A Magically Dark Journey
Shaun Hamill’s latest novel, The Dissonance, masterfully combines elements of fantasy and horror while keeping an unwavering focus on the human core. Following his successful debut with A Cosmology of Monsters, Hamill solidifies his position as one of genre fiction’s brightest rising stars with this riveting follow-up. The Dissonance is a tale of loss, love, and a chance at redemption set against a backdrop of dark imagery and supernatural occurrences.
The Story and Characters
Set in the small town of Clegg, Texas, the story follows Hal, Erin, and Athena, three friends who, in their teenage years, delve into an obscure and powerful magical system known as ‘The Dissonance.’ Tragedy strikes, leaving the trio missing a friend and separated by time and grief. Two decades later, as they reunite for the 20-year memorial of the tragedy, they find themselves dealing with strange happenings and a local teenager named Owen, who is entangled in a supernatural mystery of his own.
Phantasmagoric Imagery with a Human Touch
Hamill’s writing plunges readers into a world filled with dark rituals, supernatural threats, and mythical weapons. The narrative creates a sense of being part of something titanic and overwhelming. Yet, amidst the phantasmagoria of dark imagery, the emotional depth of the characters remains at the forefront. Hal, Erin, and Athena are fully fleshed-out individuals, their burdens both fantastical and profoundly relatable. It is this human touch that makes The Dissonance not just a compelling fantasy and horror tale, but a deeply felt story about the transformative power of shared traumas and the possibility of redemption.
A Must-Read for Genre Enthusiasts
With his direct and evocative prose, Shaun Hamill provides a narrative that is both immediate and thrilling, ensuring that readers are not merely immersed but plunged into his meticulously crafted world. The Dissonance will hook you with its dark imagery but will keep you engrossed with its human story. For fans of fantasy, horror, and coming-of-age stories, Hamill’s latest work is a must-read that offers a perfect blend of all three genres.
