Chapter 4: Colin — Summary and Character Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Colin follows Anna into Ravenfall's ballroom, where he is immediately struck by the magical spectacle: a bar with a wrought-iron raven whose head swivels, self-pouring drink dispensers, and dancing flames that briefly take the shape of autumn leaves. Anna explains that the other guests think it's all a light show. Colin, still reeling from the loss of his parents, is overwhelmed by the abundance of food and the warmth of the place, a stark contrast to the frozen pizza and takeout he's been living on.

Anna introduces Colin to her mother, Nora Ballinkay, and mentions that Colin is the boy from her vision. Nora greets him warmly, but her concern is evident. Anna quickly steers Colin to the buffet, and they return with plates piled high. Colin observes Anna's odd eating habits—she mixes corn and mashed potatoes onto a biscuit and feeds pieces of tri tip to her black cat, Max. Colin tries to follow Anna's advice to