Charlie Reade is the novel’s protagonist. A 17-year-old high school student, Charlie lives alone with his father after his mother’s tragic death. Charlie learns how to take care of others early on due to his father’s alcohol addiction. After his wish for his father’s recovery is granted, he feels obligated to care for Mr. Bowditch and Radar, but soon grows to organically love both of them.

Charlie struggles with the knowledge that he spent several years after his mother’s death acting out and bullying others. He feels ashamed of his past, and whenever he has an unkind impulse he is reminded of this shame. He also harbors repressed grief about his mother’s death and resentment about his father’s years dealing with addiction.

Charlie fulfills the trope of “the chosen one,” a hero preselected by destiny to save the land of Empis. Still, Charlie must grow into the role of Empis’s promised prince by bonding with the Empirians and leading the effort to save Lilimar. Along the way, he learns more about human nature and the type of person he wants to be.

Charlie goes through several classic fairy tale trials, including slaying giants and falling in love with a beautiful princess.