Search for characters or series


23 chapters - View chapters and summaries
| Name | Aliases | Role |
|---|---|---|
Alina Starkov An orphan raised in Keramzin who discovers she is a Sun Summoner, the only Grisha capable of creating light. Her power makes her the most important person in Ravka and a target for everyone who wants to control what she represents. Over three books she moves from terrified conscript to reluctant symbol to something she chooses for herself. | The Sun Summoner, Sankta Alina | Protagonist |
The Darkling The immortal commander of Ravka's Second Army and the most powerful Grisha alive. He has spent centuries manipulating Ravkan history from the shadows, always towards the same goal: a world where Grisha are no longer hunted. His methods have long since swallowed whatever idealism he started with. | General Kirigan, The Black General, Aleksander | Antagonist |
Genya Safin A Tailor, the rarest type of Corporalki Grisha, able to alter the appearance of living tissue. She serves at the Ravkan court as the queen's personal attendant, a position that gives her access to everyone and trust from no one. Her loyalty to Alina costs her everything. | Major | |
Mal Oretsev Alina's childhood best friend and the finest tracker in the First Army. Fiercely loyal and deeply uncomfortable with the world of Grisha politics that Alina is pulled into. His relationship with Alina is the emotional anchor of the Shadow and Bone trilogy. | Major | |
Nikolai Lantsov The second son of the Ravkan king who operates as the privateer Sturmhond before his identity is revealed. Brilliant, charming, and strategically ruthless beneath the performance of carelessness. Becomes King of Ravka after the events of the Shadow and Bone trilogy and the central figure of the King of Scars duology. | Sturmhond, The Privateer, Prince Nikolai | Major |
Zoya Nazyalensky The most powerful Squaller in the Second Army and later Nikolai's general and closest advisor. Cold, proud, and formidably competent, she has survived everything Ravka has thrown at her by refusing to need anyone. The King of Scars duology slowly unpicks that refusal. | Major |
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| The Grisha | Organisation |
| The Ravkan Court | Organisation |
| The Ravkan First Army | Organisation |
| The Second Army | Organisation |
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
4 June 2013 | Publication | Received as a strong second volume that expanded the Grishaverse's geography and political complexity while deepening the central characters. Critics praised the introduction of Nikolai as a major character and the development of Alina's relationship with power. Some reviewers noted the middle-volume challenges of pacing and momentum, while others praised the world-building ambition. The series was attracting growing attention as one of the most commercially successful young adult fantasy series of its period. |
Received as a strong second volume that expanded the Grishaverse's geography and political complexity while deepening the central characters. Critics praised the introduction of Nikolai as a major character and the development of Alina's relationship with power. Some reviewers noted the middle-volume challenges of pacing and momentum, while others praised the world-building ambition. The series was attracting growing attention as one of the most commercially successful young adult fantasy series of its period.