For sixteen years now, we've never forgotten the number one rule: one look into their eyes, and it's all over. By 2042, Earth is a broken maze of fortified blockades and silent streets, haunted by gorgons whose paralyzing gaze turns survivors into lasting monuments to fear. Sergeant Cameron “Jet” Shipley, and his little brother Wyatt "Rutty" Shipley, have already buried family, brothers-in-arms, and their faith in anything but the next breath. When a flicker of thermal life pierces the dead zones, Jet leads his squad into the ruins - and into a secret that should have saved them years ago. A new recruit carries proof of a hidden weapon, a shard of alien-wrought power that could cut through the gorgons’ reign. But every answer invites a darker question: who buried humanity’s best hope, and why? As whispers of conspiracy coil through the ranks, Jet must choose between orders and the truth, between vengeance and vision. Trust fractures. Loyalties snap. The enemy outside is lethal, but the threat within may be fatal. With each step through ash and shadow, Jet is forced to decide what kind of soldier he is, and what kind of world is worth risking his soul to rebuild. If he can unite a ragged found family of fighters, hackers, and skeptics around a weapon born of alien terror and human resolve, there’s a chance to shatter the gaze that holds the planet in its grip. If not, the last spark of hope will blink out in the dark. Dissonance Volume I: Reality launches a relentless, cinematic saga of post-apocalyptic survival where military grit collides with alien horror, and every heartbeat could be your last. Fans of pulse-pounding tactics, high-stakes secrets, and the fragile bonds that make us human will tear through this opening salvo—then look over their shoulder. === Fans of Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Michael Crichton, and Pierce Brown will devour this gripping blend of invasion dread, razor-edged action, and razor-wire conspiracy. Pick up your copy of a gripping post-apocalyptic novel with alien predators that plunges readers into the urgency of survival after invasion, where military sci fi and alien artifacts shape the fate of humanity. With a screen adaptation complete and pitching to streaming networks underway, now is the perfect time to order your copy of this science fiction alien invasion series opener. Dissonance Volume I: Reality has it all: post-apocalyptic survival, military conspiracy, found family and horror all wrapped into one! "Ryan has established himself as a bold new voice willing to dispense with the safety nets of many genre tropes in order to confront the darkest, most primal impulses lurking within survival narratives." - The Bookish Elf "The first volume of Dissonance is a very good read, especially if people like grim stories and dystopia since this book does both things and at a high level." - Book Nerdection "This book had my heart racing at some parts and my eyes watering at others - Ryan did a great job at keeping me invested and evoking a variety of emotions from me." - Alex Norton (Likely Story) "Ryan meticulously crafts a tense atmosphere, laying a strong foundation for his new series. ★★★★½" - Self-Publishing Editorial Review "Dissonance: Reality offers a gripping first installment to what will be an intense sci-fi series." - The Book Review Directory This is, hands down, the most powerful story I've ever been able to tell. I'm immeasurably proud of it, and grateful to have been privileged to author it.  I hope you are whisked away by it and taken on a dizzying and incredible journey.  Thank you for your support! Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and Merry & Pippin, the finches.   He is the author of the "Dissonance" quadrilogy, the sci-fi thriller "Forecast", the self-help books "How to Successfully Self-Publish & Promote Your Self-Published Book" and "The Superhero Anomaly", several business books on voiceovers penned under a former stage name, as well as a previous fictional novel, "The Omega Room."   When he was in second grade, he was tasked with writing a creative assignment: a fictional book.  And thus, "The Electric Boy" was born: a simple novella full of intrigue, fantasy, and 7-year-old wits that electrified Aaron's desire to write.  From that point forward, Aaron evolved into a creative soul that desired to create.   He enjoys the arts, media, music, performing, poetry, and being a daddy.  In his lifetime he has been an author, voiceover artist, wedding videographer, stage performer, musician, producer, rock/pop artist, executive assistant, service manager, paperboy, CSR, poet, tech support, worship leader, and more.  The diversity of his life experiences gives him a unique approach to business, life, ministry, faith, and entertainment.   Aaron's favorite author by far is J.R.R. Tolkien, but he also enjoys Suzanne Collins, James S.A. Corey, Marie Lu, Madeleine L'Engle, C.S. Lewis, and Steph