Much of The Raven Boys focuses on showing how appearances don’t always tell the true story about someone. What is seen on the surface can be very different from the reality of a person’s life. Through the four boys and Blue’s realizing they aren’t so different from her, the novel explores how what we see isn’t always what we get.

The raven boys demonstrate how appearing put-together doesn’t equate to a perfect life. Specifically, Gansey and Adam outwardly seem to have everything under control, but in reality, both struggle with knowing what’s best. Gansey comes from the quintessential Aglionby home—his father is a politician, and his family is rich beyond measure. However, ever since he nearly died from the hornet attack years ago, Gansey has felt like his wealth means nothing unless he does something meaningful with it. As a result, he feels adrift and wonders if searching for Glendower is worthwhile or just something he does to deal with the guilt he carries for not realizing how much his privilege afforded him until he nearly died. Gansey tries to understand what it’s like to be without such privilege but struggles to do so, and as a result, he comes off as the stereotypically arrogant Aglionby boy when he is anything but.