Hero Blog: The Keys to the Kingdom

Arthur Penhaligon is the hero in The Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix, who so happens to fit in the monomyth cycle. He almost dies in the very beginning of the series from an asthma attack, but receives the Minute Hand from a stranger which let him live longer. The Minute Hand is an elixir for it is an object with a healing ability. An elixir is not the only part of the monomyth cycle though. In his travels in another realm, he meets a girl with the name Suzy Turquoise Blue who helps him navigate around the realm. Suzy is a helper because she is loyal and helps Arthur out quite often. Many monsters come after Arthur at his school and he has to defend himself. This ordeal is crossing the threshold because the monsters make him aware of an adventure. The monomyth cycle applies to Arthur like Sigurd and Theseus, the heroes we have read about.