The Songs That Beckon

The Travelers #1

by M.A. Brown

Their grief binds them.
The Song calls them.
The Darkness wants to claim them.

As winter wraps Areth in its frozen embrace, nightmarish beasts descend upon the Hastings household kidnapping Mr. and Mrs. Hastings and leaving behind their daughter, Bianca, as sole witness. In the wake of their abduction her quiet world is turned upside down and shaken revealing the secrets and lies her parents have buried.

As truths unravel it binds her to those who have similarly lost. Together they must wade through the thorny tangles of growing love and grief to find those that they hold dear before the looming threat of darkness is unleashed to destroy them all.

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2024

About the author

M.A. Brown is a stay-at-homeschooling mom living in Colorado with her husband and four kids. She loves to write poetic fantasy, angsty romance, and dreamy worlds with a whole lot of magic.

Reviews

[Nirav · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, this is a slow burn. A fact that becomes more prominent because of the author's vintage writing style. I found it quite difficult to start with, but once I got used to the rhythm, it became quite smooth. 

The characters of this book feel real. Their decisions, struggles and the overall journey feels honest. And that's the biggest win for me.

I was quite emotionally invested in all the backstories and the side characters are also very memorable. I'm already going to bother Megan for a prequel story from this book! Overall it's highly recommended book from my side.

This book has a very unique magic system. Portals to different worlds! Multiple POVs, No Spice, Found Family, Strong characters set in a Dark Gothic backdrop of a world with rich lore, written in a beautiful manner that made me want to cherish the story and wanted the book never end.

I got an advance reader copy, but all opinions are my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell for this ensemble of characters fairly quickly, as they're a found family of individuals trying to cope with the disappearance of their loved ones.
I really enjoyed the slow burn, forbidden romance. The tension between these two characters is chef's kiss!

[Ashley Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the unique concept of this world and the "portals" that the travelers use. This book saw Bianca through a journey of loss and self discovery. I also liked the way that the author gave the history of this world without making it boring or like a history lesson.

It did take me about 100 pages to really get into this book. The first 4th of the book is kind of slow and I kept thinking where is this going. I'm glad I kept with it because it definitely picked up and kept me interested. I also really enjoyed the 3 MCs. The 2 MMCs felt like the devil and angels that sit on your shoulders in cartoons or movies. One is the voice of reason and more cautious. The other is all in and kind of a jokester. I really liked the contrast. They both help Bianca discover who she is and what she can do.

There is a companion Novella coming out next month and I was approved to read the ARC. I'll be reading that soon and posting a review on that as well. Then just to wait for book 2.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rating: 4.5⭐️

The Songs that Beckon is an enchanting portal fantasy with gothic vibes. One of the main themes of this book is grief and loss and how it can either bind us or break us. And M.A. Brown did such a brilliant job of weaving together heavy moments with light ones, while taking us on an adventure through multiple worlds.

It took me a little bit of time to get oriented in this world of magic and separate, but interlocking fragments. But once I did, I was a goner! And if you love the found family trope then you will love our trio of Travelers.

It leaves you not on just one cliffhanger, but like 5 of them! 😂

Me at the end of this book: *becoming increasingly frantic* “what?…What??…WHAT????” 😂

So yeah, book 2 is now officially on my ~anxiously awaiting~ list!

Thank you to M.A Brown and MTMC Tours for a copy of this book!

[Amber's Book Cave · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Songs That Beckon" is a beautifully written slow burn romantasy. This story was very captivating with its smooth prose and relatable characters. Their decisions and struggles felt honest and relatable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey. I always love a unique magic system, and this story delivered. I really enjoyed the concept of keys and Bianca's bracelet.

The physical book is also so stunning!! I was surprised that it included beautiful character art on the end pages and special touches like blacked-out chapter pages and more character art within the pages. These small details to the book definitely made me appreciate the attention to detail in this indie book.

Overall, "The Songs That Beckon" is a magical story filled with poetic prose, lush world-building, and a touch of darkness. M.A. Brown brings the characters to life in a way that makes their grief and struggles feel incredibly real and relatable. Highly recommended for fans of darker fantasy and found family dynamics.

Thank you MTMC Tours and M.A. Brown for providing me with a review copy. All opinions are unbiased and my own. 🖤

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the writing of this! The author has a way of pulling you in fairly quickly and keeping you ensnared. I found multiple new words, which I adore finding in books!

The magic and portals created were very intricate and unique and I loved seeing them be explored. There is a lot of unresolved things at the end of this book that will hopefully be figured out more in the next book.

It's a Gothic fantasy with a slowburn romance that definitely isn't the main plot of the story. I liked the multi POV and knowing what's going on in the other characters' heads. I don't know that I really loved the FMC Bianca, but I loved one of the MMCs Felix for sure. There was nothing bad about Bianca, but nothing to make her stand out much to me.

There is lots of grief rep and some suicidal thoughts, but mostly it portrays a strong message about hope and working through difficult periods.

Read if you love:
-Portal Magic
-Multi POV
-Nightmare beasts
-Found family
-Gothic fantasy
-Slowburn, forbidden romance
-Grief rep

[Alexandra Simpkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a beautiful debut for M.A. Brown

No spoilers!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I loved the way grief was portrayed and how determined Bianca was to find her family. You could feel her sadness seeping off the page. I won’t lie, in the beginning I was confused just a little. Things moved so fast and some things just weren’t explained throughly and I felt like she was assuming we knew things. But after you get through those first 50 pages I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be honest I wasn’t sure about Felix. But he’s def a shadow daddy in the making 🙌🏻. I loved the idea of the keys and her bracelet- I thought that was unique too as well. I loved how she connected all these worlds too and I liked that we got to SEE some of them. Often authors talk about other planets or other worlds but we need get to see them, they are just talked about, I love that we got to visit a few of them.

Also CHARACTER ART 🚨 . This book has beautiful character art on the hardcover and cover ends. As well as blacked out chapters and a few overlays. I loved that she added this-this also made the book stand out among my other indie TBRs.

Overall this was a solid read for me- and I finished her in like 2 days.

[Jaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was swept away by this book and brought to such a magical universe. The world was beautiful, and the authors writing was so lyrical and descriptive that I felt like I was actually there. I don't even like tea, and the way it was described was making me wish I could taste it. The vibes were stellar. It was magical, gothic, and dark at times. I haven't read anything with portaling, and I loved this. It was so unique and interesting! It was a multi pov and very short chapters, which made me fly through this.

I thoroughly enjoyed Biancas' character. Growing up, she was lied to and forced to uncover the truth about herself due to her parents' disappearance. At first, she is deemed crazy and strange, but the more you get to experience the things she's going through, the more I grew to love her.

I also did not expect the romance, and it was heartbreakingly beauitful. Although it was not the main focus, it was still a nice little subplot.

This journey was amazing. The way greif was displayed was hauntingly beautiful and made this story very poetic and something I won't stop thinking about.
This story had me in a chokehold, and I was fully immersed. The ending was very satisfying and is a good build-up for book 2, and I will be staring at a wall until I can get my hands on it.

[Kristen Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He was her, and she was him, and their grief bled together in her heart.”

The Songs That Beckon is a beautiful story filled to the brim with magical moments, poetic prose, and a splash of darkness that somehow perfectly balances this wonderful novel.

Brown captivated me with her lyrical prose and lush world building. She brought her characters to life in such a real and relatable way, especially with her flawless depictions of grief. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to see how the plot unfolds in the next book.

Read if you like…
✨Portal magic and new worlds
✨Shifters & nymphs & so many more
✨An adventurous quest filled with magic and monsters that had me turning the pages like my life depended on it
✨Beautiful representation of grief
✨Found family with a dash of forbidden love

Thank you M.A Brown for the advanced copy! All thoughts are my own.

[Amber Toro · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite read of 2024 so far! A dark fantasy with enchanting prose that captures the overwhelming depth of loss and feeling lost.

It has a classic fantasy feel with a twist, the magic system and world feel familiar as they are inspired by classic fantasy elements but they also felt fresh and new as Brown adds her own creative spin. All of the characters were great, they felt like there own individuals with their own strengths and motivations. My favorite has to be Felix. Who doesn't like a handsome changeling who is introduced to us as a cat! He is snarky and broken and deep and I love him so much! Of course I also love our FMC Bianca. I love how she is both rebellious and proper. This duality is particularly fun to watch play out in her interactions with Felix.

The plot was interesting and adventures and addicting. I can't wait for book 2!

[Cynthia Brubaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends, he could keep his distance and still play at being friends.

In a moment of weakness, he pressed his nose into her raven-blue hair and inhaled the lavender and saccharine scent of sorrow that was her.

"Now, we just keep going along the river, and we can arrive at the mountains safe and sound, ready to face the next thing trying to kill us."

-----

There are books that quiet everything else around you, urging you to continue forth. They evoke laughter, joy, and heartache from your mind. They are filled with heartwarming, relatable, and well-crafted characters that blend together seamlessly.

This is one of those books.

I cannot wait for the sequel. This book was so beautifully written. I have to say the ending was gut-wrenching, but I loved every page and am so thankful to have read it.

[Savanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a unique story! It had me tumbling through magical doors and contemplating all the mysteries. I was getting a little bit of an Alice in Wonderland vibe. The writing is very flowy and poetic feeling. The characters are interesting and personable, Alder is my favorite soft hearted grump. 😂🫶🏼 The connection we see within the core group of characters is really sweet and had me smiling.

This story had deep grief that was absolutely heartbreaking, I felt for the characters and wanted to hug them all! This also plays into the romance in this story and makes your heart ache for the possibility of love and healing of wounds. The healing we see is slow but beautiful, though I would suggest checking TWs because there is a scene that could be difficult for some. ;

[FS Meurinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This spellbinding novel masterfully blends darkness with a glimmer of hope. Set against the chilling backdrop of Areth, the story follows Bianca Hastings as her parents' mysterious disappearance shatters her life. The unfolding journey, rich with magical lore and deep emotional currents, showcases the power of shared grief and the strength of newfound bonds. The characters, especially the honorable Alder and the complex Felix, brought depth to the story, making their struggles and growth resonate with me deeply. The book's imaginative world-building swept me away, making it a compelling exploration of love, loss, and the indomitable human spirit. It was an unforgettable read that left me eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this magical saga.

[Heather M · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so dark and beautiful, I LOVE the writing!
The grief is real and raw and so touching, it spoke to a deep understanding of my own experiences.
As the tale unfolds and the connections between the characters build, I found myself loving Alder, he's so decent and honorable (how do you not love a man who loves and reveres a goddess?!?!) and Felix can be literally lifesaving and such a dick (even though I totally get why)! As Bianca struggles to find her way in a world so different from anything she's ever known, her strength, courage, and openness to friendship and love are inspiring.
It's haunting and heartbreaking and imbued with enough healing and hope to make me want more and more.

[Babes Books and Brews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There was a definite Victorian gothic vibe throughout that really set the tone. The creation and display of magic and portals was interesting. Different from anything else I’ve read. And I loved the development of the multi-verse jumping, how there’s a song of grief, of need that connects them all.

This is a SLOW BURN and it was fun to watch the banter between the two MMCs and the FMC. Still, there’s a darkness rolling over all the lands so there’s a tinge of melancholy to everything, whether they’re dancing or searching or fighting.

The book ends on a cliff-hanger and I’m intrigued where the next story will lead us.

[Bookish McQueen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Songs that Beckon
Books: 1st in series
Author: @writer.m.a.brown
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

The Songs that Beckon is the first book in a debut fantasy series. The story is set in a dark gothic world and written in a vintage poetic style. The unique writing style and fast paced story took me some time to get used to. Because of this I did have some trouble understanding what was happening, but I became used to the rhythm. That aside it is a beautiful story with detailed descriptions that paint a beautiful picture. Some of the characters took time to get attached to but I loved Felix from the beginning!

[a_reading_rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a unique and intriguing story! I got Alice in Wonderland vibes from this which I loved. It portrays a story of grief and friendship and found families, all of those put together with a magic system unlike any I’ve read before and dark gothic themes it created an enjoyable fantasy.

I like the poetic style writing and sometimes I found it a little hard to follow with the world building but all in all I had a nice time reading it.

Thank you M.A. Brown for letting me read your book before its release😊

[ReadingInPyjamas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like a dreamy mix of magic and darkness, wrapped up in beautiful writing. It gave me Secret Garden vibes with a touch of Alice in Wonderland, blended into this gothic tale that’s nostalgic yet fresh. A lush story about love, grief, finding your tribe, and discovering who you are. Can't wait for the sequel to see where the story goes next!

I highly recommend it if you enjoy: Gothic Romantasy, Portal & Elemental Magic, Hidden Identities, Forbidden Romance, Slow Burn, Mental Health Rep, Witty Banter, Multiple POVs.

[Lou Wilham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliantly luscious tale of grief, found family, and growing into yourself that I absolutely did not want to put down.

The vibes on this book are immaculate. Think Secret Garden meets Never Ending Story done in such a way that will make all those adults who grew up on those movies fall in love with this style of gothic magic all over again. The Songs That Beckon is the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day and get lost in, and I can't wait for the next book!

[Catie Pier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing in this book was utterly captivating. Never before have I felt so seen in my grief or the way it affects me as I have in this story. It is gripping and magical and feels so deeply thought out that I just couldn’t put it down. It’s a slow burn but oh so worth it in the end. I cannot wait to see where this goes and what else this author can achieve. 4.5/5 stars. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book!!

[A.C. Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun book to sink into.
The atmosphere was the perfect blend of cozy and chilling! With magical teas, monsters, and keys to other worlds.
I haven’t read anything quite like it. The closest comparison I can think of is Alice In Wonderland but it was also wholly its own story.
I am also very impressed with the way many of the heavy themes were tackled.
I look forward to reading the next book!

[Whitney Spradling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut blew me away. The way M.A. Brown weaves words to make a story is breathtaking. I loved the gothic vibes, slow burn/angst, loss and healing, found family elements. The world building and character development was top notch. It’s truly a mesmerizing fantasy tale that you don’t want to miss.

[Haley Magnusson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Beautiful!

This book is full of characters you will fall in love with, and written with a type of elegance that creates a voice all its own.
Absolutely wonderful to read.

[E.R. Munley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Its magic smelled of unsung songs, of dust storms beating across the desert, of a painful longing deep and raw. The magic was always the last to go, clinging to the bones of a body until there wasn’t a single drop of life left in it."

Bianca Hastings finds herself at the center of a storm of weird circumstances early in life. These circumstances lead her to a portal to another world and a slow burn romance.

This book was gifted to me by the author herself, M.A. Brown. It's a solid first novel for a series. The writing style was vintage and sweeping in a way that I wasn't expecting. The strength of this tale is definitely in her ability to build a scene. The descriptions were so beautiful! I took some time to warm up to her characters, especially Bianca. However, once I bought into the adventure, I devoured the book. Grief is at the core of the tale and how the characters unravel it within the story. It's a really good read overall! It's definitely worth taking a chance on.