Who Are The Main Characters In Stiletto?

I geek out hard for Odette Leliefeld in 'Stiletto.' She's not your typical assassin—she's basically a walking biotech lab, thanks to the Grafters' centuries of self-modification. The scene where she casually reattaches her own finger? Iconic. But what really gets me is her internal conflict: she's loyal to her people but increasingly uneasy about their methods. Then there's Felicity, her Checquy counterpart, who starts off seeing Odette as a monster and slowly realizes they're not so different. Their banter alone is worth the read ('Oh, you British and your repressed emotions,' Odette snarks at one point).

The book throws them into this impossible situation where they have to protect their leaders during peace talks, and the tension never lets up. You've got Felicity's Checquy colleagues—like the guy who summons swarms of insects or the woman made of living stone—contrasting with Odette's Grafter cousins, who treat biology like Lego. It's a masterclass in worldbuilding through character dynamics. By the end, I was emotionally invested in whether these two factions could overcome centuries of bloodshed—and whether Felicity and Odette would ever admit they'd become friends.

Felicity and Odette are such a powerhouse duo in 'Stiletto.' Felicity's the epitome of British cool under pressure, except when her Checquy training fails her (there's a scene where she panics over a missing button that humanizes her instantly). Odette's the opposite—all confidence in her Grafter abilities but secretly questioning everything. Their forced partnership starts with mutual distrust ('You people sew organs into jars!' 'You people have a woman who's literally a castle!'), but watching them navigate each other's weirdness is hilarious and touching. The book's genius is making you root for both sides despite their bloody history—I mean, how often do you read a story where the 'monsters' are just people with different tech?

Stiletto' is this wild ride of a novel by Daniel O'Malley, and the characters? Oh, they're unforgettable. My personal favorite is Felicity Clements, this no-nonsense Pawn (think superpowered secret agent) from the Checquy, Britain's supernatural spy agency. She's all sharp edges and dry wit, but there's this vulnerability underneath when she's forced to team up with Odette Leliefeld—a genetically engineered assassin from the Grafters, the Checquy's ancient enemies. Odette's fascinating because she's basically science incarnate, with her body modified to do insane things like secrete toxins or regenerate limbs. Their dynamic is pure gold: grudging respect, cultural clashes, and moments where you forget they're supposed to hate each other.

Then there's the supporting cast, like the Checquy's terrifying leadership (imagine bureaucrats with eldritch powers) and Odette's Grafter family, who are equal parts brilliant and terrifying. What really hooks me is how the book plays with perspective—sometimes you're in Felicity's head, all British restraint, and other times you're with Odette, navigating her moral ambiguity. It's like a spy thriller mashed up with body horror and a dash of workplace comedy. The way their stories intertwine during that high-stakes mission in London? Chef's kiss.