Leni is a 13-year-old girl coming of age who moves to the remote town of Kaneq, Alaska, with her family. Bookish and observant, she relies heavily on literature to make sense of her precarious world. Leni is fiercely devoted to her parents, especially her mother, but lives in constant fear of her father's erratic moods.

Cora is Leni's beautiful, fiercely devoted mother. Having left her affluent, strict upbringing at sixteen when she became pregnant, she remains entirely wrapped up in her love for her husband, Ernt. In Alaska, Cora works to adapt to the harsh environment and build a home, though her primary focus remains managing Ernt's moods and protecting Leni.

Ernt is a former mechanic and Vietnam War veteran who suffers from severe, untreated trauma after his capture and torture as a prisoner of war. Unable to hold down a job in Seattle, he moves his family to the Alaskan wilderness in hopes of outrunning his demons. His paranoia and volatile temper cast a long shadow over his family's daily life.

Matthew is a thoughtful, blond-haired local boy who becomes Leni's first real friend in Kaneq. Coming from one of the town's oldest and wealthiest homesteading families, he understands the unique demands of the Alaskan wilderness. Despite his family's standing, he feels somewhat isolated and quickly connects with Leni over their shared interests.

Marge is an imposing, perceptive Black woman who runs the local general store in Kaneq. A former big-city prosecutor who moved to Alaska a decade ago to escape a tragic past, she has fully embraced the frontier lifestyle. She serves as a fierce protector and practical guide for the town's newcomers.

Tom is the patriarch of the wealthy Walker family and a prominent figure in Kaneq. He owns a floatplane, a large cabin, and actively tries to improve the town's infrastructure. His community-minded nature and wealth stand in sharp contrast to the Allbrights' meager setup, making him a target for Ernt's insecurity.

Geneva is Matthew's mother, a highly capable and independent Alaskan woman who lives separately from her husband, Tom. She serves as a substitute teacher at the local school and demonstrates the resilience required to thrive in the harsh environment.

Mad Earl is the aging father of Ernt's deceased Vietnam friend. He lives in a compound of shanty houses and harbors deep suspicions about the government and impending wars. He quickly becomes Ernt's closest companion in Alaska.

Thelma is Mad Earl's daughter, a practical and grounded woman who lives on the Harlan compound. Despite her father's eccentricities, she offers genuine warmth to the Allbrights, bringing them fresh food and practical warnings about the unforgiving Alaskan seasons.

Grandma Golliher is Cora's affluent, strict mother living in Seattle. She has maintained a strained relationship with her daughter ever since Cora ran off with Ernt as a pregnant teenager.

Grandpa Golliher is Cora's father and a Seattle lawyer. He deeply disapproves of Ernt and the unstable life his daughter has led since leaving home.

Alyeska is Matthew's older sister. Though she is away at college in Fairbanks for much of the early narrative, she remains an important anchor for Matthew and her family.

Natalie is a local Kaneq resident who originally moved to Alaska following a man but ended up staying because she built a fulfilling life for herself. She helps the Allbrights learn vital homesteading skills.

Tica is a Native woman who serves as the sole teacher at Kaneq's tiny, one-room schoolhouse, guiding the town's small population of children.