Present •
Kim Nelson: A young Englishwoman hunting for the story of her heritage. Kim is independent and resourceful, and determined to find out what happened to her grandmother. She is increasingly aware that she may have inherited some of the mysterious sexual powers of the djinn. •
Malek: A mysterious young Turk, wanted by the police, who decides to help Kim in her quest and ultimately falls for her. •
Amin Doman: A ruined businessman, Doman will stop at nothing to acquire the legendary treasure said to have been hidden by Jade two generations ago. •
Ebu Sarki: The grandson of the Sultan's chief bodyguard, Ebu has ensconced himself in the heart of the desert and reconstructed a former way of life, complete with his own personal harem.
Past •
Jade: The Sultan's favourite, Jade is beautiful but apparently heartless, and is widely rumoured to be the incarnation of a djinn. •
Sultan Murati: The ruler of Turkey and last of his dynasty, he is prepared to use every means at his disposal – including Jade – to bolster his country's influence as the political map of Europe is redrawn. •
Lord Nelson: An initially reserved English diplomat, Nelson has been sent to Turkey to prevent the Sultan from sealing an alliance with
Germany. Manipulated and humiliated by the Ottoman court, he finally seeks a fitting revenge. •
Lady Nelson: Lord Nelson's wife is well brought-up and respectable. But she too falls victim to the djinn's power and is seduced by Jade, setting in motion a long chain of cause and effect... •
Youssouf Sarki: The Sultan's chief bodyguard, he is fiercely loyal and the guardian of his master's harem. ==Volumes==