If you have followed my blog in the past, odds are you have heard me mention my good friend Raine Thomas. Not only is Raine a “Blog Post Tweeting Extraordinaire” but she is also the AWESOME author behind the Daughters of Saraqael series and the Firstborn series! Elder, the third book in the Firstborn series was recently released so when the time came for the blog tour, I had no other option but to hop on board! Raine and I have had so much fun with book playlists in the past so I asked if she would put one together for you guys, and trust me SHE DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Raine has compiled so many awesome songs to fit in with Elder but before we get to that, let’s learn a little more about the book!

Clara Kate is one of the eight beings needed to activate the Elder Scroll, an ancient artifact causing tragedy and darkness on the Estilorian plane. She knows that her focus needs to be on finding the final piece and stopping the evil Mercesti, but Ini-herit isn’t making it easy.

He’s working closely with Clara Kate on the quest to stop their enemies…too close for her comfort. His presence serves as a constant reminder of the love they shared on the human plane, a love that he no longer remembers at all.

Her life and the lives of those she loves are at risk, and she knows she has to put aside her personal problems. So far on their journey, she’s endured heartbreak, terror, pain and loss. She’s even been brought to the brink of death.

She thinks things can’t get any worse.

She’s wrong.

I’ll admit, I still need to read the first two books in this series (I am confident this WILL happen in 2013) but I just can’t help but want to read this one ASAP! It sounds so good! Now I know you guys all came here for a little fun and a lot of music so without further ado, here is the book playlist for Elder!

Playlist for ELDER by Raine Thomas

Elder begins with a focus on the relationship between the two main characters, Clara Kate and Ini-herit. The prologue conveys the depth of the connection they shared before the trilogy begins, and the reader finally realizes why they’re now so distant. Katy Perry’s “Wide Awake” is the perfect song to convey what Clara Kate—nicknamed Angel by Ini-herit—experiences.

KEY LYRICS:

I’m wide awake.

Yeah, I was in the dark,

I was falling hard

With an open heart.

I’m wide awake.

[Chorus]

Falling from Cloud 9,

Crashing from the high,

I’m letting go tonight.

Yeah, I’m falling from Cloud 9.

Early on in the writing of Elder, I often listened to “Both of Us” by Taylor Swift and B.o.B. The essence of this song captures the core of what Clara Kate feels as she puts her heart to the side to focus on the bigger picture.

KEY LYRICS:

I wish I was strong enough

To lift not one but both of us.

Someday I will be strong enough

To lift not one but both of us.

Since Defy, readers have watched Zachariah work through the negative feelings he has about his past. In Elder, that self-exploration continues, and he relies heavily on Tate’s love to help him find himself. Kelly Clarkson’s “Dark Side” really resonates with this element of the story.

KEY LYRICS:

There’s a place that I know…

It’s not pretty there, and few have ever gone.

If I show it to you now,

Will it make you run away?

Or will you stay,

Even if it hurts?

Even if I try to push you out,

Will you return

And remind me who I really am?

Please remind me who I really am.

Everybody’s got a dark side.

Do you love me?

Can you love mine?

Another relationship developed throughout the trilogy is that between Tiege and Ariana. Ariana changes more than any other character throughout the books. She has much to overcome to feel worthy of love, and Tiege is just the male to show her she is. “Wanted” by Hunter Hayes brings to mind their relationship.

KEY LYRICS:

You know I’d fall apart without you.

I don’t know how you do what you do.

‘Cause everything that don’t make sense about me

Makes sense when I’m with you.

Like everything that’s green, girl I need you.

But it’s more than one and one makes two.

Put aside the math and the logic of it.

You gotta know you’re wanted, too.

‘Cause I wanna wrap you up,

Wanna kiss your lips.

I wanna make you feel wanted

And I wanna call you mine.

Wanna hold your hand forever,

Never let you forget it

Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted.

Outside of the individual relationships progressing in Elder, there is also the coming together of the eight beings required to activate the Elder Scroll. The level of commitment between the eight is reflected, at least in part, in the song “Oath” by Cher Llyod.

KEY LYRICS:

My best friend, best friend ‘til the very end,

‘Cause best friends, best friends don’t have to pretend.

You need a hand, and I’m right there right beside you;

You in the dark, I’ll be the bright light to guide you.

[Chorus]

Wherever you go, just always remember

That you got a home, for now and forever;

And if you get low, just call me whenever.

This is my oath to you.

Throughout the battle at the end of Elder, I listened to “Skyfall” by Adele. There is something so compelling about the dark sweeps of violins and her amazing, smoky voice. The lyrics also tie well into the story, so there was no leaving it off the playlist.

KEY LYRICS:

Where you go I go,

What you see I see.

I know I’d never be me

Without the security

Of your loving arms

Keeping me from harm.

Put your hand in my hand

And we’ll stand.

Let the sky fall (let the sky fall)

When it crumbles (when it crumbles)

We will stand tall (we will stand tall)

Face it all together.

The conflict in the relationship between Clara Kate and Ini-herit hinges on emotion. When I heard “Feel Again” by OneRepublic, I knew that it would round out the Elder playlist. It’s just too fitting!

KEY LYRICS:

It’s been a long time coming since I’ve seen your face.

I’ve been everywhere and back trying to replace

Everything that I’ve had ‘til my feet went numb,

Praying like a fool that’s been on a run.

Heart’s still beating but it’s not working,

It’s like a million dollar phone that you just can’t ring.

I reach out trying to love but I feel nothing.

Yeah, my heart is numb.

But with you…

I feel again.

Yeah, with you…

I can feel again.

So what did I tell you guys? It is made of pure awesomesauce! I think I may be in love with every single song on this playlist! It’s safe to say it has made me even more anxious to pick up Elder! If you are a Spotify user, you can subscribe to the playlist by clicking this link. Also, since Raine is made of awesome (as I’ve stated time and time again) she has put together one heck of a giveaway for you guys in celebration of Elder’s release! You can find all information regarding the giveaway by checking out Raine’s website and entering this Rafflecopter form. I would like to send out a HUGE congratulations to Raine for making it through book number six; you have so much to be proud of! Show Raine some love by letting us know what you thought about the playlist in the comments section and of course be sure to check out all the little links at the bottom of this post for more information about Raine and her books!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of a series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer’s Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.