Stephen Quinn is the protagonist, narrator, and hero of the novel. He is a 15-year-old boy whom Hirsch characterizes as intelligent and practical but traumatized by both his upbringing and the world around him. He wavers between ruthless self-interest and his kinder, more humane side, having been raised to believe that kindness leads to weakness, which leads to death. This internal conflict is key to the novel’s exploration of Individualism Versus Communalism as Survival Strategies. A more consistent trait is Stephen’s penchant for breaking the rules, which he puts to both selfish and selfless use. The novel devotes minimal attention to Stephen’s appearance beyond the fact that he looks disheveled and dirty; this changes halfway through the book after the Greens give him new clothes and clean him up. This change in appearance signifies his entry into the world of Settler’s Landing, which is a turning point in his character arc.

Stephen is a dynamic and round character. He undergoes notable change throughout the story—transforming from a shrewd and rational but terrified boy into a braver and more understanding person who believes in his fellow humans’ potential for both good and evil.