Point of View

The novel is narrated in third-person past by a narrator who maintains a close focus on the protagonist and hero of the novel, Marra. Because of this close-third narration, the reader only gains access to information when Marra obtains that information. So, the reader does not know the truth about Damia’s death or Kania’s abuse at the hands of the prince until Marra learns this information. In this way, the novel is able to create tension and mystery in the novel.

Although the novel is in third-person, sometimes it ventures so far into Marra’s perspective that her language, humor, and wit is adapted by the narrator. Sometimes, this is indicated with italics, which demonstrate a direct shift into Marra’s perspective, as we see here: “Marra thought of all the stories of exiles returning home, and wondered how many, like Fenris, simply...