what is right and wrong and doesn¿t sway from his decisions even though sometimes it may appear as not going as smoothly or successfully as he had hoped. Arthur holds tightly to the only thing that now keeps him human, his ability to feel compassion, patience, forgiveness, and understanding how whatever he does effects everyone else. Absolutely great character. Arthur is the biggest reason for a person to read this series.<BR/><BR/>The creatures, landscape, and dialogue are all amazingly creative. This is one of the most original, unique, interesting series created in these modern times.<BR/><BR/>I highly suggest The Keys to the Kingdom series to everyone, everywhere.<BR/><BR/>Date Reviewed: November 9th, 2008
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Posted August 19, 2008
This book is not quite as good as the others, but with only one book to go in the series, the author must be saving the big climax for last. You must read the other books in the series in order to follow along, but I was hoping that this book would give a little more insight into Arthur and his destiny and begin to explain more. I guess all will be decided with the final Lord Sunday book. Can't wait!!!
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Posted July 16, 2008
this book just totally took my breath away. I started this series a few months ago and I hadn't really remembered it till I found it one day. i forgot some of it but quickly remembered. how long will it take for LORD SUNDAY to com out????!!
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Posted July 17, 2008
Garth Nix is a great writer, The Seventh Tower was a great series and so is Keys To The Kingdom, I picked them up in 6th grade and ive been reading them since, its been awhile since I have read his books, Im glad to see this one is out, Im buying it tonight
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Posted June 26, 2008
For this to be a young adult series I truely love it. Once I pick it up I have a hard time putting it down. I've introduced it to a 31yr.old freind of mine and he's addicted to it as well.. I won't even let him borrow my copies outside of my house...... their that well written.
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Posted July 7, 2008
Dating as far back as Grim Tuesday Saturday's presence has been made known and I am sure I am one of many who couldn't wait for when she and Arthur finally met. Superior Saturday, as always, was a brilliant read that I could not put down and had read within a few hours, yet there was that tingling feeling of dissapointment as the story seemed to be building up to a cliffhanger ending and not the real ending, which is obviously being saved for book 7. This is not the best in the series but is still very good indeed and if you enjoyed the previous five then definately buy Saturday.
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Posted July 6, 2008
This is the most amazing series I have read. I can finish the books in a few days their so good. I can't wait for Saturday and Sunday to come out,... and be defeated by Arther!
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Posted June 17, 2008
I just recently finished Lady Friday, and this series is one of the best series ever! A bunch of my freinds have read it too, and now we're all obsessed together. I can't wait till Superior Saturday comes out!
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Posted May 27, 2008
OMG!!!! This is a awesome series! I cant wait for this one to come out! I read the rest is under 2 weeks. The best book I have ever read.( I read ALOT of books) I am going to die waiting!!
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Overview
On the sixth day, there was sorcery.
ARTHUR PENHALIGAN HAS wrested five of the Keys from their immortal guardians, the Trustees of the Will. But gaining the Sixth Key poses a greater challenge than any he has faced before. Superior Saturday is not just one of the Trustees—she is also the oldest Denizen and the most powerful and knowledgeable sorcerer within the House. She has tens of thousands of sorcerers at her command, and she has been ...