Shadow and Bone Characters

A cartographer in Alina's unit in the First Army. Flees the ship and escapes when the sandskiff is attacked by volcra crossing the Fold. Is unintentionally instrumental in setting the Crows' plans into motion.

The main protagonist. A teenage orphan who discovers she has the rare powers of a Sun Summoner. As such she's the only one who can destroy the Shadow Fold. Torn between her childhood love of Mal and the attraction she feels for the Darkling.

Housekeeper and headmistress of the orphanage on Duke Keramsov's estate. A stern but kindhearted woman who tries to do right by her orphans. Factors into a number of Alina's and Mal's memories.

Otherwise known as The Conductor, he's a mechanical engineer and smuggler who has figured out a way to cross the Shadow Fold from under the prying eyes of authorities by building an ingenious train mechanism across the Fold. Is also working with the West Ravkan general in the First Army to foment civil war.

An ancient Grisha of indeterminate age, Baghra has trained generations of Grisha to unlock their gifts. Strict, unforgiving in her training, and with a wickedly sharp tongue, but she does it bring the best out of the Grisha she trains. The only other known Shadow Summoner and living amplifier in the world along with the Darkling.

A former Shu Han mercenary who now serves as the hand-to-hand combat instructor and weapons master for the Grisha of the Little Palace. Botkin was recruited by the Darkling.

The head of the First Army and Mal's commander. A battle-hardened veteran, Chalikov harbors a deep dislike and disdain for the Grisha due to his non-Grisha soldiers always being treated like cannon fodder while the Grisha are exalted.

A shy and socially awkward Fabrikator who is nonetheless a genius with metal and one of the best Durasts in the Second Army. Despite his quiet and awkward ways, he's attracted the eye of Genya Safin.

A ruthless Ketterdam merchant who has Alexei kidnapped to learn the identity of the rumored Sun Summoner. Hires the Crows their job to kidnap Alina Starkov and promises them a million dollars if they succeed.

One of Mal's two best friends in the First Army and a fellow tracker. A bit gullible and slow, he's nonetheless a loyal friend.

A skilled and powerful Heartrender and one of the Darkling's right-hand men. Along with Ivan, he's one of two Grisha assigned to travel with and protect Alina on the way to the Little Palace when her powers are discovered. He's also given the mission of tracking down the missing Nina Zenik by the Darkling. Has a jovial and friendly personality and takes a liking to Alina.

A charismatic general in the First Army stationed in West Ravka. He's the leader of the growing movement to break away from the rest of Ravka and become their own country.

The only known Tailor in the world and serves in the Grand Palace as the Queen's personal assistant. She was chosen by the Darkling and gifted to the Queen at a young age to foster relationships between the royal family and the Grisha and to gather information. Is Alina's first and closest friend at the Little Palace.

Kaz Brekker's right-hand woman, and the Crows' master spy. Of Suli background and trained as an acrobat. Nicknamed 'The Wraith' in Ketterdam's criminal circles thanks to her ghostlike ability to get into any room and infiltrated any building. Has multiple knives on her at all times. Despite this, is deeply devout to her Suli religion.

A fiercely dedicated Heartrender and the Grisha combat partner to Fedyor, the other half of the Darkling's prized Heartrender pair. Cold and unfriendly toward Alina, but Kirigan says he's like that with everyone. Fiercely loyal to the Darkling.

The Crows' sharpshooter with near-perfect aim. Incorrigible flirt with a gambling addiction, he never misses a chance to roll the dice of sleep with a pretty man - but also never misses in a fight or a shoot-out. Of Zemeni background and may or may not have uncanny abilities.

The de facto leader of the Crows, also known as the Dregs. Young but already one of the Barrel's rising kingpins thanks to being a master strategist, ambitious, and daring. Called 'Dirtyhands' by some for his willingness to do any job no matter how violent or dangerous; called the Bastard of the Barrel by others. Always wears black gloves and carries a cane with a silver crow's head handle.

The king of Ravka and a feckless, ignorant, overly-indulged man. A lazy leader who appears to not be bothered or even notice that his country is falling apart and people starving while he gorges himself in the Grand Palace. It's strongly implied he regularly forces himself on Genya.

Alina's best friend from childhood and from the same orphanage. An exceptionally gifted tracker and soldier in the First Army. Conscripted to track down and kill Morozova's Stag for the Darkling. Has unvoiced feelings for Alina.

An Inferni at the Little Palace and the best friend of Nadia. Marie is a bit gossipy and vain, but is one of the only Grisha to befriend Alina. Acts as Alina's stand-in during the Winter Fete.

A Fjerdan Drüskelle soldier who captures Nina when she's on a mission. Uptight, bullheaded, and unfriendly, but also has a strict moral code he won't break. There's a kinder, more open person struggling to break out from under his harsh upbringing.

Mal's other best friend and fellow tracker in the First Army. He's quick-witted and a true friend, being the first to enlist him and Dubrov to accompany Mal on dangerous missions.

Heartrender who works at the Orchid. Enlisted by Kaz Brekker to give to Dreesen as a gift and is the Heartrender to interrogate Alexei.

The goat that Jesper holds and bonds with during the Crows' first time through the Shadow Fold with the Conductor and that unintentionally helps Mal escape the Grisha camp. A survivor just like the Crows.

Also known as The Bonesmith. One of the earliest and most powerful Grisha to ever have existed. He created mystical, legendarily rare animals using the bones of his fingers. Those animals created the most powerful amplifiers ever known to Grishakind, but are largely considered a myth. In the books, he's also known as Sankt Ilya in Chains.

A Tidemaker and Marie's best friend. Like Marie, she's one of the only Grisha to befriend Alina at the Little Palace, though her sometimes flighty nature grates on Alina.

A Ravkan Heartrender and spy on a secret mission for General Kirigan, a.k.a. the Darkling. Beautiful, bold, and big-hearted, Nina is the first to create a few cracks in Matthias' metaphorical armor. Nina is loyal to her country and often puts Ravka's needs above her own.

An absolutely ruthless crime lord and the leader of the Dime Lions gang. He rules Ketterdam's criminal underworld with an iron fist and nothing happens in the Barrel he doesn't know about. Will kill whoever gets in his way without a second thought. Kaz Brekker's main rival. They have a bitter history.

A dancer and entertainer at the Emerald Palace. A former friend and business partner to Kaz and associate of Arken. Is the one who gives Kaz the location of Arken.

The prince of Ravka who appears to be as lazy and indulged as his parents.

The queen of Ravka. Vain, imperious, and condescending, Tatiana is obsessed with her looks and dismissive of those she considers beneath her.

A lower-level member of the Crows and one of Kaz Brekker's messengers.

The owner and madam of The Menagerie. Arguably the most powerful woman in the Barrel who will not hesitate to eliminate her competition or anyone who interferes in her business. Bought Inej as an indentured servant to work in The Menagerie and has no problems trying to thwart Kaz Brekker's plans to keep him from buying out Inej's indenture.

A priest and the spiritual advisor of King Pyotr. He is a fanatical religious zealot obsessed with Alina and her powers as he believes her to be a living saint. Inspired by the real-life historical figure of Rasputin.

Half Ravkan history and half myth, the Black Heretic is the Shadow Summoner who created the Shadow Fold centuries ago. His name is still spoken about in hushed whispers or with a curse.

Leader of the Grisha Second Army and the most powerful Grisha in existence. One of only two known Shadow Summoners and also a living amplifier. Wants what's best for Ravka and especially the Grisha but is not all he appears to be. His real first name is Aleksander.

First Army soldier who rides with Mal to the Little Palace to deliver the news to the Darkling that Morozova's Stag had been found.

An unusually skilled Squaller and the Darkling's favored Grisha until Alina came along. She's extremely jealous of and hostile toward Alina for this reason. Despite this, Zoya is extremely courageous and will do what's right to protect those around her. She's extremely shrewd and level-headed, making her a good advisor.