Ayoh - Shop now
$0.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

William C Tracy
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Tuning the Symphony: A Science Fantasy Space Opera Kindle Edition

by William C. Tracy (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 40 ratings
Change one note and the universe changes with the Symphony.

Rilan’s fledgling skills are pushed to their limits as she investigates a secret that could bring down all six houses of the maji.

One apprentice will become a full majus, while the other will wait months for another suitable challenger. Rilan Ayama is skilled in using her song to change the Grand Symphony of the universe, but her opponent Vethis is crafty and not above a little bribery. Though Rilan is counting on the support of her closest friend Origon, he remains absent. She has only a cryptic note saying important matters of his family take precedence, and he needs her help. The mystery pulls Rilan's attention away from the most important test of her life and into a search for Origon's brother, which leads Rilan and her friend across the wilds of one of the ten homeworlds.

If you like space opera, fast-past adventure, music-based magic, and coming-of-age trials, then you’ll love this introduction into William C. Tracy’s Dissolutionverse. Pick up Tuning the Symphony to discover the music today!

Read the rest of the Tales of the Dissolutionverse! These books can be read in any order:
Book 1: The Five Hive Plateau (Adventure, Alien contact) - FREE
Book 2: Tuning the Symphony (Coming of Age, Adventure)
Book 3: Merchants and Maji (Intrigue, Steampunk adventure)
Book 4: The Society of Two Houses (Sherlock Holmes-esque murder mystery)
Book 5: Journey to the Top of the Nether (Jules Verne-style adventure, kid-friendly)

There’s more adventure with The Dissolution Cycle (Epic Space Opera, LGBT):
Book 1: The Seeds of Dissolution
Book 2: Facets of the Nether
Book 3: Fall of the Imperium

Genres: Space Opera / Fantasy / Steampunk / Coming of Age

Market: New Adult and Adult

Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Reading age
    12 - 18 years
  2. Print length
    160 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    7 - 12
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    March 13, 2016
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0997299410
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Tracy launches his Dissolution universe with this delightfully imaginative fantasy novella...The complex details of magical manipulation of music, color, and all the senses are laid out with a refreshing clarity and consistency. Fans of fantasy will find much to love about this enchanting story." - Publisher's Weekly

"boy am I glad I took the risk on this new author. I am SERIOUSLY impressed by Tuning the Symphony." - Dyrk Ashton, Author of PATERNUS

"Tuning the Symphony is a fun and original novella with a musically-based magic system...Tracy has populated his universe with awesome creatures, which often made me feel I was wandering through the Mos Eisley Cantina. They all feel real and well-developed--easy to picture without feeling overwhelmed by information." - Reese Hogan, Author of HOLDING THE ASHES

"It is clear that this story is meant to introduce us to a wider world that will be further explored, but it is much more than that. It's compact, yes, but well-rounded and entertaining. I can't wait to read more." - Christina McMullen, author of THE EYE OF THE SUN series

"The plot is fast moving, exciting and flows very nicely. I also loved the illustrations of some of the characters throughout the book" - William B

About the Author

William C. Tracy writes tales of the Dissolutionverse: ascience fantasy series about planets connected by music-based magic instead ofspaceflight. Explore aliens, magic, and steampunk!

He currently has five books out, from a coming of age story,to tales of political intrigue, to a Sherlock Holmes-like mystery, to a JulesVerne style adventure, to the first book of an epic space opera, titled THESEEDS OF DISSOLUTION. Several books include LGBT-friendly elements as well.

William is a North Carolina native and a lifelong fan ofscience fiction and fantasy. He has a master's in mechanical engineering, andhas both designed and operated heavy construction machinery. He has alsotrained in Wado-Ryu karate since 2003, and runs his own dojo in Raleigh NC. Heis an avid video and board gamer, a reader, and of course, a writer.

In his spare time, he cosplays with his wife suchcombinations as Steampunk Agent Carter and Jarvis, Jafar and Maleficent, andDoctor Strange and the Ancient One. They also enjoy putting their pets in cutelittle costumes and making them cosplay for the annual Christmas card.

You can get a free Dissolutionverse short story by signingup for William's mailing list at williamctracy.com/contact-me/

Or follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/wctracy for writing updates, cat pictures, and thoughts on martial arts.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01CYJFOFA
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Space Wizard Science Fantasy
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 13, 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0997299410
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 12
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 40 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
William C Tracy

William C Tracy

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

William C. Tracy writes and publishes queer science fiction and fantasy through his indie press Space Wizard Science Fantasy, which is open to submissions (spacewizardsciencefantasy.com).

His largest work is the Dissolutionverse: a space opera with music-based magic, including ten books and an RPG. He also has a standalone epic fantasy with seasonal fruit-based magic through a LGBTQ+ small press. He is currently working on a hard sci-fi trilogy with a generational colony ship and a planet covered by a fungal entity.

William is an NC native and a lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy. He has a master’s in mechanical engineering, and has both designed and operated heavy construction machinery. He has also trained in Wado-Ryu karate since 2003 and runs his own dojo in Raleigh NC. He is an avid video and board gamer, a beekeeper, a reader, and of course, a writer.

You can get a free Dissolutionverse novelette by signing up for William's mailing list at http://williamctracy.com

Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/wctracy or Mastodon at https://wandering.shop/@wctracy for writing updates, cat and bee pictures, and thoughts on martial arts

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
40 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book's world intriguing and filled with surprises, featuring fascinating characters and a musically-based magic system. Moreover, the writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer noting it unfolds right before their eyes.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

11 customers mention "Intrigue"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the intrigue of the book, describing it as a cool world filled with mystery and surprises.

"...be difficult to understand, due to its complexity, but the author keeps the plot grounded with engaging characters and easily-relatable personal..." Read more

"...It has very unique and crazy characters set in a wild reality. It is interesting learning more about the mystery of how that universe works...." Read more

"...So I would definitely recommend it for fantasy fans. The world was intriguing and it was a real page turner. Try it out!" Read more

"...to a completely new form of magic that is music based, a very creative idea. The world and characters imagined by William are inventive and exciting...." Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them fascinating, with one customer noting the inclusion of artwork of the characters.

"...to its complexity, but the author keeps the plot grounded with engaging characters and easily-relatable personal conflicts...." Read more

"...Getting a feel for the world as a treat and I loved the inclusion of artwork of the characters...." Read more

"...an exquisite musical magic system, develop well rounded and fascinating characters I couldn't help but like, AND wrap it all around a murder mystery..." Read more

"...The characters are very well-developed and engaging...." Read more

5 customers mention "Music based"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the music-based magic system in the book.

"Tuning the Symphony is a fun and original novella with a musically-based magic system...." Read more

"...This dissolutionverse is a universe driven by music and manipulated by maji not machines...." Read more

"...We are introduced to a completely new form of magic that is music based, a very creative idea...." Read more

"...he helped me envision a broad colorful universe, introduce an exquisite musical magic system, develop well rounded and fascinating characters I could..." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as well-written and easy to follow, with one customer noting how the plot unfolds right before their eyes.

"...The pace was breezy and things were introduced at a comfortable pace...." Read more

"...And all of that in a clear, easy to follow writing style...." Read more

"...foreign to all I am used to, but the story is tight, the plot mostly easily followed, and the ending was satisfactory. I do recommend this book." Read more

"The writing was well done, easy to follow along. I love fantasies with Magi and this book did not disappoint...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Sarah S
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fantasy/sci-fi world with a different type of magic
    Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Tuning the Symphony is primarily fantasy novel with some aspects of the Sci-fi genre. In its world, various species across worlds have joined together through magic. This magic is based through connecting with the Symphony of the universe. Not every majus connects the same: there are different houses of magic that hear and utilize the Grand Symphony in their own unique way.

    A potential profession of a magic user is that of psychology. That profession is what the protagonist, Rilan, aspires to be. Rilan at the start of the novel is about to ascend from apprentice to fully fledged majus. She endures trials, competing against Vethis, an elitist apprentice she has contempt for as he is of a higher social standing and holds it above others. Although the worlds of the universe are connected through the Grand Symphony and magic, schisms of old remand. Classism and xenophobia are still alive and well.

    But the novel doesn't primarily dwell on those themes. They are lurking off to the side but it's mostly about magic and people trying to abuse it. The plot feels like it could have been broken into two distinct parts, instead it sort of just flows and it feels a little bit strange.

    But that didn't bother me that much as I was really enjoying what was going on. The pace was breezy and things were introduced at a comfortable pace. Getting a feel for the world as a treat and I loved the inclusion of artwork of the characters. It helped me visualize the aesthetic and the images were by themselves gorgeous.

    The characters were on the flatter side, though. I wished there was more personally about them. Like I wanted a deeper feel into their being. I was left wanting. I want more of them. So the novel really enticed me in that sense.

    That it did make me desire more of this world means that Tuning the Symphony was a novel that I enjoyed. So I would definitely recommend it for fantasy fans. The world was intriguing and it was a real page turner. Try it out!
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Book Fanatic
    4.0 out of 5 stars Way different, wild ride.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Space Opera with an interesting bent to it. This dissolutionverse is a universe driven by music and manipulated by maji not machines. The ten worlds are not connected by space or solar systems but by something else. It has very unique and crazy characters set in a wild reality. It is interesting learning more about the mystery of how that universe works. Cool book.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Reality tourist
    3.0 out of 5 stars better for younger readers
    Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    a fantasy series about a young man drawn by magic into another world when ice freezes his entire planet. he learns he is a maji and must learn to adapt himself to his talents and a world of alien beings plus fight his fears and phobias.
    Helpful
     Report
  • William B
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very exciting read...
    Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    “Tuning the Symphony” by William C Tracy is a Science Fiction/Fantasy with elements of the sub-genre Steampunk. This is my first time reading William C.Tracy, and my first time in the sub-genre of Steampunk. I was delighted by both. We are introduced to a completely new form of magic that is music based, a very creative idea. The world and characters imagined by William are inventive and exciting. Along with the fantasy aspect you also get a bit of suspense, mystery and adventure. The plot is fast moving, exciting and flows very nicely. I also loved the illustrations of some of the characters throughout the book (illustrations by Micah Epstein). That allowed the reader to confirm what they might think from reading, what the characters look like. I must say the words and illustrations jive very close to what I imagined while reading. This was William’s debut novel and I am looking forward to the second book in this dissolutionverse series “Merchant and Maji: Two Tales of the Dissolutionverse”.

    Synopsis (from back cover): Change one note and the universe changes with the Symphony.

    One apprentice will become a full majus today. The other will wait months for another suitable challenger. Rilan Ayama is skilled in using her song to change the Grand Symphony of the universe, but her opponent, Vethis, is crafty, and not above a little simple bribery. Though Rilan is counting on the support of her closest friend Origon, he remains absent. She has only a cryptic note saying important matters of his family take precedence, and he needs her help. The mystery pulls Rilan's attention away from the most important test of her life.

    Maji create portals between the far flung planets of the Great Assembly of Species, but many places still remain out of easy reach. A search for Origon's brother leads Rilan and her friend across the wilds of one of the ten homeworlds. There, Rilan's fledgling skills are pushed to their limits as they investigate a secret that could bring down all six houses of the maji.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • R Hogan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unique Music-Based Magic System
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Tuning the Symphony is a fun and original novella with a musically-based magic system. Every biological organism is made up of the music of the universe, and the maji, who are in tune with its workings, can read or alter its notes to change reality or decipher the past. This magic system is very well-thought out and used consistently throughout the novella. At times, it can be difficult to understand, due to its complexity, but the author keeps the plot grounded with engaging characters and easily-relatable personal conflicts. I loved both Rilan’s and Vethis’s characters. Vethis is the perfect arrogant ass to provide a foil for Rilan’s ‘underprivileged but determined’ role. Origon was a little harder to read (due to the main character being familiar with a different aspect of him than we’re shown, I think), so I didn’t fall in love with him as fully; but I thought he and Rilan made a wonderful team, and we get hints of how much more powerful he is, which provides good anticipation for future adventures. Tracy has populated his universe with awesome creatures, which often made me feel I was wandering through the Mos Eisley Cantina. They all feel real and well-developed—easy to picture without feeling overwhelmed by information. The plot is exciting and fast-moving, and filled with surprises. I’m looking forward to future stories and adventures set in this universe!
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Robinski
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hail, friends, well met.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very satisfying story of characters that are engaging, interesting, curious and infuriating - but always in a good way. Bill Tracy weaves an intriguing tale of mystery and magic (or is it a kind of science that we just don't have access to?). It pulls the reader in (well, it did to me!) and leads them on an emotional search for the truth in a convincing other-world.

    The best part for me in visiting the Dissolution-verse, is feeling like I am with old friends, characters that I like to think I know well, and happily would sit down with in the local tavern to analyse, argue and chuckle over the stories of their adventures.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report