The Characters of Talisman: Awakenings
Cairo Johnson isn’t your average 11-year-old. He’s a rowdy, sharp-tongued kid with a quick wit and a knack for stirring up trouble. Being a menace has earned him plenty of enemies—but nothing could prepare him for what’s coming. One ordinary day of skipping school will change his life forever. Step back into 1971 and discover where Cairo’s extraordinary journey begins.
William “Billy” Driscoll. To Cairo, Billy Driscoll is more than just the neighbor next door — he’s the big brother he never had. Billy keeps him out of trouble, guides him through life’s lessons, and watches out for him when no one else does. But Cairo’s shocking discovery will pull Billy into a mystery that could change everything.
Samuel Silva is a serious, intense young man burdened with a secret and a responsibility few could bear. Tasked with recovering the talisman from its former guardian, his mission takes an unexpected turn when he discovers Cairo has already found it. Now Samuel faces a choice: take the talisman by force, or earn Cairo’s trust and guide him toward his destiny — despite Cairo’s defiance at every turn. The path Samuel chooses will shape them both.
Kelly Hart is a bright, determined 11-year-old who shares a bus stop — and a complicated friendship — with Cairo. With her straight-A reputation, Kelly is the picture of a rule-follower and overachiever. But beneath the good-girl exterior is a sharp wit and a surprising streak of sass when someone pushes her too far. Smart, brave, and quietly protective of Cairo, she often sees the best in him even when he can’t see it himself. Cairo may pretend not to notice, but he harbors a not-so-secret crush that just might complicate everything.
Leona Johnson is Cairo’s resilient, big-hearted mother. Exhausted from the long hours she works as a nurse, Leona still finds the strength to be both mother and father after her husband’s death. Tough but deeply loving, she pushes Cairo to grow into a smart, kind, and respectful young man — even when his rebellious streak makes that feel impossible. Thankfully, she has Billy’s steady presence to help keep Cairo in line. But as the talisman’s power begins to change her son’s life, Leona must face a terrifying question: will this strange force help her guide Cairo toward greatness — or tear their family apart?
Avery Caskey is a towering, muscle-bound mercenary with long, straight salt-and-pepper hair and a wild beard — a figure as intimidating as the havoc he leaves behind. Sadistic and unrelenting, Avery thrives on violence, taking pleasure in the pain he inflicts and the price he’s paid to deliver it. He answers to no one but himself, loyal only to the highest bidder. When he arrives in Pine Land, the stakes skyrocket — and Cairo, Billy, and Samuel must uncover the talisman’s secrets before Avery tears their world apart. Who hired him? What does he want? And how far will he go to get it?