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The Dissonance Saga #3
Dissonance Volume III - Renegade
The only way out is through, even if 'through' means incalculable loss against desperate odds.
After being betrayed by the very people he once trusted, Cameron is now branded a renegade along with Captains Cardona and Monzon. Now, the real enemy has been revealed to them: none other than Jean Graham, the murderous President of the United States who is desperate to hold on to power. Even on the very brink of annihilation, when all mankind should be banding together to drive off the gorgon threat, there are those who will stop at nothing to selfishly ensure their own status. Graham's plans are exposed, but the threat of nuclear annihilation is nothing compared to Cameron's desire for revenge.
Thousands of lives hang in the balance, and the gorgons are still out there. Cameron's team - the ragtag resistance, outnumbered and outgunned - refuse to surrender, and Operation Dewdrop offers hope for humanity.
Cameron, Foxy and others face three grave tasks. One, they must disarm the nuclear devices in the east. Two, they must utterly destroy the alien queen and the funnel. And three, President Graham must be brought to justice. When betrayal strikes, they lose lives and Cameron is shot. And for the first time, some must accept that the aliens might just win this war. The alien invasion might have bested humanity…in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world ravaged by war, surviving a gunshot wound is impossible, but humanity is built by those too stubborn to follow the rules.
The multiple climactic battles are epic in scope in the bestselling Dissonance Volume III: Renegade. It's the stunning conclusion to the dystopian alien invasion trilogy started in Dissonance Volume I: Reality. Get your copy now and embark on the massive conclusion to this bestselling post-apocalyptic series!
After being betrayed by the very people he once trusted, Cameron is now branded a renegade along with Captains Cardona and Monzon. Now, the real enemy has been revealed to them: none other than Jean Graham, the murderous President of the United States who is desperate to hold on to power. Even on the very brink of annihilation, when all mankind should be banding together to drive off the gorgon threat, there are those who will stop at nothing to selfishly ensure their own status. Graham's plans are exposed, but the threat of nuclear annihilation is nothing compared to Cameron's desire for revenge.
Thousands of lives hang in the balance, and the gorgons are still out there. Cameron's team - the ragtag resistance, outnumbered and outgunned - refuse to surrender, and Operation Dewdrop offers hope for humanity.
Cameron, Foxy and others face three grave tasks. One, they must disarm the nuclear devices in the east. Two, they must utterly destroy the alien queen and the funnel. And three, President Graham must be brought to justice. When betrayal strikes, they lose lives and Cameron is shot. And for the first time, some must accept that the aliens might just win this war. The alien invasion might have bested humanity…in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world ravaged by war, surviving a gunshot wound is impossible, but humanity is built by those too stubborn to follow the rules.
The multiple climactic battles are epic in scope in the bestselling Dissonance Volume III: Renegade. It's the stunning conclusion to the dystopian alien invasion trilogy started in Dissonance Volume I: Reality. Get your copy now and embark on the massive conclusion to this bestselling post-apocalyptic series!
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2024
4 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Ryan
57 books72 followersAward-winning and bestselling author, speaker, panelist, workshop presenter and voice actor Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and the finches Inky, Pinky, Blinky & Clyde.
He is the prolific author of the bestselling Dissonance 6-book alien invasion saga, the Christian dystopian fiction trilogy The End, the Talisman trilogy, the sci-fi thrillers Forecast, The Slide, and The Phoenix Experiment, the nonfiction books God Is Not Santa, You are my whole Earth: A Daddy's love for his Sons, You're Going Straight To Helen (In A Handbasket) and Aaron Ryan presents "A Lyrical Empirical Satirical Miracle," the children's picture books The Ring of Truth, The Sword of Joy and The Book of Power, the business reference books How to Successfully Self-Publish & Promote Your Self-Published Book and The Superhero Anomaly, 6 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, Michael Crichton, Marie Lu, Madeleine L'Engle, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Tim Lebbon, Christopher Golden, C.S. Lewis, Stephen King and Dave Barry.
Aaron has always had a passion for storytelling. Visit his website at https://www.authoraaronryan.com, join his exclusive Facebook group at authoraaronryangroup.com, or check out his store at authoraaronryanstore.com.
He is the prolific author of the bestselling Dissonance 6-book alien invasion saga, the Christian dystopian fiction trilogy The End, the Talisman trilogy, the sci-fi thrillers Forecast, The Slide, and The Phoenix Experiment, the nonfiction books God Is Not Santa, You are my whole Earth: A Daddy's love for his Sons, You're Going Straight To Helen (In A Handbasket) and Aaron Ryan presents "A Lyrical Empirical Satirical Miracle," the children's picture books The Ring of Truth, The Sword of Joy and The Book of Power, the business reference books How to Successfully Self-Publish & Promote Your Self-Published Book and The Superhero Anomaly, 6 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, Michael Crichton, Marie Lu, Madeleine L'Engle, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Tim Lebbon, Christopher Golden, C.S. Lewis, Stephen King and Dave Barry.
Aaron has always had a passion for storytelling. Visit his website at https://www.authoraaronryan.com, join his exclusive Facebook group at authoraaronryangroup.com, or check out his store at authoraaronryanstore.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 17, 2024
In the gritty, post-apocalyptic world of Aaron Ryan's Dissonance Volume III: Renegade, humanity's fight for survival reaches a shattering climax. Brace yourself for a heart-pounding, emotionally charged thrill ride that redefines the boundaries of alien invasion fiction.
Renegade is the explosive final chapter in Ryan's bestselling Dissonance trilogy, a harrowing saga set in 2042 after a devastating alien species known as the gorgons has laid waste to Earth. As the rogue resistance led by Cameron Shipley mounts its boldest counteroffensive yet, they must contend with not only the gorgons' seemingly insurmountable forces, but also the tyrannical President Graham - a power-mad leader hell-bent on maintaining control at any cost, even if it means annihilating what little remains of humankind.
From the gripping opening moments, Ryan ensnares readers in a masterfully constructed, multilayered narrative thick with tension and dread. Still reeling from profound personal losses, Cameron Shipley emerges as the defiant lynchpin of a growing resistance aimed at toppling both the gorgons and Graham's despotic regime. Aided by a ragtag crew of elite soldiers and pilots, including the plucky Foxy and charismatic Captain Monzon, Shipley spearheads a daring, two-pronged assault targeting the aliens' enigmatic "funnel" as well as the deposed President's loyalists.
Ryan juggles this intricately woven story with remarkable skill, toggling between blistering action sequences and quieter character moments with equal aplomb. The alien invasion elements are rendered in lush, visually arresting strokes - violent aerial dogfights, desperate ground skirmishes, terrifying close encounters with the gorgons' cosmic horrors. Yet Ryan always makes sure to anchor these rip-roaring set pieces with an undercurrent of weighty, relatable stakes. We feel Shipley's all-too-human anguish over his lost loved ones, his nagging guilt and doubts about the lines between justice and vengeance.
As Graham's increasingly erratic actions edge the world closer to all-out nuclear catastrophe, the resistance's mission escalates into a race against doomsday itself. Ryan's intricate plot mechanics chug forward with remarkable propulsive momentum, slowly untangling a decades-old web of secrets and conspiracies that peel back haunting revelations about the origins of the gorgons' invasion.
At its monstrous molten core, Dissonance Volume III: Renegade is that most paradoxical of all artistic creations - a profoundly humane tale rendered through the most inhumane of horrors. Ryan's meticulously realized, post-apocalyptic canvas is drenched in the bleak, brooding colors of trauma and existential decimation. Every page drips with dread and a keen, uncompromising awareness of humanity's most self-destructive impulses. The gorgons may embody the chilling unknowable of cosmic evil, but their human counterparts are arguably more unnerving in their barefaced willingness to sacrifice countless lives in the name of naked power and subjugation of "the other."
Yet from these ashen landscapes of despair and hate, Ryan cultivates stirring portraits of resilience, love and unwavering solidarity. Characters like Shipley, Foxy and Rosie indelibly illustrate the nobility and compassion that endure even amid the most soul-scourging tribulations. The bonds they form as surrogate families and communities offer a radiant flicker of hope and grace in the bleakest of nights.
In Renegade's climactic crucible, Ryan forges a searing catharsis from the saga's elemental extremes of light and dark. As Shipley is reborn in the ashes of a lost world, we the readers cannot help but feel spiritually revitalized as well - if not from the near-biblical inferno of action on display, then from the profound emotional renewal that comes from staring into the abyss of our worst potentialities, and still finding the strength and moral fiber to evolve into something better. That Renegade even dares to ask such introspective questions while carpet bombing readers with sensory overload speaks to Ryan's boundless ambition and mastery of his craft.
A staggering, thought-provoking, and utterly unshakable culmination to one of the 21st century's most richly humanistic looks at humanity's capacity for self-inflicted apocalypse. As Ryan's Dissonance trilogy reaches its gut-wrenching denouement, Renegade stands as both a towering milestone of its genre and a resounding requiem for everything we've sacrificed in our own societies – through shortsightedness, venality and sheer human folly. That his finale still finds space for glimmers of grace, redemption and the reclamation of hope from the embers is a testament to speculative fiction's unique capacity to unearth deeper truths. Renegade will shake you to your core – and also remake you into something defiantly, beautifully alive.
Renegade is the explosive final chapter in Ryan's bestselling Dissonance trilogy, a harrowing saga set in 2042 after a devastating alien species known as the gorgons has laid waste to Earth. As the rogue resistance led by Cameron Shipley mounts its boldest counteroffensive yet, they must contend with not only the gorgons' seemingly insurmountable forces, but also the tyrannical President Graham - a power-mad leader hell-bent on maintaining control at any cost, even if it means annihilating what little remains of humankind.
From the gripping opening moments, Ryan ensnares readers in a masterfully constructed, multilayered narrative thick with tension and dread. Still reeling from profound personal losses, Cameron Shipley emerges as the defiant lynchpin of a growing resistance aimed at toppling both the gorgons and Graham's despotic regime. Aided by a ragtag crew of elite soldiers and pilots, including the plucky Foxy and charismatic Captain Monzon, Shipley spearheads a daring, two-pronged assault targeting the aliens' enigmatic "funnel" as well as the deposed President's loyalists.
Ryan juggles this intricately woven story with remarkable skill, toggling between blistering action sequences and quieter character moments with equal aplomb. The alien invasion elements are rendered in lush, visually arresting strokes - violent aerial dogfights, desperate ground skirmishes, terrifying close encounters with the gorgons' cosmic horrors. Yet Ryan always makes sure to anchor these rip-roaring set pieces with an undercurrent of weighty, relatable stakes. We feel Shipley's all-too-human anguish over his lost loved ones, his nagging guilt and doubts about the lines between justice and vengeance.
As Graham's increasingly erratic actions edge the world closer to all-out nuclear catastrophe, the resistance's mission escalates into a race against doomsday itself. Ryan's intricate plot mechanics chug forward with remarkable propulsive momentum, slowly untangling a decades-old web of secrets and conspiracies that peel back haunting revelations about the origins of the gorgons' invasion.
At its monstrous molten core, Dissonance Volume III: Renegade is that most paradoxical of all artistic creations - a profoundly humane tale rendered through the most inhumane of horrors. Ryan's meticulously realized, post-apocalyptic canvas is drenched in the bleak, brooding colors of trauma and existential decimation. Every page drips with dread and a keen, uncompromising awareness of humanity's most self-destructive impulses. The gorgons may embody the chilling unknowable of cosmic evil, but their human counterparts are arguably more unnerving in their barefaced willingness to sacrifice countless lives in the name of naked power and subjugation of "the other."
Yet from these ashen landscapes of despair and hate, Ryan cultivates stirring portraits of resilience, love and unwavering solidarity. Characters like Shipley, Foxy and Rosie indelibly illustrate the nobility and compassion that endure even amid the most soul-scourging tribulations. The bonds they form as surrogate families and communities offer a radiant flicker of hope and grace in the bleakest of nights.
In Renegade's climactic crucible, Ryan forges a searing catharsis from the saga's elemental extremes of light and dark. As Shipley is reborn in the ashes of a lost world, we the readers cannot help but feel spiritually revitalized as well - if not from the near-biblical inferno of action on display, then from the profound emotional renewal that comes from staring into the abyss of our worst potentialities, and still finding the strength and moral fiber to evolve into something better. That Renegade even dares to ask such introspective questions while carpet bombing readers with sensory overload speaks to Ryan's boundless ambition and mastery of his craft.
A staggering, thought-provoking, and utterly unshakable culmination to one of the 21st century's most richly humanistic looks at humanity's capacity for self-inflicted apocalypse. As Ryan's Dissonance trilogy reaches its gut-wrenching denouement, Renegade stands as both a towering milestone of its genre and a resounding requiem for everything we've sacrificed in our own societies – through shortsightedness, venality and sheer human folly. That his finale still finds space for glimmers of grace, redemption and the reclamation of hope from the embers is a testament to speculative fiction's unique capacity to unearth deeper truths. Renegade will shake you to your core – and also remake you into something defiantly, beautifully alive.
June 20, 2024
Aaron Ryan's Dissonance Volume III: Renegade is a tour de force finale that brings his acclaimed alien invasion trilogy to a electrifying and profoundly moving conclusion. Brimming with explosive action, raw human drama, and deep philosophical heft, this climactic chapter cements Dissonance as one of the most ambitious and impactful science fiction sagas of the decade.
Renegade picks up right where the previous book left off, with Cameron Shipley and his renegade resistance preparing for humanity's ultimate counterattack against the gorgons - a terrifying alien race that has decimated the population. But their mission is doubly complicated by the treacherous President Graham, who has revealed her true nature as a power-hungry megalomaniac willing to sacrifice countless lives to maintain control.
What follows is a masterclass in steadily escalating narrative tension and brilliantly choreographed set pieces. From daring aerial dogfights with Graham's elite squadrons to the climactic all-or-nothing assault on the gorgons' towering "funnel" that stretches 62 miles into the sky, Ryan orchestrates each sequence with astonishing cinematic flair and technical verisimilitude. The action crackles with urgency and visceral authenticity. Yet for all the pyrotechnics, Ryan keeps the emotional stakes anchored by his characters' deeply human arcs and resonant personal journeys.
When I dove into Dissonance Volume I, I was immediately gripped by Ryan's visceral portrait of a world ripped apart by an unstoppable alien scourge and the ragtag human survivors forced to endure by any means necessary. Yet what elevated the story beyond typical genre trappings was the author's unwavering commitment to exploring both humanity's endless resourcefulness and ethical frailty in the direst of circumstances.
That thematic dichotomy powers Renegade's entire trajectory, as we witness even the most noble of resistance fighters like Cameron Shipley rationalize heinous acts in service of a greater good, only to be pulled back from the darkness by voices of reason like the luminous Rosie. Few science fiction sagas have conveyed this universal human struggle with such nuance and poetic grace.
And yet Renegade never loses its sense of sheer visceral spectacle and imagination. The alien gorgon creations are both sublime in their existential terror and grounded by a coherent extraterrestrial culture and biology that rings true. The action set pieces put many Hollywood blockbusters to shame in their intricacy and ingenuity - a testament to Ryan's rigorously researched understanding of military tactics and technology.
Most importantly, Renegade bucks the trend of disposable death and heartless violence that mars many ostensibly "mature" science fiction stories. When characters we've invested in perish, it carries devastating emotional impact. And when souls like the doomed Allison leave an indelible legacy through acts of nobility, it reaffirms humanity's boundless capacity for both sublime creation and selfless courage in defiance of extinction.
Ryan has crafted a magnum opus that fires on all cylinders - an epic spectacle and primal character drama both thrilling and deeply moving. It's a triumph not just for science fiction, but for the boundless potential of speculative storytelling to transport us to new worlds while illuminating our own.
With Renegade, Aaron Ryan solidifies Dissonance as one of the best science fiction epics of the 2024 so far. It's a searing, soul-stirring culmination to his alien invasion trilogy that rockets past genre constrains into a breathtaking artistic statement about our inextinguishable human spirit. An immense achievement by any metric, Renegade will leave you shaken and forever grateful to have experienced it. Science fiction on this scale is a rarity - an intricate, emotionally potent, thematically rich saga you'll never forget.
Renegade picks up right where the previous book left off, with Cameron Shipley and his renegade resistance preparing for humanity's ultimate counterattack against the gorgons - a terrifying alien race that has decimated the population. But their mission is doubly complicated by the treacherous President Graham, who has revealed her true nature as a power-hungry megalomaniac willing to sacrifice countless lives to maintain control.
What follows is a masterclass in steadily escalating narrative tension and brilliantly choreographed set pieces. From daring aerial dogfights with Graham's elite squadrons to the climactic all-or-nothing assault on the gorgons' towering "funnel" that stretches 62 miles into the sky, Ryan orchestrates each sequence with astonishing cinematic flair and technical verisimilitude. The action crackles with urgency and visceral authenticity. Yet for all the pyrotechnics, Ryan keeps the emotional stakes anchored by his characters' deeply human arcs and resonant personal journeys.
When I dove into Dissonance Volume I, I was immediately gripped by Ryan's visceral portrait of a world ripped apart by an unstoppable alien scourge and the ragtag human survivors forced to endure by any means necessary. Yet what elevated the story beyond typical genre trappings was the author's unwavering commitment to exploring both humanity's endless resourcefulness and ethical frailty in the direst of circumstances.
That thematic dichotomy powers Renegade's entire trajectory, as we witness even the most noble of resistance fighters like Cameron Shipley rationalize heinous acts in service of a greater good, only to be pulled back from the darkness by voices of reason like the luminous Rosie. Few science fiction sagas have conveyed this universal human struggle with such nuance and poetic grace.
And yet Renegade never loses its sense of sheer visceral spectacle and imagination. The alien gorgon creations are both sublime in their existential terror and grounded by a coherent extraterrestrial culture and biology that rings true. The action set pieces put many Hollywood blockbusters to shame in their intricacy and ingenuity - a testament to Ryan's rigorously researched understanding of military tactics and technology.
Most importantly, Renegade bucks the trend of disposable death and heartless violence that mars many ostensibly "mature" science fiction stories. When characters we've invested in perish, it carries devastating emotional impact. And when souls like the doomed Allison leave an indelible legacy through acts of nobility, it reaffirms humanity's boundless capacity for both sublime creation and selfless courage in defiance of extinction.
Ryan has crafted a magnum opus that fires on all cylinders - an epic spectacle and primal character drama both thrilling and deeply moving. It's a triumph not just for science fiction, but for the boundless potential of speculative storytelling to transport us to new worlds while illuminating our own.
With Renegade, Aaron Ryan solidifies Dissonance as one of the best science fiction epics of the 2024 so far. It's a searing, soul-stirring culmination to his alien invasion trilogy that rockets past genre constrains into a breathtaking artistic statement about our inextinguishable human spirit. An immense achievement by any metric, Renegade will leave you shaken and forever grateful to have experienced it. Science fiction on this scale is a rarity - an intricate, emotionally potent, thematically rich saga you'll never forget.
July 11, 2024
A Resounding Triumph - Aaron Ryan's Dissonance III Sticks the Landing
With Dissonance Volume III: Renegade, author Aaron Ryan delivers a finale of thunderous intensity that defiantly exceeds expectations. This exhilarating culmination of his bestselling alien invasion trilogy melts sci-fi action fireworks with profound, soulful humanity to forge a reading experience that both thrills the senses and pierces the heart. From its opening salvos to the cataclysmic final showdown, Renegade grips you in a metaphorical chokehold and doesn't let go until its masterful closing beats.
The story takes flight as Cameron Shipley and his renegade resistance make their desperate gambit against the alien gorgon hordes and the treacherous President Graham. Having lost nearly everything in this brutal dystopian future, Cam is fueled by both an unquenchable thirst for justice and a festering temptation toward vengeance. It's this rich internal struggle - amplified by the steadying voice of the spiritual Rosie - that lifts Renegade above mere genre thrills.
While racing from one spectacular set piece to the next, Ryan layers in an intellectual and moral heft usually absent from such high-octane sci-fi spectacle. Big questions about human nature, righteousness, and the foundations for rebuilding society swirl amidst the breathless action. When the characters apply philosophical insights in the heat of battle, it both grounds the colossal stakes and elevates the whole affair into something deeply resonant.
Not that those craving badass action will be disappointed. From pulse-pounding aerial dogfights executed with technical precision to the jaw-dropping assault on the gargantuan alien "funnel," Ryan choreographs the pyrotechnics with a master's control of pacing, suspense, and cathartic release. His mastery of military details fused with his emotional investment in the characters ensures these blistering sequences land on both a visual and visceral level.
But the heart of Renegade reveals itself in the quieter, more intimate moments between set pieces. Ryan skillfully navigates profound themes of grief, love, and hope through wrenching exchanges and powerful character beats. When Cameron discovers a bittersweet memento of his late fiancée Allison, the emotions detonate with a thunderous impact. By allowing such pathos to breathe, the author reminds us that the true battles and ultimate victories are profoundly human ones, fought for connections and bonds as much as survival.
Flaws are inevitable in such an audacious saga, and Renegade does sometimes buckle under its own ambition. A few plot contrivances surrounding President Graham's downward spiral strain credibility, and certain characters get sidelined more than they deserve. But in a novel so richly textured and thematically layered, these are merely negligible hairline fractures in the overall magnificent structure.
When the dust finally settles on this grand voyage into humanity's most primal nightmares yet transcendent dreams, Dissonance Volume III: Renegade stands tall and proud. It's a galvanizing, emotionally charged masterwork that eclipses its already lofty predecessors. Like the heroes it so vividly renders, this trilogy-capper fights to the bitter end and emerges victorious against all odds. For sci-fi epics brimming with spectacle, wisdom, and soul, this "Renegade" proves an elite force to be reckoned with.
July 11, 2024
Dissonance Volume III: Renegade is, in two words, a masterclass. When we last left our plucky resistance fighters, they had their backs firmly against the cosmic wallpaper, hunted by a nefarious President drunk on power AND horrifying alien gorgons hellbent on making snacky treats out of what's left of humanity. High stakes? You betcha!
But Renegade doesn't mess around with any pointless deep-space sightseeing. From the blood-churning first chapter, we're shotgun-blasted directly into the whirling vortex of conflict as Cameron Shipley and his close-knit crew prepare for the biggest, baddest, most CLIMACTIC offensive of all time. And let me be straight with you - what follows is pulse-pounding, cerebellum-scrambling action delivered with more delicious relish.
Ryan seamlessly intercuts the explosive pyrotechnics with quieter, achingly human character moments that ground the insanity. The loss of beloved figures like Allison Trudy and Staff Sergeant Bassett weighs heavy, forcing Cameron to confront his thirst for vengeance through conversations with the radiant voice of wisdom, Major Pastor Rosie. Their exchanges offer profound insights into the cyclical nature of violence and the moral high ground our heroes must maintain, lest they become the very monsters they fight.
Where Renegade truly shines, however, is the sheer sensory bravado of the climactic clash with the alien queen herself. Ryan wields his technical military knowledge like Hank Pym's regulator disc, immersing us in the chest-thumping thunder of aerial dogfights and white-knuckle, G-force-shattering maneuvers with such visceral intensity. This dude clearly did his homework, boldly piloting us into uncharted waters of hard sci-fi realism.
Yet for all its blockbuster bravado, Renegade never loses sight of its introspective, almost lyrical core. Ryan doesn't shy away from the ugliness of grief, wrestling with existential questions in ways that'll leave you questioning your own capacity for darkness. By the time Cameron discovers Allison's cherished insulin vial in the embers of victory, you can't help but be awash in the overwhelming deluge of love, loss, and healing that elevates this tale into the celestial ether of modern sci-fi mastery.
So gear up, strap in, and prepare for a mind-melting trek into the darkest reaches of the unknown. Renegade ludicrously overdelivers as a masterwork of human(oid) perseverance, contemplative sci-fi philosophizing, and world-expanding alien warfare to leave your synapses thoroughly enkindled. For those with the fortitude to endure its emotional warp-cycles, Dissonance's final revolution is genuinely....transcendental.
But Renegade doesn't mess around with any pointless deep-space sightseeing. From the blood-churning first chapter, we're shotgun-blasted directly into the whirling vortex of conflict as Cameron Shipley and his close-knit crew prepare for the biggest, baddest, most CLIMACTIC offensive of all time. And let me be straight with you - what follows is pulse-pounding, cerebellum-scrambling action delivered with more delicious relish.
Ryan seamlessly intercuts the explosive pyrotechnics with quieter, achingly human character moments that ground the insanity. The loss of beloved figures like Allison Trudy and Staff Sergeant Bassett weighs heavy, forcing Cameron to confront his thirst for vengeance through conversations with the radiant voice of wisdom, Major Pastor Rosie. Their exchanges offer profound insights into the cyclical nature of violence and the moral high ground our heroes must maintain, lest they become the very monsters they fight.
Where Renegade truly shines, however, is the sheer sensory bravado of the climactic clash with the alien queen herself. Ryan wields his technical military knowledge like Hank Pym's regulator disc, immersing us in the chest-thumping thunder of aerial dogfights and white-knuckle, G-force-shattering maneuvers with such visceral intensity. This dude clearly did his homework, boldly piloting us into uncharted waters of hard sci-fi realism.
Yet for all its blockbuster bravado, Renegade never loses sight of its introspective, almost lyrical core. Ryan doesn't shy away from the ugliness of grief, wrestling with existential questions in ways that'll leave you questioning your own capacity for darkness. By the time Cameron discovers Allison's cherished insulin vial in the embers of victory, you can't help but be awash in the overwhelming deluge of love, loss, and healing that elevates this tale into the celestial ether of modern sci-fi mastery.
So gear up, strap in, and prepare for a mind-melting trek into the darkest reaches of the unknown. Renegade ludicrously overdelivers as a masterwork of human(oid) perseverance, contemplative sci-fi philosophizing, and world-expanding alien warfare to leave your synapses thoroughly enkindled. For those with the fortitude to endure its emotional warp-cycles, Dissonance's final revolution is genuinely....transcendental.
July 11, 2024
Whew, what a wild ride Aaron Ryan just took us on with Dissonance Volume III: Renegade! As a die-hard sci-fi nerd, I've been devouring killer alien invasion stories since I was a wee Xenomorph enthralled by Aliens. But I've gotta say, Ryan's epic Dissonance trilogy has now dethroned even the Alien franchise as my new favorite in the genre. This dude ain't pullin' no punches - Renegade is an absolute barn burner from front to back.
Right off the bat, the action is utterly relentless. Our hero Cameron Shipley and his renegade resistance are scrambling to mount a desperate counteroffensive against not just the fearsome gorgon aliens, but the murderous human President Graham as well. The stakes go through the fricking roof as the book hurls you into one hair-raising set piece after another. Ryan choreographs the aerial dogfights and explosive assaults like a master, blending technical military minutiae with gut-punch narrative ferocity. This dude clearly did his homework on fighter jet specs and tactics, but never gets so bogged down in the details that you lose the visceral thrill of the combat sequences. When Cameron's fighter jet duel with the gargantuan gorgon queen had me gripping the book so tight my knuckles were white, you know the chops are on point.
But as sick as the action fireworks are, what really elevates Renegade to must-read status is the emotional punches it packs between the pyrotechnics. The grief Cameron is wrestling with over losses like his fiancée Allison (whose original anti-gorgon visor invention is a great meta touch) provides deeply compelling personal stakes amidst the alien Armageddon. His moral quandaries over whether or not to pursue justice or revenge add shades of metaphysical gray to the black-and-white battle lines. And the hard-nosed but tenderhearted Rosie serves as the trilogy's soul, imparting stirring spiritual and philosophical wisdom to counter the senseless violence. Renegade doesn't just kick your adrenal glands into overdrive - it makes you ponder what's worth fighting for and how humanity can rebuild after the apocalypse.
Speaking of rebuilding, I don't want to spoil too much, but the finale is just....*chef's kiss*. Without getting into specifics, let's just say the climactic payoff is equal parts fist-pumping triumph and soul-cleansing catharsis. Ryan flawlessly weaves together all the trilogy's narrative threads and thematic throughlines in a profoundly satisfying way. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to run through a wall. This isn't just the conclusion to one hell of a sci-fi rollercoaster - it's the spark to rekindle hope in the inextinguishable human spirit.
Do yourself a favor and enlist in the resistance before President Graham locks you up in a gorgon-filled reeducation camp. Save the human race, save yourself!
Right off the bat, the action is utterly relentless. Our hero Cameron Shipley and his renegade resistance are scrambling to mount a desperate counteroffensive against not just the fearsome gorgon aliens, but the murderous human President Graham as well. The stakes go through the fricking roof as the book hurls you into one hair-raising set piece after another. Ryan choreographs the aerial dogfights and explosive assaults like a master, blending technical military minutiae with gut-punch narrative ferocity. This dude clearly did his homework on fighter jet specs and tactics, but never gets so bogged down in the details that you lose the visceral thrill of the combat sequences. When Cameron's fighter jet duel with the gargantuan gorgon queen had me gripping the book so tight my knuckles were white, you know the chops are on point.
But as sick as the action fireworks are, what really elevates Renegade to must-read status is the emotional punches it packs between the pyrotechnics. The grief Cameron is wrestling with over losses like his fiancée Allison (whose original anti-gorgon visor invention is a great meta touch) provides deeply compelling personal stakes amidst the alien Armageddon. His moral quandaries over whether or not to pursue justice or revenge add shades of metaphysical gray to the black-and-white battle lines. And the hard-nosed but tenderhearted Rosie serves as the trilogy's soul, imparting stirring spiritual and philosophical wisdom to counter the senseless violence. Renegade doesn't just kick your adrenal glands into overdrive - it makes you ponder what's worth fighting for and how humanity can rebuild after the apocalypse.
Speaking of rebuilding, I don't want to spoil too much, but the finale is just....*chef's kiss*. Without getting into specifics, let's just say the climactic payoff is equal parts fist-pumping triumph and soul-cleansing catharsis. Ryan flawlessly weaves together all the trilogy's narrative threads and thematic throughlines in a profoundly satisfying way. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to run through a wall. This isn't just the conclusion to one hell of a sci-fi rollercoaster - it's the spark to rekindle hope in the inextinguishable human spirit.
Do yourself a favor and enlist in the resistance before President Graham locks you up in a gorgon-filled reeducation camp. Save the human race, save yourself!
October 19, 2025
Renegade (III) and Reckoning (II) exactly hit the mark for what I was looking for at the time. An extremely well narrated story that keeps moving forward at a good speed and entertains. I wanted an audiobook that could accompany me doing other things like cooking or mowing the lawn, and for that it needed to be not too complex. It needed to not matter if I lost concentration for a moment, but it still had to be a gripping story. It achieved that goal and gets five stars for that.
However, I may not be the target audience. The religion (Christian) is too unashamedly blatant for my liking. In Science Fiction I prefer either no religion or something fictional. I wanted more back story of about the aliens. In dystopian fiction it's quite common for the alien (or zombie) to be little more than the context to explore human interactions, and that's what happens here. But for me I was hoping for more layers of twist. I really liked the antagonists, especially Amos. I would have loved to see more nasty twisted characters! Ryan can definitely write them, but I found there was too much overload of people being nice to people! Some readers will adore this style!
For me it balances out at four stars, because even if I got irritated in places, I really couldn't put it down!
However, I may not be the target audience. The religion (Christian) is too unashamedly blatant for my liking. In Science Fiction I prefer either no religion or something fictional. I wanted more back story of about the aliens. In dystopian fiction it's quite common for the alien (or zombie) to be little more than the context to explore human interactions, and that's what happens here. But for me I was hoping for more layers of twist. I really liked the antagonists, especially Amos. I would have loved to see more nasty twisted characters! Ryan can definitely write them, but I found there was too much overload of people being nice to people! Some readers will adore this style!
For me it balances out at four stars, because even if I got irritated in places, I really couldn't put it down!
February 26, 2025
Volume 3 is by far my favorite out of this series so far. It is so much more than your average alien thriller science fiction novel. Excellent blend of realistic action packed scenes and insightful thoughts of Cameron as he grapples with the events of volumes 1 and 2.
Even if you are not a science fiction fanatic, you will love this book and series. It is rare when I want to reread a book right after finishing it. This is one of those. I highly recommend this book. It is truly an inspiring piece.
Even if you are not a science fiction fanatic, you will love this book and series. It is rare when I want to reread a book right after finishing it. This is one of those. I highly recommend this book. It is truly an inspiring piece.
August 6, 2024
A must read!
"Dissonance Volume III - Renegade" by Aaron Ryan is an intense ride from start to finish. The book is gripping and filled with high stakes.
I felt deeply invested in their mission to save the world. The twists and betrayals kept me guessing. The characters are strong, and their determination is moving. This book is a must-read for fans of dystopian and post-apocalyptic genres.
"Dissonance Volume III - Renegade" by Aaron Ryan is an intense ride from start to finish. The book is gripping and filled with high stakes.
I felt deeply invested in their mission to save the world. The twists and betrayals kept me guessing. The characters are strong, and their determination is moving. This book is a must-read for fans of dystopian and post-apocalyptic genres.
October 22, 2024
WOW WOW WOW. Vol III picks you up and doesn't let you down! Glad I picked this one too because I wasn't sure after the colossal sadness of Vol II Reckoning. I had to "reckon" with that one. But this one brings it all home and there are like fifty battles in it! Dude did his research. The military deets are straight up legit, and it's a great read and a great conclusion. Couldn't wait for the prequels when they came out, so I snatched them up too.
March 9, 2025
This is a great read! An enormous story, so something to really get lost in. A great continuation of the storyline with twists & turns so always a good fun read as you never know where the plot will go. I do like the characters & the general energy of the book, overall great! I do recommend this book & the previous in the series, I think they should be read in order for maximum reading pleasure!
July 11, 2024
way cool read!
This was such a neat book to read. (Yeah, I’m showing my age with the word ‘neat’). I’ve read a LOT of books in my life. This one was written for the more intelligent reader. It didn’t use small words like some authors do….and which are really a turn off. Loving sci-if like I do, this fit the bill for continual excitement and strategically-placed suspense. Much good luck to this young author. He’s written a super trilogy here.
This was such a neat book to read. (Yeah, I’m showing my age with the word ‘neat’). I’ve read a LOT of books in my life. This one was written for the more intelligent reader. It didn’t use small words like some authors do….and which are really a turn off. Loving sci-if like I do, this fit the bill for continual excitement and strategically-placed suspense. Much good luck to this young author. He’s written a super trilogy here.
November 24, 2024
Dissonance: Volume III Renegade is a satisfyingly rich and compelling conclusion to this exhilarating trilogy. Reeling from tragedy and exhausted from the constant battles, Cameron’s unit bands together for the final showdown with the invading gorgons. Meanwhile the uncovering of layers of widespread betrayal, complicity and top level secrets forces Cameron et al to grapple with their own outrage and grief. Ryan skillfully weaves beautifully complex conversations of revenge vs justice, hope emerging out of trauma, and the power of forgiveness amidst all the heart-stopping action. In the end, Ryan lays out, with riveting and deeply personal care, the building blocks which allow humanity to rise from the ashes and flourish ...if they ever get the chance.
October 22, 2024
In Dissonance Volume III: Renegade, Aaron Ryan escalates the stakes to an exhilarating climax. President Jean Graham, now poised to commit an act as devastating as the Gorgon invasion that ravaged Earth 16 years prior, plans to wield alien technology not to safeguard humanity but to annihilate her former enemies. This technology, once discovered by scientists in the aftermath of the invasion, was intended to protect lives. Instead, Graham aims to unleash it and the Gorgons on Earth’s remaining nations. After uncovering this catastrophic plot during the attack on Mammoth Cave, Cameron, our protagonist, joins forces with a group of renegade captains. These captains, who have been quietly rallying their resources and plotting in the shadows, now face a desperate race against time. With the attack looming, they must act swiftly to prevent Graham’s destructive plan and save the world from falling into eternal darkness.
Ryan amplifies the chaos, intensity, and stakes in this third volume, surpassing the tension and drama of the previous installments. The final battle is nothing short of epic, from unpredictable plot twists to intricate battle strategies and high emotional stakes. Though parting with beloved characters might be bittersweet for long-time readers, the introduction of fresh faces injects new energy into the story, playing pivotal roles in a satisfying and action-packed finale.
While romance played a minor role in earlier volumes, I think its absence here allows the plot to surge forward without distraction. The result is a pulse-pounding sequence of battles and escalating threats. Cameron, once central to the story, steps back slightly as newer characters take charge, driving the action with full force. The alien menace continues to evolve, and with President Graham emerging as a formidable antagonist, the tension remains high throughout. Ryan’s portrayal of battles is both chaotic and clear, a delicate balance that makes each confrontation thrilling yet comprehensible. Weapons, strategies, and surprise alliances are described with grandeur, heightening the sense of scale and urgency.
Dissonance Volume III: Renegade is an exhilarating addition to Aaron Ryan's dystopian series. With its high-stakes plot, relentless action, and evolving characters, the book offers a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Ryan amplifies the chaos, intensity, and stakes in this third volume, surpassing the tension and drama of the previous installments. The final battle is nothing short of epic, from unpredictable plot twists to intricate battle strategies and high emotional stakes. Though parting with beloved characters might be bittersweet for long-time readers, the introduction of fresh faces injects new energy into the story, playing pivotal roles in a satisfying and action-packed finale.
While romance played a minor role in earlier volumes, I think its absence here allows the plot to surge forward without distraction. The result is a pulse-pounding sequence of battles and escalating threats. Cameron, once central to the story, steps back slightly as newer characters take charge, driving the action with full force. The alien menace continues to evolve, and with President Graham emerging as a formidable antagonist, the tension remains high throughout. Ryan’s portrayal of battles is both chaotic and clear, a delicate balance that makes each confrontation thrilling yet comprehensible. Weapons, strategies, and surprise alliances are described with grandeur, heightening the sense of scale and urgency.
Dissonance Volume III: Renegade is an exhilarating addition to Aaron Ryan's dystopian series. With its high-stakes plot, relentless action, and evolving characters, the book offers a thrilling ride from start to finish.
October 12, 2024
“The only way out is through, even if “through” involves incalculable loss against desperate odds;” is an apt description to open the conclusion of the Dissonance trilogy. Like the conclusion of a World Series baseball game, author Aaron Ryan filled the bases in Dissonance I: Reality and Dissonance II: Reckoning. Now, with Dissonance III: Renegade, author Aaron Ryan has stepped up and written a grand slam home run.
Without missing a beat, Ryan continued his masterful ability to maintain a storyline that brings together the concomitant attributes of characterization, scene setting, dialogue, and the pace of a top-notch story that, through a powerful sense of authenticity, leaves the reader satisfied and simultaneously wanting more. Verisimilitude, a sense of reality, is apparent throughout the series, especially as it applies to military equipment, tactics, and the emotional effects of war on the soldiers and their camaraderie among their own. As an army veteran of more than twenty years, I was especially tuned in to Ryan’s handling of the soldier's emotional responses to the ups, downs, and unbearable aspects of war, the descriptives and tactical employment of several old (the Vulcan Anti-Aircraft gun system) and some new (invented) weapon systems that implanted a strong sense of reality that countered the unreality of the gorgon creatures and their extraordinary powers. Having read the entire trilogy, I can confidently and enthusiastically recommend The Dissonance Trilogy to all readers and fans of stories that involve aliens, dystopia, war, and any combination within the science fiction genre. Although Dissonance III: Renegade successfully concludes the trilogy, wrapping everything up nicely, Ryan has left readers with a “whiff” that there’s more to come!
Without missing a beat, Ryan continued his masterful ability to maintain a storyline that brings together the concomitant attributes of characterization, scene setting, dialogue, and the pace of a top-notch story that, through a powerful sense of authenticity, leaves the reader satisfied and simultaneously wanting more. Verisimilitude, a sense of reality, is apparent throughout the series, especially as it applies to military equipment, tactics, and the emotional effects of war on the soldiers and their camaraderie among their own. As an army veteran of more than twenty years, I was especially tuned in to Ryan’s handling of the soldier's emotional responses to the ups, downs, and unbearable aspects of war, the descriptives and tactical employment of several old (the Vulcan Anti-Aircraft gun system) and some new (invented) weapon systems that implanted a strong sense of reality that countered the unreality of the gorgon creatures and their extraordinary powers. Having read the entire trilogy, I can confidently and enthusiastically recommend The Dissonance Trilogy to all readers and fans of stories that involve aliens, dystopia, war, and any combination within the science fiction genre. Although Dissonance III: Renegade successfully concludes the trilogy, wrapping everything up nicely, Ryan has left readers with a “whiff” that there’s more to come!
November 13, 2024
Humanity's Last Stand: 'Renegade' Soars in Alien Invasion Finale...
"Dissonance Volume III - Renegade" is a thrilling climax to Aaron Ryan's alien invasion series. Set on a ruined Earth, the novel follows Cameron's relentless pursuit for vengeance and humanity's final struggle against the gorgon threat. Ryan expertly blends explosive action sequences with intense emotional implications, delving into themes of betrayal, resilience, and the cost of survival. As nuclear devastation approaches and alliances shift treacherously, the resistance faces apparently insurmountable challenges. This thrilling conclusion combines high-stakes conflicts with character-driven drama, establishing the series' status as a post-apocalyptic science fiction tour de force. A must-read for genre fans and beginners alike. Highly recommended.
"Dissonance Volume III - Renegade" is a thrilling climax to Aaron Ryan's alien invasion series. Set on a ruined Earth, the novel follows Cameron's relentless pursuit for vengeance and humanity's final struggle against the gorgon threat. Ryan expertly blends explosive action sequences with intense emotional implications, delving into themes of betrayal, resilience, and the cost of survival. As nuclear devastation approaches and alliances shift treacherously, the resistance faces apparently insurmountable challenges. This thrilling conclusion combines high-stakes conflicts with character-driven drama, establishing the series' status as a post-apocalyptic science fiction tour de force. A must-read for genre fans and beginners alike. Highly recommended.
May 29, 2024
WHOA. I had no idea the level to which this trilogy would escalate… What a fantastic conclusion that seriously wraps up all the loose ends. It doesn’t have one climactic final battle, it has like five! I seriously could not put it down. The Gorgons are gone, finally! And those who need to be brought to justice, are brought to justice. There is so much redemption, hopes fulfilled, longings answered, and so much more. Now I want to go back and read the first one in the trilogy again and start all over. I’m seriously impressed! Thrilling finale to the series indeed!
March 13, 2025
WELL DONE, Mr. Ryan. WELL DONE!!!!!! I don't know what else to say....this was an UBER-satisfying conclusion, wrapping up all loose ends with powerful climaxes. LOVED Renegade. Now I'll be heading into Relentless.
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