The Recommended Reading Order for Songs of Magic
If you are ready to dive into J.L. Bryan's high-energy mix of garage band struggles and dangerous fairy bargains, the path forward is straightforward. Because the series follows a continuous, linear storyline tracking the rising fame and supernatural troubles of the teenage band, the Assorted Zebras, the best way to read the series is in its official publication order. Starting anywhere else will spoil major plot points, character developments, and the shifting dynamics between Chippewa Falls and the realm of Faerie.
For many years, the series was considered a six-book saga that wrapped up in 2014. However, in 2023, J.L. Bryan surprised fans by releasing a seventh and final volume, Fairy Queen, to bring the overarching conflict with Queen Mab to its ultimate conclusion. To experience the story as intended, follow the sequence below:
- Fairy Metal Thunder (2011)
- Fairy Blues (2012)
- Fairystruck (2012)
- Fairyland (2012)
- Fairyvision (2013)
- Fairy Luck (2014)
- Fairy Queen (2023)
A Breakdown of the Books
1. Fairy Metal Thunder (2011)
The saga begins in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where high school junior Jason Beck plays guitar in a struggling garage band called the Assorted Zebras. Jason has a massive crush on lead singer Erin, but the band can barely get noticed. Everything changes when Jason chases a goblin-like creature through a hidden portal and stumbles into the realm of Faerie. Spotting a set of magical instruments, Jason steals them, hoping to boost the band's sound. The instruments make their music instantly irresistible to anyone who hears it, bringing overnight fame—along with the furious attention of the original fairy owners.
2. Fairy Blues (2012)
Now experiencing the highs and lows of sudden stardom, the Assorted Zebras realize that fairy magic is a double-edged sword. As their fan base grows, so does the supernatural danger. Darker fairy entities are drawn to the magic of the stolen instruments, and the band has to protect themselves and their loved ones from ancient, malevolent forces that do not play by human rules.
3. Fairystruck (2012)
The band hits the road for their first major tour, but they are not just performing for screaming teens. The legendary and ruthless Queen Mab has sent her supernatural minions, including fearsome banshee wolves and trickster goblins, to hunt the teens down and reclaim the instruments. Navigating the chaotic road life of a touring band becomes infinitely harder when you are also dodging fairy ambushes.
4. Fairyland (2012)
The stakes escalate dramatically as Jason and Erin are forced to travel deep into the colorful yet lethal wilds of Faerie. Their quest takes them past the volcanic islands of the Southward Sea, where they face bizarre creatures and environment hazards. Meanwhile, back in Wisconsin, bandmates Mitch and Dred are left behind to keep up appearances and prepare for a massive concert, all while dealing with an angry fairy and a lingering banshee wolf threat.
5. Fairyvision (2013)
The fairy realm begins adapting to the human world, setting up a magical broadcasting system that threatens to merge the two realities in unexpected ways. As the line between the mundane and the magical blurs further, the Assorted Zebras face their wildest and most public challenges yet, trying to manage their music careers while Faerie politics spill over into the human airwaves.
6. Fairy Luck (2014)
Reeling from the shocking loss of Erin, the remaining members of the Assorted Zebras struggle to hold things together. Meanwhile, Erin is on her own journey, uncovering ancestral secrets that connect her family line to the magical history of Faerie. In the fairy world, the pixie Aoide and her troupe face new dangers involving leprechauns and the schemes of Queen Mab.
7. Fairy Queen (2023)
A decade after the release of the sixth book, J.L. Bryan returned to Chippewa Falls and Faerie to tie up all remaining loose ends. Darkness falls over the magical realm as Queen Mab launches a brutal war to solidify her absolute rule over all magical beings. The Assorted Zebras must reunite, master the magic of their instruments, and stand alongside their fairy allies to face Mab in a final battle for the fate of both worlds.
What to Know Before You Start
Before picking up the first book, keep these helpful details in mind to get the most out of your reading experience:
- Watch out for Series Confusion: Be aware that there is another popular fantasy series also called Songs of Magic, written by S.A. Patrick. That series is a middle-grade trilogy starting with A Darkening of Dragons. If you are looking for J.L. Bryan's rock-and-roll urban fantasy, make sure you are searching for his specific titles, starting with Fairy Metal Thunder.
- The Tone: The books are fast-paced, humorous, and rely heavily on teenage banter, pop-culture references, and the contrast between the mundane realities of Midwestern high schools and the ancient lore of Irish and Scottish mythology.
- No Standalones: Because the plot is highly serialized, with each book picking up shortly after the events of the previous one, you cannot read these books as standalones. You must read them in order to understand the character relationships and the unfolding lore.