The Cognomina Codex

Maikranz returns to the mystical world first introduced in his dark fantasy debut, The Reincarnationist Papers, for this gripping sequel. After Evan Michaels dies by suicide in a prison cell following his indictment for a high-profile art heist, he reincarnates as Yousef. Compelled by strong memories of past lives, he heads to the Switzerland-based Hotel St. Germain to present himself to Cognomina, a secret society of fellow Reincarnationists. To rejoin, however, he must piece together his memories, pass another Ascension trial, and travel to Yemen to earn the endorsement of a lighthouse keeper named Clovis. There, both Evan and Clovis are attacked by Brevicepts, a rogue ex-Cognomina member bent on settling an old score—and on reshaping the world with her own clandestine crew of extremist Reincarnationists. Maikranz admirably expands the complex universe of the series, delving into the past lives of some Cognomina members as well as Brevicepts’s gang. The result is as thought-provoking as it is riveting. Series fans won’t want to miss this. Agent: David Fugate, LaunchBooks Literary. (Mar.)