Content Warning: The source material features depictions of sexual assault (coerced kissing), violence, and warfare, including torture and executions. These are handled with sensitivity toward the target audience of young adult readers.

Kazimyrah of Brightmist, who is known to most characters as just “Kazi,” is the protagonist of Vow of Thieves. A teen with dark hair and amber eyes, she has led a life of hardship and loss. When she was six years old, her mother was kidnapped, forcing Kazi to fend for herself by entering the brutal world of Venda’s underbelly. Kazi became a cunning thief, and this harsh background became the foundation of her skillset: stealth, agility, and the ability to adapt easily, all of which are crucial for her survival. However, her traumatic past also casts a long shadow, manifesting in a deep-seated distrust of people and a crippling phobia of open spaces. Kazi also has a unique precognitive gift that allows her to see Death.

Pearson crafts Kazi as a testament to resilience. Her defining characteristic is her indomitable spirit that propels her forward despite experiencing unimaginable loss. This strength transcends the physical, and it encompasses emotional and mental fortitude.