A twelve-year-old girl who shares her father's deep reverence for books. She lives a quiet, literature-filled life until a strange man arrives, forcing her to flee her home. She reads books constantly to comfort herself in scary situations. She is determined to uncover the truth about her father's secrets.

A skilled bookbinder whom Meggie affectionately calls a Book Doctor. He is a gentle father who hides a dangerous secret: he possesses the magical ability to draw characters and objects out of books by reading aloud. He desperately tries to protect his daughter from the consequences of a reading session that went wrong nine years ago.

A mysterious fire-eating performer with a scarred face who arrives at the Folchart home with warnings. He was accidentally brought into the modern world from a fantasy book and suffers from severe homesickness. He operates as a self-motivated rogue whose loyalties shift depending on what will best help him return home.

Meggie's wealthy, solitary great-aunt who lives in a large estate in the Italian foothills. She values her pristine collection of rare books far above human companionship. Though initially condescending toward Meggie, she slowly reveals a fierce bravery when her family is threatened by intruders.

A cruel, illiterate villain accidentally brought into the modern world from the pages of a fantasy novel. He desires to exploit Mo's magical reading abilities to amass wealth and power. He has zero interest in reading for pleasure, instead relying on fear and intimidation to control his followers.

The author of the fantasy novel Inkheart. He lives a quiet life in an Italian village until Mo and Meggie arrive, revealing that his literary creations are alive. He is initially flattered and endlessly curious about seeing his dark characters in the flesh.

Capricorn's most devoted and dangerous henchman. He is intensely superstitious, terrified of bad luck, and deeply attached to his knife. Despite his unquestioning loyalty to his master, he is highly volatile and takes pleasure in intimidating prisoners.

A young boy inadvertently brought into the modern world by Mo's reading. Disoriented and frightened by his new reality, he quickly seeks safety and guidance. He possesses a knack for stealth and survival.

Mo's wife and Meggie's mother, who bonded with her husband over a shared love of stories. She disappeared mysteriously when Meggie was three years old during a fateful reading session. Her absence leaves a profound void in her family's life.

Capricorn's head housekeeper and a fearsome presence in his compound. She is strict, observant, and highly critical of Capricorn's men, possessing an authority that makes even the dangerous henchmen nervous.

A former teacher whom Capricorn forces to read characters and objects out of books. He is terrified of Capricorn and his men, which causes him to stutter and make mistakes during his readings.

One of Capricorn's thuggish henchmen. Like his peers, he is illiterate and relies on brute force to carry out Capricorn's orders, though he lacks Basta's extreme superstitions.

A marten with small horns who travels constantly with Dustfinger. He frequently bites his master's fingers but remains a steadfast animal companion.