Faces in the Water: The Shades of Venice Series: Episode One

The Shades of Venice #1

by Tonya Macalino

I reached out and dark Venice took my hand...

Who created that slide of silk across your skin as you reached for your cinematic lover? Who recorded the crushing weight of the grizzly as you fought for your life in the fictional wilderness?

Brilliant sensory immersion artist Alyse Kate Bryant of Lone Pine Pictures will do almost anything for the perfect sensory file, but her recklessness finally has consequences.

Now Alyse finds herself trapped in the flooded ruins of Venice, a quarantine camp for the carriers of Sleepers' Syndrome.

But the city grows darker still...

Because the carriers of Sleepers' Syndrome are no longer as human as they seem.

The city of legend is bringing its legends back to life.

They come now, Alyse.

Run.

Click now and join Alyse in book one of The Shades of Venice Series!


"A little surreal, kind of like Alice falling down the rabbit hole or walking through the mirror; only this little Alyse has claws." - Mindy Wall, Books, Books, and More Books

"...a mile a minute thrill ride filled with suspense, adventure, and mind-bending plot twists. Fear not for Alyse. She will find her way through the Looking Glass. Even if she has to break it!" - Frishawn, WTF Are You Reading?

"I can honestly say that this series is like nothing I have encountered before. Mythology,legends, folklore and alternate realities collide amid the most lavish historical backdrop. Venice seeps under your skin..." - Lucinda, Amazon Reviewer

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Tonya Macalino
is a writer of futuristic paranormal thrillers. An avid collector of folk history and folklore, she weaves the colorful tales of times past into a rich tapestry giving depth to the fast action of her stories. To read more from Tonya’s collection of folklore/history, visit her blog at www.tonyamacalino.com. For news and information drop by and say hello on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TonyaMacalino.

Reviews

[William Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyse is an “immersion artist,” her body fitted with computerized implants that can guide and heal her. “Mo” is like an internal Google on steroids, enabling her to communicate with anyone on the planet via a holographic avatar. “Margie” is an internal medic, able to send nanobots throughout her system to heal her wounds. Alyse’s job is to provide the sensory input recordings for the newest movies—movies which allow an audience to literally feel what they see on the screen.

But all is not well in this high-tech future. DNA splicing has accidentally rendered some people “carriers” of Sleeper Syndrome, a disease which attacks children by putting them into a coma for the rest of their lives. The carriers have been banished to the ruined city of Venice to protect the world's children.

Alyse’s assignment is to go to Venice with her team to film a documentary there. In a single night, the trip turns into Alyse’s worst nightmare.

With Faces in the Water: The Shades of Venice: Episode One, Macalino has created a chilling dystopia. Much like her immersion artist protagonist, the reader is pummeled by the sounds and scents, tastes and textures of the decaying city. From the sludge that clogs the canals, to the crumbling rock of the historic buildings, to the ferocious desire of the explicitly sexual scenes, we are immersed in the story. The result is a breathlessly paced thrill ride for which “page-turner” is an understatement.

But be aware—such immersion comes at a cost, at least for an old guy like me. There are no explanations for any of this. We are thrust headlong into the narrative, so I spent much of the early chapters trying to understand exactly what was happening. That said, the effort was worth it. Faces in the Water packs a gut-punch. Kudos to the author and her twisted imagination!

[Jayne Southern · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grief-stricken immersion artist is sent to Venice for a project she wants no part of. She reunites with the compelling Matteo, who proves to be a carrier for the sleeping sickness that puts children into life-long comas. Someone has tampered with Alyse's DNA and a torrid encounter with Matteo infects her. The shadowy and violent world of the carriers and mysterious controller affect Alyse's life in ways she could not possibly have imagined. A dystopian Venice and the astonishing characters enveloped me in a way I have not enjoyed with a book for a long time.
This exquisitely drawn work commands attention from the first gripping page to the final I didn't-want-it-to-end line. Thank heaven there are sequels because I must have more!
I enjoyed a review copy in exchange for an honest review. Lucky me.

[Karen Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbinding

This book was impossible to put down. Alyse is an immersion artist who has just lost her father to a shark attack. Following her own brush with a shark she & her team are sent to Venice to bid for a job. It's not the Venice we know though & its here that Alyse finds herself in danger but by who or what does this danger spring from.
This is a brilliantly woven story that held me spellbound till the end, left me wrung out emotionally & wanting more.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. We now have the technology to publish anything, but people keep reading the same tired authors because they are guaranteed to sell. Indie authors write because they love it, and it shows. Sometimes the best bets are from the indie scene. Jillian Torassa, Jordan Reid, and Tonya Macalino are just as good, if not better, than many published authors.

[Joseph Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was as taut as a violin string. Tonya really knows how to ratchet up the tension in a story line. Was hard to put down

[Connie Jasperson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today we are visiting one of the more creative post-apocalyptic novels I've ever read, Faces in the Water (Shades of Venice Book 1), by indie author, Tonya Macalino.


But First, THE BLURB:
Who created that slide of silk across your skin as you reached for your cinematic lover? Who recorded the crushing weight of the grizzly as you fought for your life in the fictional wilderness? It is Lone Pine Pictures’ Alyse Kate Bryant who wraps your body in the story only your mind was privy to before.

A brilliant sensory immersion artist and a wild daredevil, Alyse will do almost anything for the perfect sensory file, but the violent death of her father has her teetering on the very edge of reckless sanity.

For just one night, Alyse seeks refuge in the arms of a beautiful stranger.

And her recklessness finally has consequences.

Now Alyse finds herself trapped in the flooded ruins of Venice, a quarantine camp for the carriers of Sleepers’ Syndrome. But it can never be that simple. Because the Sleepers’ Syndrome carriers who populate the camp are no longer as human as they seem.

The city of legend is bringing its legends back to life.

They come now, Alyse.

Run.

MY REVIEW:
This book is gripping. Alyse is a complicated character, and her supporting cast is equally complicated. The culture of immersion-art as the TV of the future seems quite plausible, given the current penchant for reality shows. And Alyse is one of the most popular artists. She really is an adrenaline junkie.

The world Macalino builds in Venice is dark, mist-enshrouded and eerie--and what Alyse discovers there is disturbing. The plot keeps moving and the action never stops--always it is heading toward the final denouement.

Her experiences, shock, horror, anger--all are true and real. Alyse is one good, solid character. The reactions of her friends are all true too--loyalty, horror, abandonment--all reactions friends would have in varying and different degrees.

Vittoreo and Matteo are wonderfully drawn, sexy, and full of emotion and life Jurgen is exactly what he should be: powerful, charismatic and consumed with the conviction that he has the one final answer...he is a fabulous antagonist.

This is a dark, meaty, grownup novel for thinking people. I give it 5 full stars, because it stuck with me--I was thinking about Macalino's Venice all evening.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hauntingly beautiful story that lingers on your mind…

From the author of ‘Spectre of Intention’ comes a deliciously dark, exquisite novel of multilayered sub-plots that enchants and captivates. Tonya Macalino’s writing style is wonderfully compelling, as she seamlessly interweaves delicious details within an atmospheric backdrop for a ‘realistic’ feel.
Having already read book 2 in the shades of Venice series (stealing Lucifer’s dreams) it was nice to start the story from the very beginning, with the characters growing and developing on the page. This highly original novel is full of impacting resonance and deeply beguiling premise, all cocooned into one gripping journey that’s truly unforgettable. If you enjoy reading character-driven fiction with a strong main protagonist, and a deftly woven narrative then this remarkable read will have you spellbound.

(Quote from author’s personal note)
‘Every place has its story…Be still. Listen.’

I would highly recommend this eclectic, edgy tale to those seeking a sensational experience brilliantly realised and highly illuminating. Legends are brought to life within the magnetic backdrop of Venice, wherein Alyse’s experiences and dreams awaken all senses and transport you into a dream world. Nothing is as it seems and I loved how the author kept me guessing throughout, wondering what was about to happen next as twists in the tale occurred when least expected! The inspired concepts {such as ‘Sleepers Syndrome’} are intriguing, and I can honestly say that this series is like nothing I have encountered before. Mythology, legends, folklore and alternate realities collide amid the most lavish historical backdrop. Venice seeps under your skin…

* I would like to thank the author for sending me a paperback copy of her first novel in the shades of Venice series, to read & review *

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Originally posted on A Bibliophile's Reverie*

Set in the future, this story’s world is very well developed and fascinating. Macalino did a great job establishing her world and let the reader get the information they needed to understand what’s going on. There were only a few areas where I was sort of confused, especially as to what exactly the main character was. It took a little bit to wrap my head around, but in the end I was able to understand the world.

The main character Alyse was pretty interesting, although I got confused as to what was going on with her near the end. There are a lot of questions not answered and I want to know what was going to happen to Alyse. She was pretty entertaining, although I was getting a little bored in the second half of the book as most of it was her trying to escape. I think it could have happened a little faster and given the character a little more depth.

The story itself was written really well and the world very well thought out. It wasn’t my sort of story, though, as it was sort of a medical, futuristic, paranormal thriller, and that isn’t quite my genre. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was still entertaining. If you like that genre, do check it out. You will not be disappointed.

I give this novel a 4/5, as there was a bit of a slow patch near the three-quarter mark, but it was really well developed. I could have had a bit more of an arc for the character, as I don’t feel she changed that much, but more just discovered something. If you like paranormal, medical thrillers, or futuristic stories, this is definitely a story to check out.

[Gina - What She Read]

Be at Behind A Million And One Pages on 29 May for a exclusive review of Faces in the Water! Join the blog tour!






I was somewhat shocked when I started this novel. I didn't think I'd get a kind of post-apocalyptic feel to it from Sleepers' Syndrome. OK, well if I wanted to, really it could've been deciphered from the blurb, but still it came as a shock. To be honest, I didn't really understand the disease much at first, but as I got through the novel, I understood it all and how devestating it would be on Alyse, as well as the others affected by it as well (such as Ryan). Along with Alyse's 'enhanced' body we start to get used to this new world, that we didn't really know we'd get ourselves into. Just as this is a shock to us, we are thrown into this new world and forced to get over it (if we signed up for it or not) just like Alyse as she catches Sleepers' Syndrome. Her job makes her that much more interesting, as I have never read from a sensory illusionist's perspective before, nor read of one until the first time I picked up my Reader and started reading. It's a wonderful concept that is brought into the novel, and it brings with it a new light as well as a new take on first person narration. The ending, oh the ending. leads us perfectly from the start of her story into her next one. We find out the truth as to why she is so unique, as well as finding out her sweet, sweet plot to come back. (Yes, start getting intrigued)

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sort of post-apocalyptic book set in a world where a devastating disease, sleeping sickness, traps children in ageless sleep. The disease is carried by adults who were trying to find a cure for another disease and inadvertently created this disease by messing with the DNA of the long dead. Into this setting we place a girl who has been modified to have machines that enhance her abilities and turn her into a sensory gathering being. These sensory experiences are then translated via film to the public.

But even among her peers, she is unique. And this uniqueness is about to be exploited. Apparently someone doesn’t know that the phrase “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” applies to those manipulated into something they didn’t sign up for and being used for nefarious purposes without their knowledge is a good way to unleash something you may not want unleashed.

The story ends with Alyse finding out that someone changed her fundamentally without her knowledge, and she plans to make them pay… I can’t wait to find out how she exacts her revenge, and if she manages to fix the problem and return to her life.

I give this story 4 out of 5 clouds. A little surreal, kind of like Alice falling down the rabbit hole or walking through the mirror; only this little Alyse has claws.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

[Adam Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the near future, reality TV has taken the next step with immersion entertainment brought to you by studios employing nano-teched-out “immersion artists” who can record every sensory experience possible. Everything from the simple taste of coffee to swimming with sharks to tastes which run even more exotic...or erotic.

In this world comes Alyse Bryant, a world famous immersion artist who has recently lost her father to a tragic accident, which leaves her reckless in her mourning. She agrees to take her recording team to a charity ball in the Quarantine Zone of Old Venice. For in this world, all the carriers of a disease which has caused innumerable children the world over to fall into a permanent sleep, have been gathered into this fishbowl of luxury among flooding ruins.

There, Alyse’s recklessness drives her to find solace in the arms of a stranger which in turn leads her to a race for her life through a watery graveyard of old Europe. Those who pursue who are not quite human anymore, yet they may hold all the answers to what has become of her.

Tonya Macalino has presented an erotic and beautifully written story just as tantalizing as any immersion artist could.

[Lee French · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a ponderous, cerebral book that strays outside my typical fare primarily in its style. It delves into the main character's psyche while exploring a cyberpunk premise with a twist. While there is action in it, the conflict mostly takes place inside Alyse's head. It has a sprinkling of political intrigue, as well, and plenty of relationship dynamics.

Although the writing itself isn't to my taste, I liked the characters and the premise, and the story follows an interesting path. With the focus on Alyse's mental state, very little actually happens, yet much of it is gripping anyway. Some of the sequences seem like hallucinations, and I was never truly certain exactly how much of what she experiences is truly real, and how much is all in her head.

This book does contain generally tasteful erotica content, which comes as no shock, given Alyse's profession. There's also a significant amount of swearing, which some folks find objectionable.

In all, I recommend this book for anyone who likes literary sci-fi on the soft side with a female protagonist.

[Walt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying mashup of augmented humans, DNA manipulations and good old human emotions.

The heroine is records her own sensory impressions for high tech voyeurs. But she's got some PTSD from an shark encounter gone bad, so she's sent to a Venice that's both drowning and serves as a residence for carriers of an untreatable but non-communicable genetic disease.

(Spoiler Alert)
So naturally, the non-communicable is communicable. And hints of a conspiracy abound.

What the author has done is to immerse heavy characterization into this technical, biological and (potentially) political situation.

So should one read this for the high tech world or for the fully developed flawed protagonist? Either one works and I give this 5 stars.

PS…there's a bit of heavy breathing also...

[K.z. Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great sensory detail that immerses you in the story! Lots of mystery too, and ambiguity, and always, always, magic that dwells right below the surface that might or might be .... Well, anything I can say about that would amount to a spoiler. Part of a series. I plan to read on, so I can find out what the heck is going on!

[Jennivie]

I have a ton of questions. This will be a hard review. I liked it overall though even those I feel like my brain is melting.

[Anna Brentwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not usually the genre I read but very interesting and unique author voice. Characters are strong and author uses sensory images to paint a story that reads very much like a dream.

[Jenn Amanda (she / her) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟