Point of View

The book is written from the perspective of several characters at different times. For example, Bill Smithback serves as the perspective when he is in the tunnels with Duffy, Waxie, and the other officers. The reader continues to see the action through Smithback's perspective until he encounters Margo's group, also in the tunnels. At that point, the perspective changes to that of Margo, though Smithback remains a part of the coming events. The changing of character perspective may be distracting to some readers but is overall an effective way of presenting the information.

The fact that various characters are used as the main perspective probably means that readers will tend to identify with those characters over others. This may also give a clue to the reader that these characters are not "expendable," and will survive their ordeals.

Setting

The book is set in modern day New...