Singer in the Snow

My very first novel, Sing the Light, and the two novels that followed it, are set in the world of Nevya, an ice planet where energy is generated psychically, focused through music. It was a world that sprang from my own long experience as a musician and singer, that expressed my feelings about what it is to live and work as an artist, to make sacrifices, to develop discipline, to commit fully to the life. When the brilliant children’s editor, Sharyn November, asked me for a young adult novel, a book set in the world of The Singers of Nevya was the perfect choice.

It was lovely revisiting this romantic, challenging planet. Not only is it a beautiful and intriguing world to spend time in, but my return to it reminded me of my early days as a writer, not knowing if or when I might be published, if anyone would care to read what I had written, or if I had more than one worthy idea to explore! I’m delighted to say that the early reviews of Singer in the Snow are all I could hope for, and I also hope that the young adult readers who first discovered Nevya, and who are now a bit older, will still want to read about the Singers who live there.

Nevya is an “ice planet” without technology, so cold that to be outside after nightfall means certain death.The Nevyans rely on their Singers, who are trained to channel psi energy through music to create heat and light. Mreen is one of the most talented Singers at the Nevyan Conservatory—but she is unable to speak aloud. Her companion and interpreter when she is assigned to the community of Tarus is Emle, who, despite considerable training, has never been able to channel her psi. The two young women, so long sheltered by the Conservatory, face many challenges, including learning how to relate to each other. They then find out about young Gwin, whose abusive stepfather wants to exploit her psi-Gift talents—and in reaching out to help her, Mreen and Emle also help themselves.