Nour is a twelve-year-old Syrian American girl who recently lost her father to cancer. Following his death, she relocates with her family to the Middle East, a region where she feels isolated due to her rudimentary grasp of Arabic. She experiences synesthesia, a neurological condition that causes her to perceive sounds and letters as specific colors. To cope with her overwhelming surroundings, she recites a medieval tale passed down by her father.

Nour's mother is a skilled cartographer who chooses to relocate her family back to the Middle East. She maintains an immaculate, composed presence despite physical hardships, masking her deep grief from her children. She guides her family using her own painted maps, relying on codes that correspond to Nour's synesthesia to keep their route secure.

Nour's late father, referred to affectionately as Baba, was a Syrian-born Muslim engineer who met his wife in Spain. Though he passes away before the main events of the story, his presence echoes constantly through the narratives he left behind. He shared a special bond with Nour and passed down the legendary tale of the mapmaker's apprentice, which serves as a guiding force for the family.

The adopted brother of Nour's father, acting as an uncle and a second paternal figure to Nour. He is a geologist with an intense passion for rocks, finding meaning and history in the stones he collects. He provides Nour with guidance, sharing magical tales about jinn and historical artifacts, which helps fill the void left by his late brother.

The protagonist of a twelfth-century tale told by Nour's father. She leaves her widowed mother in Ceuta to seek adventure and fortune as a mapmaker's apprentice, disguising her gender to survive in a male-dominated world. She demonstrates immense physical bravery and cunning, battling mythical creatures and subverting the expectations placed upon young women in her era.

A twelfth-century scholar and mapmaker based on a historical figure. He descends from nobility and accepts Rawiya (disguised as a boy) as his apprentice to map the known world for the King of Sicily. He acts as a sage and mentor, teaching Rawiya how to read an astrolabe and charting their expansive expedition across the Middle East.

Huda is Nour's eldest sister and a former champion soccer player in New York. She is a confident young woman who grounds herself deeply in her Islamic faith, choosing to wear a hijab following her father's death. She acts as a protective and wise role model for Nour, maintaining a philosophical outlook on their changing circumstances.

Zahra is Nour's middle sister, who initially comes across as superficial due to her preoccupation with clothes and boys. She struggles heavily with the loss of their father and initially clashes with Nour, using harsh remarks to mask her own pain. As their travel conditions worsen, she demonstrates resilience and a willingness to sacrifice for her family's safety.

A teenage refugee traveling with his mother, grandmother, and younger sister. He harbors deep anger and grief over the loss of his father to a shell explosion. Initially viewed with suspicion by Nour due to his aggressive demeanor, he slowly proves himself to be a protective and reliable companion for the sisters.

A sensitive poet in the twelfth-century narrative who previously entertained the emir Nur ad-Din. He is tasked with a deadly mission to slay a fearsome mythical bird called the roc, with his family's lives held hostage against his success. He crosses paths with Rawiya's expedition and finds himself drawn to her bravery and competence.

Al-Idrisi's second apprentice and the son of a wealthy merchant. He joins the expedition primarily to prove himself to his difficult mother, purchasing expensive gifts for her along the way. He is less skilled with tools like the astrolabe than Rawiya and struggles to find his place within the talented group.

A twelfth-century Norman monarch based on a historical figure. He commissions Al-Idrisi to create a comprehensive map of the known world and a solid silver planisphere. He is an eccentric but humane ruler who prefers the quiet companionship of his extensive book collection over courtly politics.

A refugee woman Nour's family encounters during their exodus. She travels alongside her teenage son, young daughter, and elderly mother, seeking safe passage and pooling resources with Nour's family to cross borders.

Yusuf's grandmother, who travels with her family away from the conflict in Syria. She provides temporary hospitality for Nour's family in Jordan, sharing her cramped living space. Her intense fear of water dictates her family's travel routes.

Yusuf's little sister. She wears earmuffs regardless of the weather to conceal a severe injury sustained from a shell explosion that blew off her ear.

Nour's uncle, the brother of her late father. He lives in Ceuta in the very house where Nour's parents first lived after marrying. He serves as the ultimate destination point on the painted map created by Nour's mother.

Abu Sayeed's son who ran away from home following an argument. He shared his father's deep passion for geology and stones, leaving behind a profound sense of loss that his father attempts to fill by mentoring Nour.

A fine warrior of the Fatimid Empire who intercepts Al-Idrisi's expedition. Highly suspicious of the travelers, he acts as a dangerous obstacle, accusing them of sorcery and treason against the caliph.

An Almohad leader tasked with stomping out Fatimid spies. He views Al-Idrisi's mapmaking tools with intense suspicion, fearing the knowledge could aid his enemies, and detains the entire expedition.

The matriarch of an Amazigh nomadic family traveling the desert. She offers Nour and Zahra refuge in her tents, sharing her philosophy that a person carries the land of their parents inside them regardless of national borders.

A young boy traveling with his ailing grandfather in search of safety. He carries a bunch of crayons to record his name and story upon the walls they pass, crossing paths briefly with Nour and Zahra.