Charlie Reade

Charlie Reade is the main character and first-person narrator in this novel. He is the prince character in the fairy tale. While he knows that most people prefer a charming prince, Charlie considers himself a dark prince because he is willing to do whatever it takes, including murder, to rescue the people of Empis. Through the course of Charlie’s stay in the other world, his hair lightens from brown to blond. His eyes also change color from brown to blue, symbolic proof to him and others that he is the prince for whom they have been waiting.

Charlie’s mother was killed in a freak accident when he was only seven. His father became an alcoholic, leaving Charlie in charge of taking care of himself and his father. Charlie prayed one day that if his father would stop drinking, he would repay that miracle by doing...