Synopsis:
“You can never go home again,” the saying goes—but Hal, Athena, and Erin have to. In high school, the three were students of the eccentric Professor Marsh, trained in a secret system of magic known as the Dissonance, which is built around harnessing negative emotions: alienation, anger, pain. Then, twenty years ago, something happened that shattered their coven, scattering them across the country, stuck in mundane lives, alone.
But now, terrifying signs and portents (not to mention a pointed Facebook invite) have summoned them back to Clegg, Texas. There, their paths will collide with that of Owen, a closeted teenager from Alabama whose aborted cemetery seance with his crush summoned something far worse: a murderous entity whose desperate, driving purpose includes kidnapping Owen to serve as its Renfield. As Owen tries to outwit his new master, and Hal, Athena, and Erin reckon with how the choices they made as teens might connect to the apocalyptic event unfurling over the Lone Star State, shocking alliances form, old and new romances brew, and three unsuccessful adults and one frightened teen are all that stand between reality and oblivion.
From one of the boldest, most brilliant voices in modern fantastical horror, The Dissonance is a thrilling and beautifully written story of magic and monsters, forgiveness and friendship.
Review:
In a bold move, that may alienate half of the website’s readership, I must confess that fantasy has never really been my cup of tea. Since I was a mere gremlin, I’ve been voraciously consuming horror, and whilst I did have a VERY fleeting, scarcely discussed “book-tok,” dalliance, fantasy, or even fantasy horror, has largely eluded me. “The Dissonance,” by Shaun Hamill is a novel that defies convention, a novel that ponders the balance of power, pain and friendship…and a novel so compelling, it might just change my ways. A genre-bending, coming-of-age, somewhat liberating odyssey, that allows readers to briefly accept the possibility that magic might just be real, Shaun Hamill’s latest should not, nay, can not be missed. Thank you Titan Books and Netgalley for the e-ARC; worlds will collide upon its release- July 23rd.
Hal Isaac is a murderer awaiting trial. Athena Watts teaches sex magic seminars. Erin Porter is just at a bit of a loss. They each lead different (messy) lives, but are tethered together by a powerful magic. Professor Marsh, was a private man, and whilst reading a book from his private library felt like an intrusion, it seemed as if the group was meant to find it. It’s that night that they discovered “The Dissonance,” an ancient, unexplored magic that harnesses its power from all of the disharmony in the world, violence, anger, exclusion. Under the clandestine guidance of secret, magic bad-ass Professor Marsh, the friends spent a Summer learning and honing their own dissonant capabilities. Even 25 years later, the aftermath of that summer are still haunting the lives of the estranged but home-bound group. Today, current Clegg-resident and closeted teen “Oscar,” finds his life also dramatically changed by a strange magic, a botched seance that leaves his friends mangled and his crush possessed by a murderous entity. Whilst Owen attempts to outsmart his demonic abductor, Athena, Erin and Hal begin to realise that the events of that Summer have everything to do with the apocalyptic, horror-filled hellscape they find upon their return home.
I will be re-reading “It,” starting this weekend, and considering my last visit to Derry was when I was at the ripe age of 14, I’m perhaps not the most qualified tour guide. Despite my naivete and fading memory, I couldn’t help but notice some intriguing parallels between “The Dissonance,” and King’s opus. On the most basic level, yes, both chronicle a group of childhood friends who face a malevolent force, only to be drawn back together when the past resurfaces- highlighting themes of friendship, and the impact of childhood. “The Dissonance,” itself is incredibly difficult to describe, as aforementioned, it’s sort of a magic fuelled by everything in the world that is disharmonious, it’s something Christian’s explain away as original sin. It feeds off of negative emotions… much like a certain dancing clown. If, like any normal person, you’ve always wondered what a fantastical blend of “It,” “Percy Jackson,” and “The Secret History,” (marinated in cosmic horror sauce) reads like, then “The Dissonance,” is the spellbinding answer to your literary prayers.
Hamill’s characterisation throughout is utterly unmatched, his portrayal of flawed, complex characters is perhaps… the best? Hal, Athena, and Erin are crafted with such nuance and care that their connections with one another, and indeed our connection with them, feel authentic and deeply resonant. I felt things for these folks- this is high stakes horror. Their shared history and individual struggles are explored with a degree of realism that grounds the fantastical elements of the story. The dual timeline structure effectively sheds light on their evolving friendships and the weight of their past choices, building tension and anticipation, and, as I said before, commenting on the lingering impact of the past, the importance of youth. This technique ensures that both timelines are compelling, and in conjunction with the story’s perfect pacing, at no point did I find myself longing for a change, nor upset when one came anyway.
Both an homage and re-invention of the horror and fantasy that we love, “The Dissonance,” has rightfully earned its place on my five star shelf. An eye opening reading experience for me, and an objectively masterful blend of heart, horror and mysticism, you need this one on your tbr- you can read Anna’s far more put-together review here if you remain unconvinced. It’s deeply personal, cosmically grand and all in all, it’s really, very, fucking good.
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