The homeland of the majority of Gemma's Icelandic family. This family has deep roots in fishing and boating, they have Viking roots and pride in their heritage. This is also where Gemma finds out more about her own history, and her original Norse/Icelandic name. While Gemma Hardy is the titular character's name throughout the book, it takes until one of the later chapters for the readers to find out her actual Icelandic name of Fjola Einarsdottir, and to finally see her parents graves. Fjola means Violet and is also the name used for girls.

The park is spread across 54 acres on what was once the grounds of Cope Castle, a large Jacobean mansion hidden deep in the woods. Later, it was renamed Holland House after the Earl of Holland's wife, Lady Rich inherited the property. During WWII, Holland House was badly damaged, leaving only one wing and a section of the front terrace. The neighborhoods that surround this area today are known for its celebrity and high-powered executive residents.

The University of Jena was founded in 1558 and is located in Jena, Germany. During the Romantic period, Jena was known for being one of the premier academic institutions in all of Germany. Many great philosophers gathered here to study, debate, and teach and as such it is considered the emergence of Romanticism. Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling began teaching at the University of Jena in 1798.