The excerpt of Chaos & Flames by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland tells a story much like Romeo & Juliet except this one is heightened with magic, dragons and complicated unworldly, unknown politics, among other unique inclusions we had not read in a play written so long ago. Since that time, literature has expanded to include so much writers had never thought about. Society, in the past was so different, with much less information to dream on, to write about. Gratton and Ireland have done that here, in Chaos & Flames, taking a Romeo & Juliet love story to new levels, a new height of imagination.
One of the things I can't wait to read about is the life Darling Seabreak was saved from, if she even remembers, if she wants to, can, her life living in poverty, alone in the world. When she is adopted by her Kraken father, I can only imagine the heights of the bond she carries with the man and what it was like when he is captured by the House of Dragon. What will Darling do to save the man who took her from a life of desperation? And, in the end, will she be made to choose between the men she loves, when she falls in love?
Of course, to complete a Romeo & Juliet love story you must have warring factions and a male contender in that faction. Talon, a prince in the House of Dragon, falls into that role. The issue with Talon is that he does not seem to align with the current King, Talon's brother, whom many in the realm want to unseat. While Darling and Talon may have animosity between the two of them, things may change as they get to know one another, discover more of each other and the world together, and grow in knowledge and love. However, the position of her captive father by the House of Dragons remains and if Talon indeed loves Darling, what will he do to prove this love? To prove he is worthy and honorable?
As Talon has always been a "dutiful" war prince, what are the beliefs he holds about the family of Darling Seabreak, whom the House of Dragon murdered? And, for that matter, what beliefs does he hold about the Krakens that the House of Dragon holds captive, one of which is Darling's adoptive father? After all, he is still alive. Will Talon keep him this way? Will he help Darling get him back? Or, does Talon believe all these are justifiable acts? Since he has been "dutiful" I would assume he stands behind his house in all they do. But, his brother's behavior has been erratic. Does this include what was done to Darling? Or, will Talon's views change when he meets Darling? Will love bring change to Talon and, in return, peace between the two warring factions? Readers will only find out by getting Chaos & Flame, reading it for themselves.
The cover of Chaos & Flame by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland features two almost ferocious, beautiful dragons in competing colors that flame perfectly on the reddish/ pink background. They can only help illustrate the summary of the book that follows about a pair of individuals who should be against one another but, in the end, help one another and fall in love. The dragons are not fighting on the cover and appear close to one another. They are of two colors which helps differentiate the pair and the tail of one intertwining the other's tail and a portion of the wing, symbolizing a connection. While it may be a positive one, it is so slight as to not convey a conclusion to viewers as to if the pairing will hold. Thus the dragons may come together but may not stay together.
Falling in love amidst the intrigues of politics cannot be an easy feat. Probably, almost, utterly impossible. Especially when the governing body is ruled by bloodright/ a family line. If Darling and Talon are able to stay together to fall in love, that they stay together forever, in the end, is something we, as readers, can never count on. For instance, in Romeo & Juliet a happy ending was not written. As in most family squabbles and love stories there is misunderstanding and miscommunication, as was the cause of death for our greatest lovers. I will sit on the edge of my seat waiting to see how these two factors affect Darling & Talon in Chaos & Flame.
As a fan of Romeo & Juliet, but never its ending, I am excited to see if Chaos & Flame has something better planned for Darling and Talon (fingers crossed). If nothing else, I believe Gratton and Ireland have created the first book in a series that will ebb and flow, have its ups and downs (for both Talon and Darling), and be a story worthy of speaking about when others talk of great love stories. All the adventures and insurmountable lessons that are somehow tackled to learn how to love only reinforce excitement for this book that I now can't wait to read.
I very much believe, in learning to love one another, the pair will teach one another much more about their world then they could have learned anywhere else, doing anything else. And, what they don't learn while falling in love, especially with their differences, they will learn on their journey to get there. And I, for one, cannot wait to take that adventure with them on the first of a new series, Chaos & Flame.
One of the things I can't wait to read about is the life Darling Seabreak was saved from, if she even remembers, if she wants to, can, her life living in poverty, alone in the world. When she is adopted by her Kraken father, I can only imagine the heights of the bond she carries with the man and what it was like when he is captured by the House of Dragon. What will Darling do to save the man who took her from a life of desperation? And, in the end, will she be made to choose between the men she loves, when she falls in love?
Of course, to complete a Romeo & Juliet love story you must have warring factions and a male contender in that faction. Talon, a prince in the House of Dragon, falls into that role. The issue with Talon is that he does not seem to align with the current King, Talon's brother, whom many in the realm want to unseat. While Darling and Talon may have animosity between the two of them, things may change as they get to know one another, discover more of each other and the world together, and grow in knowledge and love. However, the position of her captive father by the House of Dragons remains and if Talon indeed loves Darling, what will he do to prove this love? To prove he is worthy and honorable?
As Talon has always been a "dutiful" war prince, what are the beliefs he holds about the family of Darling Seabreak, whom the House of Dragon murdered? And, for that matter, what beliefs does he hold about the Krakens that the House of Dragon holds captive, one of which is Darling's adoptive father? After all, he is still alive. Will Talon keep him this way? Will he help Darling get him back? Or, does Talon believe all these are justifiable acts? Since he has been "dutiful" I would assume he stands behind his house in all they do. But, his brother's behavior has been erratic. Does this include what was done to Darling? Or, will Talon's views change when he meets Darling? Will love bring change to Talon and, in return, peace between the two warring factions? Readers will only find out by getting Chaos & Flame, reading it for themselves.
The cover of Chaos & Flame by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland features two almost ferocious, beautiful dragons in competing colors that flame perfectly on the reddish/ pink background. They can only help illustrate the summary of the book that follows about a pair of individuals who should be against one another but, in the end, help one another and fall in love. The dragons are not fighting on the cover and appear close to one another. They are of two colors which helps differentiate the pair and the tail of one intertwining the other's tail and a portion of the wing, symbolizing a connection. While it may be a positive one, it is so slight as to not convey a conclusion to viewers as to if the pairing will hold. Thus the dragons may come together but may not stay together.
Falling in love amidst the intrigues of politics cannot be an easy feat. Probably, almost, utterly impossible. Especially when the governing body is ruled by bloodright/ a family line. If Darling and Talon are able to stay together to fall in love, that they stay together forever, in the end, is something we, as readers, can never count on. For instance, in Romeo & Juliet a happy ending was not written. As in most family squabbles and love stories there is misunderstanding and miscommunication, as was the cause of death for our greatest lovers. I will sit on the edge of my seat waiting to see how these two factors affect Darling & Talon in Chaos & Flame.
As a fan of Romeo & Juliet, but never its ending, I am excited to see if Chaos & Flame has something better planned for Darling and Talon (fingers crossed). If nothing else, I believe Gratton and Ireland have created the first book in a series that will ebb and flow, have its ups and downs (for both Talon and Darling), and be a story worthy of speaking about when others talk of great love stories. All the adventures and insurmountable lessons that are somehow tackled to learn how to love only reinforce excitement for this book that I now can't wait to read.
I very much believe, in learning to love one another, the pair will teach one another much more about their world then they could have learned anywhere else, doing anything else. And, what they don't learn while falling in love, especially with their differences, they will learn on their journey to get there. And I, for one, cannot wait to take that adventure with them on the first of a new series, Chaos & Flame.