King of Ashes

Roman Carruthers is the novel’s main character. He is six feet tall, has “light brown eyes” (139), and is described as a “pretty boy” by the other characters. His main antagonist, Torrent, underestimates him due to his appearance and his advanced education, and the strategic Roman uses this against his enemy. The 35-year-old utilizes the same calculating intelligence, shrewd pragmatism, and willingness to bend the rules that brought his Atlanta-based wealth management firm success to “build a financial masterpiece” with Torrent and Tranquil’s “ill-gotten gains” and then overthrow the gang leaders (159).

Although Roman’s choices often have brutal consequences, he is a complex and round character whose worst actions stem from his good intentions of protecting his family, as evidenced by his thought process when he orders Cassidy’s death: “Either he did the things that needed to be done, or his family would never be safe. There were no lines, only choices. Us or them” (289). Roman’s ability to rationalize his decisions reflects his nihilistic worldview. He doesn’t believe in absolute morality but rather thinks that the only immutable constants are death and destruction, a perspective summed up by his father’s business motto, “Everything burns.