A slight lull in a usually amazing series - Rated 
Barcode: 9780007175093
So, we had the series kicking off to a great start with Mister Monday before confirming its amazingness with the awesome Grim Tuesday (still the best one in my opinion) and adding a new depth and maturity in Drowned Wednesday. But with Lady Friday we have something of an enigma. It is still the same series we know and love, still the same characters and overall feel... but somehow, the energy and pace that made the other books such a joy to read isn't present as much here.
There is still plenty to enjoy here though, by the time you get to the middle of the book where Arthur is well stuck in to the conflict between the various factions and Denizens of the Middle House, things perk up and the 5th part of the Will and the welcome return of the Mariner in particular add a much needed solidity to the events. For that reason, even though it didn't grip me as much as the rest of the series, I'm still going to give this book five stars as taking it more on its own it still holds a great capacity to entertain, Garth Nix's imagination and writing still on top form as he picks out the weird mechanics of the Paper Pushers and the Winged Servants of Night among other things.
The book overall has grander scale than the previous ones which actually gives it a lot of substance, well thought out and while the chapters alternate, sometimes slightly confusingly between Arthur and Leaf, Nix ensures that both are treated with equal respect and attention. Later on, the way Friday's experience draining capabilities and her barren crater of a home are described sees the series taking a more chilling route and if weren't for the ease at which Friday is eventually defeated, this would add real gravitas to this novel.
The Piper is a thoroughly threatening menace lurking in the background of the novel as does the theme that Arthur must avoid using too much magic or he will turn into a Denizen forever.
Ultimately, if you're reading the series, Lady Friday is an essential link in the chain and there are enough moments of that fantastical wonderfulness that we have come to expect from Nix to make it memorable. And with two more books to go in the series, things look promising - I can't wait for Superior Saturday!
Lady Friday - Rated 
I have been a huge fan of this magical series by Garth Nix. Where as this series doesn't deliver the precision seen in the Abhorsen series; Nix is able to focus more on a light hearted teenage adventure about a boy with the power to become the heir to a magical kingdom.
Mister Monday, Grim Tuesday and Drowned Wednesday were 3 great books, combining a wonderful magic element of power and love to the books. They were a joy to read. Sir Thursday was intriguing but not as powerful as the other 3. Likewise Lady Friday fails to pack the punch of the first 3.
It's a very slow moving novel, focusing more on technicalities rather than the adventure with the characters all trying to find solutions to problems rather than being involved in adventures like in the other books.
However Nix writes with such an energetic style that the book is just a joy to read anyway. I must say that one particular scene towards the end was very tense.
I'm looking forward to the upcoming Superior Saturday next year and hopefully there will be more adventure and action to engage and surprise the readers.
You must read the books from the very beginning as they are brilliant.
7/10
lady friday taking a back seat on this one - Rated
for once the rtusste is fighting bk the main fight is between lord sturday and the piper great book though it twistss and turn though out the house great side plot with that lass whose name escapes me :P
Roll on Saturday - Rated
Whilst I adore Garth Nix fantastic and boundless imagination, I find myself more and more skimming to get to the end of the books. I am a bit bored by the whole "want to go home, cant get home, must find key, must free will blah blah thingummy" Its a shame there are 7 days in a week because frankly I just want to know what the heck is going to happen.
Where and who is the architect.
What will happen when the will is whole again.
What will happen to Arther. Surely he will be a full denizen by the end.
And so on and so forth.
I really feel like we're killing time til Sunday.
Hurry up Garth, we need to know stuff!
However, despite my rambling and grumbling. I love these books and would recomend them. Just a pity its going to take 7 days to save the universe rather than a long weekend!
"On the fifth day there was fear..." - Rated 
As Keys to the Kingdom fans will already know, the trustees all embody a deadly sin and the part of the will they have locked up embodies a cardinal or theological virtue. This has always been a really interesting aspect of the books for me and Lady Friday does not disappoint in this respect. Lady Friday's Sin is Lust and the Will's Virtue is Temperance. That is the idea driving a lot of Lady Friday's actions... she constantly lusts after the experiences of aged humans and kidnaps them from the hospital Arthur's mother works at. This idea really sets the plot.
The four parts of the will which make up Dame Primus have become cantankerous and vengeful. Superior Saturday is really trying to extend her power, the fact that she seems to have a constant shadow over events seems to indicate that she'll play an important role in the upcoming books. This book isn't as eventful as the previous four but it really is because it is the "middle book" in a sense. This is the book that has to set the events; it has to start themes and gets the plot really cooking. But this is what is so great about the book, when you finish reading it, you're left with questions.
I know some people have complained the characters aren't as developed and that Lady Friday isn't as explored as the other trustees but I disagree. The fact that Lady Friday acts the way she does (I'm refraining from giving the plot away) indicates much a about her character, and her lust for experiences also demonstrates the way her mind works in terms of morals etc.
I love Suzy in this book as always, she really adds humour to the darkest of situations. Hopefully in Superior Saturday the fifth part of the will would have balanced Dame Primus... but in this book I have to admit you start asking yourself why Arthur doesn't just destroy it somehow because Dame Primus really grates on your nerves.
|
