STRANGE SWEET SONG

Music flows in Sing Da Navelli's blood. When she enrolls at a prestigious conservatory, her first opera audition is for the role of her dreams. But this leading role is the last Sing's mother ever sang, before her controversial career, and her life, were cut tragically short.

As Sing struggles to escape her mother's shadow and prove her own worth, she is drawn to the conservatory's icy forest, a place steeped in history, magic, and danger. She soon realizes there is more to her new school than the artistry and politics of classical music.

With the help of a dark-eyed apprentice who has secrets of his own, Sing must unravel the story of the conservatory's dark forest and the strange creature who lives there--and find her own voice.

Winner, 2016 NH Literary Award for Outstanding YA Book

Winner, 2010 Houghton Mifflin/Clarion Prize, Vermont College of Fine Arts

"A stunning debut, fresh, original, and utterly mesmerizing."

- Jenna Black, author of the Faeriewalker series

"Like an enchanting melody, Strange Sweet Song slipped into my soul and colored my thoughts long after the final phrase."

- Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate

"Strange Sweet Song possesses a fairy tale quality that is irresistible . . . Be careful of looking up from the page, because the dark forest is all around, and creatures with frightening appetites and old associations are circling nearer. Adi Rule dazzles in her first novel. Read it and report back if you’re still breathing!"

- Joseph Monninger, author of Finding Somewhere and Wish

"Strange Sweet Song is as musical as its name. Lush, compelling, and atmospheric, it soars like the voice of a soprano."

- Sarah Beth Durst, author of Conjured and Vessel

"Boarding school drama and paranormal romance collide in this promising debut…Compelling."

- Kirkus Reviews

"Music buffs will relate to Sing’s passion and insecurities, and readers who enjoy a good melodrama will be captivated."

- Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books

"Rule’s promising writing hits the right note. There’s an opening for a second book, and it has the potential to be as sweet and strange as the first."

- Booklist

Discussion Gude!

Behind the Book

This was my first ever published novel!

I'm a singer, so people sometimes think this book is about me. Noop. But it is about singing! And magical space cats who kill people.

I majored in voice in college and have done quite a bit of local/regional theater and opera. I was also part of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, which is the chorus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops, so I got to sing under the best conductors in the world. (Also at Fenway Park! Go Sox!) I miss the TFC terribly. But I don't miss the commute to Boston at. all.

Are you musical? Have you ever encountered a homicidal space cat?

STRANGE SWEET SONG

Winner, 2016 NH Literary Award for Outstanding YA Book​

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Winner, 2010 Houghton Mifflin/Clarion Prize, Vermont College of Fine Arts

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"A stunning debut, fresh, original, and utterly mesmerizing."

- Jenna Black, author of the Faeriewalker series "Like an enchanting melody, Strange Sweet Song slipped into my soul and colored my thoughts long after the final phrase."

- Joseph Monninger, author of Finding Somewhere and Wish "Strange Sweet Song is as musical as its name. Lush, compelling, and atmospheric, it soars like the voice of a soprano."

- Sarah Beth Durst, author of Conjured and Vessel "Boarding school drama and paranormal romance collide in this promising debut…Compelling."

- Kirkus Reviews "Music buffs will relate to Sing’s passion and insecurities, and readers who enjoy a good melodrama will be captivated."

- Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books "Rule’s promising writing hits the right note. There’s an opening for a second book, and it has the potential to be as sweet and strange as the first."