The Book of Azrael

Samkiel, also known as Liam, is the male lead in The Book of Azrael. A centuries-old demigod and the last known surviving deity after the Gods War, Liam is a complex character defined by his past and his struggle for redemption. Known by titles such as “World Ender” and “King of the Gods,” Liam rejects these grandiose labels, preferring the name he gave himself after the fall of Rashearim, inspired by his mother’s favorite flower. His physical traits—chestnut hair, gray eyes, and silver veins that glow when he uses his powers—serve as visual reminders of his divine nature and the burden he carries.

The celestials revere Liam as their savior for ending the Gods War, but in keeping with the theme of The Deceptive Nature of Appearances, his heroic reputation conceals a devastating truth: He destroyed Rashearim, the celestial realm, to end the conflict. Although he reconstructed the shattered fragments of the realm, what remains is a shadow of its former glory. This act weighs heavily on Liam, manifesting as unprocessed guilt and self-loathing. The death of his father, Unir, compounds this guilt, as Liam feels responsible. As Dianna observes, “You haven’t processed anything. You buried it, buried yourself, and now that you have been thrown back into everything, it’s too much” (265). These unresolved emotions result in nightmares that trigger uncontrolled bursts of his immense power, further isolating him from others. Liam’s emotional turmoil significantly impacts his daily life, making even basic tasks like eating or bathing a struggle. His self-neglect not only weakens him physically but also erodes his ability to control his powers, creating a dangerous cycle of instability while affirming his reluctance to use his abilities for any reason.

Liam serves as a foil to Dianna in many respects. While he is a god, she is a monster. His cold detachment contrasts sharply with her outward humor and fiery passion. However, both characters share a profound sense of worthlessness. Liam believes that he is a burden to others: “They did not need me. No one did, and they were better off without me” (80). This self-perception often leads him to harm those he loves unintentionally. His complicated relationship with Unir deepens his internal conflict. Despite disapproving of Liam’s emotions and behavior, Unir pressured him to become his heir, exacerbating Liam’s feelings of inadequacy.

Through his evolving relationship with Dianna, Liam begins to confront his guilt and rediscover his humanity. Dianna’s influence allows him to smile, engage with others, and slowly rebuild his capacity for emotional connection. His love for her becomes a transformative force, culminating in his decision to use the Oblivion blade—a weapon he swore never to wield again—to protect her. When Dianna dies, Liam defies the natural order by resurrecting her, despite potential catastrophic consequences. As Liam confesses, “I hadn’t brought her back for the world or even for her. I brought her back because I didn’t think I could exist without her” (453). For a character who has refused to acknowledge his own needs and desires as valid, this “selfishness” represents significant growth. His evolving bond with Dianna has helped him regain trust in himself and others, setting the stage for a partnership built on mutual support and love and deepening the novel’s exploration of Power and Control and the nature of good and evil.

Gabby is Dianna’s younger sister. Like Dianna, Gabby was transformed into an Ig’Morruthen by Kaden. However, unlike Dianna, Gabby’s transformation granted her an immortal lifespan without the monstrous physical and psychological traits typically associated with Ig’Morruthens. For instance, Gabby does not require blood to sustain herself, which is a crucial difference between herself and the other Ig’Morruthens. Her only supernatural ability is heightened empathy that allows her to soothe and heal others. As Dianna reflects,

Gabby was different, but so much better than any of us. The only power she seemed to have was a sort of empathy […] She could calm someone, heal them in a way […] She wasn’t a monster like us. No, she was an angel born out of the most brutal darkness (39).

This goodness and compassion starkly contrast with the harsh, violent world that Gabby inhabits. Even Liam, who rarely speaks in sentimental terms, observes that her aura is “[y]ellows and pinks, vibrant and warm, kind of like her” (332). Gabby dedicates her immortal life to helping others, first as a healer and later as a doctor, offering a glimmer of hope and humanity amid the chaos.

Gabby is a relatively flat character, primarily defined through her relationship with Dianna. She functions more as a symbol than a fully fleshed-out individual, embodying purity, love, and the familial bond that drives Dianna’s actions. She is idealized by both Dianna and others, and she serves as the moral anchor in Dianna’s life.

Gabby’s relationship with Dianna is also vital to the novel’s plot, as protecting Gabby catalyzes most of the novel’s central conflicts. Dianna sacrifices herself repeatedly to protect her sister, binding herself to Kaden and then to Liam. Gabby’s role, while limited in narrative complexity, is crucial to the story’s emotional stakes as well. Her loss underscores themes of grief, sacrifice, and the struggle to preserve one’s humanity in a brutal and unforgiving world.

Kaden is the primary antagonist in The Book of Azrael, embodying the traits of a ruthless manipulator and power-hungry leader. An ancient Ig’Morruthen, Kaden is most likely one of the four Kings of Yejedin, beings whose powers rival those of the gods. On Onuna, the Otherworlders revere him as the “King of the Otherworld” (166), a title that underscores his dominance and control over his people.

Kaden wields his power directly and indirectly, often relying on Alistair, Tobias, or Dianna to execute his plans. His strategic use of others highlights his cunning and unwillingness to risk his own safety unless necessary. His powers, which include the ability to “bend land” and summon a “flaming portal” that leads to certain doom, make him a formidable force. Unlike Liam, who struggles to adapt to the modern world, Kaden also fully embraces mortal technology, using it to enhance his influence and further his agenda in a way that underscores his pragmatism and resourcefulness. However, manipulation is Kaden’s primary weapon, as when he uses Dianna’s love for her sister, Gabby, to bend her to his will. Kaden threatens Gabby to ensure Dianna’s obedience, exploiting her loyalty and emotional vulnerability. This manipulation extends to the physical and psychological abuse he inflicts on Dianna, including forcing her into a sexual relationship that she recognizes is devoid of care or respect: “I knew he didn’t care about my well-being, only that I was still in line, still obedient” (24). Kaden’s cruelty culminates in his on-camera murder of Gabby, an act designed to crush Dianna’s spirit and reinforce his authority.

Thanks to Kaden’s power and cunning, he is able to unite the Otherworlders on Onuna under his iron rule, compelling them to work toward his ostensible goal of unsealing the realms. While Kaden claims to seek freedom for the Otherworlders, Liam’s prophetic visions reveal a darker truth: Kaden’s ultimate ambition is to rule over all the realms, affirming that Kaden’s character is a study of control and corruption. His actions drive much of the novel’s conflict and contrast with Liam’s reluctant heroism and Dianna’s internal struggles, developing themes of power, good, and evil.

Although Unir is dead at the start of The Book of Azrael, his influence lingers throughout the novel and shapes the lives of the characters—particularly Liam. As the king of the gods and Liam’s father, Unir embodies both the strengths and flaws of divine rule. His complex relationship with Liam is central to Liam’s struggles with leadership, self-worth, and grief.

Unir is an antagonist, though not as blatantly as Kaden. His manipulative tendencies nevertheless mirror Kaden’s, though they stem from different motivations. Unir consistently pushes Liam into action without regard for Liam’s consent or emotional readiness. While Unir believes that he is preparing Liam for greatness, his methods are often harsh and emotionally damaging. For instance, when Liam expresses doubt about his abilities, Unir challenges him to aim higher: “I’ll never be a leader like you,” Liam laments, to which Unir replies, “Excellent. Be greater” (77). This duality—encouraging yet demanding—defines much of their relationship, as Unir harshly criticizes Liam for any perceived failure to meet his lofty expectations: “You cannot lead them, or anyone, if they don’t respect you […] I am ashamed of you. I had such high hopes, and now I am left to clean up your mess. Again” (444). These swings between praise and condemnation leave lasting scars on Liam, affecting his ability to connect with others and process his grief.

Unir’s insistence that Liam succeed him as king, despite objections from other gods and Liam himself, reveals Unir’s rigid mindset. His binary thinking, particularly his belief that “a monster is still a monster, no matter how pretty it is” (112), also influences Liam’s early interactions with Dianna, reinforcing Liam’s initial prejudice against her. The implication is that a rigid worldview limits Unir’s capacity for empathy, a trait that becomes more pronounced after the death of his celestial wife, Adelphia. Her loss causes Unir’s emotions to “calcify” in a process Liam describes as “the very light inside of [a god] go[ing] out, and […] turn[ing] [them] to stone” (308). Though Unir dies before fully succumbing to this emotional numbness, the damage to his relationship with Liam is profound.

Unir’s final act of sacrifice—dying to protect Liam—reveals a glimmer of his paternal love. Unir’s last words, “I love you, Samkiel. Be better than us” (446-47), resonate with Liam throughout the series, both as a source of guilt and as a call to transcend his father’s flaws. Unir’s legacy, while fraught with pain, ultimately catalyzes Liam’s growth, forcing him to confront his own humanity and strive for a better path.

The Hand of Samkiel, or simply “The Hand,” consists of six celestials—Vincent, Logan, Neverra, Imogen, Cameron, and Xavier—each created by a different god before joining Liam’s ranks. While “The Hand” traditionally refers to these six, it sometimes encompasses their council members and subordinates, illustrating the organizational structure they wield. Collectively, The Hand reflects the complex interplay of loyalty, power, and hidden truths that drive much of The Book of Azrael.

Imogen, Cameron, and Xavier reside on Rashearim, contributing minimally to the plot. However, their roles in flashbacks reveal a more human and vulnerable side to Liam, highlighting his former camaraderie and loyalty as a leader. These moments contrast sharply with the isolation and emotional distance that now define his character.

Vincent assumes leadership of The Hand during Liam’s self-imposed exile on Rashearim. Created by the goddess Nismera, Vincent is hinted to have a past marked by abuse, a factor that drives his relentless pursuit of autonomy and his resistance to authority. His dynamic with Liam is fraught with tension as Vincent struggles to reconcile his need for independence with his loyalty to the group. Their confrontational exchanges reflect the narrative’s broader interest in control and power.

Logan, created by Unir, serves as Liam’s closest confidant and the emotional anchor of The Hand. His patience with Liam’s erratic behavior underscores his deep bond with him. However, this same patience does not extend to Dianna—Logan’s wariness of her highlights the distrust and division within the group.

Neverra, Logan’s amata, represents the spiritual connection of the Mark of Dhihsin, binding her and Logan profoundly and tangibly. Their relationship offers a glimpse of unyielding devotion amid the chaos, starkly contrasting with Liam’s fractured connections.

The duality of The Hand’s attitude toward Liam is significant not only in characterizing him but also in developing the theme of the deceptive nature of appearances. Flashbacks showcase the camaraderie and loyalty between Liam and The Hand, underscoring his capacity for human connection. However, The Hand’s reverence for Liam as a hero starkly contrasts with the dark truth he hides: his destruction of Rashearim. This juxtaposition reveals the fragile foundations of trust and the cost of heroism in a fractured world.