The release date for the English version of 'Mister Monday' by
Garth Nix is May 2006. If you enjoy this novel, it is available for buy as a paperback from Barnes & Noble or Indigo, as an ebook on the Amazon Kindle store, or as an audiobook on Audible.
The first few days at Arthur Penhaligon's new school are not good, especially when a cunning Mister Monday shows up, gives Arthur a magical clock hand, and then gives his team of dog-faced minions instructions to pursue Arthur about and retrieve it. However, the perplexed and inquisitive young man chooses to enter an unearthly home in an attempt to halt the unknown illness from spreading across the neighborhood. Arthur discovers that he has been chosen as the Rightful Heir to the House and that he has to get the other half of the clock hand in order to fight Monday after encountering Suzy Blue and the first portion of "the Will," a creature that resembles a frog and knows everything about the House. That entails navigating the Dayroom itself after overcoming Monday's goons. Luckily, Arthur is up to the task, but as he discovers, his struggle seems to be far from over.
Nix's Keys to the Kingdom debut has a weapon-wielding hero and a villain who makes Mondays even more unpleasant. It's an inventive and compelling story. Nix maintains the tension throughout the book, even after an intense action-packed crescendo in the middle of the novel when Arthur finally discovers his fate. You may be exhausted by the end from all the wonderful explanations, but you will be eager to see what more is in store.