As a young child, Sophie felt out of place in the human world. Now that she’s joined her native elves, she still struggles to find acceptance. Her school is highly competitive, both academically and socially. As a newcomer, she generates hostility from Councillor Bronte, fellow student Stina, and her best friend Fitz’s sister Biana. At the very least, she’s an anomaly; at worst, she’s a mutant. Sophie must come to terms with all these doubts before she can find the acceptance she needs.

Living in San Diego, Sophie already has trouble dealing with humans. She’s smarter than nearly everyone else—already, she’s had to turn down an offer to study at Yale—but being a high school senior at age 12 has its drawbacks, including bullying and rejection. Worse, she can hear the thoughts of everyone around her. The stress gives her headaches and makes her feel like a freak.

Fitz introduces her to her elven heritage. Suddenly she understands why she feels out-of-place among the humans. This sense of inferiority, though, is replaced by a new set of doubts because she’s a girl ignorant of the most basic norms among the elves.