By P. J. Flie
The magic of stories and storytelling is something that is absolutely spellbinding. I’ve always loved how music adds so much to movies. Change the background music and it can alter the meaning of the entire scene. Music that makes us apprehensive can add tension and give a sense of foreboding. If the song is happy and light, we know we can relax and enjoy the moment with those characters.
For this playlist I decided to give it a unified feeling, as it often has in science fiction or fantasy films. To achieve this, I decided to dive into John William’s extensive and brilliant catalogue. He’s created some of the most recognizable and iconic instrumental music of our modern age—think the theme song to Superman, Indiana Jones, or Star Wars.
Music that is mysterious, full of emotion, action, adventure, tension, sorrow, but what comes out the most for me is beauty and hope. These tracks pair perfectly with my science fiction and fantasy book series, Legacy of Seven: A Guardian Rises or Legacy of Seven: Darkness Falls.
Here is the complete soundtrack on Spotify:
- Anakin’s Dream Mysterious, tense, and a sense of discovery.
- Sir Francis and the Unicorn It reminds me of Sir Francis, a character in my book as he battles against the evil wizard Zairoc.
- Ruined Crop, and Going to War The anticipation and apprehension in this future dystopian world. Are the character’s ready for what’s coming?
- The People’s House I imagine this to be the music that plays in the capital city of Bastion on an average day.
- John Williams – No Man’s Land That feeling of being lost, not knowing where to go, or what to do, then the world forces you in one direction or the other.
- A Window to the Past The mystery and wonder in a world that has so much to discover.
- John Williams, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman – Sayuri’s Theme | Memoirs of a Geisha Beautiful, sorrowful. Those heavy moments that need to be taken in: this is where we are, now, how do we move forward from here?
- Lincoln [Soundtrack] – 05 – The Blue And Grey Much like track seven, it starts out heavy, but then gives you that sense of urgency—the storm is coming.
- Red Rackham’s Curse and the Treasure Full of adventure, twists and turns, much like my novel.
- Leaving Home By John Williams (7 of 16) A sense of wonder, discovery and awe, and so much hope for the future. All things Ondreeal, the main character experiences throughout the book.
- “With Malice Toward None” A beautiful quiet. Times on the farm where Ondreeal dreams of a better future, her heart full of longing and hope.
- John Williams – Battle of the Heroes (Audio) Like the battle between Sir Francis and Zairoc it carries emotional weight and urgency.
- Bearing The Burden Tension that makes us worry about the characters as they forge ahead into dangers unknown.
- Indy’s Very First Adventure The character’s staying alert as they race towards danger, wondrous discovery, and action-packed moments.
- Pre-Crime To The Rescue (Minority Report Soundtrack) A chase, hiding and outwitting adversaries, as another key character, Trick Mark often does.
- John Williams – Ludlows Demise (The Lost World, Jurassic Park) A life and death game of cat and mouse. I think of one character, Jimena, as she tries to help prisoners escape the terrors of the dungeon.
- Qui-Gon’s Noble End Facing true evil, struggling to beat it, or even escape it.
- Duel of the Fates This music is perfect for two epic showdowns, one between Sir Francis and Zairoc, and the other between Ondreeal and Zairoc.
- Everybody Runs! (Minority Report Soundtrack) As things get worse in Bastion, the heroes react, plan, rush to save what they can in the growing chaos.
- Anakin’s Betrayal I imagine this playing when Ondreeal makes a horrible discovery. Or even for Sir Francis in his lowest moments.
- John Williams: The Attack On The Car (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Moments of intense chaos, when the heroes don’t know what to do next. I think of Ondreeal, Doyle, and Bradai as they fight against raiders
- John Williams: Escape From The City (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Ondreeal when she tries to escape a nightmarish dreamscape.
- Far From Home / E.T. Alone (Soundtrack Reissue (2002)) The exploration of unknown lands that bring wonder but also death. Trick Mark or Vere when each is alone in the Enchanted Lands, fighting to survive.
- The Journey to the Hanamachi The raider’s pursuit of Ondreeal, or Vere’s escape. Sir Francis as he remembers his lost friend, Aleenda.
- Secrets of the Castle True moments of magical wonder throughout the book.
- John Williams: The Wedding Of Officer Torres (The Terminal/Soundtrack Version) The lighter moments, bright sunny mornings. Ondreeal as she travels with Bradai and Doyle.
- The Race to the House Again, the lighter moments of comedic relief that include Bradai, Doyle and CD-45.
- Aunt Marge’s Waltz This would be Bradai’s theme song in most moments.
- The Days Between (From “Stepmom”) (Instrumental) Slower moments on the farm, sitting by a campfire, feelings of contentment, happiness, even relief, but perhaps, still a sense of trepidation that creeps in.
- Destiny’s Path Time is running out.
- Across the Stars (Love Theme from “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones”) Sir Francis as he dreams of Aleenda, Ondreeal and Doyle, Trick Mark and Vere: the beautiful moments, strife, and the sorrow.
- A Prayer For Peace This carries such a deep sadness, yet life marches on. Something that the characters must do. Dealing with tragedy and finding a way forward.
- Freedom’s Call The pain doesn’t just go away, it lingers. But even with a heart weighed down, there are finally moments to smile, laugh, and have hope again.
Legacy of Seven: Darkness Falls
Author: P.J. Flie
Genre: Sci Fi/Fantasy
After the harrowing trials she underwent in the series’ first chapter to keep her magic from spiraling out of control, Ondreeal rests easy knowing she’s finally managed to keep her powers in check. But as the young wizard becomes plagued with dreams of a nightmarish future that she can’t remember upon waking, she begins to doubt whether her powers are really as controllable as she thought. A nagging urgency pulls her back to Bastion, a free city of light and a beacon of hope for all peoples, and home to Ondreeal’s mentor Sir Francis.