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The Shattered Visage Lies
Who am I?
A daunting question on a normal day. But what about on the day you wake up with unfathomable power? All across Pennsylvania, people are now struggling with this question.
An English professor. An elderly widow. A middle-aged businessman. A thug. A little girl. And still more people of divergent lifestyles and motivations cropping up daily. Yesterday, they had nothing in common, but seemingly overnight they all developed powers beyond comprehension. But is it a rapturous blessing? Or a debilitating curse?
Struggling to find answers, some seek to exploit their new found abilities while others wish them gone, wanting their lives back to normal. As these characters search for reasons for their new change, they cross paths, discovering the best of people…and the worst of themselves.
Will they control their new powers? Or be consumed by them?
What would you do?
A daunting question on a normal day. But what about on the day you wake up with unfathomable power? All across Pennsylvania, people are now struggling with this question.
An English professor. An elderly widow. A middle-aged businessman. A thug. A little girl. And still more people of divergent lifestyles and motivations cropping up daily. Yesterday, they had nothing in common, but seemingly overnight they all developed powers beyond comprehension. But is it a rapturous blessing? Or a debilitating curse?
Struggling to find answers, some seek to exploit their new found abilities while others wish them gone, wanting their lives back to normal. As these characters search for reasons for their new change, they cross paths, discovering the best of people…and the worst of themselves.
Will they control their new powers? Or be consumed by them?
What would you do?
351 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2012
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Brian Koscienski
39 books28 followersBrian Koscienski developed his love of writing from countless hours of reading comic books, losing himself in the different worlds and adventures within the colorful pages. He had minor successes early in his career by getting a few short stories published in independent ‘zines, but found more success in partnering with Chris Pisano. As a writing team, they have had stories, articles, graphic novels, and poetry published, and most recently "The Devil's Judgment", the conclusion to "The Vengeful Prince Saga" trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 9, 2012
What a unique, creepy, science fiction, thriller type read.
But sitting here at this moment to write a review, the main thing on my mind is the title, which I am still trying to interpret the meaning of.
A quick google search found a poem with this line, written in 1818 by Percy Bysshe Shelley titled Ozymandias:
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desart. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed:
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
Does the shattered (broken) visage (face) lie (as in not tell the truth)? Or does it mean it lie (as in on the ground)?
What does it mean? Or am I supposed to know?
And how does it pertain to this story of unique people with special powers? Am I meant to ponder the title? Or am I meant to write my own poetic review? Who knows...but here goes...
I beheld The Shattered Visage Lies,
two weeks of reading time.
It offered more than met the eyes,
enthralled it held my mind.
Consider this book is unique.
Strange happening were abound.
Read it if mystery you seek.
If not, then put it down.
The ending per chance holds in sway,
with characters walking away,
and incidents still in play,
that more will be told one day.
But sitting here at this moment to write a review, the main thing on my mind is the title, which I am still trying to interpret the meaning of.
A quick google search found a poem with this line, written in 1818 by Percy Bysshe Shelley titled Ozymandias:
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desart. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed:
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
Does the shattered (broken) visage (face) lie (as in not tell the truth)? Or does it mean it lie (as in on the ground)?
What does it mean? Or am I supposed to know?
And how does it pertain to this story of unique people with special powers? Am I meant to ponder the title? Or am I meant to write my own poetic review? Who knows...but here goes...
I beheld The Shattered Visage Lies,
two weeks of reading time.
It offered more than met the eyes,
enthralled it held my mind.
Consider this book is unique.
Strange happening were abound.
Read it if mystery you seek.
If not, then put it down.
The ending per chance holds in sway,
with characters walking away,
and incidents still in play,
that more will be told one day.
May 28, 2013
I bought this book at Balticon just yesterday. Finished it today. It's a bit "Heroes" with a bit more grit and not as much flash. I found several of the powerful ones very lovable. I hope there is another book as I was to see what happens with Keisha and Claire!
Some of the descriptions are pretty graphic so I am extremely grateful when the authors said "DON'T let the kids read it yet!" If this were a TV show it would totally be on FX or Showtime... no ABC or FOX for this story - Totally on point and they signed my book! Thanks guys!
Some of the descriptions are pretty graphic so I am extremely grateful when the authors said "DON'T let the kids read it yet!" If this were a TV show it would totally be on FX or Showtime... no ABC or FOX for this story - Totally on point and they signed my book! Thanks guys!
April 3, 2018
What would you do if you suddenly woke up with superpowers? Some may exploit the power, some may be horrified by what they have become, others may revel in the powers and try to use them for either good or evil. Some may hide and try to find out why these powers were thrust upon them. This series of short chapters follows people around Pennsylvania that awake one morning with amazing and sometimes terrifying abilities. My only detractions are that it takes a little while to get going and the chapters (set in areas such as Harrisburg, PA) are very short and jump a bit.
Need to order book two now and see how it all comes to pass!
Need to order book two now and see how it all comes to pass!
December 16, 2017
What a great read I met Brian at a Walker Stalker Con Dec. 2017and thought I would give his book s a try. It was worth it it started out slow and a little confusing but let me tell you well worth the read. It made me wonder if it was possible who knows what goes on in secret labs. Can't wait to read second boom in series.
April 28, 2014
What would you do if you woke up one day and had let's say "gifts" that you cannot explain? Gifts such as telekinesis, communing with animals, morphing into one, or even the ability to manipulate someone's body just with a single touch. Would you use it for good or revenge? How would you explain it to your family, friends, and co-workers? Would you experiment or try to stifle the powers and be as normal as you can? Throughout Eastern Pennsylvania people woke up to have these extraordinary abilities without explanation. They are all from seemingly different walks of life, what could they possibly have in common?
From time to time there is a book you pick up, unsure of how it will turn out and then it becomes a book you refuse to put down. That is what Chris Pisano and Brian Koscienski have accomplished with their novel The Shattered Visage Lies. From the moment you open this book and begin reading about each of the characters you are hooked. They each wake up one and realize through various ways that they have unique powers such as Widow Montgomery who has reflexes like a cat or Nora who can communicate with animals. Each chapter goes through the personal stories of each person, but then begins to merge together as one. I love how Pisano and Koscienski do that and still keep the individual stories separate. Their descriptions are great, as they describe Derek "vibing" every time he senses someone with a unique gift I imagine a young kid vibrating uncontrollably. It was an amusing image in my head.
You can almost tell the difference in authors based on the language usage, but even with that the story flows beautifully. These two did a phenomenal job collaborating. They bring the story to life and make you want more not only of the characters, but also more of their writing. With each chapter being a different character you get a different feel each time you enter a new storyline. That same feel continues each time they reappear and remains once they all come together. They leave the story off in such a way that you are almost mad at them for it. But that is what makes you want to read their next book because you want to see it happen, they are geniuses.
As you read throughout the novel you learn things about the characters that you didn't expect, and the explanation for what they all had in common makes you wonder if something like it is even possible. There are subtle clues throughout the book that if you aren't really paying attention, you will not pick up on them, I know I didn't. Some of the "gifts" start to become creepy like Kevin who is a technomage (on who can manipulate technology). The things this character does will make you cringe and squirm when some of the gruesome details are described. These two authors hold nothing back when it comes to details and descriptions.
Disclaimer: there are scenes that can be taken as offensive or lude or too much in a novel. It is not a book for everyone. I wouldn't give it to my mom or a young kid to read, but it is a great book to read if you are okay with a few sexual and gory scenes. If you want a science fiction, paranormal, or even fantasy novel, then you need to add this one to your shelves. While the book may seem thick and long, the chapters are short and easy to read, almost reminiscent of James Patterson novels with each chapter being a few pages long. It reads fast especially when you cannot put the thing down! This is definitely a novel that needs to added to your bookshelf.
From time to time there is a book you pick up, unsure of how it will turn out and then it becomes a book you refuse to put down. That is what Chris Pisano and Brian Koscienski have accomplished with their novel The Shattered Visage Lies. From the moment you open this book and begin reading about each of the characters you are hooked. They each wake up one and realize through various ways that they have unique powers such as Widow Montgomery who has reflexes like a cat or Nora who can communicate with animals. Each chapter goes through the personal stories of each person, but then begins to merge together as one. I love how Pisano and Koscienski do that and still keep the individual stories separate. Their descriptions are great, as they describe Derek "vibing" every time he senses someone with a unique gift I imagine a young kid vibrating uncontrollably. It was an amusing image in my head.
You can almost tell the difference in authors based on the language usage, but even with that the story flows beautifully. These two did a phenomenal job collaborating. They bring the story to life and make you want more not only of the characters, but also more of their writing. With each chapter being a different character you get a different feel each time you enter a new storyline. That same feel continues each time they reappear and remains once they all come together. They leave the story off in such a way that you are almost mad at them for it. But that is what makes you want to read their next book because you want to see it happen, they are geniuses.
As you read throughout the novel you learn things about the characters that you didn't expect, and the explanation for what they all had in common makes you wonder if something like it is even possible. There are subtle clues throughout the book that if you aren't really paying attention, you will not pick up on them, I know I didn't. Some of the "gifts" start to become creepy like Kevin who is a technomage (on who can manipulate technology). The things this character does will make you cringe and squirm when some of the gruesome details are described. These two authors hold nothing back when it comes to details and descriptions.
Disclaimer: there are scenes that can be taken as offensive or lude or too much in a novel. It is not a book for everyone. I wouldn't give it to my mom or a young kid to read, but it is a great book to read if you are okay with a few sexual and gory scenes. If you want a science fiction, paranormal, or even fantasy novel, then you need to add this one to your shelves. While the book may seem thick and long, the chapters are short and easy to read, almost reminiscent of James Patterson novels with each chapter being a few pages long. It reads fast especially when you cannot put the thing down! This is definitely a novel that needs to added to your bookshelf.
October 31, 2014
I acquired this book straight from the author at the Steel City Con in Pittsburg. To be honest I was concerned that I had wasted more cash as I had yet to acquire anything worth finishing at any such convention. To say I have enjoyed this story thoroughly would be less-than-accurate. It is spaced in a lovely and evenly flowing fashion with very digestible glimpses into each character's progression. Written by obviously intelligent and practiced authors, this novel reads with all the ease I usually expect from much larger name writers. There is a refreshing honesty to each character's acceptance/resistance with regard to the grafted trait/power and a satisfying feel to the conclusion of most characters. Being lower on the publishing world level there are a few typos but none that detract from the story. The complex nature of each character (none are one dimensional) was pleasantly surprising to me. I always love to stumble across a new author/authors to follow and I feel safe in saying these gentlemen with join my list of preferred story crafters...
September 16, 2012
YAYYYYYY! Late in posting this one, but another editing project is now a published book! If you woke up one day with powers you'd never had, how would you handle it?
December 10, 2012
Love this book!!
September 7, 2012
This is the total cop-out review. The authors are friends - support them, buy their book!
Read
October 1, 2017I made a good faith effort, reading the first 50 pages of this novel.
Unfortunately, omniscient POV style within multiple character's heads in a single scene is very difficult for me to read, which is a personal choice that others might not be affected by.
Those looking for a nontraditional tale of superpowers are sure to be intrigued by the distinct variety of characters and abilities. I was also interested in this type of book set in middle Pennsylvania, rather than a more common urban area.
Unfortunately, omniscient POV style within multiple character's heads in a single scene is very difficult for me to read, which is a personal choice that others might not be affected by.
Those looking for a nontraditional tale of superpowers are sure to be intrigued by the distinct variety of characters and abilities. I was also interested in this type of book set in middle Pennsylvania, rather than a more common urban area.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews