What is the theme in Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead?

Self-determination is a guiding theme of Spirit Bound. Since the vampire society is divided into those who prey on humans and those who do not, there exists a strong moral compulsion of the part of the peace-loving Dhampirs and Moroi to remain non-violent towards the unsuspecting humans whose world they co-inhabit. Whereas, the violent, sadistic Strigoi not only kill for blood but sport as well, free as they are from any sense of the need to self-police their actions. In this way, the author is demonstrating that the difference between supposed good and bad lies in the self-determination one either chooses to accept or flagrantly reject.