Dissonance

Volume Zero: Revelation

Young Adult - Sci-Fi
346 Pages
Reviewed on 07/17/2024
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Award-winning and bestselling author Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and Merry & Pippin, the finches.

He is the author of the bestselling "Dissonance" saga, the sci-fi thriller "Forecast", the business reference business books "How to Successfully Self-Publish & Promote Your Self-Published Book" and "The Superhero Anomaly", several business books on voiceovers penned under his former stage name (Joshua Alexander), as well as a previous fictional novel, "The Omega Room."

When he was in second grade, he was tasked with writing a creative assignment: a fictional book. And thus, "The Electric Boy" was born: a simple novella full of intrigue, fantasy, and 7-year-old wits that electrified Aaron's desire to write. From that point forward, Aaron evolved into a creative soul that desired to create.

He enjoys the arts, media, music, performing, poetry, and being a daddy. In his lifetime he has been an author, voiceover artist, wedding videographer, stage performer, musician, producer, rock/pop artist, executive assistant, service manager, paperboy, CSR, poet, tech support, worship leader, and more. The diversity of his life experiences gives him a unique approach to business, life, ministry, faith, and entertainment.

Aaron's favorite author by far is J.R.R. Tolkien, but he also enjoys Suzanne Collins, James S.A. Corey, Marie Lu, Madeleine L'Engle, C.S. Lewis, and Stephen King.

Aaron has always had a passion for storytelling. Visit his website at www.authoraaronryan.com or the Dissonance website at www.dissonancetheseries.com.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation is a work of fiction in the science fiction, action, and post-apocalyptic drama genres. It is intended for the young adult reading audience and contains some strong moments of violence. Penned by author Aaron Ryan, this superb novel recounts the harrowing tale of humanity's struggle against an alien invasion. On June 6th, 2026, mysterious creatures dubbed ‘gorgons’ arrive, initially hovering silently before unleashing terror three months later. Their incapacitating gaze and excruciatingly slow consumption of humans affect 85% of the population. Amidst this chaos, Andrew Shipley and his family fight for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. This prequel to the Dissonance trilogy delves into the origins of the invasion, setting the stage for the epic struggle to come.

Author Aaron Ryan utilizes cinematic descriptions and engaging action sequences to craft an intense and immersive sci-fi novel. The premise of angelic messengers turning into deadly predators is sure to grip readers from the start, both priming newcomers for a tense, post-apocalyptic ride and taking series fans back to where it all began. The vivid descriptions of the gorgons' horrifying abilities and the ensuing human carnage were both chilling and captivating, and Ryan knows how to paint a picture in succinct yet terrifying terms. Andrew's struggle to protect his family adds a deeply personal and emotional layer to the broader apocalyptic chaos and readers can connect to his fears and motivations thanks to the close narrative portrayal. We sit on his shoulder through every harrowing decision, making the sense of dread and hopelessness palpable, yet the underlying strength of his resilience and determination provide a glimmer of hope, along with narrative control that is confident and consistently logical throughout. Overall, Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation is a powerful story of survival and the human spirit's unyielding will to endure, and it’s a brilliant tale for sci-fi fans seeking a new adventure to explore.

Ananya Hazarika

On June 6th, 2026, a large number of mysterious creatures descended from the sky, orbiting and spreading across the planet. There was widespread uncertainty about the nature of these objects, their purpose, and their intentions. Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation by Aaron Ryan is the prequel to the captivating Dissonance trilogy. This thrilling science fiction tale features action-packed sequences and inspiring acts of courage and heroism, chronicling humanity's battle against the formidable 'gorgons.' Ryan delves into a post-apocalyptic world following the gorgons' arrival. Initially perceived as angelic messengers, the gorgons turn on humanity a few months later, resulting in the loss of 85% of the population. How does humanity survive, what are the rules, and how do they conceal themselves from the invaders, and fight back?

Aaron Ryan's novel is a captivating blend of mystery, action, drama, and subtle humor, making it a thought-provoking read. Through his effective storytelling technique and engaging language, he skillfully builds the story with simple and compelling narration. The author excels in visualization, painting a classic picture of an alien invasion. Scenes involving satellites going down, power outages, and a glitchy internet set the stage for a gripping and immersive read. Dissonance combines concise yet detailed storytelling, realistic character interactions, and vivid imagery to create a compelling narrative. The author's acknowledgment of other sci-fi works through Andrew's character adds a layer of relatability, making this a memorable read for fans of the genre. Dissonance has it all, from making choices, free will, courage, patience, and intelligence to great character development.

Richard Prause

The date was June 6th, 2026, when the world stood still. Hordes of alien-like beings of an unknown origin began to fill the sky in a suspended state, leaving the world in anxiety and awe. After three months, these vicious creatures emerged from their hibernated state and began consuming all human life, killing eighty-five percent of the world's population by the end of 2026. Humans began to refer to these creatures as gorgons. The gorgons can paralyze their victims with fear while consuming them whole. The pain is agonizing. Andrew Shipley, a regular family man and trained firefighter, is caught up in the battle for survival. His goal, after the gorgons colonized the earth, is to keep his family safe. This is an impossible task in a quickly diminishing world. Can Andrew succeed? Get your copy of Dissonance, Volume Zero: Revelation by Aaron Ryan to find out.

Aaron Ryan is an incredibly gifted author! His talent for crafting characters, writing dialogue, and engaging readers in the storyline is on another level. Dissonance is definitely on my list of top five alien invasion novels for the year. I like how Ryan boldly covers new ground while staying within the radius of the genre. Dissonance has a perfect blend of panic, self-sacrifice, courage, family dynamics, and intense action, making every page feel like an overwhelming adrenaline rush. The author does an outstanding job of maintaining the pace within the plot while gradually filling in the details. Readers who enjoy alien invasion/post-apocalyptic/sci-fi books will relate to the main characters and become deeply engrossed in the storyline. The ending will leave you excitedly awaiting book two. If you are searching for a new post-apocalyptic drama, I highly recommend this one.