The youngest prince of Elfhame grows up neglected and despised by his biological family. Forced into the care of his cruel older brother Balekin, he adopts a shield of villainy and petty cruelty to protect himself. He possesses a sharp tongue and initially struggles with his shifting perceptions of human worth.

A troll woman characterized by three golden wart hairs who works as a miller for a lower faerie Court. After being cheated out of a promised reward by her ruler, she nurses a deep grudge and resorts to violence. She acts as a dark mentor figure to a young Cardan, exchanging layered fairy tales with him.

A mortal human girl raised by faerie gentry within the dangerous Court of Elfhame. Despite lacking magical abilities and facing intense bullying from the royal posse, she values hard work and refuses to submit to faerie cruelty. Her resilience challenges the realm's established class divides and earns her immense authority.

The power-hungry older brother of Cardan holds intense aspirations for the High King's throne. He harbors a deep prejudice against mortals and forces human servants into miserable labor. He controls Cardan's upbringing, instructing him in princely conduct while simultaneously subjecting him to harsh corporal punishment.

The haughty Princess of the Undersea is fostered in Elfhame to secure a political alliance for her mother. Disdainful of mortals and land-dwelling fae alike, she specifically chooses to befriend the unimpressed Cardan. She forms part of his close circle but brings emotional volatility to his life through her changing affections.

A dramatic and manipulative member of Cardan's royal posse. He enjoys stoking conflict among his peers and viewing situations as entertaining spectacles. His romantic entanglements within the group create significant friction and jealousy.

Jude's identical twin sister is also raised within the treacherous faerie courts. Like Jude, she suffers the cruelty of the royal posse. She approaches the dangers of Elfhame differently than her sister, drawing the attention of Cardan's circle.

A formidable redcap and faerie gentry who raises the mortal Duarte sisters in Elfhame. He operates as a martial figure within the realm. He provides his mortal charges with a mixture of protection and military discipline.

The reigning monarch of Elfhame and Cardan's biological father. He remains emotionally distant from his youngest son and largely ignores the political petitions of lower-ranking subjects.

Cardan's older brother and the favored son of the High King. He wields significant influence within the Elfhame Court but possesses a dark, murderous side that he hides behind a pristine reputation.

A violent member of Cardan's group of royal marauders. He enthusiastically participates in the group's reign of terror across the Elfhame courts alongside his elite peers.

A human woman stolen away from the mortal realm and ensorcelled by Prince Balekin. She serves in his household and is forced to carry out the prince's cruel punishments against his brother.

The ruler of a lower Court within Elfhame's jurisdiction. She strikes a bargain for seven years of labor but uses trickery to avoid fulfilling her side of the agreement, sparking a deadly grudge.

The power-hungry monarch of the Undersea Court. She strategically places her daughter in Elfhame to maneuver for political advantage and secure alliances with the land-dwelling fae.

Jude and Taryn's adoptive faerie brother. He is raised away from the immediate dangers of the court for his own protection before the events of his coming-of-age.

Madoc's biological fairy daughter and the older half-sister to Jude and Taryn. She shares their complicated upbringing bridging the mortal and immortal worlds.