Song List
These songs greatly inspired certain scenes in my stories and helped me to visualize what was happening. Other songs simply make me think of my characters celebrating, hanging out, or growing as individuals. If you’re interested in a little bit of extra immersion, feel free to locate these songs on your streaming service and give them a listen!
Stay tuned for many more!
Prince of Dreams
Chapter 11-12 (Tree Spirits / I Find Out My Wings Work): “Son of Man” by Phil Collins
Peter mentors Jonathan the best he can in the ways of a griffin and a prince. Though initially a reluctant learner, Jonathan begins to understand and respect the new world he finds himself in.
King of Dreams
Chapter 18 (In the Wings of the White Griffin): “Mo Ghile Mear” Arr. Desmond Earley
Jonathan finally arrives in his kingdom and the entire city celebrates the arrival of their new king!
Chapter 41 (Dreams Versus Nightmares): “Test Drive” composed by John Powell
The king’s perilous and triumphant return.
Chapter 48 and 50 (The Death of a Griffin and My Own Worst Enemy): “The Battle” composed by Harry Gregson-Williams
A boy in anguish, tortured by bitter memories and truths, realizes that his past, and the people in it, have helped him to become the man he is today.
Chapter 51-52 (Respite and Wrath of the Nightmare King): “Man on a Mission” by Oh The Larceny
Time for an epic showdown between the King of Dreams, and the embodiment of evil!
Chapter 55 (Never Alone): “Merchant Prince” composed by Thomas Bergersen
A final battle, and an opportunity for closure.
Epilogue: “Only The Beginning Of The Adventure” composed by Harry Gregson-Williams
As the song’s title suggests, this song inspires feelings of joy, hope, and whimsy. One chapter, for all its laughter and tears, is over. But what fresh adventures await on the horizon?
“End Credits” Songs: “Wild At Heart” by Gloriana and “Magika” by Two Steps From Hell
These are songs that I feel wrap up my first trilogy nicely, conveying all of the emotions that one might experience as the covers close. I envision them as being the songs that would play during the end credits if my books were ever made into a movie! :D
A King Shall Rise
Chapter 1 (Good and Evil): “The Moldau” composed by Bedřich Smetana
A poignant “opening” song that communicates the peaceful upbringing Brody enjoyed and hints at the sorrow that approaches on the horizon (This is a long song, but the first few minutes in particular speak well to this theme).
Chapter 6 (Pebble Embark): “I Object” composed by Harry Gregson-Williams
Yes, a few “Shrek” songs make me think of scenes in this story. Here, Brody awakens on Pebble Embark and realizes that he’s a griffin. This brings him quite a shock! The fantasy strains in this song also make a perfect introduction to the Land of Dreams.
Chapter 6 (Pebble Embark): “Flight of the Silverbird” composed by Two Steps From Hell
Before Brody can ease himself into trying out his new wings, he finds himself hotly pursued by a massive, white griffin. Despite the harrowing experience he proves to be an adept flyer, and he soars into a cave in a cliffside and transforms in time to try and shield a man named Josiah from the oncoming threat.
Chapter 8 (To Be a Griffin): “Resurrection” composed by Andrew Lockington
Brody beholds his castle for the first time. This song has a nice balance of magic and mystery and wonder in it.
Chapter 16 (Diligence): “Transformation / The End” composed by Harry Gregson-Williams
Brody confronts the Ranker of Gluttony in a vicious battle where he proves his capabilities to his companions (and himself) for the very first time.
Chapter 18 (The Fortress of Ice): “After the Fall” composed by Two Steps From Hell
Brody arrives at the foreboding Fortress of Ice after a laborious climb up the side of a mountain. Though the view that spreads out before him is breath-taking, he’s a little intimidated by what he finds at the top: the fortress is an imposing tower of angles and spikes, made from dark stone, and overseen by an unpredictable and dangerous man…
Chapter 26 (A Hostage): “Starfall” composed by Two Steps From Hell
Brody confronts the Ranker of Pride in a battle involving a colossal machine, explosives, and cleverness!
Chapter 34 (Battling the White Wyrm): “Aesir (Orchestra)” composed by Two Steps From Hell
Now that Brody has some years of experience under his belt, he is shaping up to be one of the dreamworld’s most imposing and powerful kings. When the Rankers attempt to attack one of the land’s fortresses with a captive moon wyrm, Brody rushes to stop the scheme in an epic and risky battle.
Chapter 35-36 (Wrath / Patience): “Face My Fears (English Version)” by Hikaru Utada & Skrillex
Wrath, the sixth of the Seven Rankers, is Brody’s most challenging foe thus-far, calling to some deep, dark part of his soul. As he launches an attack against the city in which Wrath has festered for far too long, Brody awakens a rare phenomena within himself: King’s Wrath. This righteous fury manifests as berserker strength, glowing red eyes, and borderline madness. Hopefully it doesn’t consume him…
Chapter 37 (Mounting Secrets): “New Coordinates” composed by Andrew Lockington
Brody uncovers a wealth of secrets, including Ranker plans. Meanwhile, the final of the Seven Rankers furiously departs to confront him.
Chapter 40 (Righteous Wrath): “The Sound of Silence” by Disturbed
Brody battles the final Ranker leader, revisiting old memories as he does so and considering the man he’s become.
Chapter 42 (Long Live the King): “Men of Honor” composed by Thomas Bergersen
Peter is informed by Michael who the next ruler of the dreamworld will be and told to accompany two young griffins, Kayle and Mariah, to go and collect him. To Peter’s joy and shock, he recognizes the name of the next ruler, and is filled with hope.
Chapter 42 (Long Live the King): “The Parting Glass” by The High Kings
This scene isn’t exactly in the book, but I picture it as a very cinematic ending. All across the dreamworld, people celebrate and honor Brody and his accomplishments. In Syranade, they make songs about him. A quartz statue in his likeness is raised in Crystalia. People in the village at the base of the Fortress of Ice raise a toast to him and his men. A child moving back into the slowly rebuilding city of Raynarra picks up one of Brody’s old feathers, and armies across the land gather to depart for the Misty Pass, where Brody ordered them to amass and await orders. Meanwhile, Peter gives Kayle and Mariah a reassuring smile as the trio flies toward Pebble Embark and, one morning, Peter is awakened from his slumber on the beach’s golden shores to see a new griffin come splashing out of the tide. He smiles to himself knowingly…a perfect segue into the Jonathan Trilogy!
“End Credits” Song : “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran
This song’s somber melody is a perfect way to end the book. While it is a rather sad tune and it speaks well to the horrors of war, it also speaks to the loyalty of comrades and defiance in the face of overwhelming odds—at least in my opinion. :)