Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Wildcount Volger

Volger is a man with a plan, and also the man with all the secrets and all the answers. Now that Alek's father is dead, Volger is the one who puts his plan into action, protects Alek, and explains everything he needs to know about being a prince on the run with a secret plan. Without Volger, we're not sure what Alek would do.

Dr. Barlow

As the only other female on board the Leviathan, Dr. Barlow is a mentor in ways she and Deryn aren't even aware of. Like Deryn, Dr. Barlow is a woman in a man's world—which she doesn't let slow her down for a single minute. Dr. Barlow is also a mentor for Deryn as she learns more about the beasties and about the complex ecosystem that makes up the Leviathan. Once she meets Alek, Dr. Barlow becomes a bit of a mentor for him, as well, working to help him keep his secret, and also to convince others to listen to his plan about the engines.