Feeding The Fires

Detailed Synopsis

In the wake of Earth's dragon Nessie's death, ancient dragons return to protect the planet. As unprecedented wildfires rage across the Cascades, the dragons witness humanity's destructive fire suppression practices while debating whether to save or abandon mankind.

Kyle, an adopted Indigenous teenager, discovers his connection to Mars, the fire dragon, through a dragon scale that once belonged to his birth mother. As the military plans to bomb the region to create a firebreak—an action that would trigger catastrophic geological events—Kyle and Mars devise a plan to create a natural firebreak using a fire tornado.

Meanwhile, Kyle connects with other young people who share bonds with dragons: Hannah, Jacob, and Anne. Together, they form part of the Young Dragons movement, working to raise awareness about environmental issues and traditional land management practices. Through his journey, Kyle explores his Indigenous heritage, learns about traditional fire management, and begins healing his relationship with his antagonistic brother John.

The story weaves together multiple perspectives, including those of the dragons: Mars's sacrifice to save both humanity and nature, Uranus's struggle with grief over Nessie's death and hatred of humans, and Venus's protection of Nessie's mysterious tear. As Kyle meets his extended Indigenous family and Mars recovers from creating the firebreak, the novel explores themes of environmental stewardship, traditional wisdom, family healing, and the delicate balance between human development and natural processes.

The story concludes with questions about the future of fire management and Earth's protection, suggesting continued challenges and developments to come in the series, while emphasizing the importance of bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary environmental challenges.