Vortex: The Veins Cycle, Vol. 3

Horror writer Connolly’s Veins Cycle concludes (after Veins and Vipers) with apocalyptic fury as Russian mobsters, demons, and deranged Christian faith collide head-on. A young man named Axle must work with the ancient spirit Kwetis, revisit his dreams, and uncover “the terrible secret coiled deep in his past” to save the world from invading supernatural forces. Axle’s efforts provide little direction to the propulsive, chaotic plot, but adrenaline junkies will cheer as Connolly piles on the action, brutality, and gore while keeping the chapters short and the characterization minimal. Floods, explosions, earthquakes, and other natural disasters punctuate this headlong, noisy, sometimes incoherent story. (July)