Arthur Penhaligon (and that just has to be a reference to the Arthurian legend) is just an average kid with bad asthma, until he has an attack that nearly kills him and suddenly finds himself a big player in a world that exists outside reality as he knows it. Arthur's Earth is one set in the future to begin with, which is a bit hard to follow through his reflections on previous events, but it gets even more confusing when he receives on of the Keys and finds the House that is a gateway to another world/time/reality. Time moves differently there and the laws of nature/physics mean nothing. In fact, Nothing pays a large role in the story, the substance out of which many things, good and bad can be created. The Architect (the creator of everything) left a long time ago, but she left instructions as to how things were to be run, a sentient Will. But the trustees defied it and set out to do things their own way. So now it's up to Arthur to set things to right. The Will is going to find a way, and that way is Arthur. The descriptions of Arthur's travels through the House are both interesting and highly confusing at times. I had to reread a few parts more than once to figure out what was going on. You do, eventually, get used to it, but it takes a long while and I felt a bit lost for half of the book. The Stairway was one of the better touches, I thought, those glimpses into the past. Suzy is an excellent character, a good partner/guide for Arthur and the best friend he could have in this world. I, like other reviewers, though, wish that a lot more had been done with Leaf and her brother Ed. The way they were introduced led me to believe that they'd play a much bigger role, as would Arthur's world, neither of which happened. The character development is very slim, too. Much more attention is paid to plot development, which, while nice, is only one half a needed whole. I'm hoping that the second book will take the time to flesh the characters out a bit
But the trustees defied it and set out to do things their own way