Jan is an intelligent and ambitious young man whose ultimate dream is to explore the stars. He is deeply frustrated by the Overlords' prohibition on human space travel, which has stalled scientific progress in astronomy. As Maia's brother, he feels a sense of stagnation on Earth and searches for creative, daring ways to bypass the alien restrictions. He represents the persistent human spirit of exploration and discovery.

Karellen is the Overlord Supervisor leading the alien occupation of Earth. He operates from his ship hovering above New York City and maintains strict secrecy about his physical appearance for decades, communicating directly only with the UN Secretary-General. Though he speaks with a benevolent tone and eradicates war and disease, his true agenda remains a mystery to humanity.

Rikki Stormgren is the 60-year-old Secretary-General of the United Nations during the early years of the Overlord occupation. As the only human permitted direct communication with Karellen, he bears the immense burden of acting as the bridge between humanity and the alien rulers. He generally trusts the Overlords but struggles with his own inherent curiosity about their concealed nature.

George is a practical man who works in live theater and television production. He represents a traditional, pragmatic perspective in a rapidly changing world. Initially skeptical of the paranormal, George prioritizes his relationship with Jean and seeks a stable life for his future family, eventually relocating to the experimental colony of New Athens to find meaningful work.

Jean is a young woman who occasionally exhibits a unique sensitivity to paranormal phenomena. Her unexpected reaction during a séance at the Boyce party draws the quiet attention of the Overlords. Despite living in a technologically advanced utopia, Jean holds onto traditional desires for family and stability, deeply loving her partner and future children.

Jeffrey, known as Jeff, is the young son of George and Jean. He enjoys a seemingly idyllic childhood in New Athens, exploring the ocean and tidal pools with an innate curiosity. His connection to the natural world distinguishes him, and he eventually begins experiencing vivid, unusual dreams that draw the attention of both his parents and the Overlords.

Wainwright is a clerical leader who heads the Freedom League, an organization opposing the Overlords' control over Earth. He advocates for human independence and religious freedom, distrusting the aliens' secrecy and warning against humanity losing its initiative under their benevolent dictatorship.

Rashaverak is an Overlord with a particular interest in human anthropological and paranormal history. He utilizes human libraries, such as Rupert Boyce's collection, to study phenomena that humanity considers mystical or occult. He acts as an observer and occasional guide regarding the unexpected developments within human families.

Rupert is a well-connected individual who curates a large library of books on paraphysics and the occult. He enjoys demonstrating advanced technologies gifted by the Overlords and possesses an enthusiastic, slightly careless personality, highlighted by his eagerness to experiment with a séance board at his gathering.

Maia is Rupert Boyce's strikingly beautiful new wife and the sister of Jan Rodricks. Her presence at the party stirs quiet reflections among the guests regarding the evolving social and sexual politics of the Overlords' utopia.

Professor Sullivan is a renowned undersea biologist commissioned to create massive taxidermy tableaus for the Overlords. His passion for marine discovery makes him sympathetic to Jan's desires for exploration, leading him to aid the young man in a highly secretive and risky plan.

Pierre is an ingenious physicist who assists Rikki Stormgren in probing the mystery of the Overlords. He develops custom technological devices, including a concealed radar and a specialized flashlight, to help bypass the security measures on Karellen's ship.

The unnamed Welshman is a leader within the extremist, radical wing of the Freedom League. Operating out of an abandoned mine to avoid Overlord surveillance, he is fiercely dedicated to breaking Karellen's control over Earth and attempts to coerce Stormgren into exposing the aliens' secrets.

Van Ryberg is the Acting Secretary-General who steps in during Rikki Stormgren's sudden absence. He is a pragmatic official who theorizes about the true nature of the Overlord occupation and attempts to enlist Karellen's aid when Stormgren goes missing.

Jennifer Anne, known as Jenny, is the baby sister of Jeffrey Greggson. Growing up in the island community of New Athens, she soon begins to exhibit bizarre and extraordinary physical abilities that startle her parents and signal a massive shift in human evolution.

Known to the residents as "The Inspector," Thanthalteresco is an Overlord assigned to evaluate the experimental human settlement of New Athens. He methodically collects statistics and observes the culture, though he harbors a quiet sympathy for the people he studies.

Charles is the chairman of the New Athens colony during the Overlord inspection. He is fiercely protective of the island's independent culture and subtly probes the Overlords about their own society and child-rearing practices, though his inquiries are politely deflected.

Vindarten is an Overlord Earth specialist who possesses some familiarity with the English language. He acts as a guide and translator for human visitors to his planet, showing off extraterrestrial museums and observing human reactions to alien phenomena.

Fey is the Greggson family's beautiful golden retriever. Deeply attached to young Jeffrey, she represents the deep bonds of domestic life and serves as a poignant symbol of devotion, relying completely on the human family that cares for her.

Helena is a cosmonaut who witnesses the initial, terrifying arrival of the Overlords. Her perspective captures the shock and religious awe felt by those who see their life's work in space exploration suddenly eclipsed by immense alien intervention.

Dr. Kaleer is a dedicated researcher and scientist working on human space exploration. When the Overlords' massive ships appear in the sky, he feels a profound sense of awe rather than terror, recognizing that humanity is no longer alone in the universe.