Man, I feel like everyone always names Arlan and Skylar and then stops. Sure, they're the main duo, but the book's heart is honestly with the side characters for me. There's Vasha, Arlan's mentor, who is this crumbling monument of regret—his chapters hit me harder than any of the big fight scenes. And Lia, Skylar's younger sister, isn't just a damsel; her quiet observations from the sidelines actually foreshadow a ton of the third-act reveals. People sleep on the antagonist, too. The so-called 'Grey Prince' has motivations that are weirdly sympathetic once you get into the interludes.
I reread it last month and kept noticing how the minor nobles at court, like Lord Ferren, have these tiny arcs that mirror Arlan's struggle with duty. They're not key to the plot maybe, but they make the world feel alive. The character I'm still conflicted about is Jaxon. Total wild card. You never know if he's going to save the day or sell everyone out for a bottle of wine, and I love that unpredictability.
I think 'Arlan' works because the cast feels like a real, messy network, not just a hero and his entourage.