All This Twisted Glory

Cyrus is a secondary protagonist of the novel and one of its three point-of-view characters. Described as extremely handsome, with reddish-copper hair, striking blue eyes, and a muscular form, Cyrus is around 21 years old. Although he is the king of the southern kingdom of Tulan, Cyrus eschews royal garments and jewelry, dressing mostly in austere black robes. He projects an aura of mystery and magic, with Huda describing him as “always disappearing […] or else appearing when you least expect him” (259). Trained as a Diviner, or spiritual healer, throughout his childhood, Cyrus had to give up his calling after he made a secret deal with Iblees, the devil. While other characters believe Cyrus’s magical powers come from Iblees, the narrative suggests Cyrus’s magic comes in part from rigorous training with the Diviners. Since Cyrus’s pact with the devil is public knowledge, people see him as a cruel and despicable king, an impression cemented by his murder of the Diviners of Ardunia and King Zaal. He is also rumored to have killed his own father, Reza, to seize the throne. However, the narrative suggests as it proceeds that there is much more to Cyrus than meets the eye and that he may have made the deal with Iblees at his father’s insistence.

The mysteries surrounding Cyrus’s deal with the devil, including his motives and the deal’s fallout, build much of the theme of The Complicated Cost of the Devil’s Bargain. Cyrus’s actions are driven in large part by the undisclosed compulsions of his deal with Iblees. Though Cyrus’s mother, Queen Sarra, accuses him of using the devil as an excuse for his questionable actions, the torment to which Iblees subjects Cyrus makes it clear Cyrus does not have much of a choice in the matter. Cyrus is described as being bled and beaten by Iblees, often dropped from great heights until his bones shatter, and then reanimated. Despite his suffering, Cyrus tries to live in the now, a lesson he learned from his spiritual master, the Diviner Rostem.

The portions of the novel told from Cyrus’s perspective establish that he is hopelessly in love with Alizeh, the destined queen of the Jinn, and Alizeh’s perspective shows that Cyrus is modest with no interest in wealth or power. Further, he tends to his dragons with great love, as if he were a common animal herder. Cyrus’s telepathic communication with the dragon Kaveh suggests he has disclosed the terms of his deal with Iblees to the creature. The compassion Cyrus shows Kaveh, as well as his love for Alizeh, shows Cyrus can be empathetic and tender, reinforcing the theme of The Redemptive Power of Love. Toward the end of the novel, Cyrus makes a blood oath with Alizeh, binding himself to her. Cyrus’s promise of giving his kingdom to Alizeh indicates his love for her is selfless, and thus, may redeem him. Because Cyrus expands his understanding of Alizeh over the course of the plot, seeing that she genuinely cares for him, he is a complex, well-rounded character with a dynamic arc.

The third protagonist of the novel, 18-year-old Kamran is the crown prince of the northern kingdom of Ardunia, which neighbors Cyrus’s Tulan. Kamran is tall and handsome, with dark brown hair and honey-colored skin. Kamran bears a golden mark on his skin, which has changed since he met Alizeh. It is now a “glittering vein of gold that split through his left eye” (129), adding to his striking appearance. Regal and haughty in bearing, Kamran is acutely aware of his political heritage and cultural duty. His father was assassinated when Kamran was 11, devastating him. Kamran was brought up by his mother and paternal grandfather, King Zaal. Though Kamran doted on Zaal, he is aware of the king’s shortcomings. Zaal’s murder by Cyrus threw Ardunia into upheaval. Kamran’s defense minister, Zahhakk, tried to kill him, and he was imprisoned in a tower, from which he summoned the fabulous bird Simorgh to rescue him. Kamran’s mother leaves their palace to secure a safe house for him. This complicated political background implies Kamran is preoccupied with establishing the legitimacy of his rule. Unlike Cyrus, who is king despite shunning temporal power, Kamran actively seeks political control. This establishes him as a foil to Cyrus. The flip side of Kamran’s interest in power is that it makes him manipulative, such as when he hatches a plan to marry Alizeh after the death of Cyrus so he can access the thrones of both Tulan and Ardunia. Much of Kamran’s story arc explores the theme of Cultural Heritage as a Source of Power and Conflict.

Much of Kamran’s conflict stems from his immaturity, which makes him impulsive and selfish. Kamran also tends to be short-sighted in his anger, as Hazan repeatedly points out. For instance, he risks war by shooting at Cyrus, despite the counsel of his friends. He also tends to be possessive of Alizeh, touching her in a proprietary fashion, which angers her. Despite these shortcomings, Kamran is a positive character who cares for Alizeh and the people of his kingdom. Even Kamran’s constant anger against Huda betrays his attraction toward her. Kamran also supports Hazan, a Jinn, and first recognizes Alizeh’s true potential. Kamran’s shortcomings can be attributed to the fact that he has yet to fully grow up. The text foreshadows that over the course of the series, Kamran will mature, getting over his infatuation with Alizeh and forging new relationships and attitudes.

Powerfully built, Hazan is a Jinn with distinctive iron-colored eyes and freckles on every inch of his skin. Hazan wears three crystal daggers on his belt and is Kamran’s close aide. While Hazan’s mother was an Ardunian courtier, his paternity is unknown. When Hazan tells Cyrus that he gave his family nosta to Alizeh, Cyrus notes the truth-stone belongs to his family, suggesting that Cyrus and Hazan may share ancestry. Hazan is ardently devoted to Alizeh, to whom he has sworn loyalty, believing she is the savior of the Jinn. However, Queen Sarra suggests that like Cyrus, Hazan too is in love with Alizeh, a suggestion Hazan neither denies nor confirms.

Like the nosta itself, Hazan is plain-spoken and truthful. He does not hesitate to call out Kamran on his faults, as when he tells Kamran that he is not just implying Kamran is vain, but “delivering the statement to you directly” (13). Hazan also stands up to Sarra when she tries to bully their group and carries Cyrus inside the palace, seeking help for the king’s injuries. In addition, Hazan saves Alizeh from an attack when she addresses the Jinn after her convalescence. Hazan is brave and individualistic, someone who refuses to bow to any authority except that which he has himself chosen.

An important character in the book, Miss Huda, so called because of her noble background, is of aristocratic birth. Huda is the daughter of an Ardunian ambassador and a courtesan. Raised by her stepmother, Huda is not quite treated as nobility because of her birth mother’s background, and she is aware of this discrimination. Huda’s stepmother also ignores her, which makes Huda prickly. Alizeh notes that Huda has a full, curvy figure that her stepmother dresses unflatteringly. Alizeh often wishes she could dress Huda fashionably, as she deserves. Though Huda can come off as clumsy, Kamran notes that she is beautiful.

In All this Infinite Glory, Huda is chatty and humorous, often raising Kamran’s hackles with her informal attitude. Huda comes into her own in Tulan, away from her confining existence in Ardunia. She is fiercely loyal to Alizeh and her other friends, ready to risk everything to be with them. She illustrates the importance of found family, demonstrating The Redemptive Power of Love. The novel foreshadows that Huda will develop a romantic relationship with Kamran.

Tall and wiry with a quiet, serious demeanor, Deen is an apothecary (pharmacist) from Ardunia who comes to Tulan with Kamran and his friends. Sympathetic to Alizeh, in the first book of the series, Deen gives Alizeh medicine to heal the injuries from her beatings at the hands of a housekeeper. Even after he discovers Alizeh is a Jinn, he does not reveal her secret to anyone. Though Deen is unwittingly pulled into the trip to Tulan, he grows to be a useful ally and loyal friend to Alizeh and the others.

Omid is a 12-year-old street-dweller in Ardunia, though he hails from the Fesht province. Omid speaks mostly in Freshtoon, the language of his people, and steals to survive. He has light brown skin and curly red hair. In This Woven Kingdom, Omid tries to rob Alizeh by pushing a knife against her throat. Alizeh frees herself by dislocating Omid’s arm and then offers him bread and water. Alizeh’s kindness proves a turning point for Omid; after the event, he recognizes her innate compassion and begins to idolize her. Omid accompanies Kamran to Tulan in search of Alizeh. He signifies innocence, courage, and The Redemptive Power of Love, reforming from his early thieving ways through Alizeh’s nurturing and acceptance. His name is a transliteration of the Persian “Umeed,” meaning hope, suggesting he also symbolizes the possibility of change and a fresh start.