One of the most important themes in this novel focuses on appearances versus reality. This theme recurs with several characters throughout the novel, each of whom have their own facades and reasons for upholding them. Ben was forced into his deception; Alexander seeks regard and respect through dishonesty; Professor Crandall wants people to underestimate him; and Murray wants to appear harmless to conceal his devious works. In contrast, Ben and other characters discuss the possibility of Chip putting up a façade of incompetence to hide his skill and threat level, but he turns out to be a straightforward character.

This theme is discussed explicitly at several points in the novel. An early example of appearances versus reality being highlighted is through Zoe’s coining of the nickname “Smokescreen” for Ben. Ben explains: “After witnessing my quick defeat by the ninjas, she’d proclaimed to anyone who’d listen that I’d merely faked the loss. It was a smoke screen: a ruse to convince my enemies that I had no skills, when, in reality, I was a lean, mean killing machine. […] No one could have really lost a fight that quickly, she insisted. It was such an awful display of self-defense, it had to be fake” (115).