A Royal Conundrum

Content Warning: This section of the guide features depictions of bullying.

On the surface, Olive Corbin Zang appears to be a typical 12-year-old protagonist; she finds school dull, feels invisible among her peers, and believes that her parents do not care about her. However, Olive’s sense of invisibility is not just a perception but a defining part of her identity. She moves through life unnoticed, not because she lacks presence but because she has learned to adapt, remain quiet, and avoid conflict. While this aspect of her personality is initially portrayed as a weakness, it becomes an asset as she transitions into her role at RASCH. Even her agent profile identifies her as “remarkably unremarkable” (270).

Olive’s strongest emotional connection is her bond with her grandmother, Mimi, the only person who sees and values Olive in the years before the novel’s main events begin. When Olive believes that Mimi has died, her grief and devastation further deepen her feelings of isolation. However, Mimi’s influence on her thinking remains strong, shaping Olive’s identity and resilience as she undergoes training at RASCH. Mimi’s practical and emotional teachings therefore prepare Olive for the challenges ahead.

One of the most notable aspects of Olive’s character is the contrast between how others perceive her and who she truly is.