Incantation

Alice Hoffman

44 pages 1-hour read

Alice Hoffman

Incantation

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2006

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Character List

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

Major Characters

Estrella/Esther is a sixteen-year-old girl living in Encaleflora, Spain. Nicknamed "Raven," she is observant and spiritually inclined. She possesses a natural curiosity about the world around her. She loves her family deeply, though she sometimes struggles to understand their unusual, secretive household traditions. She finds herself balancing growing romantic feelings with a shifting social environment in her village.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Abra/Mother

Granddaughter of Carmen/Sarah/Grandmother

Sister of Luis

Best Friend of Catalina

Romantic Interest of Andres

Owner of Dini

Catalina is Estrella/Esther's neighbor and childhood best friend, affectionately nicknamed "Crow." Although the two girls spend significant time together and envision intertwined futures, Catalina harbors deep insecurities regarding their differences in wealth and appearance. She is highly conscious of social status and desires to improve her standing in the village.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Estrella/Esther

Cousin of Andres

Neighbor of Señora Arrias

Abra is a thirty-five-year-old widow who works as a healer and wool dyer in the village. Known for her beauty and the blue dye constantly staining her hands, she is a highly educated and fearless woman. She passes her knowledge of folk medicine and herbal remedies down to her daughter, maintaining connections across different neighborhoods in the community.

Key Relationships

Mother of Estrella/Esther

Mother of Luis

Friend of Muslim Doctor's Wife

Jose is a wise and widely respected teacher in Encaleflora. To his granddaughter, he initially appears aloof and intimidating, spending much of his time instructing the smartest pupils in his study under the cellar stairs. He firmly upholds his household's private traditions and acts as a quiet community leader.

Key Relationships

Father of Abra/Mother

Grandfather of Estrella/Esther

Grandfather of Luis

Associate of Señor deLeon

Luis is Estrella/Esther's older brother who spends most of his time away studying at a seminary. Brilliant and compassionate, he is the pride of his grandparents and is being groomed for a special purpose within their community. Despite his heavy responsibilities, he remains warm and generous with his family and neighbors.

Key Relationships

Brother of Estrella/Esther

Student of Friar deLeon

Carmen is the stern and highly protective matriarch of the household. She manages the family's domestic life with strict rules, often coming across as harsh or anxious to her granddaughter. Her rigid behavior stems from a deep need to keep her family safe and their private customs secure from outside scrutiny.

Key Relationships

Mother of Abra/Mother

Grandmother of Estrella/Esther

Grandmother of Luis

Andres is an orphaned young man living with his cousin Catalina's family. Described as smart and capable, possessing striking blue eyes, he immediately captures Estrella/Esther's attention. He forms a quiet emotional connection with her, offering a safe space for conversation outside of her complicated friendship with Catalina.

Key Relationships

Cousin of Catalina

Romantic Interest of Estrella/Esther

Supporting Characters

Juan is a neighbor of the deMadrigal family who attends their church. His sudden arrest by the authorities deeply unsettles the community and forces Estrella/Esther to question the safety of her village.

Key Relationships

Husband of Señora Arrias

Señora Arrias is a neighbor known for crafting special lace linens and using silver candlesticks on Friday nights. Her belongings become targets for looting after her household is targeted by the local authorities.

Key Relationships

Wife of Juan Arrias

Neighbor of Catalina

Friar deLeon is the priest at the church attended by Estrella/Esther's family. He leads the congregation in unique prayers, such as those dedicated to St. Esther, and shares close ties with the deMadrigal household.

Key Relationships

Mentor to Luis

Son of Señor deLeon

Señor deLeon is the father of the local priest. He assists in quiet, private matters within the community, working closely with the respected teachers of the village.

Key Relationships

Father of Friar deLeon

A medical practitioner living in the Muslim quarter of the village. He represents the intersecting cultures of Encaleflora and is highly respected for his healing knowledge, often treating patients across neighborhood boundaries.

Key Relationships

Husband of Muslim Doctor's Wife

Associate of Abra/Mother

A woman living in the Muslim quarter who suffers from an illness her husband cannot cure. She forms a quiet bond with Abra, trading goods and sharing a mutual respect for herbal healing.

Key Relationships

Wife of Muslim Doctor

Friend of Abra/Mother

Dini is a pet pig belonging to Estrella/Esther. Kept as a companion rather than livestock, Dini provides her with comfort during times of stress and anxiety in the village.

Key Relationships

An elderly man living in the juderia who wears a red circle on his coat to mark his status. He endures public humiliation when the village soldiers burn his texts, an event that deeply impacts the young onlookers.

Key Relationships

Observed by Estrella/Esther