A Royal Conundrum

Within the Misfits, Phil is the team’s tech specialist and inventor, and she typically runs communications and monitors progress rather than engaging in direct combat. Like Olive, Phil is sensitive and struggles with self-confidence, often blaming herself when things go wrong. When the team loses contact with Modest and Monica, she immediately assumes that her tech has failed, only to realize the issue was a human error. Phil’s anger at this discovery reflects her tendency to internalize failure: a pattern that she works to overcome. Over time, Phil becomes more assertive, learning to voice her needs rather than simply adapting to whatever resources she has on hand. Her friendship with Olive, which is one of the most significant relationships in the novel, is built on mutual understanding and shared interests like the Meggie & Her Fun Family comics. Phil wears a headscarf, which sometimes makes her a target for bullying outside the Misfits and subtly reinforces the novel’s theme of embracing individuality despite societal pressures.

At only nine years old, James is the youngest and most academically gifted member of the Misfits. A “certified genius” with “an encyclopedic knowledge of history and obscure facts” (89), James thrives in intellectual challenges but struggles in physical confrontations. His cautious nature contrasts with Iggy’s headstrong attitude, creating friction within the group. When Iggy mocks his hesitation in a fight, the altercation briefly disrupts the team’s cohesion, highlighting the novel’s explorations of personal insecurities. However, James proves his worth in the SUCCESS Simulations, outperforming his teammates and gaining confidence. By the time the team tackles the airport battle, he demonstrates significant growth and even takes down a bodyguard, showing that intelligence can be just as powerful as physical strength.

Iggy serves as the Misfits’ combat specialist, embodying the brash, fearless warrior archetype. Characterized as both “strong and headstrong” (98), she is “not really a ‘people person’” (271). Her aggression is both an asset and a liability, for although her bravery often benefits the team, her impulsiveness sometimes creates unnecessary conflict. For example, her teasing of James exemplifies her initial lack of empathy, but by the novel’s end, she recognizes that brute force is not always the right solution. Her arc revolves around learning trust and restraint, and she also comes to understand that every mission requires a balance of strength, intelligence, and teamwork.

Theo, the Misfits’ charismatic polyglot, excels at communication, particularly with adults. His charm and adaptability allow him to navigate social situations easily, but his laid-back nature occasionally causes problems. His most significant mistake—accidentally smuggling the jewels off Foggy Island—demonstrates that his easygoing approach can lead to unintended consequences. However, Theo’s ability to remain calm under pressure ultimately proves valuable, particularly in high-stakes situations where diplomacy is needed. While he does not undergo as dramatic a transformation as the others do, Theo’s role reinforces the importance of interpersonal skills in problem-solving.

Modest Cusak and Monica LaMonica serve as the Misfits’ mentors, providing guidance and emotional support. Their physical appearances and personalities establish them as an “opposites attract” pair; Modest is towering and muscular who is known for his grace, while Monica is a lean, compact boxing champion with a no-nonsense demeanor. Their differences also extend beyond mere appearance and skills; Modest is warm, expressive, and fond of bright colors, while Monica is reserved, intense, and always clad in dark clothing. Yet despite their contrasting natures, they function as a well-balanced team, reinforcing the novel’s focus on The Importance of Teamwork and Friendship.

As mentors, Modest and Monica ensure that all the members of the Misfits have the tools they need to thrive. The mentors tailor their training to the students’ individual needs, providing Olive with a tightrope and honing Iggy’s combat skills through specialized training robots. Their approach is supportive rather than coercive; while they encourage the team to push their limits, they do not force them into situations where they feel unsafe. Modest’s reassurance—”You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to” (63)—demonstrates their respect for the students’ boundaries, particularly when Olive hesitates to participate in the Splish Splash Splore.

However, Modest and Monica are not infallible. The “Code Bagel” incident creates a temporary rift between the mentors and the team, as the Misfits feel deceived and question whether they can fully trust their guides. This tension is exacerbated when Modest accidentally shuts off the team’s communication device during the gala, leaving them stranded without guidance. These moments highlight the fact that although Modest and Monica are competent and caring, they are also human and are capable of making mistakes. Their missteps force the Misfits to develop independence, and the experience ultimately strengthens the students’ ability to think and act on their own.

Modest and Monica’s deep care for the Misfits is evident despite these setbacks. After Olive’s near-drowning incident, they anxiously await the team’s return and embrace them the moment they reach shore. When the Misfits return from the KittyKon mission, they repeat this gesture, reinforcing their role as surrogate parental figures. While they push the team toward growth and self-sufficiency, their unwavering support ensures that the Misfits never feel alone. Through Modest and Monica, The Royal Conundrum emphasizes the importance of mentorship—not as a source of perfection, but as a guiding force that nurtures resilience and trust.

Olive Corbin Zang’s family plays a crucial role in The Royal Conundrum, shaping Olive’s sense of self and her journey toward belonging. Her parents, Dr. Corbin Zang and Dr. Zang Corbin, are elite members of NOCK, while her grandmother, Mimi, is a retired NOCK agent with deep wisdom and an unbreakable bond with Olive. Although Olive initially feels abandoned by her family, her understanding of them evolves as she uncovers their past and begins to recognize the love that they express in their own ways.

Dr. Corbin Zang and Dr. Zang Corbin’s habitual absence from Olive’s life is one of Olive’s primary sources of emotional struggle. As NOCK operatives, their missions take priority, and this dynamic leaves Olive feeling like an afterthought. However, Olive’s parents are neither indifferent nor intentionally neglectful; instead, their devotion to their work prevents them from realizing the emotional toll that their lifestyle takes on their daughter. They initially assume that providing for Olive’s physical and educational needs and ensuring her safety is enough, and they fail to realize that she craves their presence more than their protection.

When they read her diary, they acknowledge her pain instead of punishing her for her resentment, and Dr. Corbin Zang even compliments Olive’s writing and apologizes for making her feel lonely. This pivotal moment demonstrates that although their actions have hurt Olive, they are willing to learn and grow. For the most part, however, Olive struggles to understand her parents just as much as they fail to understand her. She sees them as dull and unremarkable and never suspects that they lead double lives. Their eventual reveal as highly skilled undercover operatives forces Olive to reevaluate their choices and her own assumptions about them.

Mimi, Olive’s maternal grandmother, provides Olive with the love and stability that her parents fail to deliver. She remains a skilled acrobat even in her 60s, and she teaches Olive the agility and resilience that will later serve her well at RASCH. More than just a mentor, Mimi represents a deep intergenerational connection, offering Olive a profound emotional anchor and a link to her Chinese heritage. When Olive believes that Mimi has died, she is devastated and feels truly alone. However, the revelation that Mimi faked her death as part of her past life as the Mouse—the arch-enemy of the Cat—forces Olive to rethink her family’s legacy and highlights The Deceptive Nature of Appearances.