Isolation

Isolation is a main theme that many of the characters have to confront. Both Felix and Mildmay are loners before they meet each other. Felix has Shannon, but he has never shared the truth of his past with him. Felix isolates himself from the rest of the world because he lives in shame of his background. Mildmay is less isolated, because he has friends that he grew up with. However, he lives alone and works alone. He doesn't realize until Ginevra's death how much of a loner he is. Isolation is combatted with the intimacy that develops between Mildmay and Felix.

Manipulation

Because politics and power are so central to the plot, manipulation is a theme woven into each of the relationships. The most prominent and destructive relationship is that between Felix and Malkar. Malkar doesn't manipulate simply for power. He does it because he enjoys twisting reality...