Creative, imaginative, and more comfortable daydreaming about heroics than living them, Rich faces junior-high bullies and ordinary frustrations—until a mysterious pawn makes the adventure real.

Assertive, cunning, and determined to dominate every confrontation, Nadia knows exactly how to unsettle Rich—but her toughness may conceal more than it reveals.

Kind, empathetic, and quietly brave, Angela is one of the few genuinely friendly faces at Rich’s school—and she is not afraid to stand up for herself or others.

Nurturing, resourceful, and able to make the best of whatever is at hand, Laura brings warmth and reliability when Rich needs both most.

Carrying the weight of a husband missing in action, Helena works to keep her family together while the mysteries surrounding Rich grow harder to ignore.

Proud of her Austrian heritage and guardian of family secrets, Minerva knows more about the ancient forces surrounding Rich than she has ever revealed.

Charismatic, playful, and capable of lifting the mood around him, Aaron’s mischievous charm makes him an intriguing—and unpredictable—piece on the board.

Big, intimidating, and accustomed to using fear as leverage, Joe is one of the everyday dangers Rich must face even before the magical trials begin.

Outgoing, spirited, and at home in the center of school life, Mallory commands a different kind of influence than any knight or queen.

A cunning dark knight in training whose motives remain hidden. The Nemesis is determined to win at any cost—and may be much closer to Rich than he realizes.