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Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.
Ghosts and Erased Identities
A recurring motif in First Lie Wins is the idea of characters becoming ghosts or losing themselves in the identities they create. Evie’s frequent transformations leave her feeling disconnected from her true self, contributing to her sense of being a ghost in others' lives. Each new persona—whether it’s Mia Bianchi or Lucca Marino—further erodes her personal identity. She describes herself as a ghost floating through people’s lives, reinforcing the emotional toll of constantly shifting identities. Evie’s decision to abandon the Lucca Marino identity highlights the cost of survival, as even her most cherished roles must be discarded when they are no longer useful. Her sense of invisibility deepens as she realizes she has no stable identity to return to, leading her to reflect on the girl she once was before her mother’s death. The ghost motif underscores the emotional isolation that comes from living multiple lives and the difficulty of reclaiming one’s identity after years of deception.
Characters as Mirror Images
Many of the characters in First Lie Wins serve as distorted reflections of each other. Mr. Smith, for example, is a darker reflection of Evie—resourceful, adaptable, and ruthless, but without the loyalty that eventually sets her against him. Similarly, the imposter calling herself Lucca Marino doesn’t just borrow Lucca's name and backstory—she also bears a striking physical resemblance to Evie. This uncanny similarity creates a sense of displacement for Evie, as the imposter operates with parts of a life that could have easily been hers. In Lucca, Evie sees a shadow of herself—and a reminder of how easily someone can step into another’s role and how fragile any sense of identity can be in Evie’s world.
Names
In First Lie Wins, names function as a recurring motif, symbolizing the fluidity of identity and the struggle for control over one's sense of self. Throughout the novel, Evie adopts multiple names—Evie Porter, Lucca Marino, Wendy Wallace, Regina Hale—each tied to a particular mission or phase of her life. These names structure the narrative, marking shifts in her roles, relationships, and self-perception. Each name serves as both a tool for survival and a burden, reflecting Evie’s ongoing attempt to define herself in a world where identities are constantly in flux.
The importance Evie places on reclaiming the identity of Lucca Marino highlights her belief that a name can provide stability and a sense of belonging. For years, she clings to the idea that reclaiming this particular identity will allow her to escape the cycle of deception and finally build the life she envisions for herself—a home with a garden and a peaceful existence. However, when the imposter Lucca enters the story, Evie is forced to confront the fact that a name, even one she values, is just a placeholder. It can be stolen, manipulated, or erased without warning, revealing how fragile her sense of identity truly is. Ultimately, Evie realizes that the names she’s used are temporary constructs, tools that helped her survive but never fully defined her.
