Born Without Color

In the magical land of Ferenwood, where color is magic, Alice Queensmeadow is born without pigment—her skin and hair white as milk, her eyes faintly honey. Her difference makes her an outcast in a society that values color as a sign of magical strength. Her family is fractured: her father is loving and imaginative, her mother distant and practical, and her brothers indifferent. Alice's only solace is her father's affection and her own wild spirit, but when her father mysteriously disappears, Alice's world grows lonelier. She clings to hope, collecting bangles as tokens of his absence, and dreams of the day she can prove her worth to Ferenwood and herself.

Surrender Approaches

As Alice nears her twelfth birthday, she anticipates the Surrender, a coming-of-age ceremony where children display their magical talents to receive a life-defining task. Alice's talent is believed to be dance, and she pours her heart into preparing a vibrant, self-made costume. Yet, she feels the weight of her difference and her mother's coldness. The Surrender is her chance to escape her small, color-obsessed world and perhaps find her father. The night before, Alice's loneliness and longing for belonging are palpable, but she steels herself with hope that her performance will finally earn her a place in Ferenwood.

The Boy With Secrets

Oliver Newbanks, a boy from Alice's past who once humiliated her, reappears with a strange request. He reveals he was tasked at his own Surrender to find Alice's father, and he needs Alice's help to succeed. Oliver's magical gift is persuasion—he can make people believe his lies and knows their deepest secrets. He offers Alice a bargain: help him complete his task, and he'll help her find her father. Alice is skeptical, still hurt by his past cruelty, but the promise of finding her father is too tempting. Their uneasy alliance is forged, setting the stage for a journey that will test trust and self-worth.

A Bargain for Father

On the eve of her Surrender, Alice is torn between her lifelong dream of being tasked and the chance to find her father. Oliver suggests she waive her Surrender to help him, but the thought of giving up her only opportunity for purpose and acceptance is devastating. Alice's mother is unsympathetic, and Alice feels more alone than ever. Ultimately, she chooses to pursue her Surrender, determined to prove herself on her own terms, even if it means risking her only chance to find her father. The emotional stakes are high, and Alice's resolve is both fragile and fierce.

The Surrender and the Score

The Surrender ceremony is a dazzling display of Ferenwood's magical youth. Alice performs her dance with all her heart, but her talent is met with polite indifference. When the scores are revealed, Alice receives an unprecedented black card—a score of zero. She is not given a task, becoming a pariah in a society where purpose is everything. Humiliated and heartbroken, Alice flees, her dreams shattered. The moment is a crucible of shame and loss, and Alice is forced to confront the possibility that she truly does not belong anywhere.

A Taskless Outcast

Reeling from her failure, Alice is consumed by grief and self-doubt. She feels invisible, unwanted by her mother, and abandoned by her father. Oliver finds her at her lowest and reveals the truth: his task is to bring her father home, but he cannot do it without her. Alice's ever-binding promise to never lie means she can always detect lies, but she realizes Oliver has managed to deceive her. Despite her anger, she agrees to help him, seeing no other path forward. Their partnership is now one of necessity, not trust, and Alice's journey into the unknown begins.

The Door to Furthermore

Using a magical map and a mysterious box, Oliver leads Alice to a door that opens into Furthermore, a land of wild, unpredictable magic and perilous rules. The transition is disorienting and dangerous—Alice nearly drowns, and the landscape is both enchanting and treacherous. Furthermore is a patchwork of bizarre villages, each with its own logic and dangers. The rules are strict: never eat the food, never break the laws, and always follow the local customs. Alice's sense of self is tested as she navigates a world where her difference is both a liability and a potential source of power.

Rules of a Hungry Land

In Furthermore, magic is lawless and hunger is literal—its inhabitants consume magic, and visitors are at risk of being eaten for their magical essence. Alice and Oliver must rely on each other to survive, but their relationship is fraught with mistrust and miscommunication. They encounter strange villages, each with deadly traps and peculiar customs. Alice's magical ability—to change the color of anything but herself—emerges as both a blessing and a curse. The journey is a gauntlet of challenges that force Alice to confront her fears, her anger at Oliver, and her longing for acceptance.

The Fox's Deception

Alice, feeling betrayed by Oliver's lies, strikes out on her own and is lured by a mysterious paper fox into the village of Print. The fox, both guide and trickster, leads her into a two-dimensional world where she is nearly transformed into paper herself. In the struggle, Alice loses her right arm—ripped off and turned to paper. The trauma is both physical and emotional, a stark reminder of the dangers of Furthermore and the cost of pride and impulsiveness. Oliver rescues her, and their reconciliation is hard-won, built on mutual forgiveness and the realization that they need each other to survive.

The Emergency Choice

When Oliver is captured by the foxes and Alice is left with only one arm, she is forced to use her emergency Tibbin—a magical, one-time escape. Presented with three doors—one to fix her arm, one to save Oliver, one to find her father—Alice chooses to save Oliver, refusing to be manipulated by Furthermore's cruel choices. Their bond is solidified by this act of selflessness, and together they continue their quest, now more united and determined. The experience teaches Alice the value of friendship, sacrifice, and the courage to defy impossible odds.

The Land of Left

Alice and Oliver arrive in the land of Left, a seemingly idyllic village in the treetops, where they are celebrated as long-awaited guests. They are pampered and gifted beautiful clothes, but the hospitality masks a sinister truth: the villagers plan to eat them as part of a ritual feast. Betrayed by those they trusted, Alice and Oliver narrowly escape, guided by a coded song from a sympathetic villager. Their flight is a harrowing reminder that in Furthermore, nothing is as it seems, and kindness can be a trap. The ordeal deepens their resolve and their reliance on each other.

The Seamstress's Song

Escaping Left, Alice and Oliver are led by clues in a song to Isal, the exiled seamstress who once tried to save a visitor from being eaten. Isal, pale and powerful, is a kindred spirit to Alice—an outcast for her compassion and difference. She reveals the truth about Tibbins and the manipulations of Furthermore's Elders, warning that their journey has been deliberately sabotaged. Isal offers Alice a chance to restore her arm: step into a painting and seek the painter. The choice is fraught with risk, but it is their only hope. Isal's wisdom and sacrifice inspire Alice to embrace her own uniqueness.

The Painter's Prison

Alice and Oliver enter a painting and find themselves in a colorless prison village, where the painter is revealed to be Alice's father. The reunion is overwhelming—joy, relief, and sorrow collide as Alice learns the full story of her father's imprisonment. He was not a spy, but a desperate parent seeking a way to give Alice the color she longed for. His punishment was to paint new limbs for others, a tedious and lonely existence. With his help, Alice's arm is restored, and together they plot their escape from Furthermore. The experience is transformative, teaching Alice the true meaning of love, sacrifice, and self-acceptance.

Reunion in Grayscale

Father restores Alice's arm and, with her help, regains his own color and vitality. The family is reunited, and the emotional wounds of abandonment and longing begin to heal. Alice learns that her difference is not a curse but a unique gift, and that her father's love was always at the heart of his actions. Oliver, too, finds closure, having completed his task and found true friendship. The trio prepares to return to Ferenwood, forever changed by their journey through a land that devours the unwary and rewards the brave.

The Return Home

Alice, Oliver, and Father return to Ferenwood, where winter has settled in their absence. The reunion with Mother is fraught with emotion—guilt, forgiveness, and relief. Alice learns that her black card means she can attempt her Surrender again, and the prospect of a second chance fills her with hope. The family is whole once more, and Alice's journey from outcast to hero is complete. The lessons of Furthermore—about trust, courage, and the power of being different—linger as Alice looks to the future, ready to embrace her true self.

Forgiveness and New Beginnings

In the aftermath, Alice and her family begin to heal the wounds of the past. Mother confesses her own guilt and asks for forgiveness, and Alice realizes that love can both hurt and heal. Oliver promises to remain her friend, and together they look forward to new adventures. Alice is no longer defined by her lack of color, but by her courage, creativity, and capacity for love. The story ends with the promise of new beginnings, as Alice prepares to face her Surrender once more—not to prove her worth to others, but to herself.

Characters

Alice Queensmeadow

Alice is a twelve-year-old girl born without color in a world where color is magic and status. Her difference makes her an outsider, fueling both her insecurity and her fierce independence. Alice is imaginative, stubborn, and deeply loving, especially toward her absent father. Her magical ability—to change the color of anything but herself—becomes a metaphor for her struggle with self-acceptance. Throughout her journey, Alice grapples with feelings of inadequacy, betrayal, and longing for belonging. Her arc is one of self-discovery: she learns that her uniqueness is her strength, that love is both painful and redemptive, and that true courage is embracing who she is, not who others want her to be.

Oliver Newbanks

Oliver is a year older than Alice, gifted with the magical talent of persuasion and the ability to know people's deepest secrets. Outwardly confident and clever, Oliver is haunted by loneliness and the unintended consequences of his power—he has manipulated those around him, including his own parents, and fears he is unlovable without his magic. His relationship with Alice is fraught with guilt, as he once humiliated her and later deceives her in pursuit of his task. Over the course of their journey, Oliver learns humility, honesty, and the value of genuine friendship. His arc is one of redemption, as he moves from self-serving trickster to loyal companion.

Father (Mr. Queensmeadow)

Alice's father is her greatest champion, a creative soul who encourages her to embrace her difference. His mysterious disappearance is the catalyst for Alice's quest. In Furthermore, he is revealed to have been imprisoned for "wasting time" while seeking a way to give Alice the color she desires. His punishment is to paint new limbs for others, a metaphor for his own longing to heal and restore. Father's love is unwavering, and his willingness to risk everything for Alice is both his flaw and his virtue. His reunion with Alice is a moment of healing and understanding, as both learn to accept themselves and each other.

Mother (Mrs. Queensmeadow)

Alice's mother is a complex figure—distant, critical, and often unsympathetic. Her relationship with Alice is strained by grief and disappointment, especially after Father's disappearance. She relies on Alice's ability to find ferenberries, using her daughter's magic for her own comfort. Mother's coldness masks deep pain and guilt, which she finally confesses upon Alice's return. Her arc is one of reluctant vulnerability, as she seeks forgiveness and begins to heal the rift with her daughter. Mother represents the societal pressures of conformity and the difficulty of loving what is different.

Isal (The Seamstress)

Isal is the outcast seamstress of the land of Left, punished for her attempt to save a visitor from being eaten. Pale and powerful, she is a mirror for Alice—someone who has suffered for her compassion and difference. Isal's wisdom and courage guide Alice and Oliver at a critical juncture, offering them both practical help and existential insight. Her presence is a reminder that kindness is often punished in a world that values conformity, but also that survival and dignity are possible even in exile.

The Fox

The paper fox is both guide and adversary, leading Alice into danger but also offering cryptic advice. The fox embodies the unpredictable, morally ambiguous nature of Furthermore—a land where help and harm are often indistinguishable. The fox's actions force Alice to confront her own impulsiveness and the consequences of mistrust. Ultimately, the fox's warnings and betrayals serve as catalysts for Alice's growth and the deepening of her bond with Oliver.

Tim (Time)

Tim is the personification of Time in Furthermore, a childlike figure who enforces the land's strict rules about the use and theft of time. He is both jailer and guide, explaining the consequences of Alice's and her father's actions. Tim's presence underscores the theme of time as both opportunity and constraint, and his interactions with Alice and Oliver highlight the arbitrary and often cruel nature of Furthermore's laws.

Paramint

Paramint is the guardian of the land of Left, a village that appears welcoming but harbors deadly intentions. His obsessive hospitality masks a willingness to sacrifice guests for the good of the community. Paramint's character illustrates the dangers of blind tradition and the capacity for cruelty beneath a veneer of kindness. His betrayal is a turning point for Alice and Oliver, teaching them to question appearances and trust their instincts.

The Painter

The painter is revealed to be Alice's father, trapped in a grayscale prison and forced to use his talent for the benefit of others. His existence is a metaphor for the loss of self that comes from sacrificing too much for others. The painter's restoration of Alice's arm and his own color is a moment of mutual healing, symbolizing the power of creativity and love to overcome even the bleakest circumstances.

The Paper Foxes

The paper foxes are a manifestation of Furthermore's hunger and danger. They are both literal and symbolic predators, representing the ever-present threat to outsiders and the consequences of misplaced trust. Their attack on Alice and Oliver is a crucible that tests their resilience and solidifies their partnership.

Plot Devices

Magical Realism and World-Building

The narrative is built on a foundation of magical realism, where the laws of physics and logic are subverted in favor of whimsy and danger. Ferenwood and Furthermore are meticulously constructed worlds, each with its own rules, customs, and currencies. Color is both literal and symbolic, representing magic, status, and self-worth. The use of magical objects—rulers that measure time, pocketbooks with living pockets, doors that open to other worlds—serves as both plot devices and metaphors for the characters' internal journeys.

The Surrender and Task System

The Surrender is a ritualized test of magical ability, serving as a rite of passage and a means of social control. The scoring system, with its color-coded cards, externalizes the characters' fears of failure and desire for acceptance. The tasks assigned are both literal adventures and metaphors for the search for purpose and identity.

The Ever-Binding Promise

Alice's promise to never lie, in exchange for immunity to deception, is a double-edged sword. It protects her from manipulation but also isolates her, as she cannot participate in the small fictions that bind communities. This device drives much of the conflict with Oliver and underscores the theme of trust.

The Tibbin (Emergency Magic)

The Tibbin is a magical contingency, unique to each traveler, that can be used only in dire circumstances. Its use is both a plot accelerator and a test of character, forcing Alice to make an impossible choice and revealing her priorities. The Tibbin's cryptic nature and the manipulation behind its assignment highlight the theme of agency versus fate.

Metafictional Narration

The story is told with a playful, self-aware voice that breaks the fourth wall, commenting on the structure, pacing, and emotional beats. This device creates intimacy with the reader, invites reflection on the nature of storytelling, and softens the impact of darker themes with humor and irony.

Symbolism of Color and Grayscale

Color is the central symbol, representing not only magical ability but also individuality, belonging, and emotional health. The loss of color in Furthermore's prisons is a metaphor for depression, isolation, and the erasure of self. Alice's journey to accept her own lack of color is the heart of the narrative, and her ability to change the world's colors but not her own is a powerful metaphor for the limits of self-transformation.

Analysis

Furthermore is a vibrant, emotionally rich tale that uses the trappings of fantasy to explore universal themes of belonging, identity, and the pain of being different. Through Alice's journey—from outcast to hero, from self-doubt to self-love—the novel interrogates the costs of conformity and the courage required to embrace one's uniqueness. The world-building is both whimsical and menacing, reflecting the unpredictability of growing up and the dangers of a society that values sameness over individuality. The relationship between Alice and Oliver is a nuanced portrait of friendship, trust, and forgiveness, showing that true connection requires vulnerability and honesty. The plot's use of magical devices and narrative tricks serves to externalize the characters' internal struggles, making the fantastical deeply personal. Ultimately, Furthermore argues that the greatest magic lies not in changing oneself to fit the world, but in changing the world by being oneself. The story's modern resonance lies in its affirmation that difference is not a flaw to be hidden, but a gift to be celebrated—a message as vital today as ever.

Last updated: November 27, 2025