Of Ice and Roses Summary

Gemma Panshaw - a young peasent woman living with her mother in a cottage along the river on the other side of a forest from town. Gemma was raised as the adopted daughter of Romelda Panshaw, and spent her childhood and teen years helping her mother grow, harvest, spin, and weave flax.

Ebenezer - crown prince and only son of King Tatum and Queen Sirena, younger brother of Eugenia. As a teen, he was sent away to the northeasternmost duchy of Forstur to maintain control of the border. He and his brother-in-law Leotis barely survived an encounter with Saoirse and have lived in fear of facing her in battle again. He is frank and down to earth, and highly respected by the people. His marriage to Gemma endears him even more to the "common folk".

Casper - childhood friend of Gemma. He went missing as a child after encountering Saoirse. She had insight from the fallen Seolfor, Farouk the Rebellious, that Casper would be a formidable enemy, so she tried to prevent that by turning him into her super soldier.

Olin, Duke of Wrosa -

Romelda Panshaw - adopted mother of Gemma. She was once a follower of Saoirse but grew disillusioned with the unethical methods and moral debasement of her tasks. After contemplating sucicide, she is comforted by Mog and decides to settle in Forstur where there is magic but no expectation to use it. She saves Gemma from death and adpots her, hoping to atone for previous mistakes.

Eugenia - older sister of Ebenezer, and the only princess of Forstur. She is married to Leotis and has seven children. A motherly person, she quickly takes a liking to Gemma and welcomes her into the family.

Leotis - an elfae, and the husband of Eugenia. He is a general in Ebenezer's army, a duke of the kingdom, and a mentor/brother figure to the prince. He's generous, loyal, and fiercely protective of his family.

Stevie - an elfae, and a member of a band of highwaymen operating out of Wrosa Duchy. She knows little of her origin, except that she was imprisoned by a magic curse that binds her under the control of whomever has the object holding the curse ("prisoner in a bottle" in her case, a gaudy ring. Stevie is defensive and lashes out. After Gemma is taken captive by Juniper and Mayes, the leaders of the band, Stevie and Gemma become allies.

Tymona - a euska (wolf-shifter) who saves Gemma from freezing to death on a magically-infused glacier. She is a member of a religious order who worships and preserves the teaches of Alabaster. When she learns that Gemma is trying to rescue Casper from a spellcaster in Forstur so he can help them defeat the sorceress, she offers to help. Tymona tells Gemma the plight of her people and asks that Ebenezer come to their aid.

Gareth -

Mog Faveene - a demi-ko, and the wife of Henry Ackers. An elfae who was turned into a nichovan, she has been a healer and sharhunter for over a millennia.

Henry Ackers - a demi-ko, and husband of Mog. A human who was turned into a nichovan, he has been a healer and shardhunter for over a millennia.

Carolise -

Saoirse the Sorceress - an evil sorceress who has joined forces with Farouk the Rebellious with the intent to syphon magic from the world. She is only encountered through her "avatar", a swirling mass of snow and mirrorshards in the shape of a woman.

Lazlo, Duke of Amling -

Juniper - female leader of a band of highwaymen operating out of Wrosa Duchy.

Mayes - husband of Juniper, and second in command of the band. He is sadastic in nature and enjoyed torturing people.

Penn -