Isla is the young ruler of the Wildlings who recently inherited the magical abilities of both the Starlings and the Nightshades. Raised in isolation on Wild Isle, she feels unqualified for her new leadership position and resents the restrictions of her royal duties. She spends her time trying to master her conflicting powers while recovering repressed memories of her past.

Oro is the king of Lightlark and the ruler of the Sunlings. He possesses blonde hair, golden eyes, and the magical ability to detect lies. Deeply committed to the safety of his people, he spends his days teaching Isla to control her magic through strict emotional restraint rather than raw impulse.

Grimshaw, frequently called Grim, is the incredibly tall, dark-haired ruler of the Nightshades. He wields powers associated with shadows, teleportation, and emotional sensing. He previously erased Isla's memories of their time together, and unlike Oro, he encourages the use of pain and strong emotions to fuel magical power.

Enya is a Sunling with rust-colored hair and freckles. She is brash, practical, and heavily focused on the present moment. Because a prophecy already revealed the exact date she will die, she lives without fear and frequently volunteers for dangerous missions.

Azul is the democratic ruler of the Skylings, possessing the magical ability to fly. He frequently wears fine clothing and jewelry. Despite his royal birth, he believes in letting his people vote on their future, and he offers Isla guidance on finding her footing as a new leader.

Cleo is the ruler of the Moonlings, possessing water and healing magic. She holds a bitter grudge against Lightlark following the loss of her young son to the curses. She weighs her political options carefully and considers aligning her people with the Nightshades.

Maren is a young Starling who survives in the ruined villages on Star Isle. Due to the Starling curse, she is under twenty-five years old. She cares deeply for her people's recovery and steps aside so Isla can formally lead them, hoping for a better future.

Remlar is an ancient Nightshade who possesses deep knowledge of magical history and creatures. He acts as a teacher for Isla, helping her understand the cyclical nature of life and death magic so she can harness her abilities safely.

Terra is one of Isla's former mentors who raised her in total isolation. She actively kept Isla ignorant of the outside world and her true nature, manipulating the young woman for her own interests.

Poppy worked with Terra to raise Isla away from the rest of the Wildling people. She prioritized secrecy over Isla's freedom, ensuring the girl remained isolated from her own population.

Lynx is a gigantic, legendary panther living in the darkest part of the Wildling forest. He was previously bonded to Isla's late mother and initially treats Isla with indifference before eventually accepting her as his new companion.

Wren is a leader among the Wildlings who guides her people as they transition to eating normal food instead of human hearts. She encourages Isla to secure an animal companion to earn the population's trust.

Soren is a Moonling noble who acts as a messenger for Cleo. He reports on the growing desire among the people to relocate now that the curses are broken.

Avel is a Skyling assigned to protect Isla. He accompanies her on excursions, including her hunt for a mysterious creature on Star Isle, to ensure she remains safe from rebel attacks.

Ciel is a Skyling bodyguard. He shadows Isla during her training and exploration to ensure she is not attacked by dangerous wildlife or political enemies.

Cinder is an eight-year-old Starling girl living in the aftermath of a devastating fire. Despite her young age, she possesses a massive, natural talent for magic that her cousin tries to keep hidden for her safety.

Calver, sometimes called Cal, is a Moonling and one of Oro's oldest friends. He searches the Forgotten Mines for special ore to forge weapons for the impending war.

Zed is a Skyling who assists Oro in securing resources for the impending conflict. He travels to the Forgotten Mines to gather materials and helps evaluate the usefulness of magical creatures.