This Woven Kingdom

Tahereh Mafi

This Woven Kingdom

Tahereh Mafi
59 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
YA
Published in 2022

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Character List

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

Major Characters

Alizeh is a young Jinn woman laboring as a seamstress and servant in the human-dominated Ardunian Empire. Forced to hide her heritage and ancient royal lineage behind a snoda, a servant's mask, she is the subject of a dark prophecy. Despite severe hardship, she remains profoundly compassionate and intuitively moral, dealing with the trauma of her past and the daily threat of discovery. She uses her quiet position to observe the world while struggling with intense physical coldness.

Key Relationships

Romantic Interest of Prince Kamran

Seamstress for Miss Huda

Subordinate to Mrs. Amina

Servant of Duchess Jamilah

Merciful Defender of Omid Shekarzadeh

Haunted by Iblees

Prince Kamran is the crown prince of Ardunia, burdened by a crumbling empire and the intense expectations of his grandfather. Bearing the heavy responsibility of finding a bride and securing his lineage, he is conflicted by the systemic injustices around him. He wrestles with his duty to the throne and his growing fascination with a mysterious servant girl whose actions challenge his worldview.

Key Relationships

Drawn to Alizeh

Grandson of King Zaal

Advised by Hazan

Nephew of Duchess Jamilah

Rescuer of Omid Shekarzadeh

King Zaal is the aging, pragmatic ruler of the Ardunian Empire. Threatened by impending war and a severe water crisis, he prioritizes the stability of his kingdom above individual lives. He demands absolute loyalty and adherence to tradition, viewing any potential disruption to his power as a threat that must be eliminated quickly and without mercy.

Key Relationships

Grandfather of Prince Kamran

Political Rival of King Cyrus

King Cyrus is the volatile and powerful ruler of Tulan. Possessing significant magical and military prowess, he is a seasoned geopolitical player whose presence in Ardunia sparks immediate tension. His influence extends far beyond his own borders, making him a major force in the region's impending conflicts.

Key Relationships

Political Rival of King Zaal

Secretly Connected to Hazan

Aligned with Iblees

Iblees is a devil-like entity who fell from celestial grace, bringing ruin upon the ancient Jinn civilization. Serving as a constant, malevolent presence in the world, he orchestrates chaos from the shadows. He nurses a deep hatred for humanity and seeks to manipulate both mortals and Jinn to achieve his revenge.

Key Relationships

Tormentor of Alizeh

Aligned with King Cyrus

Supporting Characters

Omid is a destitute street kid operating within the harsh realities of a deeply unequal society. Driven to extremes by hunger and poverty, his actions inadvertently intertwine the lives of a royal prince and a hidden Jinn. He serves as a catalyst for the story's events and highlights the desperation of Ardunia's lowest classes.

Key Relationships

Attacker of Alizeh

Protected by Prince Kamran

Hazan is the complex and loyal minister to Prince Kamran. Tasked with advising the royal family and monitoring court politics, he serves as a grounding force for the impulsive prince. He balances his official duties with his own intricate network of hidden connections across the realms.

Key Relationships

Advisor to Prince Kamran

Secretly Connected to Alizeh

Secretly Connected to King Cyrus

Duchess Jamilah is a noblewoman of Fetrous and the aunt of Prince Kamran. She oversees Baz House, employing numerous servants and maintaining strict societal hierarchies within her domain. She expects complete order and obedience from her staff.

Key Relationships

Employer of Alizeh

Employer of Mrs. Amina

Mrs. Amina is the strict and suspicious housekeeper at Baz House. Enforcing the estate's rigid rules, she frequently belittles her staff and harbors a deep prejudice against anyone showing signs of Jinn heritage.

Key Relationships

Harsh Supervisor of Alizeh

Employee of Duchess Jamilah

Miss Huda is the illegitimate daughter of the Lojjan ambassador. Deeply insecure about her appearance and struggling with her mother's criticisms, she finds unexpected solace in the transforming skills of her seamstress.

Key Relationships

Client of Alizeh

Cared for by Mrs. Sana

Mrs. Sana is the housekeeper at Follad Place, the residence of the Lojjan ambassador. Unlike some of her peers, she recognizes quality work and directly commissions additional projects from talented laborers.

Key Relationships

Caretaker of Miss Huda

Client of Alizeh

Deen is an apothecary shopkeeper who provides remedies to the city's residents. Observant and empathetic, he understands the pressures of societal expectations and occasionally forms quiet bonds with those who feel forced to hide their true selves.

Key Relationships

Acquaintance of Alizeh