This chapter introduces readers to the norms of dragons, and gives us a closer glimpse of the personalities of some of the main characters. Garrick’s immediate annoyance with Luca makes him more likable, not that he wasn’t before, but we’re still slightly unsure of Xaden’s intentions at this point. Tynan and Luca are pretty insufferable when it comes to the squadmates. Ridoc and Sawyer are both way more likable than the others. Ridoc is slightly agitating with his constant humor, but it’s starting to grow on the others and provide a sense of relaxation in tense moments. Sawyer coming to Violet’s defense when Tynan calls her weak in front of the dragons is respectable. Pryor just seems to have the wrong personality for the quadrant, or Basgiath in general. Indecisiveness is annoying, but it doesn’t make him a bad person.
The introduction of the feathertail proves that Violet’s year is unique in many ways. Not much is known about feathertails, besides the fact that they don’t bond with humans due to their size and dragon law. In my first reading, I couldn’t decide if Violet was going to bond with a black or a feathertail. Black dragons are cunning and intelligent, just like Violet. Feathertails are small and underestimated by everyone, just like Violet.
Rhiannon and Violet have a really sweet bonding moment in this chapter. They learn more about each other’s families and discuss how the fact that they can’t write to their family members doesn’t affect their relationship with them. Rhiannon hopes her niece back home is a girl. Violet misses her sister, Mira.
The continual conversations about wyvern and venin is definitely on purpose, and is foreshadowing the possible existence of them, despite the fables. This is where I started to pick up on the references in my first read. I always tell my students that nothing in fiction is brought up for no reason. Obviously, talking about these “fictional” creatures multiple times is alluding to their possible existence. This adds a dark atmosphere to the already morbid text.
I’m not quite sure about the purpose of the scene between Violet and the two green dragons. Maybe it was an opportunity for Violet to place trust in Rhiannon. Maybe it was a way to show the intelligence of the dragons while building suspense. Maybe all of the above. Either way, it was pretty cute that they were able to recognize Teine’s scent. It reminds readers that dragons are extremely intelligent and mysterious beings.
Luca and Pryor’s deaths aren’t that surprising considering their personalities. If anything, the deaths are a relief. It’s interesting to see how fast the dragons can turn a human into a pile of ash. The remaining members in Violet’s squad are Violet, Rhiannon, Ridoc, Tynan, Sawyer and Trina.
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