Plot Summary
Red Eyes and Broken Portals
Rosie Fox, a demigod with striking red eyes and a penchant for trouble, faces another day as a Tanrian Marshal. Her immortality is both a blessing and a curse, making her reckless and isolated. When a portal malfunctions, Rosie's impulsive attempt to fix it results in her death—again. Her partner, Duckers, is exasperated but loyal, and their banter reveals a deep, chosen-family bond. The portal's failure is more than a technical glitch; Rosie glimpses a shadowy presence inside, invisible to others. This incident sets off a chain of events that will force Rosie to confront her own nature, the limits of her immortality, and the mysterious forces lurking in Tanria. The chapter establishes Rosie's voice—wry, vulnerable, and yearning for connection despite her bravado.
Immortality's Burden and Friendship
Rosie's immortality is a heavy, isolating burden. She's survived countless deaths, outlived everyone she's loved, and struggles to find meaning in a world that moves on without her. Duckers, her steadfast partner, is her anchor—his warmth and humor keep her grounded. Their friendship is tested by the constant threat of loss, especially as Duckers faces his own grief and the return of his ex, Zeddie. Rosie's relationship with her trickster god father is fraught; he's unreliable and self-absorbed, offering little comfort. The chapter explores the ache of outliving loved ones, the longing for normalcy, and the solace found in chosen family. Rosie's vulnerability is laid bare, even as she masks it with sarcasm and bravado.
Funerals and the Weight of Loss
Attending a funeral with Duckers, Rosie is confronted by the rituals of mortality and the pain of being left behind. The ceremony is both comforting and alienating—she envies those who can grieve and be grieved, while she remains the perennial mourner. The eulogy, the birth key, and the communal mourning highlight the beauty and tragedy of impermanence. Rosie's immortality feels like a curse as she realizes she will never be the one remembered or missed. The chapter is suffused with longing, regret, and the bittersweet realization that love and loss are inseparable. Rosie's emotional armor cracks, revealing her deep need for connection and meaning.
Secrets Shared Over Drinks
Rosie meets with Hart Ralston, a fellow demigod and friend, who shares a secret: he once died and returned, thanks to his unique heritage. He reveals the existence of a mysterious door in Tanria—a possible escape from immortality. This revelation offers Rosie a glimmer of hope and a sense of kinship. The conversation is intimate and raw, as both grapple with the existential weight of their natures. Hart's story reframes Rosie's understanding of death, choice, and the possibility of an ending. The chapter is a turning point, planting the seed that immortality need not be a prison, and that true friendship is found in shared vulnerability.
The Arrival of Adam Lee
Adam Lee, the enigmatic inventor of the portals, arrives to investigate the malfunctions. He is precise, reserved, and intimidating, yet there's a quiet intensity beneath his exterior. Rosie is both annoyed and intrigued by him; their interactions are charged with unspoken tension. Adam's presence unsettles the marshals, especially as he seems to recognize something amiss that others cannot see. Rosie's ability to perceive the shadowy blight inside the portals sets her apart, and Adam's reaction hints at deeper knowledge. The chapter crackles with anticipation, as Rosie and Adam's fates begin to intertwine, and the mystery of the portals deepens.
Shadows in the Mist
As Adam and Rosie investigate, the shadowy blight inside the portals becomes more pronounced—visible only to Rosie, but increasingly real. The blight spreads, threatening the stability of Tanria and the safety of all who enter. Adam's concern grows, and his professional detachment begins to crack, revealing glimpses of fear and responsibility. The marshals scramble to manage the crisis, but the true nature of the threat eludes them. Rosie's unique perception becomes both a gift and a burden, isolating her further even as it makes her indispensable. The chapter is tense and foreboding, as the boundaries between the mortal world and the divine begin to blur.
Evacuation and Unraveling
The blight's spread forces a mass evacuation of Tanria. Rosie, Duckers, Adam, and Zeddie become trapped inside as the portals fail one by one. The evacuation is chaotic and fraught with fear; the group's camaraderie is tested by stress, hunger, and the looming threat of being stranded forever. Old wounds resurface—Duckers and Zeddie's unresolved feelings, Rosie's fear of abandonment, Adam's mysterious illness. The blight outside mirrors the unraveling within, as each character confronts their deepest anxieties. The chapter is claustrophobic and desperate, but also laced with moments of humor, tenderness, and the stubborn will to survive.
Stranded in Tanria
With no way out, the group settles into a tense routine. Rosie and Adam are drawn together by necessity and mutual fascination. Their banter softens into genuine intimacy as they share stories, vulnerabilities, and small comforts. Duckers and Zeddie tentatively rekindle their connection, finding solace in each other. The blight continues to grow, and Adam's health deteriorates—his attacks become more frequent and severe. The group's isolation strips away pretense, forcing each to confront their fears and desires. The chapter is a study in resilience, as love and friendship bloom in the shadow of disaster.
Old Wounds, New Bonds
Secrets come to light: Adam is the legendary Briar Thief, cursed with immortality by the Trickster's vine; Rosie's father is the Trickster himself. The blight is revealed to be the physical manifestation of Adam's curse, feeding on love and connection. The group must reckon with the consequences of past choices—Adam's failed quest for immortality, the Trickster's meddling, Rosie's own longing for an ending. Forgiveness is hard-won, but love proves stronger than regret. Rosie and Adam's relationship deepens, their connection both a source of hope and the catalyst for the blight's final bloom. The chapter is poignant and redemptive, as old wounds are acknowledged and new bonds forged.
The Truth of the Briar
Adam's full story is revealed: his attempt to steal immortality for humanity, his punishment by the gods, and the centuries of loneliness that followed. The blight's growth accelerates, threatening to consume Tanria and the world beyond. The only hope lies in returning the vine to its source—the garden of the Old Gods, accessible only through a mysterious door in Sector 28. Rosie and Adam, now fully in love, resolve to face the unknown together. The chapter is suffused with urgency and sacrifice, as the group prepares for a journey that may cost them everything.
Love in the Face of Doom
Rosie and Adam enter the afterlife, guided by mythic figures and tested by gods. They confront the true cost of immortality and the necessity of endings. The Trickster, in a final act of love, sacrifices himself to end the curse and save Tanria. Rosie, once desperate for an escape from her endless life, chooses mortality and the risk of loss for the chance to truly live and love. Adam, freed from his curse, embraces the beauty of impermanence. The chapter is both heartbreaking and triumphant, as love endures even in the face of death.
The Door in Sector 28
Rosie and Adam's journey through the afterlife is surreal and transformative. They encounter the Warden, the Salt Sea, and the Mother of Sorrows, each offering wisdom and challenge. The boundaries between life and death, mortal and divine, blur and dissolve. The couple's love is tested and affirmed, their choices echoing through myth and memory. The door in Sector 28 becomes a symbol of possibility—the chance to choose one's own ending, to shape one's own story. The chapter is dreamlike and profound, as Rosie and Adam step into the unknown, hand in hand.
The Afterlife's Bargain
In the realm of the gods, Rosie and Adam must negotiate for their freedom and the salvation of Tanria. The gods are capricious, their motives inscrutable, but love proves a potent bargaining chip. The Trickster's sacrifice is honored, and the curse is lifted—but at the cost of Rosie and Adam's immortality. They return to the world changed, mortal at last, and must learn to live with the knowledge that their time together is finite. The chapter is bittersweet, as freedom is won through loss, and the future is both uncertain and precious.
Sacrifice and the End of Immortality
Rosie and Adam return to a changed world—Tanria is healed, the blight gone, but years have passed. Their friends have aged, moved on, and built new lives. Rosie's father is gone, but his final act has redeemed him in her eyes. The couple must navigate the challenges of mortality—pain, aging, the inevitability of death—but do so with gratitude and joy. Their love, once a source of pain and longing, becomes a celebration of the present. The chapter is a meditation on acceptance, the beauty of impermanence, and the courage to let go.
Homecoming and Healing
Rosie and Adam are welcomed home by Duckers, Zeddie, and their found family. The world has changed, but love endures. Old wounds are healed, new bonds are formed, and the couple finds peace in the ordinary joys of life—shared meals, laughter, the comfort of home. Rosie reconciles with her father's memory, mends what can be mended, and lets go of what cannot. The story ends not with a grand triumph, but with the quiet, hard-won happiness of two people who have chosen each other, mortality, and the messy, beautiful business of living.
Characters
Rosie Fox
Rosie is a red-eyed, immortal demigod whose brash humor and impulsiveness mask a deep loneliness. Her immortality, inherited from her trickster god father, is both a shield and a prison—she cannot die, but she also cannot truly live. Rosie's relationships are marked by loss; she outlives everyone she loves, leading to a fear of attachment and a tendency to self-sabotage. Her friendship with Duckers is her anchor, providing warmth and stability. Rosie's journey is one of acceptance—of her own vulnerability, the necessity of endings, and the courage to choose love despite the certainty of loss. Her arc is a meditation on mortality, meaning, and the beauty of impermanence.
Adam Lee (Lidojozháis Mäkherkis Ödamika, the Briar Thief)
Adam is the legendary Briar Thief, cursed with immortality after attempting to steal eternal life for humanity. Brilliant, reserved, and deeply wounded, he has spent centuries inventing, observing, and avoiding attachment. The vine in his chest is both a literal and metaphorical manifestation of his pain—feeding on love, growing with connection, and threatening to consume all. Adam's relationship with Rosie awakens hope and fear in equal measure; she is the first person to truly see him in centuries. His arc is one of redemption, as he confronts his past, accepts love, and ultimately chooses mortality and vulnerability over endless isolation.
Penrose Duckers
Duckers is Rosie's steadfast partner and emotional anchor. Warm, funny, and deeply empathetic, he provides the stability Rosie lacks. His own struggles—with grief, love, and the fear of being left behind—mirror Rosie's, but he faces them with openness and resilience. Duckers' relationship with Zeddie is a source of both pain and healing, as they navigate old wounds and new beginnings. He is the glue that holds the group together, embodying the power of chosen family and the importance of showing up for those you love.
Zeddie Birdsall
Zeddie is Duckers' ex-boyfriend, a talented chef who returns to Tanria seeking connection and purpose. Sensitive and self-deprecating, he struggles with feelings of inadequacy and the fear of being a burden. Zeddie's journey is one of self-acceptance and forgiveness, as he reconciles with Duckers and finds his place in the group. His culinary skills provide comfort and joy, a reminder of the small pleasures that make life worth living. Zeddie's arc is a testament to the healing power of love, food, and second chances.
The Trickster (Rosie's Father)
The Trickster is Rosie's immortal father, a god of chaos, humor, and unintended consequences. Self-absorbed and unreliable, he is both the source of Rosie's immortality and the architect of Adam's curse. His relationship with Rosie is fraught—he craves her love but cannot provide the stability she needs. In the end, the Trickster redeems himself through sacrifice, choosing to end his own immortality to save Tanria and his daughter. His arc is a meditation on the limits of divine love, the possibility of change, and the bittersweet nature of letting go.
Hart Ralston
Hart is a fellow demigod and former Tanrian Marshal, now sheriff of Eternity. Stoic, wise, and quietly compassionate, he is one of the few who truly understands Rosie's plight. His own brush with death and the afterlife gives him a unique perspective on mortality and choice. Hart's friendship with Rosie is a source of comfort and guidance, helping her navigate the existential dilemmas of immortality. He represents the possibility of acceptance and the importance of facing one's fears with honesty.
Mercy Birdsall
Mercy is an undertaker, friend to Rosie and Duckers, and a model of grace under pressure. Her work with the dead gives her a unique perspective on life, loss, and the rituals that bind communities together. Mercy's presence is grounding—she offers practical support, emotional wisdom, and a reminder that love endures beyond death. Her relationship with Hart and her family is a touchstone for Rosie, illustrating the beauty of ordinary happiness and the courage to keep loving despite inevitable loss.
Alma Maguire
Maguire is the formidable chief of the Tanrian Marshals, a demigod with a fiery temper and a deep sense of responsibility. She is both a mentor and a disciplinarian, pushing Rosie to be her best while holding her accountable for her recklessness. Maguire's own struggles with loss and leadership mirror those of her subordinates, and her compassion is often hidden beneath a gruff exterior. She represents the challenges of authority, the weight of duty, and the necessity of mercy.
Gobbo
Gobbo is a nimkilim (magical deer messenger) who provides both comic relief and crucial assistance. His ability to traverse the Mist and deliver messages makes him a lifeline for the stranded group. Gobbo's laid-back attitude and quirky humor lighten the story's darker moments, while his unique perspective on the magical world offers insight and guidance. He embodies the importance of small acts of kindness and the unexpected ways in which help arrives.
The Mother of Sorrows
The Mother of Sorrows is a divine figure who aids Rosie and Adam in their journey through the afterlife. Warm, wise, and a little mischievous, she offers comfort, perspective, and the tools needed to return to the mortal world. Her presence is a balm for Rosie's grief, and her guidance helps the couple accept the necessity of endings. She represents the power of compassion, the inevitability of loss, and the hope that comes with new beginnings.
Plot Devices
Immortality as Isolation and Longing
The central plot device is the curse of immortality—bestowed by the Trickster, embodied in Adam's vine, and suffered by Rosie. Immortality is not a gift but a source of alienation, regret, and existential dread. The story explores the psychological toll of outliving everyone you love, the temptation to withdraw from life, and the desperate yearning for meaning and connection. The blight in Tanria is a physical manifestation of this curse, growing stronger as love and attachment deepen. The only escape is through vulnerability, sacrifice, and the acceptance of mortality.
The Portal as Threshold and Liminal Space
The portals are both literal and symbolic thresholds—gateways between worlds, life and death, mortal and divine. Their malfunction signals a rupture in the natural order, forcing the characters to confront what lies beyond the familiar. The journey through the portals, the Mist, and ultimately the afterlife is a metaphor for transformation, the courage to face the unknown, and the possibility of change. The door in Sector 28 is the ultimate liminal space—a place where endings and beginnings converge.
Found Family and Chosen Bonds
The story foregrounds the importance of chosen family—friends, lovers, and companions who offer support, acceptance, and love. Rosie's relationships with Duckers, Adam, Zeddie, and the others are the antidote to the loneliness of immortality. These bonds are tested by crisis, loss, and the threat of separation, but ultimately endure. The healing power of love—romantic, platonic, and familial—is the force that enables the characters to face their fears, make sacrifices, and embrace the messiness of life.
Sacrifice and the Necessity of Endings
The narrative is structured around the theme of sacrifice—giving up immortality, letting go of the past, and accepting the inevitability of death. The Trickster's final act, Rosie's willingness to die, and Adam's acceptance of mortality are all acts of love that restore balance and heal the world. The story rejects the fantasy of endless life in favor of the beauty found in impermanence, the courage to say goodbye, and the hope that comes with new beginnings.
Humor and Banter as Coping Mechanisms
Despite its heavy themes, the story is laced with humor, banter, and moments of levity. The characters use wit and sarcasm to deflect pain, build intimacy, and maintain hope in the face of despair. This narrative device humanizes the characters, making their struggles relatable and their triumphs hard-won. The interplay of light and dark, comedy and tragedy, is essential to the story's emotional impact.
Analysis
Megan Bannen's The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is a profound meditation on the costs and gifts of mortality. Through the lens of fantasy and romance, the novel interrogates the allure and curse of immortality, ultimately arguing that life's meaning is found not in endless existence, but in the courage to love, lose, and begin again. The story's emotional arc is driven by the tension between isolation and connection, the fear of loss and the necessity of letting go. Rosie and Adam's journey—from cursed immortals to vulnerable mortals—is both a love story and a philosophical exploration of what it means to be human. The novel celebrates found family, the healing power of humor, and the beauty of impermanence. Its lesson is clear: to truly live, we must accept the inevitability of endings, embrace the messiness of love, and find joy in the fleeting, precious moments that make up a life.
Last updated:
