The Songbird and the Heart of Stone

Mische is the protagonist of the novel. Born human in the town of Slenka, she survived for eight years with her elder sister, Saescha, before traveling to Vostis and joining the Order of the Destined Dawn. While she served the sun god Atroxus as a priestess, scholar, and sun wielder, Asar calls Mische something different: “a crusader” (59). During a mission for Atroxus, in which she traveled to Obitraes, Mische was turned into a vampire by Asar’s brother, Malach, and left for dead. She was soon after found by a Nightborn vampire named Raihn Ashram, who befriended her. Thus far in the series, she has competed in the Kejari with Raihn and helped him overthrow the House of Night. After murdering Malach, the Shadowborn Prince who turned her, Mische leaves the House of Night and is captured by the House of Shadow for her crimes.

Mische has a reputation amongst her friends Raihn and Oraya for being impulsive and reckless. However, these dangerous traits are balanced by her deep empathy and her optimism. She “never ran away. Not even when [she] should. Instead, [she] did what [she] always did: […] gave […] the biggest, brightest smile” (28).