Loyalty and Family

Throughout A Torch Against the Night, the characters struggle with demonstrating loyalty to each other or to the Empire. In the context of an evil and violent world, where almost no one can be trusted, the characters are often betrayed by those to whom they are loyal. The novel thus raises important questions about the value and cost of loyalty.

This theme is most pronounced for Helene. As Blood Shrike, she must be completely loyal to the Empire and give up her connections to those she loves, such as her family and Elias. This duty is a source of internal conflict for Helene, who is naturally empathetic and struggles to betray her human connections. This conflict is introduced in Helene’s very first sentences in the novel. Even though she is being tortured by the Empire, she recalls her family’s motto: “Loyal to...