The world of Midgard is deeply hierarchical, and like most hierarchical societies in the real world, it draws its authority from official, unquestioned history. Historical narratives give the Asteri authenticity and authority: According to history, the Asteri are living stars, therefore, the Asteri are above every other being and meant to be obeyed. Another official narrative is that the shifters are different from the Fae, even though they also possess magical abilities and skills, such as Mordoc's and Danika’s gifts for sniffing out bloodlines. Such is the power of official narrative that people do not question its flaws and plot holes. For instance, most people in House of Sky and Breath do not ask where the Asteri came from. Even the people who guess at these facts stay quiet out of fear or are forced into silence, such as in Danika's case.

The novel shows how the "truth" might be a lie manufactured to maintain a certain system. For instance, in the Bone Quarter, the Under-King tells Bryce that the Sleeping City is a lie meant to comfort folk, “one for your benefit” (336). The comforting lie of the afterlife prevents people from questioning where the dead go.