Audra is a 12-year-old girl who has lived a highly sheltered life on a remote farm in Russian-occupied Lithuania. Initially meek and afraid of drawing attention to herself, she is thrust into danger when she must deliver a mysterious package after her parents are taken away. As she uncovers her family's secret involvement in resisting the oppressive press ban, she begins learning how to read and transport illegal books.

Lukas is a young, experienced book carrier who lives a transient life on the road. He dresses in ragged clothing and works in exchange for food and shelter while transporting illegal Lithuanian reading materials. He utilizes a quick wit, improvised lies, and coded storytelling to survive dangerous encounters with military patrols.

Officer Rusakov is a Russian soldier determined to rigorously enforce the 1865 press ban and stamp out the Lithuanian language. He views the local population as foolish and uses violent intimidation, arson, and psychological manipulation to force assimilation. He specifically targets the underground book-smuggling network and acts with a sense of total impunity.

Milda is an older woman who runs an underground bookstore and secret Lithuanian school beneath her home in the town of Venska. She uses elaborate physical disguises, wigs, and eccentric behavior to deflect attention from Russian soldiers. Her home serves as a vital safe haven and educational hub for the local resistance.

Ben is a gruff, stern veteran of the Lithuanian resistance who wears an eye patch and has unkempt white hair. He survived a failed uprising decades earlier and carries immense guilt over outliving his friends. He views the youths' hopes for an easy victory as naive and constantly worries about their safety on the smuggling routes.

Henrikas is Audra's father, known publicly as a traveling magician with a bold and adventurous spirit. He secretly participates in the illegal book-smuggling network to fight back against the Russian occupation, using his cover as an entertainer to move freely. His sleight-of-hand skills and hidden compartments prove invaluable to his covert work.

Lina is Audra's mother, a nurturing woman who prioritizes her family's safety above all else. Behind her quiet demeanor, she handles the logistics of compiling illegal book orders for the underground network. Her highly cautious nature causes friction when deciding how much to tell her daughter about the occupied world.

Violeta is the local baker's daughter in Audra's home village. She thinks quickly under pressure and bravely uses local mythology about a magical fern blossom as a cover story to deceive the Russian soldiers searching the woods.

Roze is a young Lithuanian girl who attends Milda's illegal underground school. She has a strong hunger for learning and takes great personal risks to access forbidden books, occasionally sneaking back into the hidden library after hours.

Filip is a young boy from Audra's village who participates in the solstice traditions. He plays a small but vital role in helping Audra escape by providing crucial directions to help her reach the town of Venska.