Artemis Victor
Artemis Victor is a force of nature as a boxer whose skill and form are nearly unmatched. She is strong, composed, and driven by her need to outshine her older sister, Star Victor. Described as having thick thighs and sinewy muscles, she is a natural-born athlete who has inherited a legacy from her sisters. Her dedication to training paired with her obsessive self-awareness in the ring makes her the epitome of focus.
She is a perfectionist, evident in her straightened hair, immaculate makeup during fights, and flawless form in the ring. Artemis's relationship with her sisters, especially Star, drives her ambition but it also burdens her with expectations. Her intense control over her body contrasts with the more unstructured lives of her opponents. As such, it makes her the benchmark for success in the Daughters of America Cup.
Andi Taylor
Andi Taylor is Artemis Victor’s first opponent, a girl weighed down by her past traumas and failures. She carries the heavy memory of a lifeguarding incident where a young boy drowned under her watch and left her haunted by guilt. Her body is gangly and she struggles with her left guard during fights. Andi is a figure of desperation and yearning for love, particularly the kind her mother bestows upon her younger brother.
Throughout the novel, her life is marked by her losses inside and outside the ring. Boxing is an escape for Andi but it is also a reminder of her inadequacies. After her crushing defeat to Artemis, she sleeps off her sorrow in her car and retreats into herself. Yet, her story does not end in despair. Eventually, she becomes a pharmacist, living a quiet and unassuming life. Despite her insecurities, Andi’s journey is one of survival by learning to navigate a world where she feels perpetually on the margins.
Rachel Doricko
Rachel Doricko is a quirky and unpredictable fighter whose philosophy of life involves dressing in a Daniel Boone-style raccoon hat to unsettle people. In the ring, Rachel brings an oddball energy through her strange footwork, which throws off her opponents. Despite her thin, compacted frame, Rachel proves that her unpredictable style can sometimes win her a round. However, her unconventional approach to life does not always translate into victory.
Off the mat, Rachel becomes a grocery store manager where her eccentricity finds a different outlet. Her "weird-hat philosophy" serves as a protective mechanism and a filter for how she engages with the world. Rachel is a character defined by her willingness to take chances in the ring. However, in her personal life, she is hesitant to apply the same boldness.
Rose Mueller
As a tall and quiet girl, Rose is reflective and patient, which are traits that serve her well in and out of the ring. Her boxing matches become a means for her to connect with others without words. Raised in the Dallas suburbs, Rose was once a victim of severe bullying that left her locked in a sports shed for hours. This event transforms her and her entry into boxing becomes a way to push back against isolation.
Rose’s relationship with her father is quiet but loving, which is a sharp contrast to her internal struggles. As an adult, she becomes an accountant and opens a weight-loss gym where she develops a theory that those bullied in childhood gain a kind of telepathy in adulthood. In the ring, her ability to fight with precision and patience gives her an edge over her opponents, like Tanya Maw.
Tanya Maw
Tanya Maw is Rose Mueller’s opponent who is preoccupied with her familial issues, especially the absence of her mother. Her relationship with her older sister weighs heavily on her as it affects her performance in the ring. Tanya’s mother left their family, which is a traumatic event that continues to haunt her. Throughout the novel, Tanya is depicted as someone who struggles to be fully present because her thoughts are often elsewhere.
In her bout against Rose, she is overwhelmed mentally and physically. Her limbs feel like "thick white honey" reflecting the sluggishness that clouds her mind. Tanya’s relationship with her mother is a central emotional thread as it colors her perception of herself and the world.
Izzy Lang and Iggy Lang
Izzy and Iggy Lang are cousins who face off against each other in the Daughters of America tournament. The two girls share physical similarities, both muscular and well-built, but their relationship is fraught with rivalry and resentment. Izzy, the older of the two, harbors a deep dislike for Iggy because of her purple lip and the way she stares at people without hesitation.
The dynamic between them is tense since Izzy sees Iggy as a constant threat. Despite this, the two share a familial bond that complicates their competition. Izzy’s desire to leave youth boxing and fight without headgear hints at her need for greater freedom and self-expression.
