Aleira Carstairs is colorblind and doesn't fit in at school. She's just fine with that until tenth grade when Avery Castle, who appears to be dreamy and beautiful, comes to her school. He's her lab partner and likes cutting up dead things. But that doesn't stop her from being in love. Avery Castle invites Aleira on a date on Saturday after fencing practice. Aleira fences like nobody (especially boys) can believe. Besides school, fencing is all she really does. Aleira is so nervous about her date with Avery, that she does her very worst in fencing practice. Avery Castle is an hour late for their date (if you could call it that). Aleira puts on her fencing mask to keep her safe from a bird that keeps trying to attack her in Grand Central Station while she's waiting for Avery. Then she sees color. Everything gets weird and crazy after that and Avery Castle turns out to be a troll and Aleira is the defender who holds the foil that keeps our world and other worlds in balance.