Dissonance Volume Up: Rising

The Dissonance Saga #6

by Aaron Ryan

Eleven years ago, they invaded Planet Earth, and 85% of humanity was killed. Yet even in the midst of hiding from the gorgons in 2037, a new enemy is rising.

But so is a resistance.
Author Aaron Ryan picks up right where he left off in the emotional prequel, Dissonance Volume Revelation, laying the framework for a powerful continuation of the series that all started with Dissonance Volume Reality. In this new installment, Dissonance Volume Rising, the resistance truly rises to fight back. In this post-apocalyptic landscape, the survival of mankind truly hinges upon the endurance of a select few.

The year is 2037, eleven years after an alien invasion wiped out 85% of humanity. Most survivors live in underground bunkers called 'Blockades' under military protection. The rest are scattered abroad, eking out an existence in the shadows, avoiding gorgons at all costs. In this new dystopian, post-apocalyptic world, four key figures emerge after the alien Rosalita Campion. Miguel Monzon. Allison Trudy. Joseph Bassett.

All will be key players in the war against the gorgons, to be sure; but another war is brewing, and it is one that will leave its mark on all of a war against one of their very own. One who will stop at nothing to cling to power. One whose sinister aims placed the world in peril. One who is as dangerous as the gorgons themselves. Will she win? Or will the growing Resistance prove stronger?

Join the Resistance as the volume finally gets turned up from zero, growing in intensity and strength...in Dissonance Volume Rising, the second prequel to the bestselling alien invasion trilogy. Buy now to complete your whole set, before the price changes!

341 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Award-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.

Reviews

[Josh A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think he coulda packed all of this one into the other one and just made it a bigggggggggggger book, but overall it's got enough weight in this one to carry it right into Vol I. WARNING: There are a LOT of perspectives in this one, coming from multiple people. I think that augments the story but dude you have to pay attention. There are a lot of things going on from the vantage point of a lot of people. I do really like how this one ends right before Vol I begins, and it picks up right after Vol 0 with the death of the one character (no spoilers). So that clear uninterrupted progression is pretty cool. Read the sequel too, and it's a bangup piece of work! REALLY outstanding how they come back and you learn a crap-ton more about the gorgs in that one. Read it!

[Ghulam Mustafa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dissonance Volume Up - Rising (Prequel)" by Aaron Ryan immerses readers in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity faces both alien threats and internal power struggles. Ryan’s blend of action-packed survival and well-crafted character development brings a gripping intensity to the story.

The prequel deepens the lore of the series, offering fresh perspectives on key characters and filling in critical gaps between the earlier books. Fans will appreciate the rich backstory, especially learning the origins of the technology and key players like Bassett, Trudy, and Steph.

This book successfully bridges the gap between earlier installments and sets the stage for what’s to come, making it a must-read for fans of dystopian thrillers and those who want a richer understanding of the Dissonance universe.

[Momna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dissonance Volume Up: Rising by Aaron Ryan is a gripping addition to the post-apocalyptic dystopian genre. Set in a world ravaged by an alien invasion, the book delves into humanity’s fight for survival, facing threats from both external enemies and internal power struggles. The writing is fast-paced, with a tense atmosphere that keeps the reader on edge. The author presents a vivid world filled with complex characters and layered conflicts. Fans of dystopian survival and alien invasion stories will find this installment engaging, though it may feel more suited for readers already invested in the series.

[Camilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

One of the great unknowns of humanity is the existence of others than human, for example: aliens. This science fiction book turns out to be very entertaining not only for people who have the unknown presented above but also for those who want to spend a pleasant time reading.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

best one

This last book was my favorite in the saga. The story keeps getting more exciting with the tensions, struggles, and adversities that all the characters have to face (I don’t want to give too many spoilers). I feel that specifically this book made me not want to stop reading until I finished it. I highly recommend it!

[Abdullah Majeed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Ryan's Dissonance Volume Up - Rising (Prequel): Post Apocalyptic Dystopian Alien Invasion Survival Series (The Post Apocalyptic Dystopian Alien Invasion Survival Series Book 5) delivers a thrilling addition to the post-apocalyptic alien invasion genre.

Set in a future where humanity faces the aftermath of a catastrophic alien attack, the novel expertly blends themes of survival, power struggles, and loyalty. The action-packed narrative, combined with rich world-building and fast-paced suspense, creates a gripping experience for readers.

This dystopian military thriller captivates with its intense action and emotional depth, making it a compelling choice for fans of sci-fi and survival fiction.

[Quirru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science fiction at its most exciting

A sci-fi novel that continues the series, now we find that more than 80% of humanity has disappeared, and those who survive do so in inhuman circumstances, four heroes appear who are going to try to finish off the Gorgons and are studying the tactics and strategy to achieve this, however, now there is another danger that is that one of the humans is trying to seize power, overthrow the Gorgons and the humans themselves. The novel is built around this and is full of action, twists and turns, and adventures.

[R G · Rating 5 out of 5]

PERFECT GAP-BRIDGER!

NO SPOILER REVIEW: This is EASILY one of my favorites. Saw a new release by Ryan and knew I had to get it. I was wondering why "Revelation" left off at 2037, but WOW...this one picks up literally moments after that one, and drops you off literally moments before "Reality." So cool! Loved the thriller nature of this one, as well as the multiple first-person perspectives. I think he did a great job of informing you who was who for each chapter...and I loved the surprise bonus at the end! Fitting, given what's coming. Lots of action, sadness, heart, and everything else that makes the other ones so special. In particular I'm very fond of Pastor Rosie, and once again she demonstrates why she's so awesome...but I loved learning more of her backstory, as well as that of Monzon, Bassett, Trudy, as well as President Graham. Amazing work!

[Archie Breznikar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't as much a fan of this one because there are so many perspectives, but perhaps this was a challenge that the author wanted to really pull off. There are FOUR first-person perspectives, and each chapter indicates from whose perspective that chapter is told. That helps, but you do sometimes have to flip back to the beginning of the chapter and figure out who's who. Ultimately, however, there are only three locations in the book: 1) Clarksville, with Rosie and the Shipley soldiers at the Blockade, 2) Miguel, with the President in Nashville, and 3) Bassett and Trudy in Alpharetta. Easy enough. There are some very, very memorable passages in here, and one truly sad story of how an individual made it to the Blockade. There is also some palpable tension that really keeps you hooked. What I loved is that the end of the book dovetails PRECISELY with the beginning of Dissonance Volume I: Reality, which brings the origin story full circle. So if you read it Dissonance Volume I: Reality, Dissonance Volume II: Reckoning, Dissonance Volume III: Renegade, Dissonance Volume IV: Relentless, Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation and then Dissonance Volume Up: Rising, you essentially read it in a circle, ending right back where you started from, and I think that's cool. There are also arguably a lot of details in this book that were hinted at in I, II and III, as was the case with Volume Zero. I think the author really did his research on his own material to make sure to cover all the bullet points from the past that were addressed in I, II, III and IV. Super good continuity. Highly recommended as I do all the others in this series.

[Robin Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dissonance Volume Up - Rising" by Aaron Ryan is the prequel to an exciting dystopian saga. Set in a world damaged by an alien invasion, the book explores the early days of the extraterrestrial attack on Earth, capturing the turmoil, fear, and determination of survivors. Humanity is pushed to the brink of extinction as the aliens, equipped with advanced technology, devastate the planet’s infrastructure and demolish its population. The invasion brings out both the best and worst in people, as alliances form and tensions rise.

One of the standout aspects of this novel is how it balances high-stakes action with deeply personal human moments. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and faults, which makes their struggles even more convincing. Whether it's through the grim realism of their fight for survival or the brief moments of hope they cling to, Ryan makes you care about their fate.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction, especially those who enjoy fast-paced action mixed with emotional stakes. This prequel raises the tension and sets the groundwork for an epic fight for humanity’s survival.

[YellowBelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one, although it was a bit confusing and I kept having to flip back to the beginning of the chapter to find out who was actually telling the story. But that was actually pretty novel - pardon the expression - of the author: multiple 1st person perspectives. Hadn't read anything like that before. Thought it was ingenious and allowed the author to till new ground and let you in on how a lot of characters are faring without the limitations of a single 1st person read. I loved filling the 5-year-gap from Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation to Dissonance Volume I: Reality, and I LOVE that it ends just a few seconds before you're plunked down into the world of 2042 with Jet and Rutty in the alley at the zinc plant. Serious continuity props there to the author. There were some really sad stories in there, such as Santella's, Rosie & Miguel's forlorn love, and the other soldiers lost. Pretty gripping ride, especially for the two brothers in DN436, Clarksville. Great addition to the series. I think now that you could actually have a whole book from Rosie's perspective. She is nothing short of amazing.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rising Tensions: Ryan's Masterful Prequel Bridge...

"Dissonance Volume Up - Rising" by Aaron Ryan is an enthralling addition to his post-apocalyptic series, bridging the gap between earlier installments with gripping precision. Set in 2037, eleven years after a devastating alien invasion, Ryan weaves a complex narrative that balances the ongoing threat of the gorgons with a new, internal human conflict.

The novel excels in its multi-perspective approach, offering deep insights into key characters like Rosalita Campion and Miguel Monzon. Ryan's world-building continues to impress, detailing the survivors' struggle in underground Blockades and the shadows of a ravaged Earth. While the book serves as a prequel, it stands strong on its own, blending action, emotion, and intricate plot developments. The author's skill in connecting past and future events in the series timeline is particularly noteworthy, making "Rising" a crucial piece in the Dissonance puzzle that will satisfy both new readers and devoted fans of the series.

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dissonance Volume Up - Rising (Prequel)" by Aaron Ryan is an exhilarating addition to the post-apocalyptic alien invasion saga. Set in a future where humanity is struggling to survive after a devastating alien attack. The author skillfully weaves together themes of survival, power struggles and loyalty, making it a thrilling yet emotional read.

The story stands out for its intense action sequences and deep world-building by capturing readers with its suspenseful pacing and well-developed characters. This dystopian military thriller keeps readers on edge as humanity battles multiple threats both external and internal. Overall, it is a gripping read for fans of sci-fi and survival stories.

[Hamza · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dissonance Volume Up - Rising (Prequel)" by Aaron Ryan delivers yet another enthralling dystopian survival tale of the devastating alien invasion. Told through multiple perspectives, the story explores the rise of resistance against both the alien gorgons and corrupt human forces. Sergeant Cameron Shipley, having lost everything, continues to fights for humanity’s survival in a bleak post-apocalyptic world. The author masterfully blends tension, military action and intricate world-building by creating a narrative that captivates readers with its intensity. Overall, this prequel provides valuable backstory by adding depth to the series through gripping storytelling.

[Victoria Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dissonance Volume Up: Rising is an excellent bridge between Dissonance Volume Zero and Dissonance Volume 1. Starting moments after the events of Volume Zero and ending moments before Volume 1. Volume up is an excellent addition to the saga that brings even more depth. In this volume, we further explore the backstories of several characters. I loved spending time with these characters in the original trilogy and thoroughly enjoyed exploring their backstories. Upon finishing this volume, I immediately wanted to dive back into Volume one again with a new appreciation for how intertwined all of the subtle details are.

[Janine G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dissonance: Volume Up Rising offers a peak behind the curtain of this thrilling post apocalyptic saga. With multi perspective narration, author Aaron Ryan explores the rich inner world of such beloved characters as Rosie, Miguel, Rutty, and others. Set at several years before Volume One, Ryan connects the dots between initial invasion and the onset of Earth’s response. ‘Rising’ chronicles the Shipley brothers’ path from traumatized teens on the cusp of manhood to valiant warriors, and the community that raises them up. Don’t miss this exciting installment!

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dissonance Volume Up: Rising is an enthralling addition to Aaron Ryan’s post-apocalyptic series that truly turns up the intensity. The tension builds as the resistance faces not one, but two deadly enemies, with humanity’s survival hanging by a thread. Ryan’s ability to craft complex characters, like Rosalita and Miguel, in such a dark and chaotic world is remarkable. If you’re a fan of dystopian thrillers with rich backstory and non-stop action, this prequel will not disappoint.