. In this book, we meet Arthur Penhaligon, a seventh grade student who has just moved to a new school and is asthmatic. During a severe asthma attack, he sees an odd pair of men appear. One of them, Mister Monday, gives him a metal Key shaped like the minute hand of a clock, and disappears. From that point on, Arthur's life becomes irrevocably changed.Using the power of his Key, Arthur enters The House, a conglomeration of buildings that exists in another dimension. There, he discovers the Architect of the Universe has disappeared, and the seven trustees she chose to keep track of everything have been warped by their responsibilities. Mister Monday, the Trustee of the Lower House, has been affected by sloth, and as such, has allowed his portion of the House to become mismanaged and the records he stores disorganized.
While Arthur dodges the minions of Mister Monday, who wants Arthur's portion of the Key back, he meets friends such as Suzy Turquoise Blue, a human girl trapped in the House, and Part One of the Will, a portion of The Will of the Architect which spelled out the duties of the Trustees.
With these two companions, Arthur moves about the House getting closer and closer to Mister Monday in an attempt to wrest away the Hour Hand portion of Monday's Key so that he can take control of the Lower House and force the denizens who live there to leave him alone.
The story, and series, features magic, sword play, the seven deadly sins, time travel, friendship, and the theme of responsibility.
I currently have about 850 books in my possession and can honestly say that this series is one of my favorites. If you enjoy well written fantasy, I think you will find this book a lot of fun.
