Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation

The Dissonance Saga #5

by Aaron Ryan

“We thought they were angelic messengers. We were wrong."

The creatures arrived on June 6th, 2026, by the hundreds of thousands, silently drifting down out of the sky, hovering at a geostationary orbit for three months all over the planet, taking up positions. No one knew what they wanted...why they came...or why they wouldn't just go away.

And then, three months later, the unthinkable happened. They suddenly came to life, hunting us down. We called them gorgons - after the mythical creature Medusa - because their eyes had the power to paralyze us with just one look. Once we were immobilized, they would consume us at their leisure, leaving us to feel every excruciating bite. There was no escape, no hiding from their relentless pursuit. The best defense was to run.

By the end of 2026, 85% of humanity was killed off.

Andrew Shipley is just an ordinary man thrust into an extraordinary nightmare of dystopian post-apocalyptic proportions. The alien invasion leaves Planet Earth a ghost town eking out an existence in the shadows. As chaos erupts, hope dwindles for Andrew, his wife Melissa, his sons Cameron and Rutty, and his daughter Sissy. Will they make it? Or will the gorgons get them too?
Join author Aaron Ryan as he takes readers on a heart-pounding journey into the darkest corners of fear in this prequel to his bestselling dystopian post-apocalyptic "Dissonance" trilogy. "Volume Zero" is a harrowing tale of humanity's struggle to survive in the face of an alien invasion threat. Fans of the "Dissonance" trilogy will not want to miss this gripping prequel origin story. Buy now before the price changes!

333 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 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

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Ryan has done it again. The maestro of post-apocalyptic alien invasion thrillers has delivered a tour-de-force prequel with Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation that not only lives up to the pulse-pounding intensity of the original Dissonance trilogy, but adds rich new layers of depth, pathos and existential terror to an already unforgettable universe. Strap in, dear reader - you're in for the ride of your life.

Setting the Stage

For the uninitiated, Ryan's bestselling Dissonance saga began with Volume I: Reality, introducing us to a ravaged Earth in the year 2042, sixteen years after a mysterious and terrifying alien race known as the gorgons laid waste to human civilization. In that first book, we met haunted hero Cameron "Jet" Shipley, a young soldier on the frontlines of humanity's last stand against the pitiless gorgon onslaught. Battling not only the alien menace but his own demons of grief and shattered faith in the very institutions meant to protect mankind, Jet's anguished journey became the stuff of science fiction legend.

Subsequent volumes Reckoning and Renegade upped the ante considerably, thrusting Jet and his ragtag band of resistance fighters into a desperate guerrilla war against not only the gorgons themselves, but the tyrannical human leadership that threatened to be every bit as soulless as the alien invaders. As Jet struggled to lead the survivors to salvation, he was forced again and again to confront unthinkable horrors and grapple with profound questions about the nature of human identity, morality and our capacity for resilience in the face of annihilation.

Now, with Revelation, Ryan takes us back to where it all began - the fateful arrival of the gorgons on June 6th, 2026 and the cataclysmic first assault that brought humankind to its knees practically overnight. More than just a gripping origin story, Revelation serves as a spiritual prequel plumbing the formative backgrounds and relationships that defined Jet and his family before the world burned. If the original Dissonance trilogy was about the struggle to maintain our humanity amidst unspeakable chaos, then Revelation is about cherishing the very things that make us human in the first place - and reckoning with the costs of having it all ripped away.

The Bonds of Family

We meet a very different Andrew Shipley as our protagonist this time around - not yet the grizzled, emotionally hardened survivor Jet, but an ordinary family man and firefighter utterly devoted to his wife Melissa and three children, Cameron, Rutledge and Sissy. Through lushly written domestic vignettes and tender character moments, Ryan paints an achingly relatable portrait of a loving nuclear family savoring the small joys and familiar rhythms of everyday life. The Shipley household practically leaps off the page, brimming with boisterous kids' hijinks, marital banter, and even the occasional eye-rolling "dad joke" from Andrew himself.

It's a masterful gambit, immediately endearing us to the Shipleys and investing us in the petty squabbles and mundane pleasures that make up the fabric of their existence. So when the gorgons' arrival irrevocably shatters that tranquility, the impact is viscerally devastating. With each successive loss the Shipleys are forced to endure - dear friends, their loyal dog, their very home - we feel the mounting existential dread and despair as if it were our own.

This is Ryan's special alchemy, the secret ingredient that elevates his storytelling above mere genre spectacle. He has always understood that the key to a great apocalyptic thriller lies not in the razzle-dazzle of the cataclysm itself, but in the beating human heart caught in the crosshairs. Before the gorgons' reign of terror even begins, Ryan has already masterfully primed us to ache for this family, to yearn for their survival against all odds. By the time tragedy rips the Shipleys asunder, we are so immersed in their emotional ecosystem that every loss carries the weight of a psychological gut punch.

A Slow-Burn Apocalypse
Another of Ryan's most potent storytelling weapons is his gift for the slow burn, the gradual, nerve-fraying escalation of an extinction-level threat. While it would have been easy to simply open Revelation with the gorgons' assault already in full, city-leveling swing, Ryan instead opts for a far more unsettling approach. When the aliens first appear, hovering silently and seemingly benignly in the skies, they are less an immediate existential threat than a looming unknown, an inscrutable Sword of Damocles hanging over the world's collective psyche.

Ryan wrings delicious, unbearable tension from the gorgons' initial inscrutability, the sinking realization that their presence is not a brief cosmic pit stop, but an open-ended and increasingly ominous occupation. With each strange new development - fluctuating temperatures, disrupted communications, alarming animal behaviors - the author ratchets up the queasy sense of reality spiraling out of mankind's tenuous grasp. Through the eyes of the Shipleys and their fellow townsfolk, we experience the dreadful, slow-motion unraveling of everything once taken for granted.

Of course, Ryan is still a maestro of go-for-broke action and suspense, and when the gorgons' sinister intentions are finally revealed, Revelation detonates into a blistering, cinematically vivid spectacle of city-wide pandemonium and terror. Few authors can rival Ryan's gift for placing readers in the visceral thick of the mayhem, with each frantic chase sequence and wrenching loss rendered in intimate, you-are-there detail. As the Shipleys are scattered to the winds and forced to rely on the kindness of near-strangers for survival, the book takes on an eerie, despairing tenor, the world now impossibly hostile and devoid of sanctuary.

Yet for all the brilliantly staged bedlam and alien grotesquerie, Revelation remains anchored in the deeply personal story of one family caught on the bleeding edge of the apocalypse. We bear witness to Melissa's harrowing flight, Cameron's shell-shocked helplessness, Andrew's panicked thoughts of his distant parents, Sissy's innocent incomprehension. It's that ground-level intimacy of storytelling that sears the gorgons' assault into our hearts and minds. Revelation's unfolding cataclysm never feels less than harrowingly immediate, and horrifically relatable.

Hard-Hitting Themes
Longtime fans of the Dissonance saga will immediately recognize Revelation's key thematic through-lines and philosophical undercurrents, but here they are given fresh, powerfully resonant dimension when married to the prequel's more intimate scope. As the Shipleys watch their friends, neighbors, and fellow survivors succumb to the gorgons' insidious attacks, we are confronted anew by the question of what moral responsibility we bear our fellow man when society collapses.

In one of the book's most gutwrenching scenes, Andrew is forced to deny sanctuary to his dearest friend in order to protect his own children - a split-second decision that continues to haunt him years later in the original trilogy. It's an impossible zero-sum scenario with no clear right answer, a damned-if-you-do moral crucible that Ryan revisits again and again throughout Revelation to shattering effect. When the creatures attack, do we barricade the doors and save ourselves? Or do we risk everything to pull others from the flood?

This quandary takes on even more barbed dimensions through the character of Hudson, a near-stranger who risks his life to escort the Shipley family to precarious safety. When Hudson and his wife later sacrifice themselves to give the Shipleys a chance at escape, the debt of that selflessness hangs over the rest of the novel like a pall. For even in the midst of humanity's darkest hour, Ryan seems to be arguing, we cannot afford to abandon the core decency and empathy that elevate us above the monstrous.

Flawed, achingly human characters facing impossible life-or-death choices with no clear right answer. Societies tearing themselves apart or banding together with renewed purpose in the face of an existential threat. The lingering ghosts of personal and ancestral trauma shaping our responses to unthinkable upheaval. These ideas have always pulsed through the marrow of Ryan's Dissonance novels, but Revelation recasts them in an even more poignant, elementally striking light by focusing the end of the world through the lens of one relatable, flawed family.

An Impossible Cliffhanger
Of course, as readers of the Dissonance trilogy know all too well, Andrew Shipley's story does not end with Revelation's final, shattering pages - or at least, not his story alone. Anyone wondering how Ryan could possibly resolve Revelation's brutal cliffhanger clearly hasn't experienced the audacious narrative magic trick the author pulls off by dovetailing the prequel's final moments with the opening bits of Dissonance Volume I: Reality.

The seamless, breathtakingly organic way Ryan folds Revelation's denouement and themes into the trilogy's established lore is nothing short of wizardry, immediately illuminating the later books in a brilliant new light while still standing tall as its own cohesive narrative. We now understand Sissy's heartbreaking fate and Andrew's tragic arc with newfound clarity, but have also borne witness to Cameron's superhero origin story with a newfound appreciation for the scars he carries. Simply put, Ryan has deepened the power and resonance of his core saga by treating this prequel not as mere disposable backstory, but as the thematic load-bearing pillar that makes the entire mythology that much more sturdy, and emotionally articulate.

Final Thoughts
In Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation, Aaron Ryan has achieved that rarest of feats - a prequel that not only enriches the original work it springs from, but elevates it to profound new heights. Armed with a new understanding of the Shipley family's tragic history and formative traumas before the fall, the later Dissonance novels become an even richer, more layered tapestry of human perseverance in the face of unthinkable adversity.

At the same time, Ryan has also delivered a blood-curdling masterclass in slow-burn apocalyptic dread and white-knuckle alien invasion thrills. Few authors so completely understand the existential fears of our age the way Ryan continues to with each new entry. With its emphasis on family bonds and moral questions far knottier than mere good vs. evil, Revelation provides a spiritual foundation for the Dissonance saga's thorny inquiries into human morality and social responsibility.

A story of heart-shredding loss and hard-won preservation of the self against the forces of destruction, both human and otherworldly. A ticking-clock race against a threat as inscrutable as it is horrific, rendered in intimate strokes of empathy and dread. A staggering, thought-provoking, and utterly unshakable act of genre storytelling from an author at the height of his imaginative powers. Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation is not just Ryan's finest work to date - it's also a towering milestone of modern science fiction, and a vital addition to the canon. Reading is believing - and you owe it to yourself to experience this heart-stopping prequel firsthand. Believe the hype, and prepare to be shattered anew.

[Dipalee Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alien invasion stories have long served as powerful allegories for the breakdown of social order and the primal human struggle for survival in the face of an unknowable, existentially terrifying "other." With Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation, author Aaron Ryan wields the genre's well-worn tropes not merely to conjure a gripping, white-knuckle apocalyptic thriller, but to craft a poignant, character-driven meditation on family, sacrifice, and what truly makes us human when confronted by the unthinkable.

As a prequel to Ryan's bestselling Dissonance trilogy, Revelation chronicles the fateful initial appearances of the gorgons - parasitic alien entities who can enslave humans through a single glance. We experience the insidious conquest through the eyes of the Shipley clan - earnest firefighter father Andrew, devoted mother Melissa, temperamental young Cameron, innocent Sissy, and the baby, Rutledge. By firmly grounding the story in the relatable day-to-day struggles and joys of the Shipleys' pre-invasion lives, Ryan ensures we are utterly invested in their fates long before the first UFO darkens the horizon.

And when the gorgons' assault inevitably hits, it unfolds with the intimate, slow-motion horror of a waking nightmare. The ways in which society buckles and warps under the onslaught are rendered in unflinching, vivid detail. Neighbors turn on each other. institutions crumble. Bonds once thought unbreakable are tested in the crucible of unimaginable adversity, as the Shipleys are scattered and forced to make agonizing life-or-death decisions, the ramifications of which will echo through the ensuing trilogy.

Indeed, longtime readers will find Revelation adds rich, heartbreaking new dimensions to the trials that forge Cameron into the haunted hero Jet. From the tragic loss of his beloved sister Adelynn to the soul-splintering no-win scenario that robs Andrew of his closest friend, these traumas become the psychic scars Jet will carry into his brutal future as mankind's last hope.

But Revelation is more than a mere grim catalog of the world's unraveling. Amidst the many moments of quiet, understated heroism and hard-won grace, Ryan unearths glimmers of the defiant human spirit that cannot be snuffed out even by the most pitiless of extinctions. It's this faint yet unshakable pulse, this reminder of the ties that elevate and ennoble us even when all seems lost, that lends Revelation its redemptive power. Not only a riveting doomsday page-turner in its own right but a remarkably humane, clear-eyed portrait of a family - and world - worth fighting for.

[Khushbu Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation, author Aaron Ryan returns to the rich universe of his bestselling post-apocalyptic Dissonance trilogy, this time to explore the shattering origins of the gorgon invasion that brought humanity to its knees. Set on the fateful day of June 6th, 2026 when the aliens first descend from the skies, Revelation is both a gripping family drama and a powerful allegory for the fragility of human connection in an indifferent universe. Through the heart-wrenching story of the Shipley family, Ryan reminds us that it is our bonds to one another - the love between spouses, the sacrifices of parents, the unbreakable loyalty of siblings - that form the backbone of human resilience against unthinkable adversity.

We meet firefighter Andrew Shipley, wife Melissa, and children Cameron, Rutledge and Sissy as an ordinary American family savoring the simple rhythms of an untroubled existence - until the gorgons arrive. Ryan is a master at evoking the texture of the pre-apocalyptic everyday, immersing us in the petty squabbles, inside jokes, and precious rituals that make the Shipleys so undeniably relatable. So when the invasion shatters their world, the impact is visceral and devastating. We experience each wrenching loss as if it were our own.

Ryan uses the gorgons' initial inscrutability to maximum unsettling effect, transforming the familiar activities of work, school and play into a slow-burn nightmare of escalating tension and dread. When the creatures' deadly nature is finally revealed, the pivot into apocalyptic mayhem is swift and merciless, a punishing spectacle rendered in vivid up-close detail. Through it all, Ryan never loses sight of the poignantly human stories at the heart of the chaos, as the Shipleys are scattered to the winds, forced to rely on the kindness of near-strangers while finding untapped depths of courage in themselves.

Revelation explores Dissonance's signature ethical dilemmas and questions of social responsibility with fresh urgency, as relatable characters face impossible life-or-death choices that call upon our deepest humanity. The result is a bracingly immediate take on the moral costs of survival - one that cuts to the marrow of what makes us human in the first place.

A seamless prequel that only enriches the raw power of the later Dissonance novels, Revelation is at once a propulsive alien invasion thriller, a searing family tragedy, and a powerful meditation on the ties that bind us together and help preserve our basic decency in crisis. With each new book, Aaron Ryan further cements his status as the reigning maestro of thrillingly humane post-apocalyptic fiction. Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation is speculative storytelling at its most emotionally resonant and unshakably relevant for our times.

[Khushi Gadhiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation, Aaron Ryan peels back the layers on the cataclysmic alien invasion at the heart of his bestselling Dissonance trilogy, in a prequel that pulses with the author's signature blend of visceral speculative thrills and disarming human pathos. Set on June 6th, 2026, the fateful day the inscrutable gorgons arrive to shatter human civilization, Revelation is both a chilling glimpse into the end times through an intimate lens, and a powerful meditation on what truly endures when all of society's fragile constructs are razed overnight. In charting the plight of the wonderfully ordinary Shipley family as they navigate unthinkable upheaval, Ryan weaves a thoughtful, emotionally charged allegory for the roles we all play, both consciously and not, in authoring our own extinction - and the awesome potential within us to transcend even the direst of collapses through basic human decency, empathy, and grace.

Ryan introduces us to firefighter Andrew Shipley, wife Melissa, and children Cameron, Rutledge and Sissy as they unknowingly live out the final "normal" days before the gorgons descend. With his keen observational eye and gift for memorable characterization, the author brings the Shipleys' world to vivid life in all its unextraordinary, lovingly etched detail. We luxuriate in the little rituals, jokes, and flashes of familial shorthand that instantly endear us to their plight. So when the invasion comes, the shattering of that idyll carries profound immediate impact. With each loss the Shipleys endure, we feel as if it's our own heart being shredded.

Balancing the propulsive alien attack set-pieces with quieter grace notes of domestic drama and probing existential inquiry, Ryan achieves a uniquely affecting frequency of apocalyptic storytelling. Even as the gorgons' initial inscrutability blossoms into city-leveling pandemonium, Revelation remains grounded in the point-of-view of relatable characters facing impossible life-or-death choices. Through them, Ryan revives Dissonance's core thematic questions of moral responsibility and personal sacrifice with fresh, lacerating power.

While enriching the later novels with poignant new shades of context around the Shipleys' family history, Revelation never once feels beholden to those books. Instead, it stands proudly as its own uniquely moving chronicle of the fundamental decency, resilience, and integrity required to face down the extinction of everything we hold dear - the qualities that make us most powerfully, inspiringly human even in our darkest hours.

An artfully crafted prequel that further cements Aaron Ryan's reputation as a peerlessly humane chronicler of the apocalypse, Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation is speculative fiction at its most emotionally trenchant and unshakably relevant to our anxious times. Soulful, harrowing, and ultimately life-affirming in its portrait of a family under siege, Revelation is that rarest of accomplishments - a story of the end-times that poignantly reminds us what's most worth fighting to preserve.

[Krinal Savaliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The apocalypse is not an event. It's a process - the slow, agonizing unraveling of everything we once took for granted as immutable. In Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation, author Aaron Ryan ingeniously excavates the buried lead-up to his bestselling Dissonance trilogy, crafting an urgently human prequel that's equal parts nerve-shredding alien invasion thriller and poignant elegy for the world we lost. Set on June 6th, 2026, the day the inscrutable gorgons first appear in Earth's skies, Revelation strips the end of days down to one ordinary American family's struggle to survive and maintain their humanity against impossible odds.

Meet Andrew Shipley, wife Melissa, and children Cameron, Rutledge and Sissy - our everywoman and everyman survivors whose intimate domestic dramas form the heart and soul of Revelation's inexorable slide into apocalypse. With each mundane ritual and relatable tension, Ryan endears us more fully to the fabric of the Shipleys' pre-invasion lives. So that when the gorgons descend, the shattering of their world is all the more visceral and unthinkable. We experience the dizzying unreality and primal terror of having reality itself ripped away.

Ryan is a master of the slow-burn, playing the gorgons' initial inscrutability for maximum creeping dread and disquiet. With each new eerie occurrence, the author ratchets up the tension to unbearable decibels, so that when the creatures' deadly purpose is finally unveiled, the eruption into large-scale chaos feels horrifically inevitable. Yet through it all, he never loses sight of the human cost of cataclysm - the wrenching separation of the Shipleys and the gut-churning loss of everything they hold dear.

Faithful Dissonance fans will relish how organically and ingeniously Revelation's shattering climax dovetails with the opening salvos of Volume I: Reality. By so seamlessly integrating the Shipley family's tragic saga into the original trilogy, Ryan achieves something remarkable - deepening our understanding of Jet's later emotional journey and elevating the stakes retroactively. This is no mere cash-in origin story, but rather a vital load-bearing pillar in the series' thematic architecture.

At the same time, Revelation stands tall as its own thought-provoking parable of morality during crisis. As the Shipleys navigate impossible life-or-death quandaries, the novel probes we owe our fellow man after the fall and how we retain our basic decency while fighting to survive. The result is a resonant, impassioned argument for human connection as the lynchpin of civilization - the force that elevates us above our basest instincts and lends purpose to perseverance.

With Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation, Aaron Ryan further cements his rep as our finest navigator of speculative fiction's darkest, most thought-provoking frontiers. A propulsive sci-fi page-turner; a scathing allegory for society's fragility; and above all, an aching hymn to family as humanity's saving grace against oblivion. Revelation is a soul-rattling triumph destined to make you see the original Dissonance saga - and the precariousness of our own reality - in a chilling new light.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really excellent! I loved it! Everything about it really hit the spot for me! Great idea, good group of well developed characters, a well thought out plot & storyline. A good length story so something to really get lost in & I finished it in really no time at all! I found myself putting things off until later it was so good & I could not wait to see what happened next! It does have Christian over tones, but not too heavy. A few surprises along the way, one that nearly had me in tears! Brilliant! I will for sure look for more by this writer!

[Mrs LIR Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slow burner of a book as it sets life in a very wholesome American family. The Father is a fireman, the mum is a great mother of 3 young kids a they have a pet dog.

The life depicted has some challenges like a child that may be on the spectrum and elderly parents who live far away.

Some aliens begin appearing and life continues as normal with trepidation…. then the aliens attack and through the help of self sacrificing people the family gets to one of the bunkers for survivors.

The story continues how the family adapt (with difficulties…) and their day to day living in this underground world.

I will not write more as the book needs to be read not knowing what happens…. how to try and be normal in a dystopian world….the end is epic!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Madeleine Starmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chilling

I couldn't put this down when I started reading it! I was fascinated with the way the aliens did nothing initially, and everyone carried on with their lives... and then it all kicked off! Terrifyingly believable and whilst it's a sobering demonstration of our complete vulnerability, I felt that this book also cleverly explored the complex narratives of human relationships and the effect extreme events can have on them. If you love an original sci-fi read, look no further!

[Josh A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly think I like this one the best...? It's really good...moving...sad. Slow burner start, yeah, but once you get past that, it picks up quickly and you get to root for the family and get to know them before everything goes south. Andrew is a good man. Melissa is a great mom. The kids are cared for and the parents are just trying to keep them safe. It's crazy scary when the gorgs wake up and start slaying everyone. Couldn't understand why the author dropped us off in 2037 but then I found out that the next prequel picked up right where it left off. Review for that one next.

[Victoria Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dissonance Volume 0 is an excellent addition to the Dissonance series. Brilliantly ties together background stories and details from the original trilogy in a way that immerses you further into the dissonance universe. Whether you're a fan of the original trilogy and want to dive deeper, or just jumping in for the first time, you're going to enjoy this book. I can't wait to read the next.

[irv Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very different type of a book that takes place present time , not way in the future . It was a normal day for the family and then they see strange things in the sky , they kept you a lot of them . Then they herd strange noises , the government did not know what was going on . This is when everything got real strange , this is when author keeps wanting more . They did a good job with the book.

[Readbyheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a gripping prequel to the Dissonance series that delves into the complex & tumultuous period before the alien invasion that devastated Earth. Ryan skillfully blends elements of science fiction, thriller, & emotional family drama, creating a narrative that is both engaging & thought-provoking.

The novel introduces readers to a world on the brink of catastrophic change, focusing on the lives of key characters before their reality is upended by the invasion. The early chapters are dedicated to exploring everyday life & the sense of normalcy that is soon to be shattered. This grounding in the familiar makes the subsequent invasion & chaos all the more impactful.

Ryan’s writing excels in its ability to balance intense action sequences with deep emotional moments. The author’s attention to character development is evident, as he takes the time to flesh out each character’s background, motivations, & personal struggles. This approach ensures that readers are not only invested in the survival of humanity but also in the personal journeys of the characters.

What I love about this book is Ryan's depiction of the alien antagonists, known as gorgons. The author paints these creatures in a terrifying light, their presence a constant threat that looms over the narrative. The gorgons are not just faceless enemies but are imbued with a sense of menace that adds to the overall tension of the story.

The book’s pacing is well-managed, with the initial slower chapters gradually giving way to a relentless build-up of suspense & action. Ryan’s descriptive prowess shines in the vivid portrayal of both the serene and the apocalyptic, creating a stark contrast that enhances the reader’s immersion.

Another commendable aspect is the thematic exploration of resilience, sacrifice, & the human spirit’s capacity to endure in the face of overwhelming odds. The characters’ struggles & triumphs resonate on a personal level, making the story not just a tale of survival but also a testament to the enduring power of hope and determination.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Dissonance, Volume Zero: Revelation, author Aaron Ryan introduces us to the seemingly idyllic life of Andrew Dylan Shipley, a man whose world is on the brink of drastic change. When alien creatures arrive on Earth in massive numbers, they initially lie dormant, sparking global anxiety and uncertainty. Andrew, along with his wife Melissa and their children Cameron “Jet,” Wyatt “Rutty,” and Adelynn “Sissy,” anxiously await the moment the aliens will reveal their true intentions. Surprisingly, the aliens remain inactive, leaving humanity in suspense. In response, governments worldwide take precautionary measures, building bunkers for a worst-case scenario—a decision that proves pivotal for the Shipley family. But as they soon discover, life underground presents its own set of challenges, testing their health, faith, and family bonds in ways they never anticipated.

As a prequel to Ryan’s Dissonance trilogy, Revelation stands on its own, requiring no prior knowledge of the series. However, for those familiar with the trilogy, there are moments that will enhance the emotional impact of the story. The novel is rich with tense, emotional scenes as the Shipley family confronts the reality of their situation. Andrew’s primary concern is the safety of his family, but he finds it impossible to shield his young children from the harsh truths of their new reality. One of the novel’s strengths is its portrayal of how these experiences profoundly affect the children. Their development is depicted organically through Andrew’s perspective, a father keenly aware of the subtle changes in his children’s behavior. This adds a deep emotional resonance to the story, making the characters’ growth both believable and impactful. The plot starts at a measured pace, allowing readers to become fully immersed in the Shipley family’s serene life before it takes a dark turn. This deliberate pacing serves to heighten the contrast between their past and the intense, fast-paced events of the latter half of the novel. As the story accelerates, it aligns seamlessly with the tone and direction of the main Dissonance trilogy, leaving readers with tantalizing hints and unanswered questions about the mysterious aliens.

Dissonance, Volume Zero: Revelation is a compelling and emotionally charged prequel that sets the stage for the rest of the trilogy. Ryan expertly balances the tension and development of his characters, making this a must-read for both newcomers and fans of the series alike. If you enjoy science fiction with strong character development and a gripping plot, this book will not disappoint.

[Payal Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book presents the gradual building of a dark crescendo, where everything is perfect and beautiful in the beginning and then dark clouds start to hover in the sky, until anything it touches turns to crimson. The author presents the protagonist, who is a firefighter, and his lovely young family, comprising of a childhood sweetheart and three adorable children. They live in a friendly church-going community and everyone has each other's back. Yet, poison infilterates in this paradise in the form of countless aliens who one day just appear in the sky in their vessels, and after a pregnant pause of about three months, they descend to the Earth to extract their trophy- the human flesh, which they can devour at their will once the human is rendered motionless in their tract after making an eye contact. The book ends at a very exciting moment, making the readers hold their breath of what to expect next.

[Janine G · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Dissonance Volume Zero – Revelation, author Aaron Ryan jumps back 16 years to the start of the alien invasion. Narrated by Andrew Shipley, Cameron‘s father, Ryan unravels the terrifying occupation through the eyes of a loving and playful family. Throughout the mounting suspense and gripping action sequences, Revelation gives a beating heart to the whole Shipley family and traces Cameron‘s rise from anxious child to the brooding and gritty warrior of the trilogy. Additionally, and with a depth of tenderness readers of the trilogy have come to expect, Ryan explorers what it means to parent in the midst of extreme trauma. Revelation is both an adrenaline-fueled and deeply moving origin story to this thrilling series.

[Shahid · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation" by Aaron Ryan is a gripping prequel to the dystopian "Dissonance" trilogy. Set in 2026, Earth is invaded by mysterious creatures known as gorgons, whose paralyzing gaze and relentless pursuit decimate humanity. The story follows Andrew Shipley and his family as they navigate this terrifying new world, struggling to survive amidst chaos and dwindling hope. Ryan masterfully builds tension and fear, immersing readers in a chilling tale of alien invasion and human resilience. With heart-pounding action and emotional depth, this prequel is a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, this was arguably my favorite so far in the series perhaps because of the light that it sheds on the events that take place in the rest of the series. I found myself laughing at some parts and with tears in my eyes at others. Ryan does an excellent job at evoking emotion and keeping readers engaged throughout this book. If you are a fan of science fiction, dystopian worlds, aliens, action, adventure, thrills, and reading about what it means to be human, then this book could be for you. Find my full review here: https://likelystory.blog/2024/08/04/r...

[Shirley St. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prequel to Ryan’s futuristic trilogy is not just about survival; it delves into profound questions about identity, courage, and the bonds that hold us together when the world as we know it hangs in the balance. It’s emotionally charged as the author makes you hurt deep in your soul when each character dies.

The Dissonance Quadrilogy is a must-read for fans of science fiction looking for a thrilling ride through a dystopian future where humanity fights for survival. Ryan has earned his place amongst the best writers of that genre.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is and honest review. Dissonance Volume Zero is an interesting put together story that while I can understand and appreciate why the author spends for several chapters in the beginning focusing on getting the reader to feel connected to Andrew and his family. I just wished the author had tightened the story up with this family; felt things went on top long before the story truly takes off a their world hauntingly altered by darkly vicious creatures.

[Kimberley Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely addictive! From the time I started reading it, I was quickly sucked into the world Aaron Ryan has built. Aaron definitely took his time in fleshing out each and every one of his characters. I found myself wanting to learn more about each of them, but no one captured my heart more than our protagonist. Following him and his family was heartfelt and then it became terrifying! This book sucked me in and had me on the edge of my seat. A page turner for sure! Highly recommend this one to anyone who loves a heart stopping thrill-ride.

[Archie Breznikar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perhaps my favorite one. I really appreciate the heart behind it, and the parenting through trauma. If this book was a symphony, it would go from major to minor chords over time. It's got some very, VERY sad notes to it. I've also heard the audiobook for it and the narrator's (who is also the author; he's a voiceover artist) voice is markedly different at the end from the beginning. It goes from happy-go-lucky, optimistic and bright.....to dark, weathered and war-weary. Great prequel all around. Now, on to Dissonance Volume Up: 'Rising', the next one.

[YellowBelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A SERIOUSLY good opener! I Beta-read this and it was really consistent with what becomes the trilogy and is an effective bridge to a quadrilogy. Really, really liked seeing some characters alive again, really enjoyed things from Andrew's perspective and seeing a young Cameron forming into the cynic that he is in the trilogy. Loved finding out what things actually looked like when the aliens came, when they attacked, the formation of the Blockades...life INSIDE a Blockade...all of it. I think this one is actually my favorite of all of them! But I'm also fresh off Dissonance Volume III Renegade which was just plain awesome, so I'm not sure yet. Time will tell. Hopefully there's a Volume IV someday and that would make for a smashing quintilogy!