Character Spotlight: Meet the Heroes of The Crown Between Kingdoms

Hi friends! ☕

Today I wanted to do something I’ve been really excited about—introducing you to some of the main characters in The Crown Between Kingdoms. I’ve spent so much time with them (sometimes it feels like I know them better than I know myself), and they’ve grown and changed in ways I never expected while writing this story.

Characters are the heartbeat of a novel, and these three—Astoria, Roswell, and Faisa—have stolen mine completely. So grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let’s talk about the heroes who make this story what it is.

🌿 Astoria Quinn Holgenbrior – The Reluctant Queen

Astoria never wanted the crown, but life had other plans. After the sudden death of her sister Abigail, Astoria was forced to step into the role she never prepared for. She carries not only the weight of ruling Kylvennon, but also the grief of losing the sister she loved so deeply. She’s strong and sharp, yes—but in that quiet way where you almost miss it at first. She doubts often, feels deeply, and yet somehow still finds the courage to stand tall.

Quirk: When she’s nervous, she absentmindedly traces the embroidery on her sleeves.
Favorite Line: “A crown may rest on my head, but it will never own my soul.”
Fun Fact: In early drafts, Astoria leaned more timid and hesitant—but as I got to know her, her quiet resilience started shining through. Now she feels like someone who might bend, but will never truly break.

⚔️ Prince Roswell of Neldivous – The Enemy with a Heart

If you’ve been waiting for the hopeless romantic, here he is. Roswell is definitely the more romantic one compared to Astoria, and his charm shows it. But his life isn’t as carefree as it might look from the outside. Even though his father is king, Roswell has always carried what I call an “invisible crown.” His older brother avoids politics at all costs, which forces Roswell to step up as the responsible one—torn between family duty and personal desire.

His loyalty often clashes with his heart, and that tension makes his relationship with Astoria one of the most layered, complicated dynamics in the book.

Quirk: He’s incredible on horseback (basically part-centaur at this point 😂) but shockingly bad at sparring drills. In real combat, though, he somehow always pulls through.
Favorite Line: “If loyalty demands I lose you, then loyalty is a chain I would gladly break.”
Fun Fact: Roswell originally started out as more of a “classic rival” character—serious, stiff, and very black-and-white. But the more I wrote, the more I realized he’s not just a foil for Astoria—he’s someone with a tender, conflicted heart. Now he’s this beautiful tangle of honor and longing, which makes him one of my favorites.

🗡️ Faisa – The Shadow Who Protects

Ah, Faisa. One of my favorite surprises in the writing process. She’s the assassin-turned-vigilante who fights by her own rules, mysterious and dangerous but full of depth. And here’s the fun part—she wasn’t just my creation. My best friend Hannah actually came up with Faisa’s character, basing her on her own wit and confidence. That spark is what brought Faisa to life on the page, and honestly, I can’t imagine this story without her now.

Quirk: She secretly collects scraps of parchment with unfinished bits of poetry. (Not exactly the hobby you’d expect from someone with her reputation, right?)
Favorite Line: “The world sees me as a blade. Let them. A blade cuts both ways.”
Fun Fact: Faisa started as a background character and quickly became essential—not just to the plot, but to Astoria’s survival and growth. She’s proof that sometimes the best characters are the ones you didn’t even plan for.

Why They Matter (and Why I Love Writing Them)

At its core, The Crown Between Kingdoms isn’t just about thrones, politics, or battles—it’s about the people who carry the weight of all those things. Astoria is learning how to lead while carrying her grief, Roswell is trying to balance his invisible crown with the stirrings of his heart, and Faisa is proof that strength can come from unexpected places (or friends 💜).

What makes these characters especially meaningful to me is how they’ve grown alongside me. I actually came up with the foundation of this story years ago in high school with my best friend Hannah. We spent so many late nights tossing around ideas, and Faisa was actually born out of Hannah’s wit and confidence. Then, years later—this past summer—I brought the story back to life for a class assignment, not really expecting much beyond finishing the project. But once I started writing again, I couldn’t put it down.

It struck me how these characters had changed as I had changed. Astoria isn’t just a “reluctant queen”—her grief and strength feel deeper now because I’ve grown to understand loss and resilience more than I did as a teenager. Roswell became more layered too, because I’ve learned that love and duty often pull in opposite directions in real life. And Faisa? She’s still sharp and witty, but she’s also carrying a depth I never imagined for her back in high school.

In a way, each of them grew up with me. They’ve matured as I’ve matured, and their voices feel more real because I’ve changed as a writer—and as a person. That’s one of my favorite parts of storytelling: watching characters evolve, not just on the page, but in the spaces between drafts and years, shaping and being shaped by the one writing them.

It reminds me that stories aren’t static—they’re living, breathing things. They shift with us, reflect who we are at different points in our lives, and sometimes even teach us lessons we didn’t know we needed. The Crown Between Kingdoms started as a high school idea between two best friends, and now it’s become a story that’s grown roots in my heart. And honestly? That journey—from whispered high school brainstorming sessions to polished chapters today—feels like a story all on its own.

✨ Thanks for being here with me on this journey. Sharing these characters with you makes me feel like I’m inviting you into a little piece of my world, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

So tell me—who’s caught your attention the most? The guarded queen, the conflicted prince, or the shadowy protector? Drop your thoughts in the comments; I love hearing which characters speak to you first. 💜

— Sarah