Childhood friends Patrick, Ciaran, and Malachi would've been happy to play music for coins on the streets of Dublin, but when their sound – a blend of traditional tunes and rock styling – lands them a record deal, they also get their first tour of America. As they gather fans, however, they also get the attention of three sídhe, fairies straight out of Irish tradition who play by their own rules.

Mal finds himself beleaguered by a prankster whose malicious tricks make him think he's losing his mind, while Ciaran falls hard for a hanger-on whose primal sexuality saps the life from him. Patrick can save them – if he's willing to trust the superstitions he learned during a painful childhood he thought he'd left behind long ago.

But the only thing that matters more than music to Patrick? His friends.

The Only Song Worth Singing is an upmarket mythic novel about blood, craic, and rock and roll. Set in the 90s at the height of the Celtic rock boom, it should appeal to fans of Alex Bledsoe and Alice Hoffman alike.

"(A) potent and propulsive blend of Irish legend-inspired urban fantasy and Celtic rock.... Dawn’s experience as a music writer comes through in her vibrant, authentic portrayal of the band’s sound and interpersonal dynamic. This fresh spin on favorite urban fantasy tropes will delight fans of Charles de Lint." — Publishers Weekly

"[A] wildly entertaining fairy tale about music and magic as we follow a band of three Irish friends who try to survive their first tour in late ’90s America ... if you’re looking for a more modern take on some timeless mythology, you won’t go wrong with The Only Song Worth Singing." — Lightspeed Magazine

"Blends myth with the power of music and a brotherly bond to tell a story that's suspenseful and extremely romantic in all possible directions. I loved it!" — Delia Sherman, author of Changeling

"Easily the most entertaining and truthful representation of the music touring world I’ve ever read. And to top it off, Randee Dawn has made me believe there really are mystical creatures on tour. ... The Only Song Worth Singing has forged in fire the heart of Daisy Jones and the Six with the soul of A Court of Thorns and Roses. Randee Dawn pulls off this feat with great aplomb, delivering a scintillating plot and an emotional wallop." — Adian Prewett, author of Woodstock at 50: Anatomy of a Revolution; To Know John Lennon; and Our Jimi

"A dark, parasitical fairy tale, The Only Song Worth Singing is sex, myth, and rock and roll all the way down to its bass-beating heart. It’s a story of faith, friendship, and brotherhood—of learning your roots, and finding your place, even if that means standing between one world and the next." — C. S. E. Cooney, World Fantasy Award-winning author of Saint Death’s Daughter

"When you hear a song you love so much that you wish you could live inside it for weeks, feeling it rush through you and touch you in ways only art can, this book can scratch that itch with long nails." — Meg Elison, author of Number One Fan

"Randee Dawn’s rich Hiberno-English narrative — interspersed with Irish Gaelic — brings The Only Song Worth Singing a vibrant dimension without affectation. Music is a living thing that makes magic feel real — and Dawn knocks this elusive aspect out of the park. Her story of a touring band provides an authentic illustration of the hardships and joys of the road, including the interpersonal tension between band members. Her story proves that whether in speech, song — or a work of fiction — words have tremendous power." — Beth W. Patterson, award-winning recording artist, road warrior, film music infiltrator

"The musical component felt so authentic, the depth and lifeblood of music could be felt, I could reach out and touch, and believe.... Both the magic, and the realism could stand on their own in the centre of the stage which ensures a balance runs true. The places sing with intensity, with both Ireland and the USA showing their musical roots. Dynamic and provocative, The Only Song Worth Singing sets friendship in its sights as it plays a captivating tune from the otherworld." — Liz Robinson, LoveReading.co.uk

"The Only Song Worth Singing is character focused contemporary fantasy that is well worth a read for those who enjoy subtle magic at work and don’t mind a slow burn of a storyline.... [Q]uite a refreshing example of male friendship warts and all." — Runalong the Shelves

"The Only Song Worth Singing"