Music is incredibly important to me—not just when it comes to writing, but in every facet of my life. So, when I find a song that reminds me of the story I happen to be working on at the time, it goes onto its designated playlist. These are songs I listen to not when drafting or revising (that’s when I turn to video game soundtracks), but rather when I’m stuck and need to brainstorm, or when I just want to experience the Vibes.
Below is a sample of what you’ll find on the WE SHALL BE MONSTERS playlist:
Frankenstein by Rina Sawayama
WSBM is pitched as Frankenstein meets Indian mythology, and this song by the wonderfully talented Rina Sawayama captures the essence of it perfectly. I mean, look at the lyrics: “I’m trying to be normal, but trauma is immortal/And none of this is your fault” and “I don’t want to be a monster anymore.” It really plays into the story and its themes of resurrection, monstrousness, and absolution. Plus, it’s an absolute banger.
Which Witch by Florence + the Machine
I have to admit something: all of my book playlists have at least one song by Florence + the Machine. This one, though? This song evokes my main character, Kajal, so well. Kajal lives in a patriarchal society were paranoia and superstition are on the rise, and soldiers are conducting witch hunts. Kajal is often suspected of being a witch, and even put through ordeals to prove her innocence just because she’s an unconventional girl. Trust Flo to put that anger and fear into such a catchy song.
Graveyard by Halsey
The book has a gothic/horror undertone that deals with . . . well, lots of dead things. While I don’t consider this song particularly gothic, I do associate it a lot with the book, largely because it was one of the songs I listened to on repeat when I first started brainstorming. There’s one part in particular that made me stop in my tracks as an idea came crashing down on me. (Hint: it involves the love interest, Tav). This is yet another song that really captures Kajal and her determination to resurrect her sister no matter what.
Your World Will Fail by Les Friction
This song is so epic. It starts quiet and slow, then builds into a peak that’s full of desperation and resolve. I associate this song with WSBM because in the world where it takes place, the land is being ravaged by a spreading blight that’s poisoning not only the land, but the people. As it gets worse and worse, the characters know they have to do whatever it takes to stop it—but it might require a terrible cost.
I Will Find You by Harry Lightfoot and Audiomachine
Similar to Graveyard, this is one of the songs that came to me at the very beginning of the brainstorming process. I was captured by its emotion and knew it was something I wanted to evoke in the story: a haunting, sorrowful, yet ultimately hopeful feeling. It was while I listened to this song that one of the book’s major scenes came to me all at once, and I saw it play out in my head with this as the soundtrack. So this one has a very special place in my heart, and you can thank it for the specific scene it gave me. Even while writing this I’m starting to tear up as I re-listen to it!
Kajal knows she is not a good person. If she were, she wouldn’t selfishly be risking her sister’s soul in a dangerous bid to bring her back to life. She would let Lasya rest in peace—but Kajal cannot stand the horror of living without her.
As Kajal prepares for the resurrection, the worst happens: Her sister’s soul warps into a bhuta—a murderous, wraith-like spirit—and Kajal gets sentenced to death for her sister’s rampage. There seems little hope of escape until two strangers offer to free her. The catch: She must resurrect the kingdom’s fallen crown prince to aid a growing rebellion against a tyrannical usurper. Desperate, Kajal rushes to complete her end of the deal . . . only to discover that the boy she’s resurrected, Tav, is not the crown prince.
Now Kajal—prickly, proud, admirer of the scientific method—must team up with Tav—stubborn, reticent, and fonder of swords than of books—to find the real crown prince. With only a scalpel and her undead dog, Kutaa, at her side, Kajal must work fast before her mistake is exposed or Lasya’s bhuta turns its murderous fury on the person truly responsible for her death: Kajal herself.
Young Adult | Fantasy Dark [Penguin, On Sale: June 25, 2024, Hardcover / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593407424 / eISBN: 9780593407431]
Tara Sim is the author of TheCity of Dusk (Orbit), as well as the Scavenge the Stars duology (Little, Brown) and the Timekeeper trilogy (Sky Pony Press). She can often be found in the wilds of the Bay Area, California. When she’s not writing about magic, murder, and mayhem, Tara spends her time drinking tea, wrangling cats, and lurking in bookstores.
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