The Only Song Worth Singing

Dawn (Tune In Tomorrow) offers a potent and propulsive blend of Irish legend-inspired urban fantasy and Celtic rock. In 1996, the rock band formed by childhood friends Patrick, Ciaran, and Malachi heads from Dublin to the U.S. for its first international tour. While wandering the streets of Boston late at night, each member separately meets a different oddly familiar stranger who speaks to them in Irish and magically interferes with their future. Mal refuses to engage with the stranger and soon is plagued with bad luck; Patrick, who was raised on legends he no longer believes in, gets some much longed-for answers about his peculiar, difficult childhood; and Ciaran makes a deal to exchange his life force for musical talent beyond his wildest dreams. As he steadily grows thinner, weaker, and more dependent on this mystical stranger, it’s up to Patrick and Malachi to figure out exactly what manner of creatures have found them and how to save Ciaran’s life. Dawn’s experience as a music writer comes through in her vibrant, authentic portrayal of the band’s sound and interpersonal dynamic. This fresh spin on favorite urban fantasy tropes will delight fans of Charles de Lint. (Apr.)