The Dissonance

Decades after teenage mishaps with magic left a coven shattered, those still remaining are drawn to the sole survivor of a summoning gone wrong. Erin, Hal, and Athena still long for the lost magic called Dissonance—now lost—and the relationships that shattered so long ago. Meanwhile, Owen has been kidnapped by the violent, possessed body of his crush, learning in the hardest way that magic is real. Hamill (A Cosmology of Monsters) weaves the past and present into a teasing narrative, holding tight to revelations so as to maximize listeners’ anticipation. Soneela Nankani narrates the whole cast, embodying each character’s quirks, insecurities, and guilt as they navigate the dangers across their lives. She portrays their true wonder as children discovering their power, facing off during their first tests, and traveling to new worlds. When depicting the grown-up versions, Nankani voices doubts that are more bitter and tinged with a grief that’s only hinted at deep into the novel. The characters’ need to recapture the victories of their youth and choose better will resonate with many listeners.