We Are the Song

“Elissa’s desire to follow her divinely inspired abilities and overcome the barriers to her musical ambitions echo women’s historical experiences in classical music… And constellations of race, sexuality, and gender expression lend richness to an already unique world.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“This fast-paced fantasy is full of action and intrigue, taking place in a war-torn world that still holds much beauty and magic. Readers will come to love Elissa, who struggles with doubts as she faces heartbreak, tragedy, and loneliness and tries to fight for what is right. An excellent addition to middle-grade fantasy collections.”—Booklist

“An alluring fantasy exploring the influence of music, the importance of listening to one’s own voice, and knowing who your friends are.”—School Library Journal

“Fantasy fans will queue up for this delightful novel with its strong female characters and carefully drawn fantasy world… Fast packed action will keep readers totally engaged. This captivating novel promises a good future for this first-time author.”—School Library Connection

“An exploration of devotion and finding one’s voice.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Themes around interpretation of religion, trusting yourself, integrity and standing up for what you believe, political corruption, war, and the power of many united for a cause are really poignant and thought-provoking… With lush world-building and thought-provoking themes, We Are the Song is an imaginative and enthralling middle grade fantasy that sweeps the reader away. Highly recommend for middle grade readers as well as YA readers who will appreciate the complexity and beauty of this story.”—YA Books Central

“Inspirational… Gorgeous, vibrant literary writing… So bright and hopeful [and] extremely well done… The book asks a lot of big, overarching questions about doing what’s right and following your own morals rather than blindly following others.”—The Bookwrym’s Den

“Inspires young readers to question overreach of authority [and] the weaponization of art… Elissa's determination to see the good in people and her uncompromising adherence to pacifism make her the heroine her world needs…. Hard questions about justice, suffering, inequality, and corruption get a serious treatment.”—Nerds of a Feather

“Lyrical magic! This book made me remember why I fell in love with fantasy as a young reader… Elissa’s growth and self-discovery powered a well-crafted plot and richly described world.”—Modest Hiccup

“Brimming with elegant writing and striking magic, We Are the Song will captivate readers with its thoughtful portrayal of the healing power of grace. Simply poetic.”—Juliana Brandt, author of The Wolf of Cape Fen

“We Are the Song is an enchanting, beautifully written book that teaches readers how to find their own voice even in times of despair. Magically woven together, with worldbuilding that sings on the page, it hits all the right notes and ends in a page-turning crescendo. It reminds us that hope can be found even in the most difficult of circumstances, and that sometimes our greatest power lies within ourselves.”—Mindy Thompson, author of The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams

“A lush fantasy in which music is—quite literally—magical. A song sung by one of the Goddess’ chosen singers can turn a flower into a bird, heal an ailing queen, or heat a teakettle. The language of music absolutely suffuses the book, from its structure to the names of people and places, to the way characters perceive their world. But ultimately, this poignant and lyrical story is about recognizing the power in our own voices, and understanding that if we use that power wisely, each of us has the capacity to help bring peace to a broken world.”—Kate Albus, author of A Place to Hang the Moon

“Elissa is the kind of main character one can’t help but root for: generous, empathetic, and determined to do what is right. This story reads like a song itself, a well-balanced harmony of heart and hope; a testament to the healing power of music and of the peace we can usher into the world when we all work together in love.”—Lorelei Savaryn, author of The Circus of Stolen Dreams and The Edge of In Between