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Harmonic: Resonance
The whole world waits for the gates of Hell to open; at least half of them wait on their knees, praying for it to be quick, praying to a god not even the dead can say exists.
I have done all I can to prepare. All I can do now is wait with the rest. I don’t know if anyone will make it through, or if anyone will ever listen to this recording. I’m sure everyone’s version of events will be different, but the end will most likely be the same for us all. They are everywhere now, strange variations of the basic demonic form—horns, talons, and teeth. They too are waiting for the transition, the next convergence.
My name is Emily. I am twenty-three years old, and I will probably not make it to twenty-four. I don’t know what I’m hoping to achieve with this recording, if anything, but I have no one left to talk to, so you’ll have to do.
I have done all I can to prepare. All I can do now is wait with the rest. I don’t know if anyone will make it through, or if anyone will ever listen to this recording. I’m sure everyone’s version of events will be different, but the end will most likely be the same for us all. They are everywhere now, strange variations of the basic demonic form—horns, talons, and teeth. They too are waiting for the transition, the next convergence.
My name is Emily. I am twenty-three years old, and I will probably not make it to twenty-four. I don’t know what I’m hoping to achieve with this recording, if anything, but I have no one left to talk to, so you’ll have to do.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2016
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 4, 2016
What if, seems to be the question Nico Laeser puts into my head every time I read one of his books. Having read two outstanding books by the same author, I still had one hesitant moment about starting this one but I shouldn’t have. The hesitation comes from my singular criticism of this book and that was the blurb. Had I not read the quite magnificent Skin Cage and Infinity, I suspect I might have passed this one by based on the blurb and I mention this only to urge you not to do so, if you are in the same mind. Once again, Nico Laeser proves what a master story teller he is. For fans of the author, Harmonic is quite different to his previous work, but nonetheless wonderful. As always, the narrative is striking in its unique path. You never quite know where Nico will lead you, though he made me feel instantly at home as he softly sucked me in to the story. It is an unusual story dealing with life and death in a very original way. People are frightened by what they don’t understand. Whether one believes in a God, a heaven or a hell, most want to have some certainty in their beliefs. Nico Laeser forces his characters to confront the ultimate uncertainty and then lets the story of what they do unfold in his own very special way. Is it my favourite Nico Laeser book? It isn’t but only because he sets the bar so high and they all can’t be my favourite. Is it a five star read? Absolutely. This book is part of a series from what I can gather, so perhaps the full series will elevate this even higher in the grand scheme of things. Wonderful dialogue, solid, creative narrative and originality oozing out of its every pore, pick up Harmonic and get hooked on the world of Nico Laeser.
January 13, 2016
Harmonic: Resonance is the best book I have read by Nico Laeser. In this title there is more action and dialogue. It is clearly a work well thought out from start to finish. One thing I did notice was that the author reached out to me as a reader, he drew me in and kept me there to the end.
His characters are believable, first we meet Emily and the story is told from her point of view. Her thoughts and actions explain what is happening, never once did the author lose me, every page was a treat to read. Through excellent dialogue we have the characters asking deep questions and looking for the meaning of what and why they found themselves in the situation they are in- "Is there a God? A Heaven? A Hell?" It makes you think how you would react and would you too ask the same? Would you question humankind? His secondary characters were just as well drawn, I leant towards Gary, a plain speaking guy with no airs and graces, he tells it like it is.
In Harmonic: Resonance the author uses 'show' 'don't tell' this is important to me because it makes for interesting reading and makes you feel as if you are there with the characters. I hope the author is busy penning more novels, he certainly is one indie author that should be noticed.
His characters are believable, first we meet Emily and the story is told from her point of view. Her thoughts and actions explain what is happening, never once did the author lose me, every page was a treat to read. Through excellent dialogue we have the characters asking deep questions and looking for the meaning of what and why they found themselves in the situation they are in- "Is there a God? A Heaven? A Hell?" It makes you think how you would react and would you too ask the same? Would you question humankind? His secondary characters were just as well drawn, I leant towards Gary, a plain speaking guy with no airs and graces, he tells it like it is.
In Harmonic: Resonance the author uses 'show' 'don't tell' this is important to me because it makes for interesting reading and makes you feel as if you are there with the characters. I hope the author is busy penning more novels, he certainly is one indie author that should be noticed.
December 15, 2015
I read this author's book Skin Cage earlier this year and quite enjoyed it. I had been following his work since and when I heard the early description of this book was intrigued. When I was then given the chance to read an Advance Review Copy I jumped at it. This book did not disappoint. From the first few sentences I was captivated. The story was fresh, unique and well written. I quickly became attached to the characters and what they were going though, eagerly reading more than I normally do per day, to find out how it would end. The ending was satisfying but did leave the possibility for future books which I'm sure most who read this, will be hopeful of as well. Well done Mr. Laeser. It should also be noted that even though I read a free copy, I enjoyed this enough to purchase my own copy so I can read it again.
January 24, 2016
The wonderful thing about a Nico Laeser novel is that it transports you, heart body and soul, into the reality he has created, taking your imagination on a trip you will never forget. His latest novel, and the first in a three-part series – Harmonic: Resonance – is an unexpected curve away from his previous two, Skin Cage and Infinity, and is different in subject matter although has underlying elements that are the same. He does not shy away from describing the gruesome, the unthinkable, and the harsh reality of human nature and his descriptions are so accurate in fine detail that you have an almost visceral response in reading them. The themes he is once again inviting us as readers to explore with him are those of alienation, isolation, connection and disconnection, spiritual loneliness, courage and fear, adding into the mix the ultimate journey into “What if....” He takes you right under the skin of his characters and leaves them lodged under your skin in return. One of the things I most enjoy about his writing is his deft sidestepping of explanations that securely box the rationale for the story he has created. He poses questions in the reader’s mind without feeling obliged to answer every one of them. This provides a satisfying tang of conjecture and ambiguity. Who and what are these other-world ghosts and monsters he shows us, and where exactly have they come from? We are persuaded to make assumptions, but nothing is entirely what it seems on the face of it in Nico Laeser’s work, and in this instance we have the account of just one person’s direct experience. Is she an unreliable witness to the explanation behind the events that unfold, describing only her own perspective? Perhaps the next book in the series will offer answers, but I suspect there may simply be more questions. This doesn’t in any way detract from the narrative, and for me enhances it. More than anything else about Nico Laeser’s writing I love the way it flows: the beauty of the language and the compelling rhythm of the sentence structure. It makes the reading experience like listening to a surging piece of orchestral music, and perhaps explains why putting the book down feels almost impossible until the final cadenza has been concluded. With every one of his books I reach the half way point far too soon, with an ache of realisation that it will soon be over. I want it to go on and on... And so it is with Harmonic: Resonance. The characters have authentic substance, the story is powerful, the dialogue is poignantly real, and the denouement left me gasping for more without feeling in any way let down by a cliff-hanger. The story in itself is perfectly contained in this gem of a book, and it feels like a bonus that there will be an expansion of it - or perhaps another way of experiencing it - in the second one of the series. What more can I say? You don’t even need to read the synopsis – and I avoided reading any of the reviews before beginning it, because I already know the quality of his writing and didn’t want to risk seeing any spoilers. Take my word for it and just dive in and relish the whole experience. And if you haven’t already, go on and read his other books!
December 27, 2015
Harmonic: Resonance begins at the end. Literally and figuratively. The first lines echo events from almost the end of the book and the book starts at the end of what we would call normal. It’s an excellent genre-bending story (genres are for suckers) that takes us through the end and well into the new beginning. It’s the first in a series with Harmonic: Dissonance coming sometime in 2016.
The story is told from Emily’s point-of-view, a deep focus on a young woman stuck in the middle of extraordinary events. The world burns and out of the ashes come the ghosts. Normal people – everyday folks like you and me – change as a result and the world changes with them. Because, after all, it’s people that make the world what it is. Harmonic: Resonance is a story of change and how we’re dragged, sometimes kicking and screaming, into the resultant new world.
It’s a masterfully crafted story that looks at how we react to change, especially when that change is extraordinary. In the final analysis, some will call Harmonic: Resonance a horror story. Others will call it a survival story. Still others will point at the action or the quest or politics. None of them will be wrong, but in my mind it will still be a story about change. And change is a terrifying thing. Recall the words of the prophet Garth Algar: “We fear change”. Those words were as true in the 1990s as they are now. Even without the ghosts and the demons the general end of civilization, change is a terrifying thing.
See the full review and Nico's responses to "Clever Answers to Stupid Questions" on my blog
The story is told from Emily’s point-of-view, a deep focus on a young woman stuck in the middle of extraordinary events. The world burns and out of the ashes come the ghosts. Normal people – everyday folks like you and me – change as a result and the world changes with them. Because, after all, it’s people that make the world what it is. Harmonic: Resonance is a story of change and how we’re dragged, sometimes kicking and screaming, into the resultant new world.
It’s a masterfully crafted story that looks at how we react to change, especially when that change is extraordinary. In the final analysis, some will call Harmonic: Resonance a horror story. Others will call it a survival story. Still others will point at the action or the quest or politics. None of them will be wrong, but in my mind it will still be a story about change. And change is a terrifying thing. Recall the words of the prophet Garth Algar: “We fear change”. Those words were as true in the 1990s as they are now. Even without the ghosts and the demons the general end of civilization, change is a terrifying thing.
See the full review and Nico's responses to "Clever Answers to Stupid Questions" on my blog
June 28, 2016
Harmonic Resonance
By Nico Laeser
No more electricity. No more devices. No more guarantees that the car in your driveway will work. The world, as we know it, has ended and something else—something frightening and weird—has taken its place.
Can I be honest? I did not expect to like this book. I don’t know why. Yet, you can color me surprised and tickled that I DID like this book.
Here’s why:
• The plot is unique and intriguing.
• The characters are well drawn (especially main character 23-year-old Emily) and are completely developed. Nico Laeser, the author of Harmonic Resonance, fleshes out the strengths, the weaknesses, the character flaws and the motivations of each person in the story—without going over-board. He does this so flawlessly that I, the reader, felt as if I knew each of them personally.
• The antagonists are many (the losses of the modern age; other humans who turn so quickly from good to evil; starvation & thirst; …demons) yet each is blended together seamlessly into the story without overwhelming the reader with a bombardment of disasters one right after the other.
• And, the one other thing I liked about the story was that it was just plain fun to read.
Here’s what I didn’t like:
• To the best of my knowledge, the reason for the end of our modern world was never explained…I the reader was just dropped into the “world as it is now, get used it”. Which is NOT a huge problem for me…I still enjoyed the book. However, I wondered throughout about the whys and the wherefores.
Overall, I really—really—enjoyed Harmonic Resonance by Nico Laeser.
By Nico Laeser
No more electricity. No more devices. No more guarantees that the car in your driveway will work. The world, as we know it, has ended and something else—something frightening and weird—has taken its place.
Can I be honest? I did not expect to like this book. I don’t know why. Yet, you can color me surprised and tickled that I DID like this book.
Here’s why:
• The plot is unique and intriguing.
• The characters are well drawn (especially main character 23-year-old Emily) and are completely developed. Nico Laeser, the author of Harmonic Resonance, fleshes out the strengths, the weaknesses, the character flaws and the motivations of each person in the story—without going over-board. He does this so flawlessly that I, the reader, felt as if I knew each of them personally.
• The antagonists are many (the losses of the modern age; other humans who turn so quickly from good to evil; starvation & thirst; …demons) yet each is blended together seamlessly into the story without overwhelming the reader with a bombardment of disasters one right after the other.
• And, the one other thing I liked about the story was that it was just plain fun to read.
Here’s what I didn’t like:
• To the best of my knowledge, the reason for the end of our modern world was never explained…I the reader was just dropped into the “world as it is now, get used it”. Which is NOT a huge problem for me…I still enjoyed the book. However, I wondered throughout about the whys and the wherefores.
Overall, I really—really—enjoyed Harmonic Resonance by Nico Laeser.
January 13, 2016
I have to be straightforward with you - I'm a HUGE Nico Laeser fan. His previous works "Skincage" and "Infinity" were truly brilliant novels and Laeser's writing ability is unparalleled.
"Harmonic: Resonance" was no different and I feel like he stepped up his game in this book. The story sets a dark tone with an unsettling feeling of suspense throughout the whole book. I was on edge for most of the book all the way to the end.
Without giving any spoilers, I'll describe it as best I can. Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where ghosts come to life. Then, as the world starts to grasp that concept, and come to grips with this new reality, the world is invaded by these other-worldly creatures in ghost form. And, as you imagine, the threat becomes evident that they may be the next to materialize into solid form to wreak havoc on the world.
Beautifully written with excellent imagery, "Harmonic: Resonance" is a must-have in any serious reader's catalog. I picked my copy through Kindle Unlimited, but will order the paperback when it comes on sale.
"Harmonic: Resonance" was no different and I feel like he stepped up his game in this book. The story sets a dark tone with an unsettling feeling of suspense throughout the whole book. I was on edge for most of the book all the way to the end.
Without giving any spoilers, I'll describe it as best I can. Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where ghosts come to life. Then, as the world starts to grasp that concept, and come to grips with this new reality, the world is invaded by these other-worldly creatures in ghost form. And, as you imagine, the threat becomes evident that they may be the next to materialize into solid form to wreak havoc on the world.
Beautifully written with excellent imagery, "Harmonic: Resonance" is a must-have in any serious reader's catalog. I picked my copy through Kindle Unlimited, but will order the paperback when it comes on sale.
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August 7, 2016Imagine a world where the dead come back to life. This is the fascinating and somewhat terrifying concept upon which Harmonic Resonance is built. When something extra-ordinary cuts power all across the world, causing fires and devastation, two parallel worlds, those of the living and the dead, collide and begin to impact on one another. Emily’s world is changed irrevocably and she is left alone in terrifying circumstances – the need to survive in a world gone mad. It’s a thought-provoking story, not only concerning man’s beliefs in God and the afterlife, but also Man’s belief in his own inherent goodness. Eat or be eaten tends to bring out the worst in us. Beautifully-written, as ever, with characters with whom it’s easy to empathise as Emily finds her own resilience and courage, and encounters both the best and worst of human and inhuman nature. I was rooting for a happy ending for Emily, and the story leaves the reader with the hope, however slim, that that could happen.
December 16, 2015
The story starts with a sense of urgency that never leaves the reader. It is narrated by a young woman who, since an accident, is restricted in her movements. You feel sorry for her, she has lost her mother in that accident and her father recently, too.
But this novel is not about her accident and family problems. They make for a unique and powerful starting point and her the woman a voice that you want to listen to and one that you care for. What happens in the book, however, is painted in a dark of a different shade, with demonic creatures and a battle for Earth.
The point of view really gets to you. Expertly written this is a dark and gripping read that left my pulse pumping. Very good.
But this novel is not about her accident and family problems. They make for a unique and powerful starting point and her the woman a voice that you want to listen to and one that you care for. What happens in the book, however, is painted in a dark of a different shade, with demonic creatures and a battle for Earth.
The point of view really gets to you. Expertly written this is a dark and gripping read that left my pulse pumping. Very good.
February 5, 2016
When the electrical grid drops
Though adjusting to life with no electricity is hard, Emily seems uniquely qualified to handle it due to her trade background, if not for the darker side of human nature she's witnesses as odd occurrences suddenly thrust everyone into survival mode. Surviving becomes harder and more terrifying as the cause for the power loss surfaces, doled out at appropriate moments in the story with a flowing pen of the author.
Not usually a fan of first person perspective, Nico Laeser’s Harmonic Resonance resonated well with its captivating storyline, one that made me believe there are worse things than darkness when the power fails.
Though adjusting to life with no electricity is hard, Emily seems uniquely qualified to handle it due to her trade background, if not for the darker side of human nature she's witnesses as odd occurrences suddenly thrust everyone into survival mode. Surviving becomes harder and more terrifying as the cause for the power loss surfaces, doled out at appropriate moments in the story with a flowing pen of the author.
Not usually a fan of first person perspective, Nico Laeser’s Harmonic Resonance resonated well with its captivating storyline, one that made me believe there are worse things than darkness when the power fails.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews