Max appears to be the main character, but he is simply a lead in character. It is his son, Kyle, who becomes the main protagonist for the story. Kyle starts off as a youngster then the reader follows him as he grows up to be a great scientist. The antagonists are seemingly peaceful, with the author leading you slowly to the truth as he exposes the world to his reader. Kyle knows something is wrong his entire life, and then spends his life finding out what it is by constantly looking to the past for clues.