Joining in this discussion far, far too late (I only found this community in the last week), I nevertheless wanted to add something as I really enjoyed the above comments. Agree totally that from the perspective of the mere mortal schoolgirl, Rowan is quite terrifyingly confident and lacking in any human vulnerabilities. I never believed I would like Rowan if I knew her (I'm sure she would be far too scathing about me and all my insecurities!) but aged 13 I really, really wanted to BE Rowan. Even more than Nicola, Rowan represented everything I wanted to be (and, I convinced myself, undoubtedly would have been, had I only been born into another family with another hair colour!)