Official Playlist for 'Flames': Fire Songs for Fire Characters

Kenna creates a book playlist for her new novel, Flames, and explains why they fit each character.

'Close-Up Photo Of Book Pages' (Ravi Kant, Pexels)

Introduction

Flames is a book that discovers the emotions associated with each element. Today, I've created a playlist exploring the characters in a similar way through music. I will include the link to the playlist below. However, reading beyond this point will spoil the book. If you would like to avoid them, here is your warning!

The Musical Tones of Flames

As I've stated previously, Flames is a book that is very thematic, and I found it quite easy to choose songs that fit with the story. This first book represents a significant coming-of-age experience for Circe. She learns a lot about herself and who she can be, and that will be something that continues to be explored throughout the series.

1.) If I Knew by Bruno Mars

The first song I added to this playlist was surprisingly not about Circe. I hadn't heard this song in years, and the moment I heard it again, I was like "this has Flames vibes."

If I Knew actually represents Daemon's feelings for Cara. He was kind of a womanizer before he met Cara. Nightfighters are known to not become exclusive in relationships because their lives ultimately become centered around war and death. Relationships tend to complicate that.

This song is essentially about someone realizing what they had after it was too late. The singer speaks of his past mistakes and how he wouldn't have done them, if he would've known she would've returned to him.

Now, Daemon never cheated on Cara or anything, but he did revert back to that facade of 'womanizer' when he accused her of keeping secrets from him. That was his way of protecting himself from Cara and his feelings for her, despite everything that happened. The revelation of Circe's powers was an excuse he used to push Cara away, but unlike what happened in his past (which you will learn more about in Waves), Cara wasn't going anywhere, and she was willing to fight for him.

Significant Lyrics:

Baby, I/I wish we were seventeen/So I could give you all the innocence/That you give to me/No, I wouldn't have done/All the things that I've done/If I knew one day you'd come

2.) Half Light by BANNERS

This is the first song I chose that had to do with Circe and Ajax. Like If I Knew, Half Light was one of those songs I hadn't heard in a while, and I immediately thought it was perfect for the characters the moment I heard it again.

Half Light is about wanting someone you love to open up to you and be vulnerable, but they continue to put up a mask. I guess in a way this song could go both ways in terms of how this would fit, but I think it fits better from Ajax's perspective.

Circe had suffered a tremendous amount of trauma due to her previous relationship with Adric. She tends to flinch only around Ajax because she looks almost identical to her former abuser. However, Ajax doesn't know this at first, and he sees Circe wanting to grow closer to him but is terrified to. He wants her to open up, but he also is a very perceptive and emotionally intelligent person, so he doesn't push her. He waits for her to come to him, and in the end, his patience pays off.

Important Lyrics:

It makes me feel nervous/You have that look in your eye/Oh, what takes over?/What is it that holds you tight?

3.) her by JVKE (feat. Annika Wells)

This is a newer song that came out earlier this year. JVKE just released this new remix with Annika Wells and it's absolutely beautiful. Annika's part reminds me so much of Circe, and I almost think this would also fit the next book, too. One of the things Circe will have to figure out in Waves is what her relationship to Ajax is.

her is about finally finding someone who makes you feel whole when you used to feel broken. Both Ajax and Circe are broken in their own ways.

As I previously mentioned, Circe is still suffering from the trauma she endured while she was with Adric. Ajax, on the other hand, hadn't had a nurturing figure in his life since his mother died. Circe needed someone to show her not all men are like Adric and Ajax needed someone to fill that void his mother left.

Important Lyrics:

Found me lonely/Lost and only one step away from just giving up slowly/I was a mess, I was afraid/I'd be the girl who just put up her walls no one could break/'Til I found him/Running through the wild with half of a heart/Made me a whole one out of the parts/Suddenly, it's like I'm healed/Didn't know that love was real/Until I could

4.) Hurricane by Tommie Profitt and Fleurie

This is a song I've listened to on and off throughout the years, and it's in almost every playlist I have. It's a song that immediately makes me think of Circe.

Hurricane is about longing for someone and their love, but fearing heartbreak. This describes Circe to a T.

Circe longs to have the companionship she sees with Cara and Daemon. She longs to have that with Ajax, but she fears the consequences that follow. Consequences are what she associates with love. And that doesn't just stem from Adric, that also stems from her parents. This is another thing that will be further explored in book two.

Important Lyrics:

Comin' like a hurricane, I take it in real slow/The world is spinning like a weather vane/Fragile and composed/Though I am breaking down again/I am aching now to let you in

5.) Impossible by Madilyn Bailey

This is a song that I just recently discovered not too long ago, which is shocking because I love Madilyn Bailey. I've listened to her music for years! This is another song I heavily associate with Circe.

Impossible is about proving yourself to be stronger than others believe. To say "I can do it" and successfully do so when everyone tells you that you can't. This is something Circe deals with a lot in the first book and you'll notice that it will pop up a lot throughout the series.

A lot of people see Circe as weak at the beginning of her training, especially Francois, Balor, and Casimir. Circe is extremely small compared to most others and had a difficult time manifesting her powers at first. But in the end, she kicks Casimir's ass during sparring and masters the elements faster than anyone in her year.

Important Lyrics:

They told me that it wasn't possible/You won't believe your eyes tonight, tonight/I'm reaching up/I'm reaching new heights/They told me that it wasn't possible/You won't believe your eyes tonight/Tonight I'm flying/Watch me do the impossible

6.) Heavy by Birdtalker

This is a song that I just recently came across after years of not hearing it. It's a very beautiful song that I absolutely love.

Heavy is about the singer telling someone to process their emotions and move on. I felt this was very Circe-centric when it comes to Cara.

Cara's biggest flaw is feeling like she has to be everyone's rock. She never leans on anyone and tends to keep everything bottled up until it shatters and she breaks down. This is exactly what happens when she hides away from Circe and Ajax when Daemon breaks up with her. Circe comes to realize that Cara doesn't like to share her burden with others and tries to help her through it. This is another thing that will be explored further in the next book!

Important Lyrics:

I want to see your sadness/I want to share your sin/I want to bleed your blood/And I want to be let in/Don't you just/Don't we all just/Want to be together

7.) With You Til the End by Tommee Profitt and Sam Tinnesz

Tommee Profitt is an amazing producer, and this song is an absolute masterpiece. I have a playlist that is almost entirely compiled of his songs that I will listen to when I need to get the brain juices flowing!

With You Til the End is about shouldering one's pain and helping them through their struggles. I feel this song represents Cara just as much as it represents Ajax.

Both characters are Circe's rocks, especially Ajax. Even though Cara is Circe's best friend, Ajax understands what loss feels like. His mother, who was an Empath, taught him how to be emotionally intelligent and showed him how she helped people when her powers failed her. I wouldn't say Ajax is her therapist, but between him and Cara, Circe has a really strong support system, and deep down, she knows that she will never truly be alone again.

Important Lyrics:

I'll take this pain for you/I will pull you through/I'll be with you 'till the end/Through  the fire and rain/I will be your strength/I'll be with you 'till the end

8.) like that by Bea Miller

Bea Miller is absolutely incredible at writing power anthems. This is one of her best, in my opinion.

like that is about realizing you deserve better in a toxic relationship and confronting a lover/ex-lover about that. Although Circe doesn't directly confront Adric about this, nor can she, there are blink-and-you'll-miss-it moments where she realizes she is stronger because of everything she endured while dating him.

Adric assaulted and abused Circe for the entire year they were together. It's the entire root of Circe's trauma. However, Circe slowly comes to realize if it weren't for the way Adric treated her, she wouldn't be as cautious and intelligent as she is. Adric's actions have had such a negative impact on Circe's emotional state for so many years, but Circe is no longer naive and is determined to make sure she is able to defend herself. It's the sad truth, but her trauma is shaping her into not just a survivor but a warrior. This is another thing that will be further explored in the upcoming books!

Important Lyrics:

When you treat me like that, when you treat me like that/It's pushin' me harder, it's pushin' me harder/When you breakin' my back, when you breakin' my back/I only get stronger, I only get stronger

Where to Buy?

Flames: The Elemental Saga is now available for Kindle, hardcover, and paperback! For a limited time, it will also be available on Kindle Unlimited as well! Click here to purchase your copy on Amazon today!