In particular, the novel explores the themes common to young adult fiction, such as adult authority and the transition from childhood to maturity, as well as such broader motifs as the place of violence and social structures within a post-apocalyptic society.
Romanen udforsker temaer som er fælles for ung voksen-fiktion, såsom voksen myndighed og overgangen fra barndom til modenhed, samt bredere motiver, såsom vold og sociale strukturer inden for et post-apokalyptisk samfund.