Risingshadow
Speculative Fiction Books
  • About
    • Home
    • Articles
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Staff Members
    • Newsletter
    • Finnish (FI)
  • Books
    • New Releases
    • Coming Soon
    • Books of the Year
    • Bookshelf Activity
    • Recently Added
    • Advanced Search
    • Reviews / Comments
    • Genres and Tags
    • * Submit Book
  • Community
    • Discussions
    • - Recent Messages
    • - Recent Topics
    • - Hot Topics
    • - Popular Topics
    • - Search
    • CHALLENGES
    • - Reading Challenge
    • - Book Trivia Quiz
  • Home
  • Books
  • Nicoli Gonnella
  • Unbound
  • Dissonance

Dissonance

Unbound #1 / 12 ✓
by Nicoli Gonnella
Dissonance (Unbound #1) by Nicoli Gonnella
★ 9.00 / 6
1234567389310

A New World. A Thousand Threats. Welcome to The Continent.

Felix's life on Earth had become a series of dead-end jobs, ruined relationships, and rotating apartments smaller than most postage stamps. By all accounts, even his own, he was a coward. Too afraid to move forward, to take risks. Yet when given the chance to choose between risking his life or walking away from a deadly encounter, he didn't hesitate.

Moments before his untimely demise, Felix was snatched from earth and thrust into a magical world known only as ‘The Continent’. Empowered by the ‘System’, he learns that he can strengthen himself through combat and dedication. To survive he'll have to push himself beyond his limits, or else fall to the monsters all around him.

Levels, stats, and magic. Death is the start of a terrible fate, but if he lives…no one knows what he will become.

Amazon: Check Best Offer

FantasyLitRPG
Release date: May 4, 2022

Book Order
Amazon
Kindle
Audible
Amazon CA
Amazon UK
Amazon Europe

Your Rating
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Standard Shelves

Readers also enjoyed

Death, Loot & Vampires (The Vampire Vincent #1)
★ 10.00 / 5
He Who Fights with Monsters (He Who Fights with Monsters #1)
★ 9.84 / 63
All the Skills (All the Skills #1)
★ 9.44 / 16
Defiance of the Fall (Defiance of the Fall #1)
★ 9.42 / 12
The Primal Hunter (The Primal Hunter #1)
★ 9.08 / 28
Chrysalis 1: The Antventure Begins (Chrysalis #1)
★ 8.88 / 9
Beware of Chicken (Beware of Chicken #1)
★ 9.50 / 8

Join the Discussion
You can post as a guest or sign in for more features.
Have questions about this book or want to share your thoughts? Join the conversation!
Nicoli Gonnella

Nicoli Gonnella

Nicoli Gonnella didn’t descend from a mountain clutching an ancient manuscript—but you might think so, given the depth and power behind his stories. With a background that mixes sharp wit, irreverent humor, and a lifelong fascination with fantasy worlds, Gonnella has carved out a space in the LitRPG and progression fantasy genres that feels entirely his own. His Unbound series, which launched in 2022 with Dissonance, has since grown into a sprawling, emotionally rich saga that continues to evolve with every new book.

Read more ...

At the heart of Gonnella’s writing is a fascination with growth—physical, emotional, metaphysical. His characters don’t just level up in stats; they break, rebuild, and redefine what strength means in a world where power often comes at a cost. It's not just about skill trees and system mechanics (though those are meticulously crafted)—it's about the human journey woven between the lines.

Before writing full-time, Gonnella, like many of his characters, followed a winding path. He dabbled in different careers and life chapters before embracing storytelling with both feet. Now, he's fully immersed in the world he’s created, supported by a vibrant reader community that fuels his creative momentum—think spirit bomb, but with book sales and Discord shoutouts.

He currently lives with his wife, two kids, and a corgi named Cornelius, who may or may not be plotting world domination one nap at a time. When he's not writing, he's likely online chatting with readers, tinkering with lore, or planning the next twist in the Unbound universe.

In a genre often driven by numbers and mechanics, Gonnella’s work stands out for its emotional stakes, layered characters, and a world that feels alive in its complexity. And if you've been keeping up, you’ll know—this isn't even his final form.

Unbound

In a world where strength is currency and power is dictated by the mysterious System, Unbound isn’t just another LitRPG series—it’s a raw, character-driven plunge into what it truly means to grow. At its core is Felix, a man ripped from Earth and dropped into a realm where magic is measured and survival is anything but guaranteed. But while others chase levels and ranks, Felix breaks the rules—literally. He doesn't just evolve within the System… he defies it.

Read more ...

Rather than following the typical power fantasy blueprint, Unbound leans into grit and emotional depth. The stakes aren't just epic in scale—they’re deeply personal. As Felix carves his path through labyrinthine politics, shifting alliances, and monsters both within and without, readers witness a transformation not just of power, but of purpose. This isn’t a story about being the strongest for the sake of it—it’s about what you sacrifice to get there.

What sets this series apart is its immersive progression fantasy framework, layered world-building, and a protagonist who challenges genre expectations at every turn. Complex lore, evolving mechanics, and philosophical undertones are all woven together with fast-paced action and sharp dialogue, creating a world that’s as dangerous as it is addictive.

With each installment, the journey only grows more ambitious—and more unpredictable. Whether you're a seasoned LitRPG fan or new to progression fantasy, this series doesn’t just invite you to level up—it dares you to question the System itself.


Unbound consists of eleven books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Dissonance (Unbound #1)
★ 9.00 / 6
Silence (Unbound #2)
★ 8.20 / 5
Hunger (Unbound #3)
★ 8.76 / 4
Fury (Unbound #4)
★ 8.50 / 4
Threshold (Unbound #5)
★ 9.34 / 3
Expanse (Unbound #6)
★ 8.34 / 3
Abyss (Unbound #7)
★ 9.34 / 3
Vault (Unbound #8)
★ 8.50 / 2
Crown (Unbound #9)
★ 9.00 / 2
Empire (Unbound #10)
★ 10.00 / 3
Chains: A LitRPG Adventure (Unbound #11)
★ 8.50 / 2
Ruin: A LitRPG Adventure (Unbound #12)
⧗ 9.50 / 6


^ Top
Follow Us: Newsletter | Facebook | X | Mastodon | RSS
Hosted by Planeetta Internet Oy
© 1996 - 2026 Risingshadow. All rights reserved.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Privacy Policy