Characters in Shadow and Bone

Alina Starkov

An orphaned army mapmaker who reveals a rare, powerful Grisha gift on the Shadow Fold and is taken to train at court.

Also in Shadow and Bone & Siege and Storm, The Tailor, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, The Lives of Saints

Malyen Oretsev

Alina's childhood friend and a skilled tracker in the First Army, gravely wounded on the Fold.

Also in Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising

The Darkling

The powerful, mysterious Grisha Summoner who leads the Grisha and takes Alina under his wing.

Also in Demon in the Wood, Shadow and Bone & Siege and Storm, The Tailor, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising

Zoya Nazyalensky

A strikingly beautiful but cruel Grisha Squaller whom Alina meets among the Little Palace students.

Also in Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, Crooked Kingdom, King of Scars, Rule of Wolves

Botkin Yul-Erdene

A hard-edged combat instructor at the Little Palace with a mercenary past.

The Apparat

A priest serving the King and the Darkling, whose eerie manner unsettles Alina.

Also in Siege and Storm

Genya Safin

A talented Grisha at the Little Palace who becomes one of Alina's closest friends.

Also in Shadow and Bone & Siege and Storm, The Tailor, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, Crooked Kingdom, King of Scars

Baghra

A cranky, mysterious old woman living on the palace grounds who tutors Alina in her power.

Also in Siege and Storm