House of Sky and Breath

Sarah J. Maas

81 pages 2-hour read

Sarah J. Maas

House of Sky and Breath

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2022

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Bryce is a young woman of half-Fae and half-human descent working in the Fae Archives in Crescent City. She recently learned of her status as a Starborn Princess, a rare magical inheritance she prefers to ignore in favor of a normal life. She cares intensely for her loved ones and acts quickly when innocent people face danger. Her complicated lineage places her at odds with the strict social hierarchy of Midgard.

Key Relationships

Romantic Partner of Hunt Athalar

Half-Sister of Ruhn Danaan

Daughter of Ember Quinlan

Stepdaughter of Randall Silago

Daughter of Autumn King

Best Friend of Danika Fendryr

Betrothed to Cormac Donnall

Friend of Juniper

Friend of Fury Axtar

Hunt is a fallen angel who serves in the 33rd Battalion of Crescent City. He possesses powerful lightning magic and carries severe trauma from a failed rebellion centuries ago. He prefers to keep a low profile and focus on his personal life, weary of political conflicts. His protective instincts make him cautious about getting involved in new uprisings.

Key Relationships

Romantic Partner of Bryce Quinlan

Subordinate to Celestina

Former Coworker of Pollux Antonius

Former Coworker of Baxian Argos

Former Romantic Partner of Shahar

Ally of Ruhn Danaan

Ruhn is the Crown Prince of the Avallen Fae and a wielder of shadow magic. He uses his telepathic abilities to communicate silently with allies. Despite his royal status and privileged upbringing, he resents his father's cruelty and supports his half-sister without jealousy. He actively seeks a better path for the Fae people.

Key Relationships

Half-Brother of Bryce Quinlan

Son of Autumn King

Betrothed to Hypaxia Enador

Friend of Declan Emmett

Friend of Flynn

Ally of Ithan Holstrom

The Autumn King is the ruthless leader of the Valbaran Fae. He views his children primarily as political assets and enforces strict adherence to archaic, patriarchal laws. He wields immense magical authority and seeks to control anyone who threatens his dominant position.

Key Relationships

Father of Bryce Quinlan

Father of Ruhn Danaan

Former Partner of Ember Quinlan

Rigelus is one of the Asteri, the supremely powerful beings who rule Midgard. He appears as a teenage Fae boy but possesses ancient, overwhelming magic. He meticulously monitors the citizens of Midgard to maintain his absolute authority.

Key Relationships

Ruler of Lidia Cervos

Ruler of Hunt Athalar

Supporting Characters

Lidia is a dreaded deer-shifter and a high-ranking lieutenant in the imperial army. Known to many as the Hind, she maintains a statuesque, intimidating presence while executing her harsh duties. She closely monitors the movements of various political figures in Crescent City. Her actions instil fear across Midgard.

Key Relationships

Half-Sister of Hypaxia Enador

Partner of Pollux Antonius

Subordinate to Rigelus

Cormac is the Crown Prince of the Avallen Fae and a skilled teleportation magic user. He arrives in Crescent City to fulfill an arranged betrothal, though his presence suggests hidden motives. He maintains a cold exterior shaped by his own difficult upbringing.

Key Relationships

Betrothed to Bryce Quinlan

Cousin of Ruhn Danaan

Connected to Sofie Renast

Tharion is a mer and the Captain of Intelligence for the Istros River Queen. He heavily prefers living on land in his humanoid form over remaining underwater. His duties often place him in uncomfortable situations, forcing him to balance his personal desires against strict obligations to his ruler.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to River Queen

Friend of Bryce Quinlan

Ithan is a wolf shifter recently exiled from his local pack. Without the community structure vital to his species, he struggles to find his footing and identity. He slowly begins forming a new circle of trust with the people who offer him shelter.

Key Relationships

Brother of Connor Holstrom

Exiled by Sabine

Friend of Bryce Quinlan

Hypaxia is a witch queen raised in isolation from her coven. She possesses rare necromancy magic inherited from her father's line, allowing her to interact with spirits. She relies on political arrangements for safety because she lacks strong support from her own people.

Key Relationships

Betrothed to Ruhn Danaan

Half-Sister of Lidia Cervos

Celestina is an archangel newly tasked with governing the city. She presents a much gentler demeanor than her cruel predecessors, surprising the soldiers under her command. Her high rank leaves her subject to the direct, often intrusive dictates of the imperial rulers.

Key Relationships

Commander of Hunt Athalar

Betrothed to Ephraim

Sofie is a human rebel possessing extremely rare electricity magic. Her valuable abilities and knowledge make her a prime target for government forces. Her desperate actions drive much of the early search efforts by other characters.

Key Relationships

Older Sister of Emile Renast

Connected to Cormac Donnall

Emile is a young human boy separated from his family during a rebel escape. Rumors about his potential magical abilities cause various factions to hunt him across the continent. He remains confused and vulnerable in a world of powerful magical beings.

Key Relationships

Younger Brother of Sofie Renast

Pollux is an angelic soldier known as the Hammer. He served alongside Hunt in the past and openly enjoys inflicting pain on others. He uses his position to verbally and physically harass the people around him.

Key Relationships

Former Coworker of Hunt Athalar

Partner of Lidia Cervos

Baxian is an angelic soldier with the rare ability to shift into a hound form. He carries a dark reputation from his past service under a sadistic commander. He behaves enigmatically, occasionally offering cryptic remarks that surprise his peers.

Key Relationships

Former Coworker of Hunt Athalar

Danika is a deceased alpha wolf whose memory continues to influence Crescent City. Before her death, she engaged in extensive, secret research regarding the history of their world. Her hidden projects slowly come to light as her friends investigate her past.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Bryce Quinlan

Daughter of Sabine

Sabine is the fierce leader of Crescent City's wolf population. She strictly adheres to traditional pack hierarchy and maintains a hostile attitude toward non-wolves. She quickly punishes any disobedience within her ranks.

Key Relationships

Mother of Danika Fendryr

Commander of Ithan Holstrom

Juniper is a talented faun and a dedicated ballet dancer. She holds strong moral principles, having previously spoken out against the wealthy elite during a crisis. She relies heavily on her close-knit circle of friends for support.

Key Relationships

Friend of Bryce Quinlan

Partner of Fury Axtar

Fury is a deadly mercenary with an unknown origin. She keeps her emotions tightly guarded but shows intense loyalty to her small group of friends. She possesses extensive knowledge of the criminal underworld.

Key Relationships

Friend of Bryce Quinlan

Partner of Juniper

Ember is a human mother living outside of Crescent City. She fiercely loves her daughter and actively distrusts the Fae elite due to past experiences. She strives to provide a stable, loving environment for her family.

Key Relationships

Mother of Bryce Quinlan

Wife of Randall Silago

Former Partner of Autumn King

Randall is a human marksman who serves as a supportive father figure. He embraces his family unconditionally and offers practical, grounded advice when faced with magical conflicts.

Key Relationships

Husband of Ember Quinlan

Stepfather of Bryce Quinlan

Declan is a tech-whiz and a loyal associate in the Fae royal circle. He uses his advanced computer skills to hack security systems and gather digital intelligence to aid his friends.

Key Relationships

Friend of Ruhn Danaan

Flynn is a close companion to the Fae Crown Prince. He frequently assists his friends during investigations and provides reliable backup during hostile encounters.

Key Relationships

Friend of Ruhn Danaan

The Viper Queen is the dangerous ruler of the Meat Market, a lawless district in Crescent City. She manages illegal fighting rings and trades in illicit information, always seeking a profitable exchange.

Key Relationships

Employer of Tharion Ketos

Acquaintance of Bryce Quinlan

Pippa is a commander within the human rebellion. She holds extreme views and frequently employs lethal tactics against anyone she perceives as an enemy to her cause, regardless of their civilian status.

Key Relationships

Commander of Sofie Renast

Aidas is a demon known as the Prince of the Chasm. He occasionally appears in Crescent City to offer cryptic advice regarding ancient magic, maintaining an unsettling and mysterious presence.

Key Relationships

Advisor to Bryce Quinlan

Apollion is a feared demon from the dimension of Hel, known as the Prince of the Pit. He communicates with powerful individuals through their dreams to discuss impending conflicts.

Key Relationships

Dream Visitor of Hunt Athalar

The River Queen rules the underwater domain of Istros. She acts with severe authority, demanding absolute obedience from her subjects and severely punishing perceived slights.

Key Relationships

Ruler of Tharion Ketos

Jesiba is a witch and former gallery owner in Crescent City. She possesses extensive knowledge of magical artifacts and trades in rare, dangerous goods.

Key Relationships

Former Employer of Bryce Quinlan