Shy and unpopular, sixteen-year-old loner Cassie wants nothing more than to fit in when she moves to the coastal town of Horn-Horn. But her trip into the local woods changes her priorities when she is attacked by a white moose and discovers Zag, a boy with magical powers. She takes Zag home and hides him in her wardrobe, only letting her siblings in on the secret.

Introverted and weird, seventeen-year-old Annie is Cassie’s not-so-wise elder sister. Due to her high IQ, she is snobby when it comes to intellect, and suffers great bad luck. She is very family-oriented, but the introduction of Zag into her household makes her especially jealous of Cassie.

Far too witty for his eleven years of age, youngest Gellar sibling Brendan is quick to cotton on to all things supernatural under his roof. Constantly positive, gay, and incredibly brave, Brendan isn’t told about Zag’s powers at first but figures it out quickly and rolls with it.

Mother of Annie, Cassie and Brendan, child psychologist Lesley Gellar is quiet and an extremely caring mother. She loves her job and is trying to make the new move to Horn-Horn work, but is concerned when she learns that her kids aren’t fitting in. She has absolutely no idea that Cassie is hiding Zag in her wardrobe.

Patriarch of the Gellar family, Ichabod is just as clueless about the supernatural underbelly of Horn-Horn as his wife Lesley. He is a lawyer for work, but a painter at heart. He cares deeply for his loved ones and hopes the move to Horn-Horn will help with his health, after suffering a heart-attack at thirty-nine.

Zagreus Wendig the Third is a Child of Crux — a magical boy born in Summers City on Danube who was orphaned shortly after birth. He can grant unlimited wishes to whoever agrees to take care of him — and that happens to now be Cassie Gellar from Earth. Zag is curious, smart but naive on all things human. He carries around a clay head which he magically disappears into whenever he isn’t needed, much like a genie and its lamp.

Ursula the Viking Empress is from the magical ice planet of Danube, and has just lost two very important things to her. Her father, and his last gift to her — Zag. In an emotional state, she sent Zag away to Earth but now regrets it and wants him back. By the time she tracks him down to Horn-Horn, he has already been claimed by someone else. Who? Knowing it is a high school student, Ursula takes on an alias and gets a job at Horn-Horn High-High to suss out the student body.

Born and raised in Horn-Horn, Eleanore is the most powerful girl at Horn-Horn High-High. Not only is she lead member of a fashion club known as the ‘Saviours of Tomorrow’ (a group known to be the most absurdly pretty girls in school), but her father is also the Principal. Eleanore tries to befriend Cassie at first, but because of her domineering and vapid personality, is deeply offended when Cassie decides to hang out with the losers of their class instead. Soon, Eleanore comes to despise Cassie and considers her public enemy number one.

Considered leader of what is unofficially known as the ‘backseater club’ at school, Hayley appears to be nasty and incredibly aggressive. But that is just from years of having to put up with horrible people. Hayley has a heart of gold and takes Cassie under her wing, becoming incredibly protective of her. She is dating JT, and is best friends with Greg. She is surprisingly sensitive, but never shows it. She is poor and lives in the lower streets of Horn-Horn with her alcoholic mother Bonita, stripper step-father Steve, and their little dog Scruffster.

Boyfriend to Hayley and best friend to Greg, little is known about JT except that he is sceptical of Cassie at first. He is joined to Hayley by the hip, but very rarely comments on things and seems to find everything amusing. Despite this, he is positive and speaks up when his friends are provoked. He always wears beanies and does not like the Saviours. He loves nothing more than being inappropriate.

As quiet as a mute, Greg is the school’s most underrated heartthrob. Cassie is madly in love with him, but can’t tell if the feelings are reciprocated since he just stares at her sometimes without saying anything. Even less is known about Greg than JT, but they get along like a house on fire. Greg is lovely, six-foot-three, and is as gentle as a Great Dane. There are whispers of family troubles (‘his mother hasn’t been seen in months’) but nobody knows for sure.

Jacqueline Weiss is the extraordinarily popular teacher of Cassie’s class at Horn-Horn High-High, aptly named 10W. She teaches them in most of the basic subjects. Ms. Weiss is sometimes upbeat, other times snarky and rude, but one thing is for sure — she is a devoted teacher who genuinely cares about her students, and this town she grew up in. She may also be a bit of a weirdo.

Completely driven by anything Eleanore commands, Wednesday is another member of the sacred ‘Saviours of Tomorrow’. Her job, then, is to make Cassie’s school life a living hell. She is best friends with Friday and is six-feet-tall. Her eyes are a vibrant blue and she has exactly one naturally ginger strand of hair. Just like everybody in the Saviours, she is almost supernaturally beautiful. She is from a large family of thirteen.

Don’t forget, it’s pronounced ‘Sheh-PAHD’. Friday is the second of Eleanore’s Saviour crones. She is all things fashion, and quite possibly nastier than anyone else at school. Although she rarely makes comments specifically aimed at Cassie, it is clear where her priorities are at. She is a suck-up to Ms. Weiss, as well. She lives, breathes and consumes fashion like it’s cocaine. Friday’s family own Horn-Horn’s Golf Club, right next to the mansion their gym teacher lives in on the outskirts of town.

Another Saviour (who seems to be on the out), Tanya arrives late to the story as she was visiting Italy with her family to retrieve her injured sister. Back home again, she finds herself struggling to fit back in with the Saviours, and tries to please Eleanore by sussing out Cassie (doing so poorly). She is kinder than the other Saviours, is a volunteer at the local Veterinarian clinic and loves dogs, making clay pots, and fashion on the side. Her father is deaf, and she lives up in the Hills as well.

Eric Parker is the Principal of Horn-Horn High-High, and lives next-door to Cassie. His daughter is Eleanore, who is over-endulged to the point of negligence. Eric is at first adamant that Cassie become friends with his daughter, but soon realises it’s a waste of time. He loves the colour purple, has lived in Horn-Horn his entire life, and puts a lot of his money into the upkeep of the school (and town). Despite his position of power, he is a generous man at heart.

Chloe is a fellow child therapist along with Lesley Gellar. She has lived in Horn-Horn for quite a while, but is hiding from her younger sister, Candice, who is obsessed with her. On the arrival of Candice in Horn-Horn, she realises she will have to make do. Chloe is the polar opposite, having been let down in life. She isn’t a nasty person, but she is sardonic and smokes a lot and takes things almost too seriously.

Omni-effervescent, Candice is the younger sister of Chloe, who she tracks down after years of searching. She quickly gets a job at Chloe’s work so they can be closer to one another. Candice’s work in child psychology surprises people — as ditzy and positive as she always seems, she is able to snap into professional mode at a moment’s notice. She makes great friends in Horn-Horn and decides to call it home. She even manages to warm Chloe’s cold heart (if only a little).

Timothy is a little boy from Danube imprisoned until he is older to become Ursula’s husband. He can transform into a black cat, and he does so regularly. Timothy accompanies Ursula on her journey to Horn-Horn, and acts as her moral compass, although he has other plans while in town.

Having grown up on the Planet of Danube, van Pan is Ursula’s life-long enemy. The two of them have been in scholarly competition since childhood, and it is a surprise when he arrives in Horn-Horn. His intentions are unknown, but you can be sure that he is up to no good.

Duke Wilson of Elmer is a member of the Palace of Danube’s parliament. With the King’s death and Ursula’s initial disappearance, he temporarily takes over the throne and oversees the search for Ursula. He has an interesting history with the deceased Monarch, and is not as human (or humane) as he seems.

Beverly Berry is a divorcée who used to go by Mrs. Hamilton. She is Horn-Horn High-High’s dowdy gym teacher. She is kind and encouraging, but very sad that her life has turned out the way it has. She lives in the giant mansion she got in her divorce next to the golf club, feels very alone when not working, and therefore gladly allows Ursula to live with her and her own cat (who looks like Hitler).

Snobby mother of Eleanore and wife of Eric, Ella-May is the perfect housewife and works at the local insane asylum. She loves to garden and gossip. Surprise, surprise — she knows everything about the Gellar house’s history, and is quickly learning everything she can about the Gellars.

‘Yishel’ for short, Yack Spit Hack Lady is Cassie’s bus driver. She never talks, she never smiles, and she never fails to hit the bus stop sign down the road.

From the dark side of Danube, Pothosia’s arrival in Horn-Horn is supposedly to keep Cassie in line with Zag, but as the story progresses it is revealed that she has a secret agenda. And let’s not get started on her precious pumpkin.

A teen girl in the 1950’s who seems to be head of the Saviours, just like Eleanore. She is snappy to her friends and completely into fashion, but plans to leave Horn-Horn and head to Hollywood once high school is over. She’s in an on-again-off-again relationship with town weirdo, Peter.

Patty’s best friend and fellow Saviour in the 1950’s, Jocelyn seems to have her head screwed on more than most her age. She is cool, calm and kind. A nine-year-old boy she babysits named Charles is in love with her, though, and it aggravates her to no end. Despite nearing high school graduation, Jocelyn has no idea what she wants to do with her life.

Penelope “Opal” Franz is a girl from the 1950’s, a member of the Saviours (out of kindness) and a good friend to Patty and Jocelyn. Her illness creates tension amongst the Saviours. Little is known about her true personality, for Cassie possesses her body while travelling back in time.

Kind-hearted Peter is the long-suffering love of Patty’s life. He is poor, thus her dilemma, but a romantic. While their love for each other is true, they face challenges in the future more than either of them could have possibly imagined.

Amelia Terr is a Swedish import to Horn-Horn High-High as another gym teacher. She is blunt and cannot speak English especially well, but is not unkind. She is quite masculine and throws a ball pretty hard. Miss. Terr has exceptional knowledge on Sports history and doesn’t tolerate slackery in her class.

The charming second Principal, who clashes with Eric. The entire student body loves him, all of the girls (and some of the boys) have a crush on him, and he is as kind and experienced as they come.

A transfer from Eaglehawk, Nancy-Marilyn Alvarado-Wheeler arrives at school and starts shaking hands. She makes Cassie jealous, though, as she is stiff competition for Greg’s affection. She is really into running and keeps getting in Cassie’s way.

German-born Helen Kent is mother to Lesley and grandmother to Cassie. She arrives in town just in time for Christmas, making the Gellar home crowded. She is grumpy and nobody likes her for it, not even her own daughter. Don’t mention motorycles around her, either, for she has a pure hatred of them. Perhaps she is in town for other reasons? Either way, Helen finds herself clashing the most with Ichabod’s younger Jewish sister, Rachael.

Ichabod’s younger sister, Rachael is in town for Christmas. Surprise! It’s a mystery what has caused this visit, and Ichabod is not happy. He knows her too well — she usually flies in like a hurricane and leaves a big old mess behind. Rachael is popular amongst the Gellar siblings, and finds herself clashing with Lesley’s racist mother, Helen.

Cassie’s other crush, when she’s not drooling over Greg. She’s literally drooling over Morgan though, and embarrassing herself in front of him constantly. He is nineteen and working at the local hardware hut. It seems he has a crush on Cassie too, for he keeps running into her and having awkward moments with her. But is it a crush, or is he just really nice?

Marguerite is JT’s mother and rarely in town due to her touring as an opera singer. She is happily married to Tommy Walker, and loves to garner everyone’s attention. She seems to hate JT’s girlfriend, Hayley. Marguerite also seems to be under the impression that JT is close friends with the Saviours.

Jonathan Thomas Abraham Walker II is JT’s father and used to be an eye specialist. Now he spends his time at home, mostly drinking red wine. He seems perfectly content in life, and along with his wife thinks JT is friends with the Saviours.

Moropa is a socialite from Danube who sits by Duke Wilson in most parliaments. She is very curious about the town of Horn-Horn when she visits in secret, and wishes to spend more time there in the future.

The anxiety-prone but very organised head of a popular TV program who arrives in Horn-Horn just in time for Christmas… and disaster! But her job goes far beyond keeping highly paid actors in line. Cora is on a personal mission in Horn-Horn.

A man as pretentious as his name, Pepper is Chloe’s latest attempt at romance. His role as electrician AND magician end up giving him a special gig at Christmastime in Horn-Horn.

Identical twins who become rescuers during a severe snowstorm, Gentry & Uriah’s sordid past will send chills down your spine.