Boone Runar: The Master Thief Who Became Lyra's Closest Friend
Overview
Boone Runar is a master thief in the Order of Thieves and a pledge alongside Lyra Keres. From the opening chapters, Lyra secretly admires him while he remains unaware of her crush. Over the course of the Crucible, Boone transforms from a distant figure of admiration into Lyra’s most trusted friend and, ultimately, a god of thieves. His arc is defined by loyalty, calculated risk-taking, and a deep-seated need to protect those he cares about—especially Lyra.
Plot Role
Boone serves as Lyra’s emotional anchor in the mortal world. While Hades represents the divine and the unknown, Boone is familiar ground: a fellow thief who shares her background, understands the Order’s dangers, and offers practical help. He appears in key moments to ground her, provide tools, and remind her of the life she might return to. After Lyra becomes a goddess, she uses her boon to elevate Boone to godhood, making him the first thief to join the pantheon. In the epilogue, he is pulled into Tartarus alongside Lyra, setting up the next conflict.
Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions
Motivations
- Choice over obligation: Boone paid off his family’s debts two years before the story begins, yet he remains in the Order of Thieves by choice. This shows he values the freedom and community of the thieves’ den, not just financial necessity.
- Protectiveness: He sneaks into Lyra’s room in the Underworld to deliver clothes, tools, and his own relic—a risk that could have gotten him killed. He also warns her about the political fallout of her relationship with Hades.
- Loyalty to the underdog: He defends Lyra at the formal dinner when Athena presses her about their relationship, standing up to a goddess on her behalf.
Traits
- Cocky and humorous: Boone uses nicknames like “Lyra-Loo-Hoo” and jokes during dangerous situations. He laughs off Hephaestus’ warnings and calls the automaton tower “omelet’s not terrible.”
- Skilled and resourceful: He steals a phone signal from Felix, picks locks, and uses a helm of Hades to spy on the gods. His reputation as the most talented pledge is acknowledged by Lyra and others.
- Emotionally perceptive: He notices when Lyra is struggling (e.g., avoiding Chance) and calls her out on her denial about the Crucible. He also understands Dex’s motivations before Lyra does.
Chronological Arc
- Early chapters (2, 8): Lyra watches Boone from afar. He fails to notice her during the Crucible opening. Later, he walks her home through the tunnels, showing casual kindness.
- Chapter 21–22: Boone visits Lyra in the Underworld. He brings her gear and his own relic—dragon teeth that summon bone soldiers. He admits he knew about her secret axe for years. This marks the shift from acquaintance to ally.
- Dinner scene (ch69): Lyra introduces Boone as her “friend.” When Athena presses about their relationship, Boone defends her and threatens the goddess. He also reveals his anger at being minimized.
- Spying and kiss (ch70): Using Hades’ helm, Boone and Lyra eavesdrop on the gods. Boone kisses her briefly, calling it a “thank-you for loving me” but clarifies it’s between friends. He then warns her about the danger of being associated with Hades.
- Hephaestus’ Labor (ch74–75): Boone partners with Lyra in the tower challenge. He insists they go together, refusing to let her attempt it alone. They face automated defenses and the ominous warnings “be bold, be bold, but not too bold.”
- Coronation (ch111): Lyra makes Boone a god of thieves. He is now immortal and takes his place among the Olympians.
- Epilogue: Boone grabs Lyra as Pandora’s Box opens, pulling them both into Tartarus. He becomes a key figure in the cliffhanger.
Relationships
Lyra Keres
The central relationship in Boone’s arc. Lyra harbored a secret crush for years, while Boone was oblivious. After the Crucible begins, Boone becomes her most loyal mortal ally. He gives her relics, risks his life to visit her, and stands up for her publicly. The kiss in chapter 70 is chaste and framed as gratitude, but it hints at deeper feelings on both sides. Lyra eventually chooses Hades romantically, but her bond with Boone remains platonic and profound.
Hades
Boone is openly critical of Hades, warning Lyra that there is “no future with him.” He sees the god of death as a threat to her safety and freedom. Despite this, Boone later fights alongside Hades (e.g., in the epilogue). Their relationship is competitive but not hostile after Boone becomes a god.
Other Characters
- Chance: The antagonist within the Order. Chance publicly humiliates Lyra by revealing her crush on Boone. Boone helps Lyra avoid Chance and protects her.
- Felix: A fellow thief who helps Boone sneak into the Underworld. They have an easy camaraderie.
- Other champions: At the dinner, Boone charms the room with stories. He is well-liked and brings levity.
Key Decisions and Consequences
| Decision | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Giving Lyra his lockpicking kit and dragon teeth (ch22) | Equips Lyra for the Labors; cements his commitment to helping her. |
| Insisting on teaming with Lyra in Hephaestus’ Labor (ch74) | Ensures she is not alone; strengthens their partnership. |
| Kissing Lyra as a “thank-you” (ch70) | Clarifies his feelings are friendly but opens a deeper emotional bond. |
| Standing up to Athena at dinner (ch69) | Risks divine retaliation but solidifies his role as Lyra’s defender. |
| Entering Tartarus with Lyra (epilogue) | Traps them both with Cronos, setting up the sequel’s stakes. |
Theme and Symbol Connections
- Trust and Betrayal: Boone’s gift of his personal relics shows total trust in Lyra. He entrusts her with his dragon teeth, his lockpicks, and his secret (that he could have left the Order). Compare with others who withhold information.
- Sacrifice and Redemption: Boone stays in the Order by choice, sacrificing a normal life for the thrill and community. He later sacrifices his safety to help Lyra, and his eventual deification redeems his past as a mere thief.
- Identity and Self-Worth: Boone defines himself by his skills, not his curse (he has none like Lyra). He helps Lyra see her own worth as more than a clerk.
- Power and Divine Games: Boone becomes a god, entering the very system he once opposed. His power shift mirrors the theme of mortals ascending.
- Love and Vulnerability: His kiss and admission of being “not just a friend” reveal vulnerability. He chooses to be honest rather than hide behind cockiness.
Five Book-Specific Questions and Answers
1. Why did Boone give Lyra his dragon teeth relic?
Boone gives Lyra his dragon teeth because he wants her to survive the Crucible. The teeth summon bone soldiers that can protect her. He also gives her his personal lockpicking kit, showing that he trusts her with his most valuable possessions. The gifts mark his shift from casual acquaintance to active supporter.
2. Does Boone ever become a god? If so, how?
Yes. In the coronation scene (chapter 111), Lyra uses her boon as winner of the Crucible to make Boone the god of thieves. He is officially deified and joins Hades’ new pantheon. This happens after Lyra becomes queen of the Underworld.
3. What is Boone’s motivation for staying in the Order of Thieves?
Boone paid off his family’s debts two years before the story begins, but he remains in the Order by choice (chapter 22). He stays because he enjoys the life of a thief and the community. Unlike many pledges, he is not trapped by obligation.
4. Why does Boone kiss Lyra in chapter 70?
Boone kisses Lyra as a “thank-you for loving me” and clarifies that it’s “just between friends.” He describes it as giving her something precious. The kiss is chaste and sweet, not romantic. It shows his gratitude for her long-standing affection and strengthens their bond without changing the platonic nature of their friendship.
5. How does Boone help Lyra during Hephaestus’ Labor?
Boone insists on being Lyra’s partner in the tower challenge, refusing to let her go alone. He provides moral support, physical help, and quick thinking as they navigate the levels. He also uses his thieving skills to spot traps and decode the warnings “be bold, be bold, but not too bold.” Their teamwork gets them through the automaton obstacles.