Starling Quinn is not the kind of person you want to meet alone in a dark alley--unless she's on your side. Dark and dangerous, with a sharp temper and a quick wit, she is something of a maverick, even among the mysterious Blades. Alex has crossed paths with her more than most; she was his training officer for a year in the Free City of Swansea.

Among all the Blades, Starling represents an extreme. She is what many imagine when they think of the shadowy spies of the Empire, deadly to her enemies, and willing to go to any lengths to find information. Learn more about her personality in this article, and keep reading below to get a glimpse into her past!

Danila al-Mhir, Political Commissar of the Imperial Retinue in Rosemoor Dell, is one of two Mezrani we get to know in Summer Twilight. However, though Danila plays an important role in the story, you don't get to know her that well, since she is fairly reserved. That's part of the reason this post is so exciting for me--I think Danila is a super cool, strong woman, and I'm excited to give her some "screen" time.

Something I feel really strongly about is demonstrating opposing viewpoints throughout Summer Twilight: characters who have different ways to solve the same problem, and consequently end up butting heads. Danila is an excellent foil to the other characters because her background and upbringing are so foreign, and it's a fun area to explore. For more on her personality, make sure you check out this article, but for now let's dive into her backstory.

Jakob is probably the closest thing to a "nerd" in the medieval world of Rosemoor Dell. From the beginning, Jakob has been a fun character because he subverts expectations: he's incredibly smart, detail-oriented, and borderline obsessive (I mean, same), but he can also be charming and charismatic--skills which have served him well in the Blades.

His story is also a little unorthodox, and I think reveals a lot about why he is the way he is, and what keeps him going when times get tough. If you want more details of his personality, make sure you check out this article for in-depth profiles of all the Blades!

Mattias Roussel, the Lord of Rosemoor Dell and patriarch one of the most powerful noble families outside of Mezrani City, is a hard man to know. He has to be: to rule fairly and justly and withstand the onslaught of Imperial influence, he has developed a thick armor and difficult demeanor. Caidy struggles with her father every day--and struggles with the parts of his personality which she sees in herself.

Of all the characters, Mattias was one of the hardest for me to write, because he is such a challenging man. He's not particularly likable: he has strong, unapologetic opinions, and he's very used to being in charge and having the last say. Fleshing out his history really helped me uncover his motivations, and how all these complexities and contradictions can exist in one man. If you want more on his personality, check out this article, and keep reading below to learn about his past!