Overcoming Limitations
Violet Sorrengail, the book’s spunky protagonist, was born with a medical condition that makes her extremely susceptible to physical injury. Her bones can be broken much easier than the bones of almost everyone around her. In addition, her ligaments are likewise more susceptible to causing joint pain. In fact, Violet lives a life that is pretty much chronically painful. This way of life is therefore quite obviously not conducive to becoming a military hero capable of saving civilizations. The story explores themes related to overcoming physical limitations as well as the mental and emotional consequences of dealing with those limitations.
Self-Esteem
Key to either overcoming or giving in to limitations of any sort is the state of one’s mind toward self-esteem. As the story opens, Violet’s state of mind is in a dark place. In fact, it is much darker than simple low self-esteem. Violet’s perspective is outright nihilistic toward not only her own future but the future of her world. She is introduced as a figure wallowing in self-pity and self-doubt but turning it outward into a mindset that rejects any possible solutions as possible due to her physical frailties. Over the course of the story, the book pursues themes related to the way that one looks at oneself as being integral to changing how others see them.
The Corruption of Patriotism
This is basically a war novel dressed up as a dragons and dungeons fantasy. The story of Violet’s overcoming her limitations to reveal herself a true hero is set within a war in which things are murkier than they seem. Violet comes to learn the truth about the inextricable tie between corrupt political ambition and the pumping up of public support toward the necessity for war. War is centered as the only possible means by which problems and conflicts can be solved when in reality there are far less patriotic motivations at work. As Violet comes to a better understanding of the political machinations behind her rise to hero status she also changes her perspective toward the enemy she is battling. In fact, she even comes to question which side is the real enemy of the oppressed people for whom she has been fighting.
