Plot Summary
Monsters and Heroes Defined
The story opens with Liz reflecting on the blurred boundaries between monsters and heroes, using the Donner Party as a metaphor for desperate choices. In a world invaded by dragons, Liz questions whether she herself is a monster or a hero, and what truly defines either. The dragons, seen as monsters by humanity, have devastated the world, but Liz's own actions and choices are under scrutiny. The prologue sets the emotional tone: survival, morality, and the shifting nature of good and evil, depending on who tells the story. Liz's internal struggle foreshadows the difficult decisions she will face, and the narrative's central question: what will she become when pushed to the edge?
Bonds and Betrayals
Liz, a tough, un-girly fighter, is bonded to the dragon prince Azar after a complicated transfer from Axel, the earth dragon. The bond is both magical and emotional, creating a forced intimacy and dependence. Liz's mother is also bonded—against her will—to the cruel electro dragon Ocharta, and attempts to transfer or break these bonds fail painfully. The dragons' society is revealed as hierarchical and brutal, with family ties fraught and power struggles constant. Liz's relationship with Azar is fraught with tension, attraction, and resentment, as she navigates her lack of agency and the dragons' alien morality. The chapter explores the cost of connection, the pain of betrayal, and the hope for agency within captivity.
Family, Friends, and Foes
Liz's family—her siblings and mother—are central to her motivations. Her old friend Gideon, a fellow fighter, represents a possible human future, but is also a source of tension and jealousy for Azar/Axel. The dragons, especially Azar, are both protectors and captors, complicating Liz's feelings. The children's safety is constantly at risk, and the dragons' interest in "brights"—humans who can be bonded—puts them in danger. Liz's attempts to keep her family safe force her into uneasy alliances and moral compromises. The chapter highlights the pain of divided loyalties, the longing for normalcy, and the impossibility of simple solutions in a world at war.
Training, Testing, and Tension
Liz's bond with Azar/Axel grants her new abilities, but also new dangers. Training sessions reveal her magical potential—telekinesis, shields, and more—but also the risks of losing control. The dragons' own training is brutal, with survival hinging on strength and cunning. Liz's struggle to master her powers mirrors her struggle to master her fate. The tension between her and Azar/Axel grows, fueled by jealousy, misunderstanding, and the ever-present threat of violence. The chapter explores the exhilaration and terror of newfound power, the difficulty of trust, and the ever-present possibility of betrayal.
Secrets, Jealousy, and Sacrifice
The secret that Azar and Axel are the same dragon is a dangerous one, known only to a few. Jealousy flares as Liz is caught between her old friend Gideon and her dragon captor, and as Azar faces pressure to mate with Asteria, the electro dragon. The dragons' society demands sacrifice—of freedom, of love, of self. Liz and Azar/Axel's relationship deepens, but so does the risk: if Azar leaves, Liz will die; if she betrays him, she risks her family. The chapter is a crucible of emotion, where love and loyalty are tested against survival and self-interest.
Human and Dragon Hearts
The dragons' quest centers on finding "the heart," a mysterious object or force that will restore their dying race. Liz's own heart—her birthmark, her trauma from a childhood kidnapping in Iceland, her emotional entanglements—becomes central to the search. Memories, dreams, and prophecies intertwine, blurring the line between destiny and choice. The heart is both a physical goal and a symbol of what is most precious, most vulnerable, and most dangerous. The chapter explores the intersection of personal and cosmic stakes, and the ways in which love, pain, and hope are entwined.
Thanksgiving and Choices
As the dragons prepare to leave Houston for Iceland, Liz insists on celebrating Thanksgiving—a moment of human tradition and gratitude amid chaos. The feast becomes a forum for hard questions: who would choose to remain bonded, and who would walk away if given the chance? Azar, influenced by Liz, grants freedom to those who wish it, challenging the dragons' authoritarian norms. The chapter is a meditation on agency, consent, and the possibility of partnership between conqueror and conquered. It is also a moment of fragile peace, soon to be shattered by new threats.
The Price of Power
Liz learns the horrifying truth: the non-earth dragons can only survive by eating earth dragons, who are the lowest caste and the only ones still able to reproduce. The dragons' inability to lay eggs since leaving Earth has made them desperate, and their society is built on sacrifice and predation. Azar/Axel's refusal to eat his own kind marks him as an outlier, and his dual nature is both a secret and a source of strength. The chapter explores the cost of survival, the ethics of power, and the ways in which love and violence are intertwined.
The Icelandic Prophecy
In Iceland, Liz confronts the trauma of her childhood kidnapping, the mysterious chanting she remembers, and the possibility that her memories are unreliable. Her mother reveals that the "witnesses" Liz recalls may have been hallucinations, but Azar believes her. The local Icelandic lore, Norse mythology, and dragon prophecy converge, suggesting that Liz is marked for a special role. The heart, the volcano, and the fate of both dragons and humans are bound together in a web of prophecy, sacrifice, and ancient magic. The chapter is a turning point, where past and future collide.
Demons in the Volcano
Liz descends into the volcano and encounters not humans, but horned, demonic beings and dragons trapped in the lava—"the cursed." They chant for the heart and for Gullveig, a mythic figure burned and reborn. The dragons and demons are imprisoned by a magical barrier, and Liz's birthmark marks her as the key to their release. The encounter is terrifying and transformative, forcing Liz to confront her own fears, her role in the prophecy, and the possibility that freeing the heart may unleash unknown dangers. The chapter is a descent into the underworld, both literal and psychological.
The Heart's True Nature
The heart is revealed to be not just an object, but a person—Freya, the Norse goddess, wife to Odin, and the queen of the cursed. Liz is forced to make impossible choices: endure pain or inflict it, save herself or others, erase her own love to restore Azar's power. In a series of visions and trials, Liz chooses endurance, self-sacrifice, and ultimately, to give up her bond with Azar so he can be whole again. The heart is both a literal and metaphorical center, and the price of restoring it is steep. The chapter is a meditation on love, loss, and the meaning of sacrifice.
Death, Memory, and Sacrifice
In the climactic confrontation, Liz, Axel, and her siblings are thrown into the lava by Hyperion, who believes only Liz's death can free the heart and save the dragons. Liz is consumed, endures agony, and is transported to a place of light where she meets Freya. She is forced to choose between her own happiness and the restoration of the earth dragons' power. She chooses to sacrifice her bond with Azar, erasing his memory of their love so he can be strong and lead his people. The cost is her own heartbreak and the loss of everything she fought for.
The Restoration and the Cost
Liz's sacrifice restores the earth dragons, granting them wings, power, and equality with the other dragon castes—but at the cost of their ability to reproduce and their empathy for humans. Axel/Azar is resurrected, powerful and whole, but with no memory of Liz or their bond. The dragons are changed, the balance of power is shifted, and Liz is left alone, transformed herself into something new. The chapter is both an ending and a beginning, as the consequences of sacrifice ripple outward.
Wings, Hope, and New Beginnings
Liz emerges from the ordeal with wings—transformed into a valkyrie, a mythic winged warrior. The dragons are restored, her siblings are safe, and the world is changed. Axel/Azar, now whole but amnesiac, confronts Liz as a stranger, demanding answers. The old patterns are broken, but new possibilities arise. Liz's hope, battered but unbroken, persists. The story ends with the promise of new beginnings, the possibility of healing, and the enduring power of love and sacrifice.
Characters
Liz Chadwick
Liz is a tough, athletic woman who never fit in with traditional femininity. Her identity is shaped by trauma, loyalty to her family, and a deep sense of justice. Bonded first to Axel and then to Azar, she is both empowered and imprisoned by her magical connection to the dragons. Liz's psychological journey is one of self-doubt, guilt, and the search for agency. She is torn between her human roots and her growing connection to the dragons, especially Azar/Axel. Her defining trait is her willingness to sacrifice herself for others, even at the cost of her own happiness. Liz's development is marked by increasing self-awareness, the pain of impossible choices, and the ultimate act of love: giving up her bond to save those she cares about.
Azar / Axel
Azar is the red, fire-breathing dragon prince, feared and revered among his kind. Axel, his earth dragon form, is less powerful but more empathetic and connected to Liz. The secret that they are the same being is central to the plot and to Azar/Axel's identity. He is torn between the brutal expectations of dragon society and his growing attachment to Liz. His psychological arc is one of vulnerability, longing for acceptance, and the struggle to reconcile strength with compassion. The bond with Liz changes him, making him question the morality of his people and his own actions. Ultimately, he is forced to sacrifice his memory of their love to regain his power and fulfill his role as leader, embodying the tragic cost of leadership and love.
Gideon
Gideon is Liz's childhood friend and fellow fighter, representing the possibility of a human future and the pain of divided loyalties. He is brave, resourceful, and deeply committed to Liz's safety, but his pragmatism leads him to betray her trust in the name of saving humanity. Gideon's psychological complexity lies in his willingness to do what he believes is necessary, even at great personal cost. His actions—killing Liz to break her bond, orchestrating attacks on the dragons—are both heroic and monstrous, depending on perspective. Gideon's development is marked by the loss of innocence, the burden of leadership, and the tragedy of loving someone he cannot save.
Liz's Mother
Liz's mother is a hippy, a pacifist, and a victim of dragon bonding. Her psychological journey is one of trauma, despair, and the struggle to protect her children. She is both a source of comfort and a reminder of Liz's own fears of monstrosity. Her willingness to use Liz as a tool for the greater good, and her complicity in the military's actions, reveal the moral ambiguity of survival. She represents the generational trauma and the difficulty of maintaining hope in a world turned upside down.
Hyperion
Hyperion is Azar's older brother, a powerful fire dragon marked by prophecy as the destroyer of his people. He is both protector and rival, driven by a sense of destiny and the burden of leadership. Hyperion's psychological arc is one of jealousy, regret, and the desperate search for salvation. His willingness to sacrifice Liz and her siblings to save the dragons is both understandable and horrifying. Hyperion embodies the tragic cost of prophecy, the dangers of power, and the limits of empathy.
Asteria
Asteria is Azar's intended mate, a powerful electro dragon with her own agenda. She is both rival and ally to Liz, navigating the treacherous politics of dragon society. Asteria's psychological complexity lies in her ability to adapt, her willingness to make deals, and her ambiguous morality. She represents the possibility of change within the dragon hierarchy, and the dangers of ambition unchecked by empathy.
Gordon and Rufus
Gordon and Rufus are earth dragons assigned to protect Liz's siblings. Initially seen as weak and expendable, they prove to be brave, resourceful, and deeply loyal. Their psychological journey is one of self-discovery, sacrifice, and transformation. The restoration of their power at the end of the story is both a reward and a loss, as they gain strength but lose their unique empathy and ability to bond with humans.
Freya
Freya is the Norse goddess, wife to Odin, and the true "heart" that the dragons seek. She is both a person and a force, embodying sacrifice, endurance, and the cost of power. Freya's psychological depth lies in her acceptance of suffering, her role as judge and guide, and her own longing for release. She forces Liz to confront impossible choices, serving as both mentor and antagonist.
The Cursed (Demons in the Volcano)
The cursed are horned, demonic beings and dragons trapped in the lava beneath the volcano. They represent the consequences of past actions, the cost of sealing away evil, and the dangers of unchecked power. Their desperation and hunger are both literal and metaphorical, embodying the pain of exile and the longing for redemption.
Liz's Siblings (Coral, Jade, Sammy)
Liz's younger siblings are the emotional core of her motivations. Their innocence and vulnerability highlight the stakes of the conflict, and their survival is Liz's primary goal. They represent the possibility of a future, the pain of loss, and the enduring power of family.
Plot Devices
Dual Identity and Secret Bond
The revelation that Azar and Axel are the same dragon is a central plot device, creating dramatic irony, tension, and the possibility of transformation. The secret bond between Liz and Azar/Axel is both a source of power and vulnerability, shaping the narrative's emotional arc. The dual identity allows for exploration of themes of self-acceptance, the cost of secrets, and the possibility of change.
Magical Bonding and Consent
The magical bonds between dragons and humans are both literal and symbolic, representing issues of consent, agency, and power. The forced nature of most bonds creates conflict, while the possibility of voluntary partnership offers hope. The narrative structure uses the evolution of Liz and Azar/Axel's bond to explore questions of love, freedom, and the ethics of power.
Prophecy and Foreshadowing
Prophecies about the last and first hatched dragons, the heart, and the role of humans foreshadow key events and create a sense of inevitability. The tension between destiny and free will is a recurring theme, with characters struggling to assert agency in the face of foretold outcomes. The use of dreams, visions, and mythic references deepens the story's resonance and complexity.
Sacrifice and Transformation
The narrative repeatedly uses sacrifice—of freedom, love, memory, and even life—as the catalyst for transformation. Liz's willingness to endure pain, give up her bond, and make impossible choices drives the plot and shapes the emotional arc. The restoration of the earth dragons, the erasure of Azar's memory, and Liz's own transformation into a valkyrie are all achieved through sacrifice, reinforcing the story's central message.
Memory, Amnesia, and Identity
The erasure of Azar's memory of Liz, and her retention of their shared past, creates a poignant exploration of love, loss, and identity. The use of amnesia as a plot device allows for the possibility of renewal, the pain of unrequited love, and the hope of rediscovery. The narrative structure uses memory as both a weapon and a wound, shaping character motivations and relationships.
Human and Dragon Societies in Conflict
The clash between human and dragon societies, with their differing values, hierarchies, and ethics, creates a backdrop for the personal struggles of the characters. The dragons' cannibalism, the humans' willingness to use any weapon, and the blurred lines between heroism and monstrosity force characters and readers alike to question easy answers. The narrative uses this conflict to explore themes of otherness, empathy, and the possibility of coexistence.
Analysis
Bridget E. Baker's Entwined is a rich, emotionally charged fantasy that interrogates the boundaries between monster and hero, conqueror and captive, love and power. At its core, the novel is about the cost of connection—how bonds, both magical and emotional, can empower and imprison, heal and harm. Through Liz's journey, the story explores the pain of impossible choices, the burden of agency, and the redemptive power of sacrifice. The dragons, far from being simple villains, are revealed as complex, desperate, and capable of change, while the humans are forced to confront their own capacity for violence and betrayal. The narrative's use of prophecy, memory, and transformation elevates personal struggles to mythic significance, while never losing sight of the intimate, human stakes. The ultimate lesson is that true heroism lies not in domination, but in endurance, empathy, and the willingness to pay the price for those we love. In a world where every choice has a cost, Entwined asks: what are we willing to sacrifice, and who do we become when we do?
Last updated:
