The main protagonist of the story, and the character around whom every moment of the plot swirls, is Sophie Foster. Raised by humans but feeling distinctly out of place there, Sophie learns that her telepathic ability is part of her true heritage as an elf, a people hidden from humanity. Sophie’s transition from the human to the elf realm forces her to make huge adjustments in her life and drives much of the plot. She must learn quickly how to navigate elvin society and survive, both socially and academically, at Foxfire, the elf school for kids with high abilities.

Sophie also must reckon with mysterious messages that encourage her to break elvin laws in service to humanity. Vying for her are three political groups, at least one of which wants to harm her. These challenges push the plot in the final third of the novel.

Sophie becomes close with the noble-class Vacker family—including its patriarch, Alden, his wife, Della, and their children Fitz and Biana. She also bonds with Grady and Edaline Ruewen, who lost their only daughter and, to overcome their grief, volunteer to be Sophie’s guardian.