Luz “Little Light” Lopez
Luz Lopez is a 17-year-old Chicana girl living in Denver in 1933. She is a descendent of Pidre, a newborn abandoned in the Lost Territory in 1868. She is a tea leaf reader and clairvoyant looking for a way to make ends meet and provide for her family. Luz is strong-willed and driven, but she has a poor habit of making bad choices when it comes to men. She is strongly loyal to her family and has a strong connection to her cultural background.
Luz is ambitious and resourceful, and she is willing to take chances to achieve a better life for herself. For example, when Luz takes a job writing tales about the city for a newspaper, she uses her clairvoyant powers to acquire access to material she wouldn't have gotten otherwise. She also confronts bigotry and discrimination square on, refusing to back down and accepting that she must work twice as hard for half the pay. Luz is also a caring and generous individual. She is kind toward her brother Diego and takes up the burden of caring for him when her aunt is unable to.
Desiderya Lopez
Desiderya Lopez is a knowledgeable and powerful woman in the Lost Territory in 1868. She is the Sleepy Prophet of the tiny village of Pardona. She is a visionary who dreams of stories in her sleep and can discern clues to predict the future. She is powerful and wise, and she is the one who saves the abandoned baby Pidre from the banks of an arroyo and nurtures him as her own.
Desiderya is a healer, shaman, and instructor. She is a brilliant storyteller who can pass on her wisdom and culture to her protégé Pidre and her successors. Desiderya is a symbol of strength and resilience to the Lopez family and is a reminder to them of the power of their history, culture, and ancestry.
Lizette
Lizette is a devoted friend and cousin to Luz who supports her through her trials. Lizette is adamant from the start about not forgetting their family history and customs. Despite the hardships they confront, she pushes Luz to write down their family stories and fight for their rights. She is also an inspiration to Luz since she continuously encourages her to pursue her aspirations and never give up. Lizette is a supportive figure for Luz, and she is always available to her when she needs someone to talk to or assistance.
Pidre
Pidre is a character in Kali-Fajardo Anstine's novel "Woman of Light". He is a newborn abandoned in the Lost Territory of 1868. Desiderya Lopez, the Sleepy Prophet of the tiny village of Pardona, saves and raises him. Pidre is a gifted storyteller who is advised to "remember your line" as he is led away. He is the progenitor of the novel's protagonist, Luz Lopez.
Pidre is a symbol of perseverance and optimism, and his legacy will be passed down to future generations. In the narrative, his life and legacy are praised, with his descendants portrayed as brave and resourceful, learning to be cautious and fearless in the face of prejudice and discrimination.
Marie Josie
Marie Josie is a strong and courageous woman who has overcome adversity. She is Luz Lopez's and Lizette's aunt. Despite the difficulty of living in a world where her race is discriminated against, she works hard to offer a better life for her niece and nephew. She is a woman who has suffered a great deal but is motivated to fight for her own family. She is a defender, defending her niece and nephew when they are wronged. She is a wonderful example of a caring and supportive aunt who is always there for her niece and nephew.
Fertudez Marisol Ortiz
Fertudez Marisol Ortiz is a Colorado native who is hardworking, generous, compassionate, and bright. She is the great-aunt of the protagonist, Luz Lopez, and is of Chicano-Indigenous origin. Fertudez is known for her supernatural powers to read tea leaves, perceive past visions, and communicate with the dead. She is also renowned for leaving her newborn child with a bear claw affixed to his chest on the banks of an arroyo, telling him to "remember your line" before galloping away.
Diego
Diego is Pidre's grandson and Luz Lopez's sibling. He is a skilled snake charmer who is depicted as crafty, cunning, and ambitious. He is a bit of a loner, preferring to rely on his skills to acquire money and achieve respect rather than his family and community. He is a bit of a rebel, and his desire frequently clashes with the beliefs of his family. He is also deeply loyal to his family and will go to any length to defend them.
