297:. Leaf infiltrates the hospital, seeking to obtain and destroy the magical object used to create the Skinless Boy: a pocket torn from one of Arthur's shirts. She succeeds, but is infected by the fungus in the process. She then leaves the hospital, only to find that the entrance to the House has appeared above it and cannot be reached from the ground. With the help of a retired pharmacist named Sylvie, Leaf makes her way to Arthur's house where she uses a special telephone to contact Arthur's friends and get help, just as the fungus gains full control of her body.
375:, readers are also introduced to the power issues that Arthur begins to struggle with – his natural compassion and desire for fairness and kindness, against the characteristics displayed by Dame Primus and other House creatures, and the influence of the 'Keys', the powerful magical objects that he acquires throughout the series. In addition, the idea of Arthur losing his mortality by use of the Keys is further explored, with Arthur often choosing to refrain from using the Key – and the power it represents – to ensure he remains human.
301:
destroys the weapon by throwing the pocket into it, simultaneously destroying the
Skinless Boy. As Arthur escapes from the Piper with Sir Thursday, he distracts Thursday enough for the fourth part of the Will to break free, whereupon it makes Arthur the owner of the fourth Key and commander of the army. With help from Dame Primus and others from the parts of the House already under his control, Arthur defeats the army of the Piper.
300:
Arthur's House ally Suzy arrives and takes the pocket to the House. There, she finds Arthur and Fred, and joins them in a raid led by Sir
Thursday to find and destroy the New Nithlings' weapon, which is preventing the mechanical floor of the Great Maze from being used to the army's advantage. Arthur
258:
Arthur
Penhaligon is a young boy who has gotten involved with the 'House', a magical world. This world comprises seven parts, each containing a 'Key' (powerful magical objects) and a part of the 'Will' (a being that holds the wish of the absent 'Architect'), under control of a villainous 'Trustee'.
244:
continues from the preceding book, following the adventures of a boy named Arthur as he attempts to claim mastership of the fourth part of a magical world. As with the other books in the series, the theme of 'seven' is prevalent, along with the themes of sin and virtue. The book received generally
277:
His steward Dame Primus then informs him that two
Trustees Arthur previously defeated have been assassinated. Moments later, he is drafted into the army and is sent to fight in the chessboard-like fourth part of the House, called the 'Great Maze'. Also arrived recently is a boy named Fred, who
410:
also extensively praised the book, saying "Reluctant or 'hard to fit' readers will find this series enjoyable, as Nix is able to create vivid pictures in the minds of his readers. Fans of the fantasy genre will appreciate these books for their strong continuity, believable characters, and
329:
Dame Primus – Arthur's steward, the humanlike form of the three parts of the 'Will' that Arthur has freed in the preceding books. She is portrayed as caring little for others, becoming easily annoyed if they seem to be slowing the process of restoring the
285:
While in the army, Arthur's memory is wiped. One month later and during the first battle against the Piper's army, Arthur begins to recall his identity. The entirety of it is recovered later in the book when an officer mentions his name and title.
378:
The book also loosely explores the dangers of anger, and actions taken in anger. It is only Sir
Thursday's loss of control and subsequent murder of two people that allows Arthur to gain control of the fourth Key, assisted by Thursday's servants.
304:
On Earth, Leaf wakes up in a hospital a week after the
Skinless Boy was defeated. She soon learns from a nurse that the Grayspot has disappeared and that Lady Friday, another Trustee, has become a doctor on Earth.
270:
The book begins with Arthur and his friend Leaf attempting to return to Earth after their adventures. While Leaf is able to pass through the front door and return to Earth, the presence of a magical
418:
summarises all the comments, saying that "the events move a little slower than in previous installments..." – and the difficulty in entering the series without reading all the previous books first:
293:
extraterrestrial life-form which allows him to read and eventually control their thoughts and actions. This fungus is mistaken for a biological weapon, and the hospital is put under
29:
974:
426:
also criticised the repetition of previous content, saying there is "..entirely too much front matter sags with the necessity of replaying earlier story lines."
326:, who was chosen to take back the magical world called the 'House'. Arthur shows a strong sense of right and wrong, as well as a reliance on friends and allies.
289:
On Earth, Arthur's double, known as the 'Skinless Boy', has thrown a hospital near Arthur's home into panic by infecting staff and patients with a
645:
1154:
778:
805:
629:
604:
579:
554:
529:
504:
333:
Sir
Thursday – the ruler of the fourth part of the 'House', a military person who believes in order and control.
157:
402:
says that the book "..is well written, action packed, imaginative, and full of quirky memorable characters...", and
278:
becomes his friend. The leader of the army is the fourth
Trustee, Sir Thursday. The army is currently involved in a
1144:
414:
The book did, however, receive consistent criticism. The most common complaint was on the speed of the plot – the
968:
452:
1065:
1159:
1149:
355:
The Piper – a powerful inhabitant of the House who also seeks to claim the fourth part of the House.
422:
simply says "readers attempting to enter the series through this volume are likely to be quickly lost."
364:
As with the previous books in the series, the themes of seven, sin and virtue are prevalent throughout
670:
352:
Fred
Initials Numbers Gold – a House inhabitant who provides Arthur with information and support.
905:
398:
823:
798:
236:
70:
1114:
339:
Suzy
Turquoise Blue – Suzy Turquoise Blue is another friend of Arthur, a House inhabitant.
748:
411:
edge-of-your-seat-action. This offering complements the series' well-established structure."
1139:
1008:
396:
In particular, the book was praised for its originality, intricacy, action and characters.
387:
The book received generally favourable reviews. It is ranked 4 stars by Amazon users, and
8:
1106:
1048:
1040:
791:
245:
favourable critical response, but was criticised for a slow pace, among other issues.
991:
880:
856:
625:
600:
575:
550:
525:
500:
448:
279:
194:
164:
152:
178:
95:
90:
60:
772:
474:
271:
1032:
1016:
274:
of Arthur prevents him from doing so, and he is forced to remain in the House.
1133:
840:
223:
100:
262:
In the preceding three books, Arthur has captured three parts of the House.
1098:
848:
368:
providing the personality characteristics for many of the main characters.
888:
872:
227:
207:
171:
294:
259:
Arthur is on a quest to defeat the 'Trustees' and fulfill the 'Will'.
814:
389:
282:
against the powerful 'Piper', who is trying to claim the fourth Key.
231:
136:
132:
121:
42:
938:
319:
Arthur Penhaligon – the protagonist of the book, Arthur is a
922:
80:
930:
393:
stated "Nix's imagination is matched only by his prose style."
323:
290:
28:
724:
1024:
320:
165:
783:
52:
Sandra Nobes/Hofstede Design (paperback, Allen & Unwin)
179:
349:
Part Four of the Will – takes the form of a snake.
336:
Leaf – Leaf is one of Arthur's few human friends.
624:. Great Britain: HarperCollins. pp. 370–377.
599:. Great Britain: HarperCollins. pp. 373–376.
574:. Great Britain: HarperCollins. pp. 55, 56.
1131:
638:
719:
717:
799:
549:. Great Britain: HarperCollins. p. 394.
499:. Great Britain: HarperCollins. p. 408.
406:agrees that "It is a readable choice..." The
714:
524:. Great Britain: HarperCollins. p. 57.
472:
468:
466:
464:
806:
792:
27:
461:
693:
691:
1132:
743:
741:
234:. It is the fourth book in the series
1000:
832:
787:
779:Internet Speculative Fiction Database
382:
697:
688:
738:
619:
594:
569:
544:
519:
494:
442:
343:
313:
13:
240:, and was released in March 2006.
14:
1171:
766:
663:
613:
588:
563:
538:
513:
488:
473:R. J. Carter (25 March 2006).
436:
1:
813:
429:
308:
253:
671:"Amazon Product Description"
7:
443:Nix, Garth (1 March 2006).
248:
10:
1176:
1155:Children's fantasy novels
1090:
1063:
989:
961:
914:
903:
821:
359:
202:
189:
177:
163:
151:
143:
127:
117:
107:
86:
76:
66:
56:
48:
38:
26:
749:"School Library Journal"
33:First Australian edition
1145:The Keys to the Kingdom
824:The Keys to the Kingdom
725:"Children's Literature"
698:Levy, Michael (2006). "
445:Amazon.com Book Details
265:
237:The Keys to the Kingdom
71:The Keys to the Kingdom
1115:A Confusion of Princes
646:"Amazon.co.uk Reviews"
416:School Library Journal
408:School Library Journal
777:title listing at the
424:Children's Literature
404:Children's Literature
91:Scholastic Paperbacks
1160:2006 fantasy novels
1150:Novels by Garth Nix
1049:The Violet Keystone
620:Nix, Garth (2006).
595:Nix, Garth (2006).
570:Nix, Garth (2006).
545:Nix, Garth (2006).
520:Nix, Garth (2006).
495:Nix, Garth (2006).
23:
969:List of characters
383:Critical reception
21:
16:Novel by Garth Nix
1125:
1124:
1059:
1058:
992:The Seventh Tower
985:
984:
978:(2006 collection)
899:
898:
881:Superior Saturday
857:Drowned Wednesday
222:is a young adult
215:
214:
195:Drowned Wednesday
185:PZ7.N647 Sir 2006
118:Publication place
96:Allen & Unwin
49:Cover artist
1167:
1107:Shade's Children
998:
997:
912:
911:
830:
829:
808:
801:
794:
785:
784:
760:
759:
757:
755:
745:
736:
735:
733:
731:
721:
712:
711:
695:
686:
685:
683:
681:
667:
661:
660:
658:
656:
642:
636:
635:
617:
611:
610:
592:
586:
585:
567:
561:
560:
542:
536:
535:
517:
511:
510:
492:
486:
485:
483:
481:
470:
459:
458:
440:
344:Minor characters
314:Major characters
203:Followed by
190:Preceded by
181:
167:
109:Publication date
31:
24:
20:
1175:
1174:
1170:
1169:
1168:
1166:
1165:
1164:
1130:
1129:
1126:
1121:
1086:
1075:Troubletwisters
1066:Troubletwisters
1055:
981:
975:Across the Wall
957:
895:
817:
812:
769:
764:
763:
753:
751:
747:
746:
739:
729:
727:
723:
722:
715:
702:by Garth Nix".
696:
689:
679:
677:
669:
668:
664:
654:
652:
644:
643:
639:
632:
618:
614:
607:
593:
589:
582:
568:
564:
557:
543:
539:
532:
518:
514:
507:
493:
489:
479:
477:
471:
462:
455:
441:
437:
432:
385:
362:
346:
316:
311:
268:
256:
251:
128:Media type
110:
99:
94:
34:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1173:
1163:
1162:
1157:
1152:
1147:
1142:
1123:
1122:
1120:
1119:
1111:
1103:
1094:
1092:
1088:
1087:
1085:
1084:
1078:
1071:
1069:
1061:
1060:
1057:
1056:
1054:
1053:
1045:
1037:
1033:Above the Veil
1029:
1021:
1013:
1004:
1002:
995:
987:
986:
983:
982:
980:
979:
971:
965:
963:
959:
958:
956:
955:
949:
943:
935:
927:
918:
916:
909:
901:
900:
897:
896:
894:
893:
885:
877:
869:
861:
853:
845:
836:
834:
827:
819:
818:
811:
810:
803:
796:
788:
782:
781:
768:
767:External links
765:
762:
761:
737:
713:
687:
662:
637:
630:
612:
605:
587:
580:
562:
555:
537:
530:
512:
505:
487:
460:
453:
434:
433:
431:
428:
384:
381:
361:
358:
357:
356:
353:
350:
345:
342:
341:
340:
337:
334:
331:
327:
315:
312:
310:
307:
267:
264:
255:
252:
250:
247:
213:
212:
204:
200:
199:
191:
187:
186:
183:
175:
174:
169:
161:
160:
155:
149:
148:
145:
141:
140:
129:
125:
124:
119:
115:
114:
111:
108:
105:
104:
88:
84:
83:
78:
74:
73:
68:
64:
63:
58:
54:
53:
50:
46:
45:
40:
36:
35:
32:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1172:
1161:
1158:
1156:
1153:
1151:
1148:
1146:
1143:
1141:
1138:
1137:
1135:
1128:
1117:
1116:
1112:
1109:
1108:
1104:
1101:
1100:
1096:
1095:
1093:
1089:
1082:
1079:
1076:
1073:
1072:
1070:
1068:
1067:
1062:
1051:
1050:
1046:
1043:
1042:
1038:
1035:
1034:
1030:
1027:
1026:
1022:
1019:
1018:
1014:
1011:
1010:
1006:
1005:
1003:
999:
996:
994:
993:
988:
977:
976:
972:
970:
967:
966:
964:
960:
953:
950:
947:
944:
941:
940:
936:
933:
932:
928:
925:
924:
920:
919:
917:
913:
910:
908:
907:
902:
891:
890:
886:
883:
882:
878:
875:
874:
870:
867:
866:
862:
859:
858:
854:
851:
850:
846:
843:
842:
841:Mister Monday
838:
837:
835:
831:
828:
826:
825:
820:
816:
809:
804:
802:
797:
795:
790:
789:
786:
780:
776:
775:
771:
770:
750:
744:
742:
726:
720:
718:
709:
705:
701:
694:
692:
676:
672:
666:
651:
647:
641:
633:
631:0-00-717507-8
627:
623:
616:
608:
606:0-00-717507-8
602:
598:
591:
583:
581:0-00-717507-8
577:
573:
566:
558:
556:0-00-717507-8
552:
548:
541:
533:
531:0-00-717507-8
527:
523:
516:
508:
506:0-00-717507-8
502:
498:
491:
476:
469:
467:
465:
456:
450:
446:
439:
435:
427:
425:
421:
417:
412:
409:
405:
401:
400:
394:
392:
391:
380:
376:
374:
369:
367:
354:
351:
348:
347:
338:
335:
332:
328:
325:
322:
318:
317:
306:
302:
298:
296:
292:
287:
283:
281:
275:
273:
263:
260:
246:
243:
239:
238:
233:
229:
225:
224:fantasy novel
221:
220:
211:
209:
205:
201:
198:
196:
192:
188:
184:
182:
180:LC Class
176:
173:
170:
168:
162:
159:
158:0-439-70087-6
156:
154:
150:
146:
142:
138:
134:
130:
126:
123:
120:
116:
112:
106:
102:
101:HarperCollins
97:
92:
89:
85:
82:
79:
75:
72:
69:
65:
62:
59:
55:
51:
47:
44:
41:
37:
30:
25:
22:Sir Thursday
19:
1127:
1113:
1105:
1099:The Ragwitch
1097:
1080:
1074:
1064:
1047:
1039:
1031:
1023:
1015:
1007:
990:
973:
951:
945:
937:
929:
921:
904:
887:
879:
871:
865:Sir Thursday
864:
863:
855:
849:Grim Tuesday
847:
839:
822:
774:Sir Thursday
773:
752:. Retrieved
728:. Retrieved
707:
703:
700:Sir Thursday
699:
678:. Retrieved
674:
665:
653:. Retrieved
649:
640:
622:Sir Thursday
621:
615:
597:Sir Thursday
596:
590:
572:Sir Thursday
571:
565:
547:Sir Thursday
546:
540:
522:Sir Thursday
521:
515:
497:Sir Thursday
496:
490:
480:27 September
478:. Retrieved
475:"The Trades"
444:
438:
423:
419:
415:
413:
407:
403:
397:
395:
388:
386:
377:
373:Sir Thursday
372:
370:
366:Sir Thursday
365:
363:
303:
299:
288:
284:
276:
272:doppelgänger
269:
261:
257:
242:Sir Thursday
241:
235:
219:Sir Thursday
218:
217:
216:
206:
193:
113:1 March 2006
18:
1140:2006 novels
1091:Other books
1081:The Monster
1041:Into Battle
906:Old Kingdom
889:Lord Sunday
873:Lady Friday
226:written by
208:Lady Friday
1134:Categories
952:Goldenhand
730:30 October
454:0439700876
430:References
309:Characters
295:quarantine
254:Background
228:Australian
815:Garth Nix
675:Amazon UK
650:Amazon UK
390:The Times
324:asthmatic
232:Garth Nix
137:hardcover
133:paperback
122:Australia
87:Publisher
43:Garth Nix
1009:The Fall
939:Abhorsen
280:campaign
249:Synopsis
172:61229579
57:Language
962:Related
946:Clariel
923:Sabriel
230:author
131:Print (
81:Fantasy
61:English
1118:(2012)
1110:(1997)
1102:(1990)
1083:(2012)
1077:(2011)
1052:(2001)
1044:(2001)
1036:(2001)
1028:(2001)
1020:(2000)
1017:Castle
1012:(2000)
1001:Novels
954:(2016)
948:(2014)
942:(2003)
934:(2001)
931:Lirael
926:(1995)
915:Novels
892:(2010)
884:(2008)
876:(2007)
868:(2006)
860:(2005)
852:(2004)
844:(2003)
833:Novels
754:17 May
680:17 May
655:17 May
628:
603:
578:
553:
528:
503:
451:
360:Themes
330:House.
291:fungal
210:
197:
135:&
67:Series
39:Author
1025:Aenir
321:human
144:Pages
98:(AUS)
77:Genre
756:2009
732:2009
710:(1).
704:VOYA
682:2009
657:2009
626:ISBN
601:ISBN
576:ISBN
551:ISBN
526:ISBN
501:ISBN
482:2008
449:ISBN
420:VOYA
399:VOYA
266:Plot
166:OCLC
153:ISBN
103:(UK)
93:(US)
371:In
147:427
1136::
740:^
716:^
708:30
706:.
690:^
673:.
648:.
463:^
447:.
807:e
800:t
793:v
758:.
734:.
684:.
659:.
634:.
609:.
584:.
559:.
534:.
509:.
484:.
457:.
139:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.