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Dissolution Cycle #0.5
Tuning the Symphony
Change one note and the universe changes with the Symphony.
One apprentice will become a full majus today. The other will wait months for another suitable challenger. Rilan Ayama is skilled in using her song to change the Grand Symphony of the universe, but her opponent, Vethis, is crafty, and not above a little simple bribery. Though Rilan is counting on the support of her closest friend Origon, he remains absent. She has only a cryptic note saying important matters of his family take precedence, and he needs her help. The mystery pulls Rilan's attention away from the most important test of her life.
Maji create portals to between the far flung planets of the Great Assembly of Species, but many places still remain out of easy reach. A search for Origon's brother leads Rilan and her friend across the wilds of one of the ten homeworlds. There, Rilan's fledgling skills are pushed to their limits as they investigate a secret that could bring down all six houses of the maji.
One apprentice will become a full majus today. The other will wait months for another suitable challenger. Rilan Ayama is skilled in using her song to change the Grand Symphony of the universe, but her opponent, Vethis, is crafty, and not above a little simple bribery. Though Rilan is counting on the support of her closest friend Origon, he remains absent. She has only a cryptic note saying important matters of his family take precedence, and he needs her help. The mystery pulls Rilan's attention away from the most important test of her life.
Maji create portals to between the far flung planets of the Great Assembly of Species, but many places still remain out of easy reach. A search for Origon's brother leads Rilan and her friend across the wilds of one of the ten homeworlds. There, Rilan's fledgling skills are pushed to their limits as they investigate a secret that could bring down all six houses of the maji.
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2016
15 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
William C. Tracy
35 books107 followersWilliam C. Tracy writes tales of the Dissolutionverse: a science fantasy series about planets connected by music-based magic instead of spaceflight. This series currently includes a three-book epic space opera cycle. It also includes five novelettes and novellas, including a coming of age story, tales of political intrigue, a Sherlock Holmes-like mystery, a Jules Verne style adventure. Several books include LGBT-friendly elements.
His first epic fantasy from NineStar Press is Fruits of the Gods, about a land where magic comes from seasonal fruit, and two sisters plot to take down a corrupt government.
William is a North Carolina native and a lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy. He has a master's in mechanical engineering, and has both designed and operated heavy construction machinery. He has also trained in Wado-Ryu karate since 2003, and runs his own dojo in Raleigh NC. He is an avid video and board gamer, a reader, and of course, a writer.
In his spare time, he cosplays with his wife such combinations as Steampunk Agent Carter and Jarvis, Jafar and Maleficent, and Doctor Strange and the Ancient One. They also enjoy putting their pets in cute little costumes and making them cosplay for the annual Christmas card.
You can get a free Dissolutionverse short story by signing up for William's mailing list at http://williamctracy.com/contact-me/
Or follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/wctracy for writing updates, cat pictures, and thoughts on martial arts.
His first epic fantasy from NineStar Press is Fruits of the Gods, about a land where magic comes from seasonal fruit, and two sisters plot to take down a corrupt government.
William is a North Carolina native and a lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy. He has a master's in mechanical engineering, and has both designed and operated heavy construction machinery. He has also trained in Wado-Ryu karate since 2003, and runs his own dojo in Raleigh NC. He is an avid video and board gamer, a reader, and of course, a writer.
In his spare time, he cosplays with his wife such combinations as Steampunk Agent Carter and Jarvis, Jafar and Maleficent, and Doctor Strange and the Ancient One. They also enjoy putting their pets in cute little costumes and making them cosplay for the annual Christmas card.
You can get a free Dissolutionverse short story by signing up for William's mailing list at http://williamctracy.com/contact-me/
Or follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/wctracy for writing updates, cat pictures, and thoughts on martial arts.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 9, 2017
“Tuning the Symphony” by William C Tracy is a Science Fiction/Fantasy with elements of the sub-genre Steampunk. This is my first time reading William C.Tracy, and my first time in the sub-genre of Steampunk. I was delighted by both. We are introduced to a completely new form of magic that is music based, a very creative idea. The world and characters imagined by William are inventive and exciting. Along with the fantasy aspect you also get a bit of suspense, mystery and adventure. The plot is fast moving, exciting and flows very nicely. I also loved the illustrations of some of the characters throughout the book (illustrations by Micah Epstein). That allowed the reader to confirm what they might think from reading, what the characters look like. I must say the words and illustrations jive very close to what I imagined while reading. This was William’s debut novel and I am looking forward to the second book in this dissolutionverse series “Merchant and Maji: Two Tales of the Dissolutionverse”.
Synopsis (from back cover): Change one note and the universe changes with the Symphony.
One apprentice will become a full majus today. The other will wait months for another suitable challenger. Rilan Ayama is skilled in using her song to change the Grand Symphony of the universe, but her opponent, Vethis, is crafty, and not above a little simple bribery. Though Rilan is counting on the support of her closest friend Origon, he remains absent. She has only a cryptic note saying important matters of his family take precedence, and he needs her help. The mystery pulls Rilan's attention away from the most important test of her life.
Maji create portals between the far flung planets of the Great Assembly of Species, but many places still remain out of easy reach. A search for Origon's brother leads Rilan and her friend across the wilds of one of the ten homeworlds. There, Rilan's fledgling skills are pushed to their limits as they investigate a secret that could bring down all six houses of the maji.
Synopsis (from back cover): Change one note and the universe changes with the Symphony.
One apprentice will become a full majus today. The other will wait months for another suitable challenger. Rilan Ayama is skilled in using her song to change the Grand Symphony of the universe, but her opponent, Vethis, is crafty, and not above a little simple bribery. Though Rilan is counting on the support of her closest friend Origon, he remains absent. She has only a cryptic note saying important matters of his family take precedence, and he needs her help. The mystery pulls Rilan's attention away from the most important test of her life.
Maji create portals between the far flung planets of the Great Assembly of Species, but many places still remain out of easy reach. A search for Origon's brother leads Rilan and her friend across the wilds of one of the ten homeworlds. There, Rilan's fledgling skills are pushed to their limits as they investigate a secret that could bring down all six houses of the maji.
December 20, 2016
I absolutely adore hybrid stories and this incredibly unique hybrid of sci-fi and fantasy is no exception. Right off, we're introduced to a completely new system of magic that uses musical composition to weave changes, but these changes come with a price and not all magic can be undone.
It is clear that this story is meant to introduce us to a wider world that will be further explored, but it is much more than that. It's compact, yes, but well rounded and entertaining. I can't wait to read more.
It is clear that this story is meant to introduce us to a wider world that will be further explored, but it is much more than that. It's compact, yes, but well rounded and entertaining. I can't wait to read more.
July 16, 2018
Having read the main story before this one, I have to say the world building feels far more naturally presented when it’s told through the natives of the magic world, than having the need for a fish out of water character to constantly ask what exactly is going on.
Other than that, there is still the issue of the setting overshadowing the characters. I didn’t care about any of them as I did for the magic system or the places they were going to. The plot was also very simple to leave you with anything more than cool images of spells and fantasy areas.
As such, it’s just an average side story to the Seeds of Dissolution, of which I wasn’t very interested in.
Other than that, there is still the issue of the setting overshadowing the characters. I didn’t care about any of them as I did for the magic system or the places they were going to. The plot was also very simple to leave you with anything more than cool images of spells and fantasy areas.
As such, it’s just an average side story to the Seeds of Dissolution, of which I wasn’t very interested in.
April 7, 2016
Tuning the Symphony is a fun and original novella with a musically-based magic system. Every biological organism is made up of the music of the universe, and the maji, who are in tune with its workings, can read or alter its notes to change reality or decipher the past. This magic system is very well-thought out and used consistently throughout the novella. At times, it can be difficult to understand, due to its complexity, but the author keeps the plot grounded with engaging characters and easily-relatable personal conflicts. I loved both Rilan’s and Vethis’s characters. Vethis is the perfect arrogant ass to provide a foil for Rilan’s ‘underprivileged but determined’ role. Origon was a little harder to read (due to the main character being familiar with a different aspect of him than we’re shown, I think), so I didn’t fall in love with him as fully; but I thought he and Rilan made a wonderful team, and we get hints of how much more powerful he is, which provides good anticipation for future adventures. Tracy has populated his universe with awesome creatures, which often made me feel I was wandering through the Mos Eisley Cantina. They all feel real and well-developed—easy to picture without feeling overwhelmed by information. The plot is exciting and fast-moving, and filled with surprises. I’m looking forward to future stories and adventures set in this universe!
September 5, 2016
I am SERIOUSLY impressed by Tuning the Symphony. Tracy builds as much world (and an original and very cool world it is) in this novella than in most epic fantasy novels I've read - without a single info dump. Somehow, in this short work he helped me envision a broad colorful universe, introduce an exquisite musical magic system, develop well rounded and fascinating characters I couldn't help but like, AND wrap it all around a murder mystery - one with implications that could endanger the entire status quo. And all of that in a clear, easy to follow writing style. There's an edge to it too, with a touch of forbidden romance, intrigue, nasty monsters, and snarky humor that left me sniggering long after I put it down. This is a stand alone with an entirely satisfying conclusion, but from what I understand, Tuning the Symphony and the follow up novella Merchants and Magi will lead us to a first novel that (I hope) will be a series. I, for one, am very much looking forward to it. Meanwhile, I just purchased Merchants and Magi today. Now I'm off to read it...
April 18, 2019
Why did I wait to read this book? This is not my normal genre, and I will admit it took me a few pages to get into it, but once I did I didn’t want to put it down! I’m looking forward to the next book by William C. Tracy! Thank you for creating such unique worlds to visit.
October 14, 2019
I enjoyed this even more than Five Hive Plateau! Ralin is a great addition and I am looking forward to reading more of this series! A wonderful blend of science fiction and fantasy!
November 9, 2016
This is a very satisfying story of characters that are engaging, interesting, curious and infuriating - but always in a good way. Bill Tracy weaves an intriguing tale of mystery and magic (or is it a kind of science that we just don't have access to?). It pulls the reader in (well, it did to me!) and leads them on an emotional search for the truth in a convincing other-world.
The best part for me in visiting the Dissolution-verse, is feeling like I am with old friends, characters that I like to think I know well, and happily would sit down with in the local tavern to analyse, argue and chuckle over the stories of their adventures.
The best part for me in visiting the Dissolution-verse, is feeling like I am with old friends, characters that I like to think I know well, and happily would sit down with in the local tavern to analyse, argue and chuckle over the stories of their adventures.
February 26, 2021
Way different, wild ride.
Space Opera with an interesting bent to it. This dissolutionverse is a universe driven by music and manipulated by maji not machines. The ten worlds are not connected by space or solar systems but by something else. It has very unique and crazy characters set in a wild reality. It is interesting learning more about the mystery of how that universe works. Cool book.
Space Opera with an interesting bent to it. This dissolutionverse is a universe driven by music and manipulated by maji not machines. The ten worlds are not connected by space or solar systems but by something else. It has very unique and crazy characters set in a wild reality. It is interesting learning more about the mystery of how that universe works. Cool book.
December 31, 2017
The writing was well done, easy to follow along. I love fantasies with Magi and this book did not disappoint. The writing made it so easy to imagine everything and feel like you were a part of the story. It unfolded right before my eyes. Definitely worth your time if you love fantasies!!
April 20, 2021
I liked this story. the plot was something I have never read before and the characters foreign to all I am used to, but the story is tight, the plot mostly easily followed, and the ending was satisfactory. I do recommend this book.
January 31, 2022
Great local author!
Read
August 4, 2021Hello folks! I'll be using this space to provide some updates for the Dissolutionverse stories!
First off, I get a lot of questions about which books to read first. A good place to start is either this book, Tuning the Symphony, or the big epic space opera, The Seeds of Dissolution. I'm currently writing the sequels, and that story will probably be five books long.
However, I've purposefully written these books so you can read them in any order! Right now there are four side novellas to choose from: an adventure, a political intrigue, a Sherlock Holmes-style mystery, and a Jules Verne-like adventure. Each one adds a bit more to the universe...
August 4th, 2021: Been a while since I did one of these, but I'm very pleased to announce that my first anthology, Distant Gardens, is released! My stories include one in the Dissolutionverse and one in a new universe. There are eight other stories as well, by my fellow authors!
April 21st 2021: The audiobook for Tales of the Dissolutionverse is released on Audible! Go check it out!
August 25th 2020: Book 3, Fall of the Imperium is out! Time to go finish up the trilogy. What lies in store for Sam, Enos, and Inas?
July 23rd 2020: The cover for book 3, Fall of the Imperium, has been revealed! Mark your calendars for August 25th and the release of the last book of the trilogy!
June 24th 2020: Book 2, Facets of the Nether is released! Go out and get it, people! I'm hoping to finish up Fall of the Imperium in 2-3 weeks, and that one will be released in August to finish out the trilogy.
May 13 2020: The Kickstarter is finished and the covers and illustrations are funded. Thanks to everyone who helped this project. In other news, I've finished the last draft of Facets of the Nether (The Dissolution Cycle book 2) and the planned release date is June 23rd! Now on to another round of edits on book 3, planned for August 2020...
April 08 2020: The Kickstarter for books 2 and 3 of The Seeds of Dissolution is live! You can get the books early, become a character in the story, or have a special Dissolutionverse story written just for you. Check out the link here:
https://kickstarter.com/projects/spac...
February 18 2020: Draft 4 of book two in the Seeds of Dissolution timeline is complete! This fixes the last bits of feedback, as well as some consistencies I noticed while writing the third book. That means it's back to book 3, to start making large structural changes based on my writing group feedback. The Kickstarter is still a go for April!
January 15 2020: I'm finished with draft 2 of book three in the Seeds of Dissolution timeline! Going back now to make some small changes based on feedback in book two. I plan to release these in May and July of 2020, with a Kickstarter running in April. You can the first copies of the books as well as some cool swag by backing! The titles are as follows:
The Seeds of Dissolution (Book 1)
Facets of the Nether (Book 2)
Fall of the Imperium (Book 3)
October 8 2019: Starting on the first draft of book three in the Seeds of Dissolution timeline! I'm planning to release books 2 and 3 close together in 2020.
July 31 2019: The audiobook for The Seeds of Dissolution is now out! So if you like to listen to your books instead of read them, go try it out!
April 26 2019: I finished the second draft of the sequel to The Seeds of Dissolution last week! Currently it's going out to my first batch of alpha readers, and I know a lot of places I need to tidy things up. I should be starting the next draft soon, and will probably start outlining the third book soon.
Feb 20, 2019: If you want a story to tide you over until the sequel comes out, how about a novelette about Origon's past? You can get it for free right here! BookHip.com/PAHQDG
Jan 09, 2019: I'm finished with the rough draft of the next book! Take a look at the page for The Seeds of Dissolution for a full update, since this will be a sequel. I'll be putting in sneak peeks in my monthly newsletter. If you want to sign up (and get a free short story too) head on over to http://williamctracy.com/ and sign up.
First off, I get a lot of questions about which books to read first. A good place to start is either this book, Tuning the Symphony, or the big epic space opera, The Seeds of Dissolution. I'm currently writing the sequels, and that story will probably be five books long.
However, I've purposefully written these books so you can read them in any order! Right now there are four side novellas to choose from: an adventure, a political intrigue, a Sherlock Holmes-style mystery, and a Jules Verne-like adventure. Each one adds a bit more to the universe...
August 4th, 2021: Been a while since I did one of these, but I'm very pleased to announce that my first anthology, Distant Gardens, is released! My stories include one in the Dissolutionverse and one in a new universe. There are eight other stories as well, by my fellow authors!
April 21st 2021: The audiobook for Tales of the Dissolutionverse is released on Audible! Go check it out!
August 25th 2020: Book 3, Fall of the Imperium is out! Time to go finish up the trilogy. What lies in store for Sam, Enos, and Inas?
July 23rd 2020: The cover for book 3, Fall of the Imperium, has been revealed! Mark your calendars for August 25th and the release of the last book of the trilogy!
June 24th 2020: Book 2, Facets of the Nether is released! Go out and get it, people! I'm hoping to finish up Fall of the Imperium in 2-3 weeks, and that one will be released in August to finish out the trilogy.
May 13 2020: The Kickstarter is finished and the covers and illustrations are funded. Thanks to everyone who helped this project. In other news, I've finished the last draft of Facets of the Nether (The Dissolution Cycle book 2) and the planned release date is June 23rd! Now on to another round of edits on book 3, planned for August 2020...
April 08 2020: The Kickstarter for books 2 and 3 of The Seeds of Dissolution is live! You can get the books early, become a character in the story, or have a special Dissolutionverse story written just for you. Check out the link here:
https://kickstarter.com/projects/spac...
February 18 2020: Draft 4 of book two in the Seeds of Dissolution timeline is complete! This fixes the last bits of feedback, as well as some consistencies I noticed while writing the third book. That means it's back to book 3, to start making large structural changes based on my writing group feedback. The Kickstarter is still a go for April!
January 15 2020: I'm finished with draft 2 of book three in the Seeds of Dissolution timeline! Going back now to make some small changes based on feedback in book two. I plan to release these in May and July of 2020, with a Kickstarter running in April. You can the first copies of the books as well as some cool swag by backing! The titles are as follows:
The Seeds of Dissolution (Book 1)
Facets of the Nether (Book 2)
Fall of the Imperium (Book 3)
October 8 2019: Starting on the first draft of book three in the Seeds of Dissolution timeline! I'm planning to release books 2 and 3 close together in 2020.
July 31 2019: The audiobook for The Seeds of Dissolution is now out! So if you like to listen to your books instead of read them, go try it out!
April 26 2019: I finished the second draft of the sequel to The Seeds of Dissolution last week! Currently it's going out to my first batch of alpha readers, and I know a lot of places I need to tidy things up. I should be starting the next draft soon, and will probably start outlining the third book soon.
Feb 20, 2019: If you want a story to tide you over until the sequel comes out, how about a novelette about Origon's past? You can get it for free right here! BookHip.com/PAHQDG
Jan 09, 2019: I'm finished with the rough draft of the next book! Take a look at the page for The Seeds of Dissolution for a full update, since this will be a sequel. I'll be putting in sneak peeks in my monthly newsletter. If you want to sign up (and get a free short story too) head on over to http://williamctracy.com/ and sign up.
September 18, 2016
At first I felt a little overwhelmed with the new characters, species, places and concepts, but was soon so engrossed in the story that those feelings evaporated. I was pulled in and kept reading. Information was seamlessly transferred with the story such that I became comfortable in the world created. At points I thought might be predictable, I was caught by surprise with twists that weren't what I had expected and yet flowed beautifully. Original ideas featuring classical themes keep the well-read reader interested. The pace was perfect, neither too fast nor too slow, and the length spot on. I definitely want to read more!
September 4, 2016
I wish there were better descriptions of the other races, but I liked the imagination.
March 31, 2017
A surprising novella! For its length, the characters came across well and the plot developed nicely. I was surprised to find the full page illustrations inside (beautiful!) and thought they really contributed to the immersive experience of the book. Rilan was a young majus I was rooting for from the start and Ori was... consistently weird in that sort of Han Solo way that you just love to read.
I'll be happy to visit the Dissolutionverse again!
I'll be happy to visit the Dissolutionverse again!
Read
April 23, 2017DNF at 33%.
The MC was unmarried and had sex. *sigh* I lose all interest in the characters whenever that happens (except for Miles Vorkosigan . . .). Plus, she and her lover were different alien species, which distanced me from her further.
The magic idea was neat, but hard to grasp. Fractal orchestra is such a neat idea! But how much of the symphony can each person hear? It sounded like the MC was unique in how much she heard, but then other descriptions showed other maji listening to the symphony, too. Also, why would a person have to loan part of their life symphony to do permanent magic? What would make it grow back?
The plot must have been rather slow. I was a third of the way into the book (over 50 pages), and all that had happened was a test/trial. Also, it was an extremely disappointing test.
There were two students trying to become a Magus. Eight masters on the council tested them in various ways. Both students were found wanting, unready. Then the head master said, "But there must be a new magus" or something similar. The masters hemmed and hawed and finally decided the MC passed better than the other student.
What? Wouldn't it have been better (and more interesting) if NEITHER student passed? Then both the MC and the class bully are given a metaphorical slap in the face. This would lead to some fascinating character development, and maybe the two would start working together rather than against each other.
The MC was unmarried and had sex. *sigh* I lose all interest in the characters whenever that happens (except for Miles Vorkosigan . . .). Plus, she and her lover were different alien species, which distanced me from her further.
The magic idea was neat, but hard to grasp. Fractal orchestra is such a neat idea! But how much of the symphony can each person hear? It sounded like the MC was unique in how much she heard, but then other descriptions showed other maji listening to the symphony, too. Also, why would a person have to loan part of their life symphony to do permanent magic? What would make it grow back?
The plot must have been rather slow. I was a third of the way into the book (over 50 pages), and all that had happened was a test/trial. Also, it was an extremely disappointing test.
There were two students trying to become a Magus. Eight masters on the council tested them in various ways. Both students were found wanting, unready. Then the head master said, "But there must be a new magus" or something similar. The masters hemmed and hawed and finally decided the MC passed better than the other student.
What? Wouldn't it have been better (and more interesting) if NEITHER student passed? Then both the MC and the class bully are given a metaphorical slap in the face. This would lead to some fascinating character development, and maybe the two would start working together rather than against each other.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews