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Fallen Faery Tales #1
Dissonance
Fifteen-year-old singer Allie Grant lives crippled by her illness. Though kept in isolation, she’s never alone: A spirit named Song lurks in the silence of her bedroom.
When Song reveals its dark nature on the night of her recital, the show ends in tragedy. Verging on death, Allie’s taken in by an uncle she’s never met. Julian claims to be a Muse with power over music and answers that’ll heal her.
It isn’t long before Allie suspects her uncle has a secret that’ll change her very identity. But with days left to live, she might fade without learning the truth…like the finishing chord of a song.
When Song reveals its dark nature on the night of her recital, the show ends in tragedy. Verging on death, Allie’s taken in by an uncle she’s never met. Julian claims to be a Muse with power over music and answers that’ll heal her.
It isn’t long before Allie suspects her uncle has a secret that’ll change her very identity. But with days left to live, she might fade without learning the truth…like the finishing chord of a song.
- GenresFantasy
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
4 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Mariella Hunt
11 books62 followersMariella Hunt is a 29-year-old storyteller based in the Treasure Valley. She is a Kindle Vella author and pens clean Historical Fiction/Fantasy stories featuring Merpeople. Her first novel, DISSONANCE, was published independently in 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 11, 2016
Written by a young, talented, devoted writer! Unique, deep, interesting characters with clear voices, each with their own story. (It's hard to pick a favorite, but I do love Tyson, haha) I find this book to be magical, musical, amusing, easy to escape into and more. I love the author's use of words. This book got me interested in Urban Fantasy/YA and it's my new favorite genre to read during the Summer months. Don't miss out on reading it!
May 31, 2015
I really enjoyed this book! Mariella has come up with a great story. I can't wait for the next one!
FULL REVIEW HERE: https://mindcrazed.wordpress.com/2015...
FULL REVIEW HERE: https://mindcrazed.wordpress.com/2015...
September 7, 2015
Read more reviews like this on my blog!
Indie books are in a select niche of stories that hark back to an era when writing was an expression of the artist's soul, rather than a mass-market commercial product; and in fact, despite the heavy criticism laid on the self-published scene, the reality is that many self-pub'd books can provide a just as memorable - or greater - narrative as any traditionally published novel.
Dissonance is one such indie book. Young author, Mariella Hunt, has crafted a clever and subtle world of magic that derives from musical notes. These 'Muses' are capable of using songs for both good and evil purposes, and I have to admit that, despite reading a fair amount of fantasy, I'd never seen music used in this manner before. It's clever, and works well in the narrative, even if the magic is a little too subtle to fully realize its own potential.
At the heart of it, Dissonance is a story about characters. The plot follows Allie, a young Muse sick with 'Dissonance': a rare medical condition that afflicts Muses and threatens to kill her. Haunted by an evil spirit called Song, mistreated by her parents, and almost sold in an auction to people hell-bent on destroying the fragile Veil between the mundane world and the magical world, Allie discovers the true meaning of family and love, in the form of her supposed uncle and savior, Julian.
Hunt has a curious style of prose that is immediately reminiscent of classical literature. But fear not, if you couldn't stand Dickens or Austen; Hunt has taken the flowery prose of the late Victorian era and brought it racing into the modern generation with a punchy, emotionally-powerful story, and a few quirky characters along the way.
Dissonance does stray from some expected norms, however. The world-building itself is sadly lacking, and at times, the magical powers of its varied characters - including a mysterious 'changeling' thrown in with little apparent reason - feel tacked-on, without a way to ground themselves in the story. Despite being told Allie was mistreated and imprisoned by her mother, the reader isn't shown that, so I personally found it difficult to believe as well.
But Dissonance easily makes up for these misgivings - simply put, it's a joy to read. It stands out from the crowd of self-published fantasy novels because it isn't trying to be a Mortal Instruments, Game of Thrones or even Twilight clone - Dissonance is prepared to stand on its own, delivering a character-driven plot with a novel magical system, and an overriding theme of finding a loving family.
The Good
The Bad
The Verdict
4/5 Stars
Indie books are in a select niche of stories that hark back to an era when writing was an expression of the artist's soul, rather than a mass-market commercial product; and in fact, despite the heavy criticism laid on the self-published scene, the reality is that many self-pub'd books can provide a just as memorable - or greater - narrative as any traditionally published novel.
Dissonance is one such indie book. Young author, Mariella Hunt, has crafted a clever and subtle world of magic that derives from musical notes. These 'Muses' are capable of using songs for both good and evil purposes, and I have to admit that, despite reading a fair amount of fantasy, I'd never seen music used in this manner before. It's clever, and works well in the narrative, even if the magic is a little too subtle to fully realize its own potential.
At the heart of it, Dissonance is a story about characters. The plot follows Allie, a young Muse sick with 'Dissonance': a rare medical condition that afflicts Muses and threatens to kill her. Haunted by an evil spirit called Song, mistreated by her parents, and almost sold in an auction to people hell-bent on destroying the fragile Veil between the mundane world and the magical world, Allie discovers the true meaning of family and love, in the form of her supposed uncle and savior, Julian.
Hunt has a curious style of prose that is immediately reminiscent of classical literature. But fear not, if you couldn't stand Dickens or Austen; Hunt has taken the flowery prose of the late Victorian era and brought it racing into the modern generation with a punchy, emotionally-powerful story, and a few quirky characters along the way.
Dissonance does stray from some expected norms, however. The world-building itself is sadly lacking, and at times, the magical powers of its varied characters - including a mysterious 'changeling' thrown in with little apparent reason - feel tacked-on, without a way to ground themselves in the story. Despite being told Allie was mistreated and imprisoned by her mother, the reader isn't shown that, so I personally found it difficult to believe as well.
But Dissonance easily makes up for these misgivings - simply put, it's a joy to read. It stands out from the crowd of self-published fantasy novels because it isn't trying to be a Mortal Instruments, Game of Thrones or even Twilight clone - Dissonance is prepared to stand on its own, delivering a character-driven plot with a novel magical system, and an overriding theme of finding a loving family.
The Good
A gorgeous style of prose, with a punchy emotional kick, a clever magical system, and a heart-warming narrative about love and redemption.
The Bad
At times lacking in world-building, and a few questionable choices with the 'other' magical creatures and characters.
The Verdict
A unique debut novel that pushes its way through the ranks of indie urban fantasy, delivering a novel magical concept, and an emotionally gripping narrative of family and love.
4/5 Stars
July 16, 2015
Ally enters the world she belongs to but has never experienced, learning of wonder and life just as she begins to die. As she struggles to reconcile what has happened with what will, she ultimately finds peace in the one thing she’s never had before: family.
The characters carry this story. For definitely sure. Ally herself is your typical fish out of water, awkward, naive, and has her selfish, unlikable moments, but the people surrounding her force her to grow into someone better. If you’re patient, you’ll find an addicted Muse, a lonely survivor, a vengeful sailor, and a humorous (and hunky) hot head among these pages. While they seem disjointed at first, their roles click together and demonstrate the value of fighting for something outside of oneself. They’re funny, they’re messy, they’re hurting, and they’re still beautiful.
You have your good against evil, you have your mystical fairy world, you have a host of enchanting events and haunting back stories to carry the soup of the book, and I don’t think they disappoint. It’s easy to read, and in many ways, it’s the fairy tale you’re familiar with and know better than the back of your own hand.
At the same time, I think it’s the heart of the author, her characters, and her message that makes this even more magical. They all have to give to make it work, and in the end, that price only grows. Is it worth it? You’ll have to decide.
Admittedly, I beta-read this book, so take that as a disclaimer. I watched these characters transform, and I’m biased in their favor. However, if it means anything else, I almost exclusively rate books based on whether or not I will reread them—and if I was willing to reread Dissonance four times, you can imagine that it’s certainly above my threshold.
I look forward to Mariella’s next project!
The characters carry this story. For definitely sure. Ally herself is your typical fish out of water, awkward, naive, and has her selfish, unlikable moments, but the people surrounding her force her to grow into someone better. If you’re patient, you’ll find an addicted Muse, a lonely survivor, a vengeful sailor, and a humorous (and hunky) hot head among these pages. While they seem disjointed at first, their roles click together and demonstrate the value of fighting for something outside of oneself. They’re funny, they’re messy, they’re hurting, and they’re still beautiful.
You have your good against evil, you have your mystical fairy world, you have a host of enchanting events and haunting back stories to carry the soup of the book, and I don’t think they disappoint. It’s easy to read, and in many ways, it’s the fairy tale you’re familiar with and know better than the back of your own hand.
At the same time, I think it’s the heart of the author, her characters, and her message that makes this even more magical. They all have to give to make it work, and in the end, that price only grows. Is it worth it? You’ll have to decide.
Admittedly, I beta-read this book, so take that as a disclaimer. I watched these characters transform, and I’m biased in their favor. However, if it means anything else, I almost exclusively rate books based on whether or not I will reread them—and if I was willing to reread Dissonance four times, you can imagine that it’s certainly above my threshold.
I look forward to Mariella’s next project!
November 3, 2015
I won this book in a giveaway. This is my honest opinion.
There is an interesting twist in the story and there are certainly some unique things about it. However, it's not something I would've picked up for myself.
The ending was nice though there's certainly room for development. You can tell this is going to be a series. I'll keep an eye out for the second book but I'm not sure I'll actually read it.
There is an interesting twist in the story and there are certainly some unique things about it. However, it's not something I would've picked up for myself.
The ending was nice though there's certainly room for development. You can tell this is going to be a series. I'll keep an eye out for the second book but I'm not sure I'll actually read it.
February 22, 2016
An engaging and emotionally complex novel with a rich cast of characters. A Faery tale of a different kind with a take on magic that also serves as an allegory for artistic creativity. Dissonance starts as a slow burn and steadily gains pace sweeping you up with Allie's journey as she discovers the truth about her past and her family.
January 22, 2016
This is a very emotional fantasy involving the unfair pressures placed upon the shoulders of a fifteen-year-old girl in a world where art and music hail from a kind of primordial, magical realm and where some songs are Dark songs. The characters are all sharply drawn, with everyone having different motivations and desires. This isn't the type of fantasy where everyone on one side or the other all speak in the same way or even share the same goals. DISSONANCE blurs the line between hero and villain in a fascinating way.
Best of all, Hunt captures a lot of the messiness inherent in adult relationships. These are flawed people who are afraid of failure and who often have to guess at what the next course of action should be.
I am looking forward to the next volume!
Best of all, Hunt captures a lot of the messiness inherent in adult relationships. These are flawed people who are afraid of failure and who often have to guess at what the next course of action should be.
I am looking forward to the next volume!
August 23, 2015
Fifteen-year-old Allie lives almost in isolation, an illness inspiring her mother to keep her nearly quarantined, claiming the cold outside will make her sickness worse. Her only friend? A spirit named Song, who’s perfectly friendly until Allie stops playing along. Song, it seems, doesn’t have Allie’s best interest at heart, but then who does? Allie’s life is turned upside down as she learns who her parents were and what kind of investment they’d made in her – a Muse – and as her new “uncle” and friends try to save her life before she succumbs to Dissonance, it’s an internal battle to decide whether she wants to survive or if it would be better if she let death take her.
What’s so fascinating about this book is the simplistic and almost childish narrative reminiscent of Allie’s seclusion and the way it contrasts the rather heavy themes of life and death. Not only is Allie dying and struggling to find the will to fight and live – guilt and despair at her own actions eat away at her for most of the novel, creating a powerful inner conflict – the fantasy world that houses Muses and other creatures like dragons and elves is falling, and Julian and the gang are desperate to find a way to keep their homes from literally falling from the sky and onto Earth. Put simply: Art is at stake, and where there’s a possibility for it to heal and bring beauty, there’s also the possibility for it to hurt and destroy.
With endearing characters like an alcoholic Muse and his human wife, a half-siren whose rough on the outside but contains an admirable moral code, a dragon only few can see, and a prankster Changeling with a soft side, DISSONANCE is a tale that revolves around the idea of love, friendship and family, and how you don’t have to be blood to be siblings. Hunt’s prose is wonderful in its simplicity and fantastical in its whimsy, which makes the novel read much like one of the fairy tales that Allie herself loves to read.
To put it simply: I love this book for its haunting style and its characters that live and breathe and feel totally natural in their movements and dialogue. Despite this, one thing I can’t overlook is a lack of background, and details about the world Allie comes from – as well as the creatures and their talent – were sorely missed, which meant that while the words flowed smoothly and the characters helped transitions from scene-to-scene, there were moments I couldn’t precisely follow the movements of the novel due to my own lack of knowledge of the power many of the characters truly hold.
Regardless, this is a debut novel I’m not sure you’d want to readily dismiss. Fans of Ksenia Anske’s ROSEHEAD might particularly enjoy the fantastical world Hunt has built, and it’s a tale you can easily share with others. If you like a haunting urban fantasy that weaves magic and reality nearly seamlessly, I’d invite you to give this book a try.
Final Answer: 4 / 5
Special thanks to author Mariella Hunt, who provided a free e-copy of DISSONANCE in return for an honest review.
What’s so fascinating about this book is the simplistic and almost childish narrative reminiscent of Allie’s seclusion and the way it contrasts the rather heavy themes of life and death. Not only is Allie dying and struggling to find the will to fight and live – guilt and despair at her own actions eat away at her for most of the novel, creating a powerful inner conflict – the fantasy world that houses Muses and other creatures like dragons and elves is falling, and Julian and the gang are desperate to find a way to keep their homes from literally falling from the sky and onto Earth. Put simply: Art is at stake, and where there’s a possibility for it to heal and bring beauty, there’s also the possibility for it to hurt and destroy.
With endearing characters like an alcoholic Muse and his human wife, a half-siren whose rough on the outside but contains an admirable moral code, a dragon only few can see, and a prankster Changeling with a soft side, DISSONANCE is a tale that revolves around the idea of love, friendship and family, and how you don’t have to be blood to be siblings. Hunt’s prose is wonderful in its simplicity and fantastical in its whimsy, which makes the novel read much like one of the fairy tales that Allie herself loves to read.
To put it simply: I love this book for its haunting style and its characters that live and breathe and feel totally natural in their movements and dialogue. Despite this, one thing I can’t overlook is a lack of background, and details about the world Allie comes from – as well as the creatures and their talent – were sorely missed, which meant that while the words flowed smoothly and the characters helped transitions from scene-to-scene, there were moments I couldn’t precisely follow the movements of the novel due to my own lack of knowledge of the power many of the characters truly hold.
Regardless, this is a debut novel I’m not sure you’d want to readily dismiss. Fans of Ksenia Anske’s ROSEHEAD might particularly enjoy the fantastical world Hunt has built, and it’s a tale you can easily share with others. If you like a haunting urban fantasy that weaves magic and reality nearly seamlessly, I’d invite you to give this book a try.
Final Answer: 4 / 5
Special thanks to author Mariella Hunt, who provided a free e-copy of DISSONANCE in return for an honest review.
February 20, 2016
I loved the concept of Dissonance. It was very clever and reminded me of synaesthesia through music and touch. Allie's journey of self discovery was simple, but nice, and in the end I think the calm simplicity of her finding herself was what gave the story its charm.
The characters were the real highlight of this story. Their interactions with each other were well thought out and emotionally varied and the characterisation of all the different characters was unique and interesting. However, physically, there was not a lot of description, perhaps a little more could have been added to aid to the imagination of the reader.
There were some really beautiful lines of dialogue and description in the novel, particularly towards the end, which I felt was a lot more polished and well paced than the beginning.
The beginning had a lot of convenient happenings as well as plot points which I felt were confusing or could have been written clearer. Things were also happening very fast which made it difficult to follow characters, motivation and where the main plot story was heading. However, after it had settled down into a better pace and started to flow again, it was more enjoyable. There wasn't too much of a climax and I think some of the main points of conflict were avoidable. Some plot points didn't seem to be properly explained which made things a bit frustrating, but otherwise it I did like the novel.
My favourite character was without a doubt Tyson, and I hope that in any future novels we get to read more about him. His vibrant personality really contrasted to Allie's and brought a cheerful mood to the scenes he was in.
Congratulations Mariella Hunt on your highly imaginative debut novel, I would love to read anything else set in the same world!
The characters were the real highlight of this story. Their interactions with each other were well thought out and emotionally varied and the characterisation of all the different characters was unique and interesting. However, physically, there was not a lot of description, perhaps a little more could have been added to aid to the imagination of the reader.
There were some really beautiful lines of dialogue and description in the novel, particularly towards the end, which I felt was a lot more polished and well paced than the beginning.
The beginning had a lot of convenient happenings as well as plot points which I felt were confusing or could have been written clearer. Things were also happening very fast which made it difficult to follow characters, motivation and where the main plot story was heading. However, after it had settled down into a better pace and started to flow again, it was more enjoyable. There wasn't too much of a climax and I think some of the main points of conflict were avoidable. Some plot points didn't seem to be properly explained which made things a bit frustrating, but otherwise it I did like the novel.
My favourite character was without a doubt Tyson, and I hope that in any future novels we get to read more about him. His vibrant personality really contrasted to Allie's and brought a cheerful mood to the scenes he was in.
Congratulations Mariella Hunt on your highly imaginative debut novel, I would love to read anything else set in the same world!
April 23, 2016
This review originally appeared on my blog.
Mariella Hunt is one of my dearest online friends. She and I met some time ago, but it’s only recently that we’ve begun talking and collaborating more often. When Hunt rereleased her debut YA urban fantasy novel Dissonance, she was kind enough to send me a paperback copy.
I was even more excited to dive into this book when she told me she’s been working on the sequel. I’m not big into series (I know, I know), but this is one I can definitely see myself reading more of.
First off, Dissonance is urban fantasy, which isn’t a genre I’ve read much of–although my novel Reflections is urban fantasy, too, so maybe I should read more in that genre… Anyway, although the story is urban fantasy, it was fairly easy for me to navigate the events and setting of the novel. My only issue with regards to worldbuilding is that there were a few places I found it difficult to follow along with the mythology. Hunt has clearly invested a great deal of time, thought, and effort into developing a cohesive magical system and environment for this novel, and this degree of consideration definitely shows. However, at times, the terminology and social hierarchy confused me.
Nevertheless, I found the characters, plot, and the writing compelling. Dissonance is a strong debut, and as the first book in a series, promises some more exciting things from the author. As a bonus, this book also features a protagonist dealing with chronic illness, which is refreshing. If you’re looking for a good YA urban fantasy novel with likable characters, an engaging setting, and a memorable plot, I wholeheartedly recommend picking up a copy of Dissonance.
Mariella Hunt is one of my dearest online friends. She and I met some time ago, but it’s only recently that we’ve begun talking and collaborating more often. When Hunt rereleased her debut YA urban fantasy novel Dissonance, she was kind enough to send me a paperback copy.
I was even more excited to dive into this book when she told me she’s been working on the sequel. I’m not big into series (I know, I know), but this is one I can definitely see myself reading more of.
First off, Dissonance is urban fantasy, which isn’t a genre I’ve read much of–although my novel Reflections is urban fantasy, too, so maybe I should read more in that genre… Anyway, although the story is urban fantasy, it was fairly easy for me to navigate the events and setting of the novel. My only issue with regards to worldbuilding is that there were a few places I found it difficult to follow along with the mythology. Hunt has clearly invested a great deal of time, thought, and effort into developing a cohesive magical system and environment for this novel, and this degree of consideration definitely shows. However, at times, the terminology and social hierarchy confused me.
Nevertheless, I found the characters, plot, and the writing compelling. Dissonance is a strong debut, and as the first book in a series, promises some more exciting things from the author. As a bonus, this book also features a protagonist dealing with chronic illness, which is refreshing. If you’re looking for a good YA urban fantasy novel with likable characters, an engaging setting, and a memorable plot, I wholeheartedly recommend picking up a copy of Dissonance.
September 3, 2015
Addicting til the very end!
Ill start this review off by saying I don't usually read fantasy/fairy tale types of books. So finding this was a pleasant surprise!
It wasn't until the second chapter that I got hooked. Once I got to know allie a bit more, I was incredibly curious. Who was thing Song she's chasing? What kind of sickness does she have? Why is her mother so afraid of her father?
The story was quite magical with elves and a cute Dragon and a beautiful amount of music. I felt like the characters were my best friends and I was so eager to see if they ended up okay, and it was hard, nearly impossible, to put down!
I loved this book and look forward to more of Allie's story, and more from Mariella in the future!
Ill start this review off by saying I don't usually read fantasy/fairy tale types of books. So finding this was a pleasant surprise!
It wasn't until the second chapter that I got hooked. Once I got to know allie a bit more, I was incredibly curious. Who was thing Song she's chasing? What kind of sickness does she have? Why is her mother so afraid of her father?
The story was quite magical with elves and a cute Dragon and a beautiful amount of music. I felt like the characters were my best friends and I was so eager to see if they ended up okay, and it was hard, nearly impossible, to put down!
I loved this book and look forward to more of Allie's story, and more from Mariella in the future!
August 9, 2015
I really enjoyed this story, but for a while, it really confused me. There were a lot of questions that--I felt--should've been answered closer to the beginning, rather than waiting till practically the end.
Still, the story did intrigue me, and I enjoyed following the characters on their journey. Plus, the writing is absolutely gorgeous, painting beautiful pictures of every scene. And so, despite the problems I had with it, I'd definitely recommend Dissonance. :)
If you'd like to hear more of my thoughts on this book, you can find the full review on Verbosity Book Reviews
Still, the story did intrigue me, and I enjoyed following the characters on their journey. Plus, the writing is absolutely gorgeous, painting beautiful pictures of every scene. And so, despite the problems I had with it, I'd definitely recommend Dissonance. :)
If you'd like to hear more of my thoughts on this book, you can find the full review on Verbosity Book Reviews
January 17, 2016
I really enjoyed this book, despite it not being what I normally read. The characters were a bit predictable, but full of emotion and drama. There's some truly beautiful writing here too. However, I found the book a bit raw. Someone with very literary tastes may find it leans toward melodrama, and there are some sections that are either confusing or mildly conflicting. Essentially, I'd recommend this book for someone who enjoys young-adult (YA) modern fantasy, but it may not be for everyone.
January 10, 2016
This was such a spectacular book! However, it was phenomenal once getting into it. Now I just can't wait to get my hands on the second one. The story line and symbolism and ideology behind it is breath taking, and honestly none of my words do it justice, just go and read it!
January 18, 2016
This book was a change for me as in, I don't normally read this kind of story. But I wanted to try something different. I'm not sorry I did.
Incredibly well-written, interesting and descriptive. The author has a way with words and intertwines them beautifully.
Looking forward to more!
Incredibly well-written, interesting and descriptive. The author has a way with words and intertwines them beautifully.
Looking forward to more!
January 26, 2016
This was an amazing book! So glad I was able to read it. No predictability from beginning to end.
April 21, 2017
Boring. Couldn't connect to the main character. Predictable.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews