While Wild Robert seems to be a fairly straightforward story, it is cleverly crafted.

Jones sets the scene clearly in the first chapter, with tight writing that includes essential background about Castlemaine and Robert. She also begins her novel in a realistic setting. This is a technique often used by writers of fantasy (C. S. Lewis in The Chronicles of Narnia, for example) to make magical aspects of the story seem more believable when they appear. By the chapter's end, the startling words compel the reader to continue: "Did somebody call?"

Symbolism, a common technique of fantasy, is important to the introduction of Robert. Jones employs light and dark images to create the appropriate mood for the voice. When Heather reaches Robert's mound, "hidden in the mass of yew trees," she notices filtered light that looks "sort of smoky." When Heather calls out the name "Wild...