El is the novel’s protagonist and narrator. Her characterization is marked by contradictions; for example, there are significant differences between El’s internal and external characterizations. While the reader gets to know El’s internal thoughts and feelings, the student body only sees her outward speech and actions. Internally, El is thoughtful, intelligent, and observant. Externally, El is abrupt, sarcastic, and rude. Though her abrasive personality is a response to the way people have treated El her whole life, it exacerbates the problem of El’s isolation and loneliness. El is a good person with a “bad vibe” and is often perceived by others as being scary or dangerous. The students who give her a chance—students like Orion, Aadhya, Liu, and even Chloe at the end of the book—discover that El is a thoughtful, loyal friend, who is willing to sacrifice for others.

El craves friendship and human connection, as is evidenced by the strength of the bonds she forms with Orion in particular but also Aadhya and Liu. As a character, El is motivated by a desire for acceptance and love. One of the major conflicts of the book is internal: El’s constant balance between her desire to do good and her affinity and abilities, which lend themselves to death and destruction.