Flat Tire (Metaphor)
Demon compares his life with Dori to a flat tire: "Now I had her, and all the air hissed out. I was living life as a flat tire." He uses this metaphor to suggest that while he was once full of anticipation, he is now deflated and sad, as their life is not what he expected and is mostly miserable.
Like a Two-Cycle Engine (Simile)
Demon says that a rain crow is not like a normal crow, as its call "sounds like a two-cycle engine revving up." This simile depicts the unsettling and unusual quality of this bird's call, painting a vivid picture of natural life in Lee County.
Eyes like a Manga Comic
Demon says that Angus has "Giant eyes like a manga comic." This simile conveys the intensity of her gaze and the size of her eyes. At the same time, it subtly hints at his possible attraction to her. This also describes her in terms of his preferred artistic medium: comics.
Cold Engine (Metaphor)
At the novel's end, Demon meets up with Angus. He says that their conversation is awkward initially:"We were a cold engine, not perfectly hitting." He uses the metaphor of the cold engine to suggest that they are somewhat out of sync with each other.
Prospecting (Metaphor)
Demon says that June tells him all about her ex and his predatory work practices. He writes: "Kent. And his vampire associates, quote unquote. Coming here prospecting." He uses the metaphor of prospecting to describe how Kent was using the medical records of pain patients as a means of turning a profit, treating people like individual veins of coal or gold. It is especially fitting given the coal-mining background of many of Demon's relatives and friends.
