SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
Arthur has only one key left and he has become almost completely a denizen-like being. Leaf has to deal with helping those in the hospital that came back through Friday's portal. And Suzy has her own troubles.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Arthur has now become more denizen than human. He doesn't know what his fate will be but seems to be learning to accept no longer being himself.
Suzy has her own story, leading her own army of piper's children. But she doesn't really develop.
Leaf plays her own role, trying to alert the military to the hospital with all of those that came back from Lady Friday's portal. She meet's Arthur's brother.
Lord Sunday doesn't seem to have any sin. I suppose I could have been reading into it (no pun intended) when I gave Superior Saturday the sin of envy. All that was left is lust, but the theme seems to have been abandoned. Perhaps Nix thought the theme would have been too inappropriate for a childrens' book?
The Mariner makes his final return but it was rather underwhelming. His is only in the book for a few pages near the end.
PACING
The story goes to three different perspectives: Arthur's, Leaf's and Suzy's. But I didn't feel like it helped the pacing. I kept feeling like Suzy's story was dragging and although Leaf's was slightly more interesting, I still wanted to get back to Arthur. Basically, the stories didn't feel equally important.
DECEIVED IN THE GARDEN-SPOILERS
I found it interesting that the first place the Architect made was the Incomparable Gardens. So, of course I compared it to the garden of Eden myth. And when Arthur met a piper's child, I thought, wouldn't it be funny if the first being we meet in the garden is a liar? I was amused when it turned out that is was Sunday himself.
Nix seems to draw inspiration from all over the place. After all, it's clear that the Morrow Days each suffered from a deadly sin. Certain aspects seem drawn from Jewish mythology and Christian traditions, while other aspects are clearly inspired from paganism (like the Architect and the Old one having children, resembling the gods and goddesses of pagan mythology).
LORD SUNDAY
Lord Sunday isn't quite so easy to figure out, mainly because he seems to have no sin. It was quite obvious with the others, and was something to be figure out in a mere matter of pages after they were introduced. At our first meeting, he seems commanding. But not necessarily evil and selfish. And later on he even reveals important truths to Arthur.
ARTHUR'S MEMORIES
Arthur realizes he can't remember certain family members' faces. He wonders what else he has still forgotten since he was washed behind the ears. But this is never mentioned again and plays no part in the plot.
LEAF'S STORY-SPOILERS
Leaf spends a short time back in the secondary realms where she meets Arthur's brother. But she ends up back in the house, against her will. Eventually she ends up in a position of power she does not want.
THE ELEPHANT
In “Drowned Wednesday” Arthur finds his old toy elephant, because everything that is lost eventually ends up in the sea in the House. It plays a unique role, holding the last of Arthur's humanity by reminding him of his past. Not only that, but he uses newfound powers to bring it to life and use it as a partner when he is bound.
ARTHUR'S INNER CONFLICT
Arthur does have to deal with his new thoughts and feelings again. Although it's not as overt as in the last book. He does finally realize that he is no longer human, as his appearance has changed completely before the end of the book.
FINDING MOM
We finally find Arthur's mother. But circumstances don't allow us to talk to her. Ever. I felt disappointed and disconnected from everything Arthur.
His family has had basically nothing to do with the story. Even throwing his older brother didn't add anything. Since all Arthur gets is a phone call.
Something that should anchor him to his home and humanity doesn't even have any real feeling of importance.
CLIMAX
The Piper and the Mariner show up. Arthur gets the last key with the help of the will and learns the shocking truth about the architect. He has no choice in what happens next and has no power to stop it. He only has the future and has to decide what to do.
CLUES TO THE TRUTH?
I think there were hints to the truth about who Arthur would become. The Old One hints at it when he says that Arthur isn't becoming just a denizen. But something different.
Although I feel the truth about the killings should have been hinted at. Instead we only get vague feelings of unease when it comes to a certain character that tries to manipulate Arthur.
But mostly I think the climax came out of the blue. I didn't feel like there were any hints about who the Morrow days really were and what they were trying to do. None ever discussed it with Arthur or even hinted at it. Even Sunday doesn't reveal the truth when doing so could have stopped the heir.
CONCLUSION
I didn't expect any character development from Suzy, although I was hoping for it from Arthur. I was actually annoyed by the three separate stories. As far as I was concerned, this was Arthur's story. Leaf and Suzy were side characters. Leaf never had any depth or growth, and Suzy became shallow when she refused to grow.
As for the ending, I can't say it was terrible. It just wasn't what I wanted at all. Perhaps Nix was trying to be clever, to avoid a predictable “happily ever after” ending. But I felt completely disconnected as I read it.
Arthur didn't feel redeemed just resigned to his dismal fate. I think the theme was supposed to be rebirth, but to me it just felt hollow and fake. I give “Lord Sunday” two and half stars.
