The motif of darkness and light sets up Grim’s position among the other rulers, three of whom serve realms named for celestial objects: Sunling, Moonling, and Starling. The other realms’ powers are not destructive: They create gold, manipulate water, and shower sparks. But one of Grim’s powers brings instant death to anything it touches, leaving grass and trees in ashes. His land, Nightshade, has been at war with Lightlark for centuries. Thus, Grim is judged by the other rulers as wicked and a “monster.”

The oppositional relationship between darkness and light sharpens the romantic rivalry between Grim and Oro. Both men look like the force their realm is named for. Grim is dark-haired, with eyes described as “galactic black holes” (36), while Oro is fair, with golden hair and amber eyes. Grim speaks enigmatically, while Oro is blunt. For Isla, these qualities are neutral; she is more interested in evaluating her interactions with each man rather than judging them by their appearance or reputation. In the end, the fact that Grim has lied to her while Oro has been truthful is the deciding factor in her choice.

Grim’s lies do not make darkness inherently bad, though.