Egtverchi is the proverbial firecracker in an anthill; he upends society and precipitates violence. The book also upends typical fantasy tropes like the good/evil duality. A narrative twist in the final pages upends the reader's expectations. Monty Fagan (Johnny Simmons) a pianist, begins a relationship that upends his home life. George's presence upends Lucy's life, and her suppressed feelings for him surface. They return with him to civilization, and his presence further upends conventional thinking.