Take a story's temperature by studying its tone. Is it hopeful? Cynical? Snarky? Playful?
Morose
If you guessed that a book about genocide, rape, and war isn't all candy hearts and sunny skies, then you're right. We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but this novel is no picnic—a key part of living through Vahan's journey with him is getting to hear about the horrific and scary stuff he goes through during this dark time in history. It provides plenty of food for thought, to say the least, even if it isn't wrapped up in a bright and cheery package.
The thing about the dark tone though, is that if the tone were anything but sad and deeply moving, it just wouldn't fit. Check out what Vahan says to us about his home, even before his family dies:
If I close my eyes I can still see my home as it was. (2.1)
Ouch. Reading that is like being hit in the gut because we just know some bad stuff is about to go down. It hurts, and Vahan isn't afraid to admit it—and the morose tone gets the point across quite clearly. He used to have a home, but now he doesn't. Just like he used to have a family and a childhood, but those were taken away with the war too. Grab the tissues, Shmoopsters, because this is one sad ride.