Half City consistently argues that true belonging is not an inherited right but an active creation, forged through shared vulnerability and unconditional support. The novel draws a stark contrast between the conditional, pressure-filled dynamics of biological families and the deep acceptance found within chosen ones. Through the experiences of Viv Abbot, whose relationships with her mother and sister are fraught with misunderstanding, the narrative suggests that a “found family” of friends provides the emotional safety and validation necessary for survival and self-discovery. True kinship, the story illustrates, is built on a foundation of mutual trust and acceptance of one’s whole self, secrets and all.

Viv’s relationship with her biological family is characterized by emotional distance and superficial expectations. Her mother, Beatrice, is more concerned with Viv’s social standing—her job at the prestigious Windsor museum, her relationship with the wealthy James Pine—than with her emotional well-being. During a phone call, Beatrice dismisses Viv’s feelings about a box of her deceased father’s belongings, quickly pivoting to criticize the safety of Viv’s neighborhood. This pattern of judgment continues at a family dinner, where Beatrice offers a backhanded compliment about Viv’s appearance, noting how hard it must be for her “to put in this kind of effort” (128). Her sister, Nora, is similarly dismissive, attributing Viv’s frustrations to “mood swings” and jealousy. These interactions highlight a family dynamic where love and approval feel conditional upon Viv presenting a version of herself that aligns with their expectations.

In stark contrast, Viv’s friendship with Penny Pine serves as her primary source of stability and unconditional love. Having met at the elite Belaire School for Girls, where Viv felt like an outcast, Penny was the only person who offered her genuine friendship without pity or judgment. Their bond is so foundational that their shared apartment above the Cobwebs bar feels more like home to Viv than any space she shares with her mother. Penny accepts Viv’s flaws, including her chronic lateness and emotional complexities, providing a safe harbor that her biological family cannot. This relationship represents Viv’s first successful attempt at forging a family of her own, one based on mutual care rather than obligation or blood.

The community Viv discovers at Harker Academy expands this concept of found family. Her friendships with Sophia, Peter, and Elliot solidify the novel’s argument that belonging is chosen. This group not only embraces Viv’s personality but also her deepest secret: her aeon nature. When she confesses what she is, Sophia immediately offers her loyalty, and later, Peter and Elliot vow to protect her secret with their lives. This complete acceptance, which stands in direct opposition to the constant need for concealment she feels around her mother and sister, allows Viv to be her authentic self for the first time. It is within this network of loyal friends that Viv finally finds a place where every part of her, including the parts she once considered monstrous, is accepted.

The theme also extends beyond friendship into the broader network of relationships Viv builds throughout the novel. Although she initially struggles to trust others, she gradually learns to rely on people who consistently choose her despite her secrets and mistakes. Reid repeatedly supports her investigations, protects her during dangerous encounters, and offers emotional validation she rarely receives from her family. Fiona reveals that she has quietly guided Viv toward Harker for years, while Sophia, Peter, and Elliot repeatedly place themselves at risk to help her. Even Penny, hurt by Viv’s deceptions, ultimately helps her during the confrontation at the docks. These relationships are not perfect, but they are characterized by active choice rather than obligation. In contrast to the resentment, misunderstandings, and expectations that often define Viv’s biological family, her found family is built through loyalty, trust, and a willingness to stand beside one another during moments of crisis.