Tower of Lost Dreams

In a post-apocalyptic world, the remnants of humanity survive inside the Tower, a massive, isolated structure governed by a rigid system of departments and a relentless AI, Scipio. Liana Castell, a Squire training to be a Knight, struggles with her low psychological ranking—a number that determines her worth and future. The Tower, once a symbol of hope, has become a prison of conformity, where dreams are replaced by survival and obedience.

Numbers and Negativity

Liana's psychological ranking drops to a dangerous three after a tense encounter with a mechanic, Dalton, whom she saves from falling to his death. Instead of gratitude, Dalton's disdain and the system's coldness push Liana closer to the edge. The ranking system, monitored by Scipio through neural nets, punishes negative thoughts and emotions, making Liana's struggle to remain herself a daily battle against both the AI and her own mind.

The One Who Ran

Liana and her mentor, Gerome, are sent to apprehend a "one"—a citizen marked for elimination. The fugitive, Grey Farmless, escapes using a mysterious elevator override, and when Liana finally corners him, his number has inexplicably jumped from one to nine. The system's infallibility is called into question, and Liana's curiosity is piqued. Grey's defiance and the system's apparent error plant seeds of doubt in Liana's mind about the Tower's justice.

Family, Failure, and Fate

Liana's parents, both high-ranking Knight Commanders, are disappointed by her low number and insist on Medica treatment to "fix" her. Their love is conditional, tied to her performance and conformity. Liana's history as a "spared" child—allowed to live by Scipio's judgment—haunts her, and her family's inability to see her pain deepens her isolation. The threat of losing her home and identity looms as her ranking continues to fall.

Friends in Low Places

Liana finds solace with her friends Zoe and Eric, who accept her despite her low number. Zoe, a Diver with a rebellious streak, and Eric, a naturally positive Hand, provide a rare sense of belonging. Yet, even among friends, the ranking system's shadow persists. Liana's desperation to avoid Medica treatment and her growing suspicion about Grey's miraculous recovery drive her to seek answers, risking everything for a chance at truth.

Medica's Red Pills

Forced into the Medica, Liana is prescribed "Peace," a mood-altering drug designed to raise her number by suppressing her true self. The process is dehumanizing, reducing her to a compliant shell—"Prim"—who pleases her parents but erases everything that makes her unique. The cost of survival in the Tower becomes clear: conformity at the expense of individuality, and medication as a tool of control.

Prim's Hollow Week

Liana awakens after a week with no memory, her life overtaken by Prim, the perfect daughter. Though her number has risen, she feels like a stranger in her own skin. The system rewards her compliance, but the emptiness is unbearable. Liana's struggle to reclaim herself intensifies, and she resolves to stop taking the pills, even if it means risking everything.

Grey's Secret Nine

Liana confronts Grey, desperate to understand how he cheated the system. Their tense exchange reveals the existence of a mysterious, illegal pill—Paragon—that can manipulate rankings without erasing personality. Grey, initially reluctant, eventually gives Liana a bottle, risking his own safety. Their alliance is forged in secrecy and mutual need, as both seek freedom from Scipio's tyranny.

Hacking the System

With Zoe's help, Liana tracks Grey to Cogstown, the mechanics' chaotic domain. Zoe's hacking abilities and resourcefulness allow them to bypass security and uncover Grey's connection to Roark, a rogue chemist developing Paragon. The journey exposes the Tower's vulnerabilities and the lengths to which its citizens will go to survive. Trust and loyalty are tested as the stakes rise.

Roark's Hidden Laboratory

Roark, embittered by personal loss, is the mastermind behind Paragon. His hatred for the Knights—who killed his wife—fuels his rebellion. Liana pleads for his help, hoping to avoid becoming another Medica casualty. Roark's distrust of Knights is deep, but Grey's intervention and Liana's desperation convince him to provide a weaker version of Paragon, setting in motion a plan to save not just Liana, but others like her.

Paragon's Price

Liana's use of Paragon raises her number to nine, granting her a new lease on life. Yet, the system's flaws become more apparent as she witnesses the arbitrary nature of rankings and the ease with which the powerful manipulate outcomes. The price of cheating the system is constant fear of exposure, and the knowledge that the Tower's justice is a façade. Liana's resolve to fight for real change hardens.

The Nine's New Life

With her number restored, Liana is welcomed back by her family and peers, but the acceptance feels hollow. Her friends notice the change, and suspicion grows. Gerome, her mentor, involves her in the Tower's darkest secret: the execution of ones. Liana is forced to confront the reality of the system's cruelty and her own complicity. The illusion of safety is shattered.

The Button and the One

Liana is ordered to execute Grey, now a one, by pressing a button that releases poison gas. The act is presented as a necessary sacrifice for the Tower's survival. Liana's refusal to comply marks her as a threat, but also as someone unwilling to lose her humanity. The moment crystallizes the moral bankruptcy of the system and the personal cost of resistance.

Refusing to Kill

Liana's refusal to kill Grey buys time, but also puts her under greater scrutiny. She and her allies devise a plan to fake Grey's death using Zoe's technical expertise and Roark's chemistry. The successful deception exposes cracks in the Tower's control and inspires hope for change. Liana's defiance becomes a catalyst for a growing underground movement.

Desperate Alliances

Liana, Grey, Roark, and Zoe form a fragile alliance, united by their desire to escape Scipio's grasp. They recruit others—Sarah, a grieving Hand, and Silvan, a broken Diver—using Paragon as both a lifeline and a test of trust. Each new recruit brings skills and risks, and the group's survival depends on secrecy, ingenuity, and the willingness to challenge the Tower's dogma.

Sabotage and Suspicion

The group's efforts to undermine the execution system lead to sabotage of the gas delivery mechanism, saving future victims but drawing the attention of the Knights. Gerome, once Liana's mentor, becomes a relentless pursuer, convinced that Scipio has been tricked. Paranoia and suspicion threaten to tear the group apart, as the line between friend and foe blurs.

The Gas That Wasn't

Liana's plan to save Grey succeeds: the gas is replaced with harmless steam, and Grey fakes his death. The ruse is nearly exposed by Champion Devon, but a last-minute surge in Grey's number—thanks to Paragon—forces the authorities to release him. The escape is bittersweet, as the group realizes the system's reach is longer and more insidious than they imagined.

The Champion's Test

Champion Devon, the Tower's most powerful Knight, becomes obsessed with capturing Liana and her allies. His relentless pursuit forces the group to flee deeper into the Tower's underbelly, where they discover Sanctum—a hidden community of undocs led by the formidable Cali. The cost of rebellion is high, and the group must decide how far they are willing to go for freedom.

Escape and Consequence

In Sanctum, Liana and her friends find refuge and a new sense of family. The community is built on trust, resourcefulness, and the shared dream of life beyond the Tower. Yet, the threat of discovery is ever-present, and the group's actions have consequences. The death of Roark and the loss of Cali to Devon's violence underscore the fragility of hope and the price of resistance.

Revolution's Quiet Start

With Roark's death and Cali's sacrifice, the group is forced to flee once more, carrying with them the knowledge and tools to continue the fight. Paragon becomes the symbol of their rebellion—a way to cheat the system and preserve their humanity. The revolution is quiet, born in the shadows, but its impact is profound. Liana emerges as a reluctant leader, determined to honor the sacrifices of those lost.

Recruitment and Grief

The group mourns their dead and welcomes new members, including Zoe and Eric, who have escaped the Medica's clutches. Grief and guilt weigh heavily, but the bonds of friendship and shared purpose grow stronger. The dream of a life beyond the Tower—of freedom, dignity, and self-determination—becomes the guiding light for the revolution.

Betrayal and Forgiveness

Liana's decision to rescue Zoe without the group's consent nearly destroys their fragile alliance. Yet, through honesty, vulnerability, and the willingness to accept responsibility, trust is rebuilt. The group learns that forgiveness is essential for survival, and that true family is chosen, not given. The revolution endures because its members are willing to fight for each other.

The Depths of Sanctuary

Forced to abandon Sanctum, the group finds refuge in the Depths, the Tower's forgotten underworld. Here, they encounter other outcasts and dreamers, each with their own stories of loss and hope. The Depths become a crucible, forging the group into a true community. Liana's leadership is tested as she balances the need for secrecy with the imperative to act.

The End of Sanctum

Devon's pursuit leads to the destruction of Sanctum and the death of Roark and Cali. The group is scattered, forced to flee through the Tower's labyrinthine vents and tunnels. The loss is devastating, but the survivors are galvanized by the memory of those who fell. The revolution is no longer just about survival—it is about justice and the right to dream.

Shattered Glass, Shattered Hope

In a final confrontation, Cali sacrifices herself to save the others, shattering the glass floor and buying time for the group to escape. The survivors, battered and grieving, find temporary refuge, but the cost of freedom is clear. Liana, now the de facto leader, must find the strength to guide her friends through the darkness, carrying the hope of a better future.

The Voice in the Dark

In the Depths, Liana discovers a hidden room and encounters a voice claiming to be Scipio. The revelation hints at deeper secrets within the Tower and the possibility of change from within. The story ends with the promise of new alliances, new challenges, and the enduring power of those who dare to think.

Characters

Liana Castell

Liana is the heart of the story—a young woman whose refusal to conform to the Tower's oppressive system sets her on a path of resistance. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she grapples with the loss of identity imposed by Scipio's ranking system and the pressure to please her family. Liana's relationships—with her friends, her family, and Grey—reveal her deep capacity for empathy and loyalty. Her greatest strength is her unwillingness to accept easy answers, and her courage to act even when afraid. Over the course of the story, Liana transforms from a passive victim of the system into a leader willing to risk everything for freedom and justice.

Grey Farmless

Grey is a former Hand, dropped by his family and marked as a one, who manages to cheat the system and become a nine with the help of Paragon. His mysterious past, quick wit, and willingness to risk himself for others make him both a romantic interest and a symbol of hope. Grey's relationship with Liana is marked by mutual respect, attraction, and shared trauma. He is resourceful, brave, and deeply principled, refusing to let the system define his worth. Grey's journey is one of redemption and the search for belonging.

Zoe Elphesian

Zoe is Liana's best friend and a Diver with a passion for machines and hacking. Her resourcefulness and courage are instrumental in the group's survival, from sabotaging the gas system to hacking elevators. Zoe's loyalty to Liana is unwavering, even when tested by betrayal and danger. Her struggle with the ranking system mirrors Liana's, and her eventual rescue from the Medica is a testament to the power of friendship and forgiveness. Zoe's humor and resilience provide much-needed light in the story's darkest moments.

Roark

Roark is a former Medica doctor whose wife was killed by the Knights for seeking the truth. His bitterness and distrust of authority fuel his creation of Paragon, the illegal pill that allows citizens to cheat the ranking system. Roark is both mentor and father figure to Grey and, eventually, to Liana. His grief is a driving force, but his willingness to trust and help others marks his redemption. Roark's death is a profound loss, but his legacy endures in the revolution he helped spark.

Gerome

Gerome is Liana's Knight mentor, a man of unwavering loyalty to the Tower and Scipio. His belief in the system blinds him to its cruelty, and his insistence on obedience leads to his downfall. Gerome's relationship with Liana is complex—part father figure, part antagonist. His eventual pursuit of Liana and her friends, and his death at the hands of an unknown assailant, underscore the tragedy of those who serve a broken system.

Champion Devon Alexander

Devon is the Tower's Champion, a Knight of legendary skill and authority. His obsession with order and his willingness to kill for the system make him the story's primary antagonist. Devon's pursuit of Liana and her allies is relentless, and his personal connection to Cali adds depth to his character. He is both a symbol of the system's power and a cautionary tale of what happens when loyalty overrides humanity.

Cali

Cali is the formidable leader of Sanctum, a hidden community of undocs. Her strength, wisdom, and compassion make her a natural leader and a surrogate mother to many, including Tian and Maddox. Cali's past as a Knight and her relationship with Devon add layers to her character. Her ultimate sacrifice to save the group cements her legacy as a hero of the revolution.

Maddox

Maddox is Cali's daughter, a skilled fighter and survivor. Her toughness masks deep vulnerability, especially after the loss of her mother. Maddox's loyalty to her family and her willingness to fight for their safety make her a key member of the group. Her journey is one of grief, resilience, and the search for purpose.

Tian

Tian is a young, eccentric undoc with a mysterious past and a childlike innocence. Her unique perspective and resourcefulness help the group navigate the Depths and find sanctuary. Tian's optimism and trust are a reminder of what is at stake in the fight for freedom. She represents the possibility of healing and new beginnings.

Quess

Quess is a former Medica, Eye, and Cog, whose technical genius and adaptability make him invaluable to the group. His inventions—like the paint that hides Sanctum from Scipio—are crucial to their survival. Quess's humor and pragmatism balance the group's emotional intensity. His journey is one of finding a place to belong and using his gifts for a greater good.

Plot Devices

The Ranking System

The ranking system is the Tower's primary tool of social control, reducing citizens to numbers based on their psychological "positivity." It is enforced by Scipio, the AI overlord, through neural nets and constant surveillance. The system rewards conformity and punishes dissent, creating a culture of fear, isolation, and self-censorship. The arbitrary nature of the rankings exposes the system's flaws and the dangers of reducing humanity to data points.

Paragon and Cheating the System

Paragon, the illegal pill developed by Roark, allows citizens to raise their numbers without losing their personalities. It becomes both a lifeline and a symbol of resistance, enabling the group to survive and recruit others. The existence of Paragon exposes the system's vulnerability and the possibility of change from within. Its use raises ethical questions about authenticity, agency, and the cost of survival.

The Button and the Gas

The execution of ones by poison gas, administered at the press of a button, is the system's ultimate tool of control. It forces citizens to become complicit in murder, testing their loyalty and humanity. The device is both literal and symbolic—a mechanism for enforcing conformity and a test of conscience. Liana's refusal to press the button is a pivotal act of defiance.

Hidden Communities and Sanctuary

The existence of hidden communities like Sanctum reveals the persistence of hope and the human drive for connection. These sanctuaries are built on trust, resourcefulness, and the dream of a life beyond the Tower. Their destruction and the group's flight into the Depths underscore the fragility of safety and the resilience required to survive. The Depths become a crucible, forging the group into a true community.

Narrative Structure and Foreshadowing

The story is told in Liana's first-person voice, creating immediacy and intimacy. The narrative is structured around cycles of loss and hope, with each victory tempered by new dangers. Foreshadowing is used to build tension—hints of Scipio's malfunction, the growing unrest, and the possibility of life beyond the Tower. The story's emotional arc mirrors Liana's journey from despair to defiance.

Analysis

Bella Forrest's The Girl Who Dared to Think is a powerful exploration of conformity, control, and the irrepressible human spirit. Set in a claustrophobic, post-apocalyptic Tower, the novel uses the ranking system and Scipio's surveillance as metaphors for the pressures of modern society—where worth is measured by productivity, positivity, and obedience. Liana's journey is both personal and universal: her struggle to maintain her identity in the face of overwhelming pressure resonates with anyone who has felt the need to hide their true self to fit in. The story's greatest strength lies in its depiction of found family and the courage required to resist dehumanizing systems. Through Liana, Grey, and their allies, the novel argues that true change begins with those who dare to question, to feel, and to act. The cost of rebellion is high—loss, grief, and sacrifice—but the alternative is the slow death of the soul. In a world obsessed with numbers and order, The Girl Who Dared to Think is a call to embrace complexity, compassion, and the messy, beautiful reality of being human.

Last updated: January 29, 2026