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Shadows Cast By Stars by Catherine Knutsson (Avalon (The island where…
Shadows Cast By Stars by Catherine Knutsson
Cassandra
Greek Mythology: "Daughter of King Priam. Twin sister to Helenus. She told her father that Troy would burn if they opened the gates to the wooden horse...Apollo gave you the gift of prophecy" (Chapter 7, pg.87)
"I suspected as much. He wears many skins, that sisiutl, and has many names. Dragon, Wyrm, Wyvern, those are some of them." (Chapter 27, pg. 295)
"The humanoid central head likely symbolizes Sisiutl’s supernatural shape-shifting powers (most commonly transforming into human form, a self-propelled canoe, or salmon)... the Sisiutl could travel in and across all boundaries (worlds): land, water, & air. There is a belief among the Coast Salish that Sisiutl employ orca for transportation."
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisiutl
Bran
Means "raven" in Welsh
http://www.behindthename.com/name/bran-2
Bran is also part of the Aurthurian Legend, known as "Bran the Blessed" or the Fisher King. Bran's totem is a King Fisher.
Paul
"From the Roman family name Paulus, which meant "small" or 'humble in Latin."
http://www.behindthename.com/name/paul
It's more likely that Paul is based on Kassandra's twin brother Helenus as both historical figures and characters had the power of prophecy and Cassandra and Paul are twins.
Father
Madda
Possibly a play off of the title of one of Margaret Atwood's Dystopian novel, "MaddAddam"
Avalon
The island where Excalibur was forged and were Arthur was taken to heal. Symbolic of mysticism.
Avalon is a mischevious character. She's jealous of Cassandra and is taken on as a student by a rival. While she is not a major antagonist in this book, Knutsson sets it up so that she will cross paths with Cassandra in a future sequel.
"For a moment her eyes are clouded by mist and for the first time, I catch sight of her shade—a fox. A cunning vixen." (Chapter 36, pg. 376)
Cedar
Symbolic of purification which is ironic given Cedar's questionable position as an antagonist.
http://www.native-languages.org/legends-cedar.htm
Dynamic character. He's neither "good" nor "bad." While he's not completely an antagonist, he at times scares Cassandra and she's unsure of how to feel about him.
Raven
Although not a "character" per say, the raven is present throughout the novel in many forms. Most notably, the raven is seen as the "trickster" in most aboriginal cultures.