The Alice Network

“All her life, Eve had been able to open her wide-spaced eyes and blink her lashes into a perfect breeze of innocent confusion, and slide away from consequences.” 

Eve’s damaged childhood gave her the ability to conceal her thoughts. This projection of innocence is what first attracts Cameron to recruit her. Eve’s innocence is lethal in its ability to disarm her adversaries, including René. 

“Just a fortnight, and Eve wondered how much it was possible to change in two weeks. Or was it not change, but becoming what she already was?” 

Eve has been searching her whole life for a meaningful place in the world. Spying allows her to exploit characteristics that others have always viewed as a weakness. She doesn’t need to conceal who she really is anymore. 

“‘Lili,’ Eve asked impulsively. ‘Are you ever afraid?” […] ‘Yes, just like everybody else. But only after the danger is done—before that, fear is an indulgence.’” 

Eve is in awe of Lili’s apparent fearlessness. Lili takes risks the rest of her group would never consider. Eve repeats this comment from her mentor like a mantra on several future occasions when she finds herself in risky situations.