The ​Crown of Gilded Bones

Jennifer L. Armentrout

66 pages 2-hour read

Jennifer L. Armentrout

The ​Crown of Gilded Bones

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Character List

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

Major Characters

Penellaphe, widely known as Poppy, is a 19-year-old former Maiden from Solis who has recently married into the Atlantian royal family. She possesses mysterious, god-like magical abilities and strongly senses the emotions of others. Thrust into a position of authority she did not seek, she struggles with changing physical traits and her growing magical strength. She is deeply compassionate and strongly opposes the unnecessary loss of life.

Key Relationships

Wife of Casteel Da'Neer

Friend of Kieran Contou

Sister of Ian Balfour

Daughter of Coralena Balfour

Daughter of Leopold Balfour

Daughter-in-Law of Queen Eloana

Daughter-in-Law of King Valyn Da'Neer

Best Friend of Tawny

Enemy of Queen Ileana

Casteel is an elemental Atlantian and the Prince of Atlantia. He possesses immense physical strength, speed, and a fiercely protective nature regarding his wife. He carries deep emotional wounds from his past captivity in Solis, which drive his intense hatred for the Ascended. Casteel supports his wife's freedom of choice, refusing to force her into political roles against her will.

Key Relationships

Husband of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Brother of Malik Da'Neer

Son of King Valyn Da'Neer

Son of Queen Eloana

Best Friend of Kieran Contou

Enemy of Alastir Davenwell

Kieran is a wolven and the lifelong best friend of Casteel. He acts as a loyal protector and advisor. Following a shift in magical bonds, he develops a unique telepathic connection with Penellaphe. Kieran provides a level-headed contrast to Casteel's intensity.

Key Relationships

Friend of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Best Friend of Casteel Da'Neer

Son of Jasper

Son of Kirha

Brother of Vonetta

Queen Eloana is the co-ruler of Atlantia. She previously survived the War of Two Kings, a conflict initiated by the actions of her first husband. She carries heavy burdens from past political decisions and struggles to balance her responsibilities to her kingdom with the changing dynamics brought by her son's marriage.

Key Relationships

Wife of King Valyn Da'Neer

Mother of Casteel Da'Neer

Mother of Malik Da'Neer

Mother-in-Law of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Former Wife of Malec

King Valyn is the co-ruler of Atlantia and the father of Casteel and Malik. He takes a pragmatic and sometimes ruthless approach to leadership, prioritizing the safety and future of his kingdom above all else. He is willing to go to war to eliminate the Ascended threat in Solis.

Key Relationships

Husband of Queen Eloana

Father of Casteel Da'Neer

Father of Malik Da'Neer

Father-in-Law of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Former Associate of Alastir Davenwell

Malik is the first-born Prince of Atlantia and the original heir to the throne. He has spent decades as a captive of the Ascended in Solis. His prolonged imprisonment raises questions about his physical and mental state, leaving his family anxious about his return.

Key Relationships

Brother of Casteel Da'Neer

Son of King Valyn Da'Neer

Son of Queen Eloana

Prisoner of Queen Ileana

Ian is Penellaphe's older brother who was recently forced to become an Ascended in Solis. He now possesses the dark eyes and pale skin common to vamprys. He acts as a messenger for the Blood Crown, sharing their propaganda while leaving Penellaphe searching for signs of the brother she remembers.

Key Relationships

Brother of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Son of Coralena Balfour

Son of Leopold Balfour

Subordinate to Queen Ileana

Queen Ileana rules the Kingdom of Solis with absolute authority, maintaining power through the creation of Ascended and Craven. She utilizes religion and fear to control the mortal population. She views the rising power of Atlantia as a direct threat to her empire and prepares massive armies to maintain her dominance.

Key Relationships

Co-Ruler with King Jalara

Enemy of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Captor of Malik Da'Neer

Leader of Ian Balfour

Supporting Characters

Alastir is a trusted advisor to King Valyn and the leader of the "Unseen," a secret faction working outside royal authority. He adheres strictly to ancient prophecies and believes that Penellaphe is a profound threat to the survival of Atlantia.

Key Relationships

Advisor to King Valyn Da'Neer

Enemy of Casteel Da'Neer

Captor of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Co-Conspirator with Commander Griffith Jansen

Jansen is the former commander of the Royal Guard in Solis, previously thought dead. He is a rare and powerful changeling working with Alastir's Unseen faction. He justifies extreme violence as a necessary evil to protect Atlantia.

Key Relationships

Interrogator of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Co-Conspirator with Alastir Davenwell

Willa is a 2,000-year-old changeling, a seer, and the oldest member of the Atlantian Council of Elders. She operates primarily on instinct and is the author of an infamous, widely circulated journal. She serves as a vocal supporter of Penellaphe and Casteel in court politics.

Key Relationships

Ally of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Ally of Casteel Da'Neer

Jasper is Kieran's father and a prominent wolven leader. He provides shelter and strategic knowledge to the royal family. He takes pride in his heritage and expresses irritation when kept out of the loop regarding threats to the kingdom.

Key Relationships

Husband of Kirha

Father of Kieran Contou

Father of Vonetta

Kirha is Kieran's mother. She offers a warm, welcoming presence and provides reassurance to Penellaphe about the Atlantian royal family. Her colorful home provides a cheerful contrast to her son's dark aesthetic.

Key Relationships

Wife of Jasper

Mother of Kieran Contou

Mother of Vonetta

Vonetta is Kieran's sister and a capable wolven warrior. She serves as a guard and companion, offering friendship and protection to Penellaphe during their travels across Atlantia.

Key Relationships

Sister of Kieran Contou

Daughter of Jasper

Daughter of Kirha

Friend of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Delano is a dedicated wolven guard who consistently prioritizes Penellaphe's safety. He frequently travels with the core group on their most dangerous missions.

Key Relationships

Guard of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Nyktos is the King of the Gods and the last living Primal god. He resides in Iliseeum, surrounded by powerful guards and ancient magic. He possesses vast historical knowledge regarding the creation of the world and closely watches the unfolding events in the mortal world.

Key Relationships

Connected to Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Father of Malec

Father of Ires

Coralena is Penellaphe and Ian's mother. She previously worked as Queen Ileana's most trusted Handmaiden in Solis before fleeing the capital to protect her family. She was killed in a Craven attack when her children were young.

Key Relationships

Wife of Leopold Balfour

Mother of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Mother of Ian Balfour

Former Servant of Queen Ileana

Leopold is Penellaphe and Ian's father. He lived with his family in Lockswood before being killed by Craven in an attack orchestrated by political enemies.

Key Relationships

Husband of Coralena Balfour

Father of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Father of Ian Balfour

Tawny is Penellaphe's closest friend from her time serving as The Maiden in Solis. She remains a mortal, avoiding the Ascension process, and provides Penellaphe with a much-needed connection to her past.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Nektas is an ancient draken, a massive dragon-like creature serving as a guard in Iliseeum. He possesses the ability to shift into a mortal form and acts with extreme caution regarding the balance of life in the mortal realm.

Key Relationships

Guard of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Malec is the former King of Atlantia and the son of a Primal god. His actions centuries ago incited the War of Two Kings. He was defeated and entombed in the Blood Forest, though rumors persist that he survived.

Key Relationships

Former Husband of Queen Eloana

Son of Nyktos

Twin Brother of Ires

King Jalara is the co-ruler of Solis alongside Queen Ileana. He represents the oppressive Ascended regime and maintains a haughty, arrogant attitude toward Atlantians and those he considers beneath him.

Key Relationships

Co-Ruler with Queen Ileana

Enemy of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Ires is a shapeshifter who frequently takes the form of a large cave cat. He is Malec's twin brother and was summoned to the mortal world alongside the draken Jadis. He is currently kept captive by the Ascended.

Key Relationships

Twin Brother of Malec

Son of Nyktos

Prisoner of Queen Ileana

Emil is an Atlantian who acts as a loyal guard to the royal family. He frequently travels with the core group and provides steadfast support during their most dangerous missions.

Key Relationships

Guard of Penellaphe Balfour Da'Neer

Guard of Casteel Da'Neer

Perry is a ship captain who transports the royal couple safely across the waters to enemy territory. He is brave, skilled at evasion, and deeply committed to his romantic partner.

Key Relationships

Romantic Partner of Delano

Employee of Casteel Da'Neer

Lyra is a wolven who lives in Saion's Cove. She attends local community events and represents the uninhibited, closely-knit culture of her people.

Key Relationships

Romantic Partner of Kieran Contou

Jadis is a draken who was summoned to the mortal world alongside Ires. She is currently missing, driving her father's intense motivation to cooperate with the Atlantian forces.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Nektas