Lady Friday (Keys to the Kingdom)--Garth Nix

Title: Lady Friday
Author: Garth Nix
Pages: 304 p.
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9780439700887

I did not want to read this book. This might be surprising to those of you who have read my love letters reviews of the rest of the series (Mister Monday; Grim Tuesday; Drowned Wednesday; Sir Thursday ). Of course I *wanted* to read the book. I just didn't want to read it now--I thought I would read it while in labor and it would get me through it because I love this series so much. And then I started thinking what if I start it and then labor is really quick and I don't finish it and you know I'm not going to have the time once baby #2 is born. And that would be horrible! So I had to read it right away.

I'm going to spare you the summary of the series. Partly because you should just read the former reviews and partly because I'm not in the mood for intelligent coherent sentences.

In Lady Friday, the fifth book of the series, Arthur must find the 5th key and the 5th part of the will. Lady Friday has given him, the Piper and Superior Saturday the chance to find the 5th key by abdicating her control. Of course Arthur smells a rat and doesn't trust her "abdication." He decides to look for the will first and use the will to help him locate the key. Along the way he meets up with his old friends Suzy Turquoise Blue and Fred Initial Numbers Gold.

Once again Arthur's story is alternated with Leaf's. After defeating the spirit-eater from Sir Thursday she is hospitalized on Earth. Unfortunately for her the hospital is run by "Dr. Friday." Leaf is kidnapped by Dr. Lady Friday and transferred to one of the second realms. She learns of Lady Friday's unusual addiction and tries to battle her and get in touch with Arthur.

Fans of the series will not be disappointed in this latest installment. We know by now that of course Arthur will find the will and the key. He is the rightful heir. But will he use the keys? Will he sacrifice his humanity to save his Denizen friends? How far will he go to do the right thing?

In my last review (of Sir Thursday) I mentioned the previous trustees as having characteristics of the 7 deadly sins. Mister Monday--Sloth; Grim Tuesday--Avarice; Drowned Wednesday--Gluttony. I think those are the only ones that are really clear-cut. I'm not sure where Sir Thursday fits in. We've got Lust, Wrath, Envy and Pride left. Sir Thursday could fit Wrath--he did command an army. Lady Friday could fit Lust if you expand the definition to more than just sexual lust. She could also fit Envy--she was jealous of humans and their ability to sleep and dream and be mortal. I'm curious to see if I'm the only one who can see the connection... anyone else out there have any ideas?

Edited 5/14 3:3o pm: Ha! So I'm not reading too much into it! According to wikipedia (which we all know is the source of all knowledge), Lady Friday is afflicted with Lust. Ha ha! And yes, Sir Thursday is wrath. I didn't read any of this before I wrote my reviews. So of course now I'm wondering if the entire world is so much smarter than me. Sigh.
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