Nick is the teenaged narrator of the novel. He was born in Burma and raised in Kansas; in 1941, he is living in London with his mother and stepfather, who work for the United States military. After a bombing in London sets his apartment building on fire, Nick is sent to Burma to live with his father. However, Nick is thrust into even more conflict in Burma. As the novel progresses, he learns how to control his temper—or “Freestone blood,” as his mother calls it—and gains confidence in himself. He demonstrates his loyalty to his friends and family, refusing to give up on rescuing his father even when the odds are against him. By the end of the novel, Nick is determined, loving, and patient, despite the atrocities and violence he was forced to witness. 

Mya is Nang's daughter and Indaw's sister. She is beautiful and admired among her village. She was born three weeks after Nick and grew up with him as a child. Mya is a lover of animals and is skilled at training and caring for them, much like her great-grandfather Hilltop. However, Mya's ambitions are shattered by the traditions of her community that state that women cannot become mahouts.