What is Truth Needs No Colour about?
The South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand has been deemed unlivable by the NZ government after a ferocious cyclone.
A large corporation named Carapace has taken it over, building new cities, schools and transport lines.
This isn’t without a loss of rights, opinions and choice. Carapace rules with restrictions, guards, and tight regulations no one can break without punishment.
One girl decides to follow her parent’s activism when a boy she likes is treated unfairly by the system – especially when she too has experienced unjust treatment herself, again and again.
But standing up for what you believe in has a price she’s not sure she is ready to pay.
Plot summary of Truth Needs No Colour (No Spoilers)
Mariana Lance Darnell is turning 15. She’s now living with her grandparents and her foster brother, who barely get by. Angry at the world for the loss of her mother, her missing father and the fact she has to start yet another new school, Mariana takes it out on those around her.
The gift of a beautiful red dress, hand-stitched by Nana Isla, doesn’t even calm her anger – but the thought of reinventing herself at the new school does. Maybe the dress will help her do that? It’s the first of many mistakes Mariana makes.
Her new school Apace College is run by the Carapace Corporation that owns and runs everything. The rules are strict, nonsensical and terribly unfair. The longer she is there, the more she realises that Carapace has control over every aspect of their lives – at home and school, to keep everyone compliant.
But there is something she can do to show support for a friend that Carapace targets. This is her biggest mistake of all. Or is it? The colour red is suddenly a colour of resistance, regaining control over lives around her, and a way back to the only family she has.
Review
Truth Needs No Colour is a powerful story of standing up for what is fair and right, and speaking out for those around you. Heather McQuillan’s writing is superb, allowing the settings and characters portray the insidious regime a corporation uses on ordinary people.
Nothing is new with money and power bringing greed and corruption, but the way this is done in this dystopian New Zealand society is disturbing in its possibilities. It’s a bleak existence where everyone is scared of stepping out of line (and there are actual painted lines for students to follow while in school), but the love of main character Mariana’s grandparents and her foster brother shine through in the narrative.
Following Mariana’s journey, all while she speaks to her dead mother (in her head), has a crush on a boy at school, and tries to follow the endless rules, is an engaging and ultimately hopeful read.
Book Style
296 pages / 37 Chapters
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
12+
Where & When is it set?
Aotearoa New Zealand / A dystopian future where a cyclone causes so much damage, the South Island is deemed uninhabitable until a corporation takes over.
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
First person / Past tense
What genre is Truth Needs No Colour?
Young Adult Dystopian
Themes
Dystopian / New Zealand / Control / Corporation / Family
Is it part of a series?
No
Author
Heather McQuillan
Publisher
Cloud Ink Press
(2026, Cloud Ink Press, Aotearoa New Zealand, Dystopian, Control, Prisons, Corporation, South Island, Schools, Greed, Corruption, Power, NZ Author, Standing up for what you believe in, Unfairness)