53 pages • 1-hour read
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Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.
Frances is the eldest Burke-Owens child, distinguished by a gawky six-foot frame, pale skin, and deep red hair. She possesses a scientific mind and a strong affinity for birds, which she can summon with ease. Aware of her family's dark history regarding romance, she actively resists her own feelings to protect those she cares about from the generational curse.
Older Sister of Jet Owens
Older Sister of Vincent Owens
Daughter of Susanna Burke-Owens
Daughter of Dr. Burke Owens
Niece of Aunt Isabelle
Romantic Interest of Haylin Walker
Cousin of April Owens
Jet is the middle child of the Burke-Owens family, possessing striking beauty and dark hair. Her magical ability to hear others' thoughts often overwhelms her, making her prone to tears and social isolation at school. Unlike her cautious older sister, Jet is a true romantic who desires deep emotional connection regardless of her family's history.
Younger Sister of Frances Owens
Older Sister of Vincent Owens
Daughter of Susanna Burke-Owens
Daughter of Dr. Burke Owens
Romantic Interest of Levi Willard
Friend of Rafael
Vincent is the youngest Burke-Owens child and a rarity as a male in a famously matrilineal magical family. He is immensely charismatic and musically talented, but he struggles with frightening clairvoyant visions. Feeling out of place, he acts out rebelliously through casual affairs and by experimenting with dark magic from forbidden books.
Younger Brother of Frances Owens
Younger Brother of Jet Owens
Son of Susanna Burke-Owens
Son of Dr. Burke Owens
Romantic Interest of William Grant
Cousin of April Owens
A stylish former model, Susanna has turned her back on her Massachusetts hometown and the Owens family magic. She establishes severe household rules to prevent her children from exploring the supernatural, hoping to shield them from the curse that threatens the men loved by Owens women. Her strict demeanor hides a deep well of grief over her own past losses.
Wife of Dr. Burke Owens
Mother of Frances Owens
Mother of Jet Owens
Mother of Vincent Owens
Niece of Aunt Isabelle
Friend of Agnes Durant
A diminutive but commanding woman who lives in the historic Owens house in Massachusetts. She embraces her identity as a witch, using plant-based medicine to heal the physical and emotional ailments of the local townspeople. She serves as the guardian of the family's magical traditions and encourages the younger generation to accept their true nature.
Great-Aunt of Frances Owens
Great-Aunt of Jet Owens
Great-Aunt of Vincent Owens
Aunt of Susanna Burke-Owens
Aunt of Maggie
An educated, rational psychiatrist from an Ivy League background. He views the magical tendencies of his children through the lens of Freudian psychology and genetics rather than the supernatural. Though he remains somewhat distant from their daily struggles, he holds genuine affection for his family.
The 17th-century matriarch of the Owens family in America. Following a profound betrayal by a local official, she cast the enduring curse that affects the romantic partners of all Owens women.
Former Lover of John Hathorne
A rebellious, platinum-blond cousin from the Beacon Hill branch of the family. She openly rejects her parents' attempts to assimilate into normal society, choosing instead to embrace her magical heritage and indulge her passions without fear of the consequences.
A strict, puritanical minister in Aunt Isabelle's town. As a direct descendant of the witch-hunter John Hathorne, he carries on a historical prejudice against the Owens family, actively working to keep his son away from their influence.
Father of Levi Willard
Antagonist of Jet Owens
The tall, handsome son of Reverend Willard. He possesses a calm demeanor that sharply contrasts with his father's religious fervor. He bonds quickly with Jet over shared literary interests, ignoring the historical animosity between their families.
Romantic Interest of Jet Owens
Son of Reverend Willard
An intelligent young man who rejects the wealthy expectations of his family to pursue a career in medicine. He forms an enduring attachment to Frances, matching her awkwardness with his own genuine sincerity.
Romantic Interest of Frances Owens
Romantic Interest of Emily Flood
A wholesome, preppy young woman who dates Haylin. She represents a safe, traditional life path completely removed from the danger and unpredictability of the Owens family magic.
Romantic Interest of Haylin Walker
Rival of Frances Owens
A precocious child born with a double Owens bloodline. Raised in California, she inherits the family's magical affinity for nature and grows into a passionate woman who loves deeply, honoring her family's wild traditions.
The older of Regina's two daughters. She is dark-haired, responsible, and naturally cautious, carrying the weight of looking after her sister and managing their unpredictable life.
The younger of Regina's daughters, recognized by her fair hair and fearless disposition. She is whimsical and rebellious, immediately clashing with the strictness of her older relatives.
A kind, perceptive young man working in New York City. He encounters Jet during a vulnerable moment and provides her with a grounding, affectionate connection that demands nothing in return.
Friend of Jet Owens
A history professor at the New School who carries his own family history related to the historical witch trials. He sees past Vincent's chaotic exterior and offers him genuine acceptance and stability.
Romantic Interest of Vincent Owens
Son of Alan
An Owens cousin who fiercely rejected her family and attempted to curse them. Her denial of her true nature caused her magic to turn inward, permanently altering her form.
Niece of Aunt Isabelle
An older woman living in France who was close friends with Susanna Burke-Owens during her youth. She understands the Owens family secrets and provides crucial assistance when family members travel abroad.
Friend of Susanna Burke-Owens
Ally of Vincent Owens
A married 17th-century witch-hunter whose affair with Maria Owens served as the catalyst for the generational family curse. His actions established a long-standing rivalry between his descendants and the Owens family.
Former Lover of Maria Owens