Nesta Archeron is the 25-year-old eldest sister of Feyre and Elain Archeron. She was born human like her sisters but was transformed into a Fae after being immersed in the Cauldron. She is attractive, with dark hair and blue-gray eyes, but she has been abusing her body, so she is too thin and out of shape when the story begins. The previous books in the series depict her as self-absorbed and having a waspish tongue though she seems loyal to those she loves, especially her sister Elain. She resents Feyre for dragging the family into the Fae world, and Nesta blames her for many of her own problems. Nesta also resents her family’s intervention to get her away from gambling, drinking, and one-night stands by sending her to the House of Wind to train with Cassian in martial arts.

In reality, Nesta is secretly corroded by guilt and self-loathing. She blames herself for being unable to save others from the terrible events that befell them. She especially regrets not saving Elain from entering the Cauldron. The power that Nesta took from the Cauldron during her transformation has given her supernatural powers that the other Fae don’t understand.