Review: Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation by Aaron Ryan

Humanity falls under a shadow of doom when a mysterious alien force arrives on Earth in Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation by Aaron Ryan, a revealing and suspenseful starting point to this riveting series.

In this dramatic prequel, hundreds of thousands of tentacled aliens descend into the atmosphere, hovering ominously for months, spreading a blanket of fear and dread across the world with their unspoken intent. Within this reality-redefining invasion, Andrew Shipley, a dedicated firefighter and devoted family man, must navigate his personal terror about keeping his beloved wife Melissa and their three children safe from the unfolding apocalypse.

Most readers will be coming to this prequel after reading the main trilogy, and there is something enthralling about knowing what devastation and drama lies ahead. Seeing Cameron as a child is an appealing part of this introductory installment; readers can see the roots of his lead-character personality, and the foundation of his family life before everything changed in his childhood. Cameron’s stubbornly strong will is apparent even at the tender age of six, as is the deep bond he has with his brother Rutty – a connection that drives major plot lines later in the series. The relationship between Andrew Shipley and his son Cameron is similarly heartwarming, imbued with invaluable wisdom about bullying, identity, and responsibility, along with plenty of eye-rolling dad jokes.

Though the first few chapters of the novel have a bit more family exposition than necessary, this does give readers a chance to invest in the normalcy and tenderness of the Shipley family, which colors the series overall. Eventually, the plot turns, with freak lightning storms, interrupted cell service, and mysterious dog-deafening frequencies, followed by the jaw-dropping appearance of egg-shaped ships and levitating monsters. The pace and frequency of the action picks up a few chapters later, especially once the feeding frenzy begins, which keeps the pages flipping fast and frantic.

Artfully capturing the confused panic of a planetary emergency, the novel can feel like a subtle allegory for contemporary society, where people often feel overwhelmed by larger-than-life crises of climate change, societal unrest, and the threat of global war. Staying glued to the news, fearful of when the next proverbial shoe will drop, is an emotion to which many readers can relate, despite the otherworldly nature of this novel’s threat. Some lines feel loaded with dual intent beyond the fourth wall of the prose: “Stay off the news. I mean it. Don’t let it rule your life. Do things with your family. Connect. Get in there. Love ‘em. Don’t let this time be dominated by fear and worry…”

Ryan also plays well with the concept of higher powers and religion, and the abstract dangers they can represent – whether benevolent angels or savage aliens, the sudden arrival on Earth poses myriad spiritual and existential questions, particularly for a family rooted in faith. Once the aliens’ all-consuming purpose is clear, however, the tone shifts to that of a dystopian action thriller, with life-or-death stakes elevating every scene.

Adding a fascinating backstory for the adrenaline-fueled heroics of the rest of the Dissonance series, this character-driven prelude celebrates the unwavering love of family and the tireless resilience of the human spirit, for a prequel installment that is every bit as strong as subsequent books in the series.