Plot Summary
Opposites and Origins
Elizabeth "Liz" Chadwick's life is defined by the clash of her parents: a rigid, logical father and a free-spirited, psychic mother. Their passionate, tumultuous love sets the stage for Liz's own struggles with identity, loyalty, and the pull of opposites. Liz's childhood is marked by fear, but also by the fierce love and resilience she witnesses at home. This foundation becomes crucial as the world she knows is shattered by the arrival of dragons—beings as alien and divided as her own family. The lessons of love, conflict, and survival she learns from her parents will echo through every choice she makes as her world is upended.
Fearless in the Ring
As a child, Liz is paralyzed by fear, but martial arts transforms her. She discovers a rare gift: in the heat of battle, her mind sharpens, her fear vanishes, and she excels. This ability propels her into the world of competitive fighting, where she stands out not just for her skill, but for her unflinching composure. Her relationships at the gym, especially with Gideon, are complicated by rivalry, affection, and unspoken rules. The discipline and confidence she gains in the ring become her armor, preparing her for a world that will soon demand far more than physical strength.
Boo Bash Catastrophe
Liz's attempt at normalcy—attending her brother's school carnival—ends in horror when a silver dragon descends, unleashing chaos and death. The dragon's telepathic message singles out Liz and her mother, revealing a terrifying new reality: some humans can hear the dragons, and are "bright." Liz's mother sacrifices herself, drawing the dragon's attention to save her children. The event marks the end of innocence, thrusting Liz into a desperate struggle for survival and responsibility for her siblings.
Dragons Descend
As Liz flees with her siblings, she witnesses the full scale of the dragon invasion: fire, destruction, and the collapse of human society. The dragons are not the majestic creatures of legend, but ruthless conquerors. Liz's instincts as a protector and fighter are tested as she navigates a world where the rules have changed, and where her own abilities—and her family's—make her a target. The trauma of loss and the burden of leadership harden her resolve.
Ensnared and Bargained
Liz's attempt to defend her family leads to a confrontation with three dragons in human form. She is "ensnared" by Axel, the Prince of the Earth Blessed, through a magical bond that links their fates. Realizing her death would incapacitate Axel, Liz bargains for her siblings' safety, sacrificing her freedom. The bond is both a leash and a weapon, and Liz's defiance sets the tone for a relationship defined by power, resentment, and reluctant cooperation.
Fleeing and Fighting Back
Forced to leave home, Liz and her siblings are taken to the dragons' camp. The journey is harrowing, filled with displays of dragon power and the devastation of human resistance. Liz's determination to protect her family never wavers, but she is forced to adapt, using her wits and her fighting skills to navigate a world where humans are prey, and where her own value lies in her ability to be controlled.
Dragon Camp Captivity
In the dragons' camp, Liz and her siblings are isolated, watched over by Gordon and Rufus, earth dragons in human and dragon form. The dragons' ignorance of human needs leads to comic and tragic misunderstandings. Liz's attempts to maintain normalcy for her siblings are constantly undermined by the dragons' alien logic. The days blur into a routine of fear, boredom, and the slow realization that the dragons intend to use humans as tools in their search for the mysterious "Heart."
Training, Resistance, and Bonding
Liz is introduced to Penelope, an Ensnared human who trains her in the use of her new powers: telepathic control over other humans. Liz resists, refusing to become a tool of oppression, but the bond with Axel complicates everything. Their relationship is a dance of mutual irritation, grudging respect, and growing attraction. Liz's unique resistance to control, and her ability to push back against both dragons and other Ensnared, marks her as different—and dangerous.
The Nature of Control
As Liz is forced to manage a group of humans, she grapples with the moral cost of her new abilities. The dragons' vision of a "perfect" society—orderly, productive, and free of human flaws—is enforced through the Ensnared. Liz's attempts to subvert the system, to grant her humans as much freedom as possible, put her at odds with Axel and the other dragons. The tension between survival and resistance, between safety and freedom, becomes the central conflict of her captivity.
The Human Cost
The daily reality of life under dragon rule is a constant negotiation: between hope and despair, between the needs of her siblings and the demands of her captors. Liz's bond with Axel deepens, complicated by moments of vulnerability and unexpected kindness. The arrival of Gideon, her childhood friend and would-be rescuer, brings old feelings and new dangers. The cost of resistance is high, and Liz is forced to confront the limits of her power—and her willingness to compromise.
Poison, Healing, and Power
A violent encounter with a dragon leaves Liz poisoned and dying. Axel's desperate attempt to save her—using his own blood—heals her, but also changes her. The bond between them is strengthened, granting Liz new abilities and a deeper connection to dragon magic. The experience is both traumatic and empowering, marking a turning point in their relationship and in Liz's understanding of her own potential.
The Prince's Secret
As Liz's bond with Axel deepens, she uncovers his greatest secret: he is not just the Prince of the Earth Blessed, but also Azar, the Prince of Flame—the most powerful dragon on earth. This revelation upends everything Liz thought she knew about her captor, her protector, and her enemy. The duality of Axel/Azar mirrors Liz's own divided loyalties, and their entwined fates become the axis on which the future of both species will turn.
Allies and Rivals
The arrival of other dragon leaders, including the terrifying Ocharta and the enigmatic Euphrasia, brings new dangers and new opportunities. Liz must navigate a web of rivalries, jealousies, and political intrigue, all while trying to protect her family and maintain her own autonomy. The dragons' search for the Heart intensifies, and Liz's unique abilities—and her connection to Axel/Azar—make her both a prize and a threat.
The Heart's Shadow
Liz's recurring nightmare—a childhood memory of being kidnapped and nearly sacrificed in Iceland—emerges as the possible key to the dragons' quest for the Heart. The trauma of her past becomes entwined with the fate of the world, as Liz realizes that her own body may hold the secret the dragons seek. The line between victim and savior blurs, and Liz is forced to confront the possibility that her suffering has a purpose beyond her own survival.
Family, Loyalty, and Loss
Liz's relationships—with her siblings, her mother, Gideon, and Axel/Azar—are tested as the stakes rise. Her mother, ensnared by Ocharta, begs for death; Liz is powerless to help. Gideon's love is steadfast but ultimately incompatible with Liz's new reality. The bonds of family and friendship are both a source of strength and a source of agony, as Liz is forced to choose between her own happiness and the safety of those she loves.
Entwined Fates
The magical connection between Liz and Azar deepens, transforming from ensnarement to "entwining"—a rare and powerful union that grants them both new abilities and ties their destinies together. The entwining is both a blessing and a curse, intensifying their emotions and making separation physically painful. As their relationship shifts from antagonism to partnership, the future of both species hangs in the balance.
The Arrival of Flame
The arrival of Hyperion, Azar's older brother and a rival Prince of Flame, signals a new phase in the conflict. The dragons' internal politics become as dangerous as their war with humanity. Azar is ordered to marry and mate within a month, threatening everything he and Liz have built. The balance of power shifts, and Liz must decide where her loyalties lie—and what she is willing to sacrifice.
The New Order
As the Entwined of the Prince of Flame, Liz is thrust into a position of leadership among the Ensnared. She becomes a symbol of hope and a target for resentment. The challenges of governance—balancing justice and mercy, order and freedom—mirror the struggles of her captors. Liz's journey from captive to leader is fraught with peril, but also with the possibility of redemption and change.
The Price of Power
The dragons' dominance is cemented when Azar swallows nuclear warheads, rendering humanity's last hope futile. The cost of victory is high: the deaths of countless humans, the destruction of cities, and the loss of innocence. Liz's own power grows, but so does her sense of alienation and responsibility. The price of survival is steep, and the future remains uncertain.
The Dream and the Heart
Liz's childhood trauma is revealed to be the key to the dragons' quest: her heart-shaped birthmark, the site of a failed sacrifice in Iceland, may be the Heart the dragons seek. The realization that her suffering has cosmic significance is both a burden and a source of hope. The journey to Iceland becomes inevitable, and Liz must confront the possibility that her destiny is not her own.
The Road to Iceland
As the dragons prepare to leave Houston for Iceland, Liz faces the prospect of a new beginning—and new dangers. The unresolved threads of her relationships, her mother's enslavement, and the dragons' quest for the Heart all converge. The journey ahead is fraught with peril, but also with the possibility of healing, redemption, and a new order.
Love, Choice, and Destiny
In the end, Liz's journey is one of self-discovery, agency, and the refusal to be defined by fate. Her love for Axel/Azar, her loyalty to her family, and her commitment to doing what is right—even when it is impossible—define her. The story closes on the cusp of a new adventure, with Liz determined to shape her own destiny, no matter the cost.
Characters
Elizabeth "Liz" Chadwick
Liz is a young woman forged by fear and resilience, shaped by the contradictions of her parents and the trauma of a world invaded by dragons. Her rare ability to remain calm under pressure makes her a formidable fighter, but it is her fierce loyalty to her family and her refusal to submit that define her. Liz's journey from captive to leader is marked by pain, loss, and transformation. Her bond with Axel/Azar is both a curse and a source of power, forcing her to confront the limits of autonomy, love, and sacrifice. Liz's psychological complexity—her guilt, her anger, her longing for freedom—drives the emotional heart of the story.
Axel / Azar
Axel is the Prince of the Earth Blessed, but also secretly Azar, the Prince of Flame—the most powerful dragon on earth. His dual identity mirrors Liz's own divided loyalties. As Axel, he is pragmatic, reserved, and bound by duty; as Azar, he is passionate, destructive, and burdened by secrets. His relationship with Liz evolves from antagonism to partnership, shaped by mutual respect, attraction, and the entwining of their fates. Axel/Azar's struggle to reconcile his power with his longing for connection is central to the story's exploration of leadership, vulnerability, and the possibility of change.
Gideon
Gideon is Liz's childhood friend, sparring partner, and the embodiment of human resilience. His love for Liz is steadfast but ultimately doomed by the changes wrought by the dragons and by Liz's own transformation. Gideon's attempts to rescue Liz, and his willingness to risk everything for her, highlight the limits of human agency in a world ruled by monsters. His presence is a constant reminder of what Liz has lost—and what she still fights for.
Coral, Jade, and Sammy
Coral, Jade, and Sammy represent the innocence and vulnerability Liz is desperate to protect. Each sibling has a distinct personality: Coral is brave and practical, Jade is sensitive and empathetic, and Sammy is playful and trusting. Their survival is both Liz's greatest triumph and her deepest source of guilt. Their presence grounds the story in the stakes of family, love, and the cost of survival.
Gordon and Rufus
Gordon and Rufus are earth dragons who serve as Liz's guards, companions, and occasional friends. Their attempts to understand and care for humans are often clumsy, but their loyalty to Axel and growing affection for Liz and her siblings add depth and humor to the story. Gordon's fondness for Sammy, in particular, humanizes the dragons and complicates the boundaries between captor and captive.
Penelope
Penelope is an Ensnared human bonded to a Strike Blessed (electro dragon). Her experience, cynicism, and hard-won wisdom make her both a mentor and a warning to Liz. Penelope's struggle to retain her humanity, her grief for her lost family, and her ambivalence about her role as a tool of oppression highlight the psychological cost of survival under dragon rule.
Ocharta
Ocharta is the silver dragon who ensnares Liz's mother and becomes a central antagonist. Her power, arrogance, and willingness to use humans as pawns make her a symbol of the worst aspects of dragon rule. Her rivalry with Azar and her enslavement of Liz's mother drive much of the story's conflict and tragedy.
Liz's Mother
Liz's mother is a psychic, free spirit whose ensnarement by Ocharta is both a personal and symbolic loss. Her suffering, her plea for death, and her inability to escape her bond embody the story's themes of powerlessness, sacrifice, and the cost of survival. Her relationship with Liz is a source of both strength and agony.
Hyperion and Asteria
Hyperion, Azar's older brother, and Asteria, a silver dragon and Ocharta's sister, arrive from the dragons' home world, bringing new dangers and new demands. Hyperion's rivalry with Azar and Asteria's role as a potential mate complicate the already fraught dynamics of power, loyalty, and love. Their presence signals a new phase in the conflict and raises the stakes for Liz and Azar.
The Ensnared
The Ensnared are humans bonded to dragons, forced to serve as tools of control and order. Their suffering, resistance, and longing for freedom mirror Liz's own journey. As their leader, Liz becomes both their hope and their jailer, forced to navigate the impossible ethics of power and survival.
Plot Devices
Duality and Bonding
The story is structured around dualities: human and dragon, freedom and enslavement, love and power, past and future. The magical bond between Liz and Axel/Azar is both a literal and symbolic device, tying their fates together and forcing them to confront their own contradictions. The entwining of their souls grants them power, but also makes them vulnerable, blurring the lines between captor and captive, enemy and lover. The dual identity of Axel/Azar is foreshadowed through subtle hints and revealed at a pivotal moment, reshaping the narrative and the stakes.
Resistance and Compromise
Liz's resistance to dragon rule is both external and internal. She fights back physically, but also subverts the system from within, granting her humans as much freedom as possible and refusing to become a tool of oppression. The story uses the device of mind control—both as a weapon and a curse—to explore questions of autonomy, consent, and the cost of survival. The tension between resistance and compromise is a constant source of conflict and character development.
Trauma and Memory
Liz's recurring nightmare—a memory of childhood trauma—serves as both a psychological anchor and a plot device. The revelation that her suffering is connected to the dragons' quest for the Heart ties the personal to the cosmic, making her journey both unique and universal. The use of dreams, flashbacks, and the gradual uncovering of memory adds depth and resonance to the narrative.
Foreshadowing and Revelation
The story is rich in foreshadowing: the significance of Liz's birthmark, the true nature of Axel/Azar, the meaning of the Heart, and the arrival of new dragons are all hinted at long before they are revealed. The gradual unveiling of secrets keeps the narrative tense and engaging, rewarding attentive readers and deepening the emotional impact of each twist.
Power, Choice, and Destiny
The central question of the story is whether Liz—and by extension, humanity—can shape their own destiny, or whether they are doomed to be pawns in a cosmic game. The tension between fate and free will is embodied in Liz's choices, her refusal to submit, and her determination to find meaning and agency even in the face of overwhelming power. The story's structure, with its cycles of loss and renewal, resistance and compromise, mirrors the larger themes of choice, destiny, and the possibility of change.
Analysis
Bridget E. Baker's Ensnared is a gripping, emotionally charged reimagining of the "chosen one" narrative, blending post-apocalyptic fantasy with deep psychological realism. At its core, the novel is an exploration of power—who wields it, who suffers under it, and how it can be resisted or transformed. Liz's journey from fearful child to reluctant leader is both a personal and political awakening, shaped by trauma, love, and the refusal to be defined by her captors. The magical bond between Liz and Axel/Azar is a brilliant device, forcing both characters to confront their own contradictions and the limits of autonomy. The story's treatment of mind control, enslavement, and the ethics of survival is nuanced and unflinching, refusing easy answers. The dragons, far from being mere monsters, are complex beings with their own hierarchies, rivalries, and vulnerabilities. The novel's greatest strength lies in its refusal to romanticize power: every victory comes at a cost, every act of resistance is fraught with compromise, and the line between hero and villain is always blurred. In the end, Ensnared is a story about the possibility of change—personal, political, and cosmic—and the courage it takes to choose hope, even when the odds are impossible.
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