Blogmas Day 4: BBB – If I Never Knew You

Today’s Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Books song came to me with the help of my iTunes Disney playlist. Strictly speaking, I should go there all the time when writing and planning these posts as it is never-ending, just like my TBR pile.

Anyway, today’s track is If I Never You from Pocahontas.

As it stands, If I Knew You is one of Disney’s main romantic themes, yet it wasn’t in the initial release of Pocahontas. It was sung over the end credits but the scene initially animated for the film was cut so it didn’t slow down the pacing of the film. Similarly to what happened with Human Again in Beauty and the Beast, it was reintroduced for Pocahontas’ 10th anniversary re-release and you could choose which version of the film you wanted to watch. I don’t remember this particular song from my childhood viewing of Pocahontas so I think I discovered it from one of my compilation albums, and it’s one of my favourites. The melody is beautiful, and the message tugs on my heartstrings.

So what three books am I matching with this song?

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

I know I’ve specifically said Clockwork Angel but any of the books in this trilogy work, because when I played the song in preparation for this post, I instantly thought of Tessa, Will and Jem. Their love and appreciation for each other are the driving forces in the trilogy and if it wasn’t for each other, they wouldn’t have come to terms with their own reasons for being. For this reason I think it is a great match to If I Never Knew You.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.

I think this is a good recommendation if you take this line into consideration “I never knew that fear and hate could be so strong.” Matthew and Diana have to deal with the same pre-judgement, ignorance, and people telling them their relationship is wrong that Pocahontas and John Smith deal with. They go against society and wow, the implications are huge! Both stories deal with topics of hate, the “other”, oppression, etc but A Discovery of Witches tackles it with a sprinkling of magic, rich history, and a cast of great supporting characters.

The Dark Queen by Josephine Boyce

As Rumple from ONCE would say, all magic comes with a price. Amarea knows that better than anyone and she is working to undo the actions of her past whilst protecting the people she loves from imminent war. One of whom is Ithrael, her bodyguard and most loyal confidant. I can’t say much because it would spoil most of the book, especially from Amaera and Ithrael’s POVs, but I can see it working for If I Never Knew You because the desire they have to care for and be with each other is passionate and resilient. Their fates intertwine and they are definitely included in the book’s redeeming qualities.

---

There we go. Three books and hopefully some good recommendations based on If I Never Knew You. All three books are very different but I think the relationships fit and embody the strength each pairing has when they are together.

---

What do you think?
What books would you recommend?
Are there any other Disney songs you would like me to try pairing up with books?

Thanks for reading and have a brazzle dazzle day!
xx