Aaron Ryan’s Dissonance: Volume I is a gritty, post-apocalyptic thriller set in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to the arrival of terrifying alien creatures called gorgons. The story follows Jet and his younger brother, Rutty, as they navigate a dystopian landscape, trying to survive and protect a mysterious amulet that could be the key to humanity’s survival. The novel explores themes of fear, trust, and the resilience of the human spirit, all within a backdrop of constant danger from the relentless gorgons.

The author has a way of pulling you straight into the action, and once you’re in, you’re there for the long haul. The opening scene had me right on edge. Jet is hiding from a gorgon, counting down the seconds he has to reach safety, and his heart-stopping escape felt vivid and tense. Ryan does a great job of keeping the pace fast and tense, especially during the action scenes.

The relationship between Jet and Rutty felt real and raw, which gave me a reason to root for them beyond just survival. There’s a scene early on where Rutty is teasing Jet about being called “Cameron,” and even though it’s lighthearted, you can feel the weight of their shared trauma underneath. It’s those little moments that make the bleak world of the story feel more grounded and human. You can tell Ryan put a lot of thought into how these two characters interact, and it’s those quieter moments that balance out the non-stop action. There are a lot of scenes with heavy internal monologue where Jet reflects on the past, the loss of his family, and the weight of survival, which sometimes slowed things down but these reflections added depth to Jet’s character.

Dissonance: Volume I is a thrilling ride with enough tension, emotional depth, and world-building to keep you hooked. The book would be perfect for anyone who loves post-apocalyptic science fiction stories where survival feels like a constant question mark. It’s got heart, plenty of action, and enough mystery to make you want to pick up the next volume. If you’re into stories like The Road but with more of a sci-fi edge, this one’s definitely worth a read.

Pages: 328 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CRHMLNYF