Master of Music: The Bardic Isles Series: Book One

From an award-winning author and lifelong musician comes the first novel of The Bardic Isles Series. 2024 Readers’ Favorite Fiction Audiobooks Gold Medal Winner 2024 IP Awards Outstanding Audiobook Winner 2023 IAN Fantasy Book of the Year Winner B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree 2023 The Wishing Shelf Fiction Finalist 2023 The Wishing Shelf Audiobook Finalist 2023 IAN Young Adult Finalist “A brisk, expertly crafted tale.” – Kirkus Reviews “A magical, musical fantasy world that’s both beautiful and unique. The prose is like music itself–lyrical and sweeping. The author’s love and knowledge of music shines through on every page, the writing’s cadence making Master of Music a joy to read.” – The BookLife Prize “Music is magic in this charming, richly written apprenticeship fantasy. Himeda writes lush, engaging scenes of travel and music-making, in exacting and evocative prose.” – BookLife Reviews “Master of Music” is filled with fantasy, music, wonderful characters, and deep emotions. A completely captivating story that you will not be able to put down until you finish that final page.” – Kathy Stickles for Reader Views “A masterfully written, powerful, refreshing epic fantasy read that brings wholesome, heart-warming values together in a rich, exciting world of magic, lore, and the love of found family.” – Katherine Graham for Reedsy Discovery Not long after the Druids came to Eire, the Bards mysteriously vanished from the annals of history, fleeing their native shores to begin life on a remote chain of islands … the Bardic Isles. And there, over two centuries later, a village boy is born with a gift of music that hasn’t been seen since the exodus. For young Kaelin, music has become both a blessing and a curse. Compelling songs rise within him, begging to be played, but he begins to suspect they are dangerous. When tragedy strikes, Kaelin is convinced his music is responsible. Overcome with grief and guilt, he refuses to play his own music again – but it torments him, demanding release. By the time a Master Bard visits the village four years later, Kaelin is desperate. Only a Master could possibly free the torturous music within him … but what will happen if he does? Fans of Anne McCaffrey’s “Pern” series and Mercedes Lackey’s “Bardic Voices” will love this book, but you will find no dragons, elves, or magic spells within its pages. This is pure, character-driven storytelling, brought to life with the incredible magic of music. Unique in the fantasy genre, it is also a first-of-a-kind audiobook, with music that is vividly described in the book and composed entirely by the author. Enjoy your trip to the Bardic Isles!