Books ‘n Tunes – The Iron Flower

I finished The Iron Flower, and one thought that struck me was how much Empty Chairs at Empty Tables from Les Mis fit with Elloren as she watched all her friends head East to safety from the Gardnerians. So, I decided, why not make a book soundtrack? I started with the Les Mis song, but it’s distinctive tone didn’t quite work with the rest of the soundtrack. The biggest challenge was trying to work it in with bands like Sum 41. I recommend listening to this playlist with shuffle off, otherwise some of the changes might be a little jarring.

I Want to Live | Still Waiting | Clumsy – They all seemed like songs that expressed the mood of the book. The need to stand-up do something about the way the world is going. I loved the hard guitar and the passionate vocals.

So am I still waiting
For this world to stop hating
Can’t find a good reason
Can’t find hope to believe in

Still Waiting – Sum 41

Woman | I’m No Heroine – Elloren struggles a lot with finding a way to be powerful without having any magic. On top of that Gardnerian society doesn’t leave much room for women to step out of traditional roles, so these two songs reminded me of her.

I’ve born and I’ve bread, I’ve cleaned and I’ve fed
And for my healing wits, I’ve been called a witch
I’ve crackled in the fire, and been called a liar

Woman – Neneh Cherry

Sound the Bugle | Talking about Revolution | Free Until They Cut Me Down – All songs that reflect change or the need to make change.

Free Until They Cut Me Down reminds me a bit of Jarrod his forbidden love for Aislinn.

Papa don’t tell me what I could’ve done
She’s the one who begged me
“Take me home”

Free Until They Cut Me Down – Iron & Wine

And Sound the Bugle is the perfect song for moments when you feel like you can’t go on anymore after a long fight.

Without a light, I fear that I will
Stumble in the dark
Lay right down, decide not to go on

Sound the Bugle – Bryan Adams

Praying | Safe and Sound –  Two songs that express strong emotions and can apply to a lot of situations in The Iron Flower.

Praying works especially well for Tierney or Marina.

Oh, but after everything you’ve done
I can thank you for how strong I have become

‘Cause you brought the flames and you put me through hell
I had to learn how to fight for myself
And we both know all the truth I could tell

Praying – Kesha

Safe and Sounds is the perfect song of Ariel and Wynter.

When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said don’t leave me here alone
But all that’s dead and gone and passed tonight

Safe and Sound – Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars