Sir Thursday Keys to the Kingdom Book 4

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The stellar fourth book in Garth Nix's masterpiece series... now in paperback!On the fourth day there was war... Following their adventures in the Border Sea, Arthur and Leaf head for home. But only Leaf gets through the Front Door. Arthur is blocked because someone . . . or something . . . has assumed his identity and is taking over his life. Before Arthur can take action, he is drafted by Sir Thursday and forced to join the Glorious Army of the Architect. While Leaf tries to banish Arthur's doppleganger on earth, Arthur must survive his basic training, avoid getting posted to the Front and work out how he can free Part Four of the Will....

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Gr 6-8-Allan Corduner does a masterful job of narrating the audio version of the fourth book (Scholastic, 2006) in Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom series. Two parallel stories keep the action moving, as Arthur Penhaligon, disguised as a Piper's child named Ray Green, is compelled to join other denizens of the House in Sir Thursday's army, now fighting a large contingent of Nithlings, who are unexpectedly clever and numerous. Meanwhile, his friend Leaf is back in Arthur's real world, trying to retrieve a piece of cloth that has allowed someone to create a duplicate Arthur, known as the Skinless Boy, who is infecting all the mortals with a sort of mold that allows him to control their minds. There are many characters, but Corduner creates a unique voice for each of them. His pace is perfect, quickening as the story gets more intense in the later chapters. This is an exciting fantasy/adventure story in its own right, but will be appreciated most by those who have read or listened to previous volumes.-Sarah Flowers, Santa Clara County Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Gr. 5-8. In the fourth of a projected seven-book series, young Arthur Penhaligon (also known as Lord Arthur, Rightful Heir of the Architect) wants nothing more than to return to his own world. Instead, he is drafted into Sir Thursday's army and led into battle. On the home front, his friend Leaf fights against a stealth invasion. The pace lags initially, but picks up considerably along the way. This isn't for readers unfamiliar with the Keys to the Kingdom series; those kids should begin at the beginning, with Mister Monday (2003). --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2006 Booklist

Horn Book Review

While his friend Leaf attempts to thwart a creature with mind-control powers from taking over his life back home, Arthur is drafted into the army and has his memory erased. Tension builds as plot twists, nerve-racking escapes, and well-thought-out characters vie for control of the giant bureaucracy that controls the universe; the cliffhanger ending will leave readers eagerly wanting more. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.