Songs of the Dead by Brandon Sanderson and Peter Orullian

Author : Brandon Sanderson , Peter Orullian

Book : Songs of the Dead

/ Fantasy /

/ The Strata Wars Book 1 /

Publication date : June 16, 2026

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Blurb:

When Jack Solomon, a struggling musician who works in London’s West End, is killed, he awakens to a new reality in which light and music are used to create magic and where living eras of the past sprawl beneath modern London, layer upon layer, all the way back to recorded history.

Jack also soon discovers that many of those who reside in the stratums of London’s past have grown angry with the present world, and that their anger is being channeled by a powerful society of light-and-music-based magic wielders who can cross the realms between life and death, between the present and the past. A past where the dead are sowing revolution against the living, and all of history is at stake.

Welcome to the Strata Wars.

My thoughts:

I want to hug this book and tuck it into my soul🖤 As a musician and a huge metal and rock fan, I became familiar with Peter Orullian through his work on Dream Theater's (a favourite band of mine!) concept albums. The moment I heard about this book and the collaboration with Brandon Sanderson, I knew it was going to be something special, and I couldn't wait to read 'Songs of the Dead.' Jack Solomon is a musician in London who got kicked out of his band and, on the same night, was shot and died, only to come back changed. The world he knew has shifted on its axis. I loved every second of it, and what warmed my heart the most was the way music was woven into the story and into the magic. For me, translating all the intricacies of music and musicianship into paper so the reader can feel it and immerse themselves is the most challenging task for an author; in most books, it feels flat and somewhat crippled. In this case, it not only embraced you with the specific bond of the rock and metal community and everything it brings but also complemented perfectly the magic and its deep connection to the soul and memories in such a unique way. A splendid blend of music, fantasy, and an emotional journey — honestly, I didn't expect less from a collaboration of that magnitude.

Thanks to the book, 'Pull Me Under' is going to play on loop for at least a week because it got stuck in my head 😂😂😂😂🙈🙈🙈

I can't wait for my Waterstones exclusive edition to arrive!🥳🥳🥳