Sing the Dark to Sleep

by Mycah Houser

Kiara’s music can alter any emotion… except her own anxiety.

17-year-old Kiara sings inspiration into the city of Pearl from her exile in an enchanted tower. Although everyone feels her magic, only the Chancellor, her stern guardian, can access the seaside tower. But when her song lures a vivacious explorer who bypasses the enchantment, Kiara breaks her isolation for a taste of adventure. As she explores decadent cafes and falls for an alluring laiko musician with ties to her troubled past, she learns to cope with her anxiety.

But magical rage is infecting Pearl, and only Kiara can stop it. Determined to protect her beloved city, she and her new friends launch an investigation to locate the source of madness.

While dodging the Chancellor’s attempts to force her back into the tower, Kiara discovers she is being blamed for the madness. To reclaim her freedom, she enacts a dangerous plan to expose the source’s identity. If she cannot master her tumultuous emotions and subdue the source before the Chancellor finds her, she will be condemned to permanent exile and forced to watch Pearl’s corruption.

329 pages, ebook

Expected publication March 6, 2026

About the author

Mycah is the author of Sing the Dark to Sleep, her debut YA fantasy novel.

She lives in Michigan with her partner and Luna, their adorably anxious husky-lab mix. When not immersed in books, she daydreams about pastries and spends her Thursdays as a loveable Pathfinder barbarian.

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d like to first point out some of the physical features of the book that I liked. I appreciated the fact that the chapters had titles. I also liked the cover and the fact that the items depicted on it all had some significance to the mc/Kiara.

I enjoyed the book more than I expected to. I didn’t anticipate there to be as much technology as there was: an elevator, phones, social media, etc. But in my opinion, it blended technology and magic together well. I enjoyed the different powers the characters had and how they related to the characters personality and feelings- especially Amir’s and how it went with their storyline. I also appreciated the fact that no one had infinite powers and that their powers had stipulations/limitations.

The book has representation and in my opinion does it well. None of the characters had went through anything due to their orientation; it wasn’t a huge focal point in the book, simply there, and being on the lgbt..spectrum seemed to be considered normal.

I enjoyed how the book focused on friendship and found/chosen family rather than just romance. I think it was important the main character have these friendships before they entered a romantic relationship (which was a slowish burn, friends to lovers.) I appreciated how romance was not the main focal point of the book as well as the fact that the romance stayed truly YA.

To me, the book felt like a cozy fantasy that focuses on the mc’s growth but still had enough of a focus on the plot.

I throughly enjoyed the book and read it over the course of two days. I would rate it..

Setting/Word Building: 4.5/5
It has a unique setting different from most other books I’ve read.

Main Character: 3.75/5
She was a complex character and not a carbon copy of other fantasy heroines. Sometimes she felt a too honest and trusting (which might have been due to living in a tower for years) She gave me a bit of “second hand”anxiety/worry for her when she went into public places and also..Slight Spoiler: How did she forget to wear shoes?? I feel like that was unrealistic and if she spent so much time picking out her outfit and worrying about leaving the tower that she would have realized that she wasn’t wearing/ needed them. Other than that, she didn’t seem like a reckless character who made dumb decisions.

Ending: 3.5ish/5 (Not the climax but the resolution/actual ending)
It left me feeling fulfilled and didn’t leave any loose ends or big questions. SPOILERS: I liked Kiara’s growth and the fact that she attends therapy. My main critique with it was how the how the main character was so compassionate and quick to forgiveness, but that’s my opinion and might not be so for younger readers.

[Parker Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Right off the bat the normality of queer characters and interactions is great. I love how normal it is! If only it were like that in real life! I felt that Kiaras anxiety was really well written and realistic, and seeing her start to overcome that was really heartwarming. Amir is definitely my favorite character, I felt like I related to him the most. I enjoyed the story a lot. I feel like it was cozy fantasy vibes but with more adventure!! I can’t wait to see what other stuff Mycah puts out

[Christa Knott-Dufresne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent cozy story of a girl finding her way in a scary world. Plenty of queer and differently-abled representation. Strong themes of mental health and living with anxiety and PTSD.

I had a small amount of difficulty adjusting to the idea of modern world with technology like smart phones, cars, etc, that also has widespread magic. I’m not sure why, but I struggle with the idea of magic and modern technology coexisting, but Mycah’s excellent writing managed to convince me that this was a normal and real world.

[Lynz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story which is full of warmth and light with a few twists. I haven't read a book in a while that kept me up so late but I was still reading this one at 3am as I didn't want to leave the world. I really hope that Kiara goes on to have future adventures in some follow up books. Perfect read for young adults or just young at heart adults like myself 💕

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually do not read this type of storyline but from the start, I was hooked. It was an awesome story. From the beginning on, the character’s stories make you want to learn more! As a team, they overcome multiple obstacles and become close friends each with distinct “skills”. I highly recommend this book.

[Jessica Gomez · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read. The story was interesting and engaging. It’s it good read for young adults. Many people suffer from anxiety and I feel that the author did a great job writing about it and showing how Kiara was making the steps to overcome it. I look fwd to reading about Kiara having some great adventures in future books. This is the beginning of a potentially great series.