I DO like Ken Follett! He has well-defined characters with many facets. The main characters here are multiple and changing.
Hugh, the primary character throughout the book, goes from being the black sheep of the family whose father killed himself, to the overall hero: he who stands up for the little guy and for right. He knows what it's like to be despised and put down (for no good reason) and refuses to continue the practice! The individuals are so complex and hard to define! There is the (w)itch who cares for nothing but herself, and there the money grubbing sycophants who will do anything to appease her, regardless of the price inhumanity or righteousness.
Then there are the good people who have fallen under her evil realm, again, through no fault of their own but by horrible circumstances and unfair society. And one can't even fault some of the worst people, because they were run by puppeteers in hopes of creating better lives for themselves!