Music has always been part of how I understand my characters. While writing A Fog of Shadows, certain songs kept playing in my head, perfectly capturing Kateri’s quiet strength and Magnus’s intensity.
So I’m sharing the character playlists for Kateri and Magnus – five songs each that capture who they are, what they’re feeling, and the journey they’re on.
No spoilers, I promise. Just the essence of these two characters in musical form.
Kateri’s Playlist: The Wallflower Who Fights
Kateri is complicated. She’s shy and withdrawn, uncomfortable in crowds, happiest when she’s invisible. But she’s also fiercely loyal, wickedly sarcastic, and brave when it matters most.
Her playlist reflects both sides: the quiet observer and the fighter who emerges when pushed.
1. “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
Why it fits: This song IS Kateri. “I can’t keep quiet” perfectly captures someone who’s been silent, been small, been trying to stay invisible – but reaches a breaking point where she has to speak up. Kateri spends so much time trying not to be noticed, but when lines are crossed, she absolutely will not stay quiet.
Key vibe: The building from quiet to powerful, from holding back to letting it out.
2. “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
Why it fits: Kateri doesn’t have a lot of power in her situation – she’s trapped with her family’s enemies, tricked into being there, scared for her life. But she keeps fighting anyway. This song captures that determination to prove herself, to survive, to keep going even when everything’s stacked against you.
Key vibe: Small but mighty. Proving yourself through perseverance.
3. “Brave” by Sara Bareilles
Why it fits: “Say what you wanna say / And let the words fall out / Honestly I wanna see you be brave.” Kateri’s whole arc is about finding her voice, speaking up when it’s terrifying to do so, being honest even when it would be safer to stay quiet. Her sarcasm and dry wit keep slipping out even when she’s trying to be invisible.
Key vibe: Finding courage to say what needs to be said.
4. “Titanium” by David Guetta ft. Sia
Why it fits: “I’m bulletproof, nothing to lose / Fire away, fire away.” Kateri takes hit after hit – from Trevor, from the situation, from fear – and keeps standing. She’s more resilient than anyone (including herself) gives her credit for. She might bend, but she doesn’t break.
Key vibe: Strength that comes from surviving, not from never being hurt.
5. “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper
Why it fits: At the start of the book, Kateri’s life feels like it’s being written by everyone else – Trevor makes decisions for her, circumstances trap her, fear controls her choices. But as the story progresses, she starts taking control of her own narrative. “The rest is still unwritten” captures that shift from being acted upon to making her own choices.
Key vibe: Taking control of your own story.
Magnus’s Playlist: Intensity and Longing
Magnus is powerful, commanding, intense. He’s the oldest of six brothers, the leader, the one everyone looks to. But he’s also lonely in ways he doesn’t fully acknowledge – until he meets Kateri and everything changes.
His playlist reflects that combination of strength and yearning, power and vulnerability.
1. “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy
Why it fits: “Remember me for centuries” captures Magnus’s presence – he’s someone who commands attention, who leaves an impression, who’s impossible to forget once you’ve met him. He’s built something lasting with his brothers, created a legacy. This song has that epic, powerful energy that Magnus embodies.
Key vibe: Commanding, unforgettable, legendary.
2. “Demons” by Imagine Dragons
Why it fits: “When you feel my heat / Look into my eyes / It’s where my demons hide.” Magnus carries the weight of his people’s history, The Madness that nearly destroyed them, the responsibility of being the last. He’s not just powerful – he’s haunted. This song captures that darkness beneath the surface.
Key vibe: Power that comes with a cost, strength hiding pain.
3. “Waiting for Love” by Avicii
Why it fits: Magnus and his brothers thought they were the last Rens. They thought they’d never find their mates, never have families, never rebuild their species. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way, kind of beautiful / And every night has its day, so magical.” This captures that hope they’ve been holding onto despite everything.
Key vibe: Waiting for something you think might never come.
4. “In the End” by Linkin Park
Why it fits: “I tried so hard and got so far / But in the end it doesn’t even matter.” Magnus has built a life, a business, a place in the human world – but there’s this underlying sense that it’s not enough, that something essential is missing. Until Kateri. The song captures that frustration and determination.
Key vibe: Fighting for something even when the outcome is uncertain.
5. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
Why it fits: “Lately I’ve been losing sleep / Dreaming about the things that we could be.” Once Magnus realizes Kateri is a Siren, everything changes. This song captures that shift from going through the motions to suddenly seeing possibility, seeing a future he’d given up on.
Key vibe: Dreaming of possibilities you thought were impossible.
The Vibe of Their Story
Together, these playlists tell a story:
Kateri’s playlist is about finding your voice, discovering your strength, refusing to stay small even when it’s scary.
Magnus’s playlist is about power mixed with longing, strength that carries weight, waiting for something worth fighting for.
And when you listen to them together? You get the sense of two people who are perfectly suited for each other precisely because they’re so different. Her quiet courage and his intense strength. Her journey to speak up and his need for someone real to fight for.
Listen While You Read
When A Fog of Shadows releases on June 4, 2026, these are the songs I hope you’ll think of when you meet Kateri and Magnus.
Put on “True Colors” when Kateri finally lets someone see who she really is beneath the quiet exterior.
Play “Eye of the Tiger” when Magnus shows exactly why he’s the leader, the fighter, the one his brothers follow.
Let “Brave” soundtrack the moments when Kateri chooses courage over comfort.
Listen to “Don’t Stop Believin'” as Kateri holds onto hope even when everything seems impossible.
Feel “Waiting for Love” and imagine what it’s like to be the last of your kind, thinking you’ll never find your mate.
This is their soundtrack. Their story in musical form.
And I can’t wait for you to experience it.
Create Your Own Playlist
What songs would you add to Kateri or Magnus’s playlist? I’d love to hear what music you think captures their vibe! Drop your suggestions in the comments.
