The first rule of developing a book is, “write what you know.” For St. Albert writer Kaelyn Hamm, a graduate of MacEwan University’s music program, her young adult trilogy titled The Singers Series was simply an extension of herself.
The Songs of Magic (2022), The Whispering Woods (2024) and The Fate of the Dragons released on May 4 complete the action-packed series based in Canada’s maritime provinces and Alberta. Yes, in Hamm’s fantasy world, Canada also harbours dragons destined to battle a dark mage’s desire for unfettered power. Parlaying fire-breathing, flying reptiles in Canada is a wonderful oddity few writers have exploited and makes this series a unique delight.
In The Songs of Magic, Cassy Walker, 15, hears strange music. When a dragon crash lands in her school’s parking lot, she learns she can harness the power of magical songs. Thrown into a chaotic road trip with an elf and an imp, she travels to the magical elvish capital to learn the truth about her family and her growing powers.
In The Whispering Woods, Cassy learns her father is an evil mage intent on exposing the magical realm. A queen has been assassinated, and Cassy is on the run. Concealed among enemy forces as a spy, she hides her true allegiance as war threatens the newly crowned King Dorian’s rule.
In The Fate of the Dragons, the final chapter of this epic saga, Cassy’s father has seized the throne, her ex-best friend is hunting her, and worst of all, her magic has stopped working. With two realms depending on her, Cassy must confront who she is and who she wants to become.
A longtime fan of J.K. Rowling, J. R. R. Tolkien, Rick Riordan, C. S. Lewis and Percy Jackson, Hamm started typing ideas during COVID.
“I couldn’t find work during COVID, so I sat down and wrote my first draft. It was pretty different from the finished book. But I had a good editor, and she helped me restructure the story,” said Hamm.
She explains Cassy’s powerful musical magic is able to reshape things.
“It can make trees grow. It can make the ground heave. It can conjure flames. It can change colours. But Cassy struggles to discover what she wants to do with it.”
Based on the traditional theme of good versus evil, and finding your true family, Hamm also incorporates the big question every teen asks: "Who do I want to become?"
“I wanted to write a story parents would feel good about their children reading. I wanted to write something fun, clean and adventurous. I wanted to write a book that tackles problems and offers a lot of hope.”
Hamm is giving a reading of The Fate of the Dragons and a book signing at Bailey Books on Saturday, May 24 at 2 p.m. There is also a raffle give-away of the entire three-part series. Bailey Books is located at 29 Rowland Cr.
