Aztec Battle: Undead vs. False God

THE DEVIL'S BAG MAN by Adam Mansbach is the sequel to The Dead Run. The story picks up about three months after the first book ends. Nichols and Cantrell are in a relationship, and they have guardianship of Sherry. Galvan is staying clear of people, living in the middle of nowhere, and fighting one hell of an internal struggle. Meanwhile, Sherry is on a downward spiral of her own.

Cucuy may be temporarily trapped, but he still has a couple of loyal followers alive. A fanatic by the name of Valentine is attempting to maintain appearances in Ojos Negros while finding a way to help the Ancient One overtake Galvan. Knowles, leader of the True Natives, is looking to settle the score with Cantrell and the others for ruining his club business with Seth.

More is revealed in detail about the atrocity Cucuy visits upon his bride, and much of the sequel involves the Dominio Gris, as well as the imprisoned Tezcatlipoca. The action is incredible, and many of the characters function as wild cards, creating unexpected twists in the storyline, right down to the last page. I am hoping the ending means the author will write one more installment.

If you're into supernatural thrillers with gritty characters and a horrific origin story, I highly recommend this series. Even if Mansbach doesn't write a third book, I don't think readers will be disappointed when all the players make their final move.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Crossing Through Hell

The Dead Run by Adam Mansbach begins with a man, aptly named Mulligan, attempting to cross from Mexico to the U.S.; he blacks out and comes to with a beautiful woman tearing into his thigh with her teeth. The story then cuts away to Jess Galvan, who tries to save a young girl from gang rape, only to end up in a Mexican prison. The POV continues to move from one character to another, including Galvan's daughter Sherry Richards and Sheriff Bob Nichols.

Sherry is kidnapped on her way home; her mom is a recovering cult member. Meanwhile, Nichols finds a dead girl in the desert near the border with the "kiss of the devil" stabbed into her chest. Nichols is contacted by Ruth Cantwell, the doctor who was treating Sherry's mother after the mother and daughter escaped from a cult. It's not clear at first how the three storylines fit together, but they do converge, it makes for a great horror-thriller with a touch of the supernatural.

Aaron Seth is the cult leader with one hell of a god-complex, but he is not as frightening as the demonic forces at work in the desert. There is an abundance of action, drama and carnage, and the entire story takes place within a 24 hour time period. The Dead Run is also the first book in a new series based on Jess Galvan. I cant wait to see what Mansbach has in store for the reluctant "boy scout".

As always,
AstraDaemon