House of Flame and Shadow

Content Warning: The source material features depictions of oppression, discrimination, and graphic death and violence.

The mother-child relationships explored within House of Flame and Shadow symbolize the strength and impact of parental love. When Lidia accuses King Morven of cruelty disowning his son, Cormac, her disgust is fueled by the belief that “there would never be anything more important than the two boys she’d left on the Depth Charger” (463). The relationship between Lidia and her twins showcases that maternal love can turn indoctrination into independent thought, as Lidia’s sons come to know the woman who bore them.

Bryce’s commitment to fighting for equality in Midgard is in part influenced by her mother, Ember. As Bryce states to her cruel father, she “learn[ed] about love from my mom” (347). Seeing the discrimination her human mother endured made Bryce into a strong advocate for those without the power to defend themselves against the powerful Vanir.

Maternal love can even be found between people not related by blood, as illustrated by the relationship forged between Ember and Nesta during the short amount of time Bryce’s mother is in the Night Court. Nesta, whose own mother was neglectful, yearns for maternal love; Ember has enough empathy to supply some of this kind of support. Nesta tells Bryce, “Your mother loves you […] Don’t for one second take that for granted,” hugging Ember “like she hadn’t experienced a mom-hug for a long, long time” (813-14). Nesta is headstrong, closed-off, and surly, but she blossoms under Ember’s unconditional openness.