House of Sky and Breath

The plot of the novel focuses on an underground rebellion dependent on information gathered from spies and double-agents. Though many of Bryce and Hunt’s old and new acquaintances are secretly working for the rebellion, the protagonists do not see this as they are bound by the limits of their own prejudices and presumptions. In fact, almost all of the main characters are limited by their presumptions in many ways, which leads to misreading and underestimating people. While most people underestimate Bryce because she is a gregarious and beautiful woman, she also tends to misread people, such as her own best friend Danika. The many reveals about Danika shake up Bryce as she realizes that she let many things about Danika slip, such as the fact that Danika stopped dating for two years before her death.

Hunt also makes presumptions based on superficial information, such as when he refuses to consider that Baxian might have changed. Baxian points this out when he tells Hunt: “You never asked me why I was in her triarii, you know. Not once, in all these decades. You’re like that with everyone, Athalar. Surface level” (164). Hunt does not believe that, like him, Baxian could have been forced into Sandriel’s triarii, neither does he entertain the notion that, like him, Baxian might have changed because he found love.

The novel also contains multiple examples of prejudice. The class-divided society of Midgard is deeply prejudiced on account of gender, house, and species. There are derogatory terms used toward mer, wolf shifters, and women. The Fae dislike angels and shifters and vice versa. These presumptions and prejudices prevent various factions from understanding each other’s points of view and instead help the ruling-class Asteri stay on top. Significantly, it is when the various factions unite, such as in the quest for Sofie and Emile, that the mission begins to gain traction. Bryce, Ruhn, and Cormac (Fae) work with Hunt (angel), Ithan (wolf-shifter), and Tharion (mer) to gain answers. Along the way they seek the help of Hypaxia, a necromancer witch, and the object of their search are humans. Thus, the novel emphasizes the importance of shedding prejudices and coming together for the larger good.

The novel also uses the theme of prejudice to question privilege and entitlement. It is presumed a rich prince like Ruhn cannot have any difficulties, while Bryce knows that lamenting over her Starborn princess status will win her no sympathy. Characters who have experienced prejudice from the highborn Fae presume many things about them as well, which is natural. Day assumes Ruhn has had an easy life, which is partially true. Ruhn, on the other hand, can afford to be flippant about everything to Day, as he presumes her life is similar. His privilege is the source of his presumptuousness.