Brutal Prince

“The flames rip up the cord like it was dipped in gasoline, singeing my hand. I drop the cord, which swings back to the curtain. The curtain ignites. Liquid fire roars up to the ceiling in an instant.”

This passage uses visceral imagery and a simile (“like it was dipped in gasoline”) to emphasize the speed and volatility of Aida’s impulsive act. The fire serves as the novel’s inciting incident and establishes the recurring motif of fire, which represents both destruction and the characters’ volatile passions. This event physically manifests the chaotic energy Aida brings into the Griffins’ orderly world, setting the central conflict in motion.

“The weight of all those missing children lies on my shoulders. I’m the eldest and the only son. The work of the Griffin men can only be done by me. I’m the one to carry on our name and legacy.”

Callum’s internal monologue directly establishes the novel’s thematic interest in Navigating Identity Within the Confines of Family Legacy. The repetition of, “I’m the one,” underscores the immense pressure and isolation Callum feels as the sole male heir responsible for his family’s future. This sense of duty, tied directly to his gender and birth order, is presented as the primary motivation for his political ambition and ruthless behavior.

“Then I cock back my arm, and I fling that fucking watch into the lake like I’m throwing the opening pitch at Wrigley Field.”

In an act of defiance, Aida flings Callum’s watch into the lake. The simile comparing her action to a pitch at Wrigley Field grounds her rebellion in a distinctly Chicago cultural reference, reinforcing her