Wet Magic · Character

Bernard

A placid, unflappable brother who reasons that mermaids are simply undiscovered facts, Bernard treats the impossible as a matter of course.

major

First appearance: Wet Magic

See Bernard in Wet Magic Book page

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Bernard is the family's calmest voice, the boy who compares mermaids to radium and asks why a talking sea creature shouldn't speak English. He is also stubborn in his own quiet way, refusing to join the adventure unless…

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See Bernard in Wet Magic

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Bernard sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Main Adventure Group
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak occurs as the children shift from forlorn despair ("all is lost") to tense, helpless admira…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Francis
friendship · positive
Kathleen
friendship · positive
Mavis
friendship · positive
Maia
friendship · positive
Francis
friendship · positive
Kathleen
friendship · positive
Mavis
friendship · positive
Mavis
friendship · positive
Maia
friendship · positive
Maia
friendship · positive
Kathleen
friendship · positive
Francis
friendship · positive

Francis
Bernard and Francis are close friends or allies, with frequent interactions indicating strong companionship.
Kathleen
Bernard and Kathleen share a friendly, supportive bond, often interacting as companions.
Mavis
Bernard and Mavis are friends or allies, with a warm dynamic evident from their frequent interactions.
Maia
Bernard and Maia are friends or allies, with a positive and cooperative dynamic.
Francis
Bernard and Francis are close friends or allies, with frequent interactions indicating strong companionship.
Kathleen
Bernard and Kathleen share a friendly, supportive bond, often interacting as companions.
Mavis
Bernard and Mavis are friends or allies, with a warm dynamic evident from their frequent interactions.
Mavis
Bernard and Mavis are friends or allies, with a warm dynamic evident from their frequent interactions.
Maia
Bernard and Maia are friends or allies, with a positive and cooperative dynamic.
Maia
Bernard and Maia are friends or allies, with a positive and cooperative dynamic.
Kathleen
Bernard and Kathleen share a friendly, supportive bond, often interacting as companions.
Francis
Bernard and Francis are close friends or allies, with frequent interactions indicating strong companionship.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Bernard in Wet Magic

In the story

Bernard appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Wet Magic
One of the children involved in the seaside holiday anticipation and mermaid rescue plans.
I: Sabrina Fair
Makes a calendar to count down days, questions how to transport the aquarium, and saves his fish from being burned.
The Captive
Hopes the creature is a seal, expresses a wish for bows and arrows to go seal-shooting.
III: The Rescue
Devises the plan and provides the knife and alarm, but opts out of the actual rescue.
Consequences
Defends the reality of magic by comparing it to undiscovered science; suggests he and Kathleen might go to see the mermaid; offers to think of a plan.
VII: The Skies Are Falling
Feels unusually clever, worries about getting home in time for tea, and urges caution.
The Book People
Realizes they have been caught in a net by the Under Folk.
The Under Folk
Asks questions about the Under Folk and the captive king; drinks from the Cup of Forgetfulness but pretends it had no effect.
XI: The Peacemaker
Suggests using Cathay's charm to restore the Mer King's memory.
The End
Agrees with Mavis about Reuben's luck.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Bernard unlock in the free preview.

See Bernard in Wet Magic