Rosemarie Hathaway
The main protagonist of the story. Rose is a spunky 17-year-old Damphir training to be a Guardian. She is regarded as being an exceptional combatant but not as great with her human studies. She is bold and fearless and tends to act on impulse. She is described as having long black-brown hair and exotic features due to her mixed Scottish-Turkish heritage.
Lissa Dragomir
Roses' best friend and a Royal Moroi princess who is the last of her bloodline. She is known for being the opposite of Rose; calm, collected and graceful. She is described as having long blonde hair and green eyes. She is very intelligent and has a natural aura about her that draws people to her.
Dimitri Belikov
A 24-year-old Guardian Instructor at the school. He is described as being over six foot with long dark hair that is held up in a pony tail and he is always noted for wearing a long duster coat. He is Rose's main love interest and is always there when she needs advice. He is also her personal mentor and trainer.
Mason Ashford
He is described as a 17-year-old, red haired joker who is good-looking but this goes unnoticed by Rose until he starts to actively start pursuing her. He is very friendly and usually does anything Rose asks for . He is noted for being loyal and reasonable but when he is angry he can act on impulse.
Christian Ozera
Lissa's main love interest. He is described as having black messy hair and ice blue eyes. He and Rose often come to blows because they both have a very similar sardonic and cynical outlook on life and both make sarcastic comments. Nonetheless, Rose thinks he is a good match for Lissa as he seems to adore her.
Mia Rinaldi
Rose's nemesis and a non-Royal Moroi who likes to pretend she is higher up the ranks than she actually is. Mia harbours a resentment towards Rose because she feels threatened by her. However, after Mason's death, they begin to understand each other a lot better. She is described as being very child-like with big blue eyes and curly ringlets.
Eddie Castile
Mason’s best friend and Rose’s fellow Damphir. He is described as being very similar to Eddie and a very playful nature. Though much quitter and reserved in nature Eddie knows how to have fun. He is noted for being a loyal friend especially to Mason and Rose. He is physically described as having blonde hair, a lean structure and green eyes.
Victor Dashkov
He is described as an aging Royal Moroi who is suffering from a terminal illness. He is initially considered to be an uncle-like figure to both rose and Lissa but his true motives lie in using Lissa’s Spirit magic to heal his disease. Nonetheless, he is noted for being true to the Moroi’s and it was also claimed that he was once considered to be King of the Moroi but his illness prevented this from happening. He is physically described as having a gaunt, decaying appearance with slicked black hair and green eyes.
Natalie Dashkov
A meek and quiet girl who is taken under Lissa and Rose’s wing when they return to St. Vladimir’s. Though a Royal Moroi, she is not very popular and easily shies away. She is devoted to her father, Victor, and aims to please him. She lavishes any little attention he throws her way and even turns Strigoi on his command. She is also Lissa’s roommate and plants the dead body of animals in the room on Victor’s orders. She is killed at the end. Physically, she is described as having long blonde hair and green eyes.
Jesse Zeklos
An arrogant Royal Moroi who spreads vicious rumours about Rose in exchange for sexual favours from Mia. Rose is initially very attracted to him and even becomes sexually involved with him, but this stops when she realises how manipulative and cold he is under the handsome façade. He is described as being tanned with dark hair and extremely good-looking.
