Kaz Brekker
Also known as Dirtyhands, though few would be likely to know whether this is applicable since he reveals a distinct preference for black leather gloves. He is also instantly recognized for the cane he often carries with the rather sinister-looking head of a crow topping it. He is a roguish type: a thief, master picker of locks, and lieutenant in the Dregs.
Inej Ghafa
A member of the Dregs who holds a very special place in the heart of Kaz. She is a trained acrobat, a sneaky gatherer of secrets who manages to overcome being kidnapped and forced to work in prostitution ring known as Menagerie. Like Kaz, she also has an alias: the Wraith.
Jan and Wylan Van Eck
The rich guy, Jan, a shipping magnate, no less, and a major league merchant to the point of big-time membership of the Kerch Merchant Council. But more importantly, perhaps, is that Jan is also the father of Wylan Van Eck who manages to overcome his dyslexia by being a demolition savant and loyal member of the Crows.
Matthias Helvar and Nina Zenik
Matthias is a former witch-hunter who becomes intricately involved with Dreg/Grisher Heartrender Nina Zenik in a complicated relationship. An accusation made by Nina lands Matthias in jail at Hellgate which leads, naturally, to intensifying feelings of hatred toward her even though it turns out that the betrayal is not all it seems. And yet, the natural outgrowth of these feelings of anger toward her on the part of Matthias—vengeance—is tempered by an inability to move past the love he still feels.
Jesper Fahey
A sharpshooter with the Dregs handicapped by a gambling addiction. He is also devious in his role as a Fabrikator and equally less-than-honest with his father about his story of being a student at Ketterdam. Interestingly, however, Jesper turns out to be surprisingly open about his living arrangements with Wylan Van Eck by the story’s end.
