Roadtrip: Madness Re-Incarnate, Book 2

Madness Re-Incarnate #2

by Travis Bagwell, Noah Ward (narrator)

Free at last, Nyx is free at last! Sort of.

Nyx and his dysfunctional family have finally escaped the clinging, toxic confines of the Flow’s sphincter—aka, a silver-ranked “corrupted gate.”

And what better way to celebrate their newfound freedom than a family vacation? One filled with all the classics. Songs, games, epic monsters, unnecessary crafting projects, delicious and gratuitous descriptions of food, flesh-eating bamboo forests, and strange new cities. But, most importantly, family bonding time.

Time spent teasing out Fang and Lili’s soul-wrenching secrets, making memories with their beautiful, ruby-eyed murder babies, and setting up Horus and Eris on a romantic getaway of their own. All to avoid addressing the many, many narrative questions that have begun piling up.

Like why does Nyx have so many skills? What will happen to him after eating those skill gems? Will Horus and Eris finally admit their feelings? Did Emporos ever publish Horus’ diary? Will Demi keep climbing the corporate spiritual ladder?

And, uh, why does Nyx keep talking to a ghostly army of “himselves?”

So, just a totally normal family roadtrip ...

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published February 4, 2025

About the author

I live in Austin, Texas with my wife and our three dogs. I'm an attorney by day and an avid video game enthusiast by night. Writing fiction had been a secret dream of mine for a while. However, between school and work, that dream seemed impossible to squeeze in. A couple of years ago, I had a bit more time on my hands and I finally decided to put my nerdy interests to work by trying my hand at writing science fiction and fantasy.

I never expected the wildly positive response to my work. I am truly blown away and humbled and I only hope to be able to continue sharing my stories.

You can find me here:
https://travisbagwell.com/
https://www.facebook.com/da3strikes/
https://twitter.com/da3strikes
https://www.patreon.com/da3strikes

Or come check out our awesome fangroup and meet some cool people!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AO.Or...

Reviews

[Allan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do yourself a favor and skip this.

I enjoyed the 1st book, and Love the awakened series. But this book is boring. The trying to be crazy internal monologs are uninteresting. It's very slow and the plot goes no where. Do not recommend.

[Rajin Malik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of crazy rambling in the first half, minor plot holes and big twists. I liked it I guess because I loved the first one. Also, a major part of the first book was just never continued in this one and other minor characters were also missing… maybe they will return in the third book. The humor was as good though, the plot becomes crazier.

[Fernando · Rating 2 out of 5]

What did I just read? This was all over the place with way too many complexities.

[Clinton Stanturf · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, I listened to the audio version. I probably should have read this one because I could not finish the audio version.

I had to force myself to get to where I did. I get that it's supposed to be written at the perspective of a crazy person and with the revelation after the incident in the Forge with the whole time/Multiverse aspect but it got to the point where it really started to be annoying.

Honestly, though, I could deal with that. However, annoying it sometimes is. The thing that make it so I will not return to this book or ever recommend this book is the slurping sound that the narrator continues to make mid conversation I don't care if Demi is drinking stop making the slurping sound I know I can't be the only one that thinks it's like nails on a chalkboard it's horrible and should never have gotten through editing clearly when editing was done the person doing it used fast forward and not reg speed to listen to it, it's horrible and way too frequent.

[Debby Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you read “Hollow”, this is what you came for!

Gloriously and disgustingly funny! Everything Main Character’s Demon Daddy promises it will be;

“This is going to be gross… so gross.  Ew, ew, ew,”

The first book in the Madness Re-Incarnate series (Hollow) was so hilariously demented that I truly doubted that level of deranged plot twists and turns could be maintained in the sequel.

But the unhinged glee that unfolds in Roadtrip exceeds every expectation and delight. I was simultaneously enthralled and appalled - like watching a train wreck, I could not take my eyes away and ended up reading the entire book in one night (well into the wee hours of the morning, desperately trying to repress snorts of laughter so I wouldn’t wake my spouse.)

It reads like over-caffeinated insanity, but doused with alcohol fueled humor while fighting a raging dumpster fire

Nyx continues to prove the universe really is out to get him: every success is just a cleverly disguised new opportunity to die horribly. Every escape is through a door hiding new impossible horrors. Meanwhile the bromance continues to reveal excruciating new depths of uncomfortable truths as Nyx’s lunatic plans coerce an unwilling Fang into (malicious) compliance in order to avoid death

I can’t wait for round three!

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, if anything, superior to the first in the series. It has all of the National Lampoon's Vacation meets a slightly more hardcore Deadpool vibe--but best of all, it has DIFFERENT kinds of therapy!

(Therapy, as you know, can either range between wholesale slaughter of your victims, or taking gaslighting to previously ungodly heights.)

But best of all, there's not only meeting in-laws (all of whom would kill you) or taking over a financial empire (that's nothing but creditors) or coming out of the closet about your bromance to complete strangers and enemies, but there's a FULL ON WEDDING to plan for your bestie!

And all while, the poo-crete flows. As does the bullshit.

I have to admit I fell in love with this super dark comical LitRPG.

Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews is be interested in reading my SF (Very hard SF, mind you), I'm open to requests.

Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.

Arctunn.com

[Benjamin J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow

I think this may have been one of the best roller coaster rides of a book I've ever read, and I've read a lot hundreds at this point. This book kept me on my toes the entire time. I'd give it ten stars if I could. The story writing was deep and detailed and crazy(sorry, rationally challenged, haha). I absolutely loved everything about it. This is what you want in a book all of it. Especially when you have an OP MC. Wonderfully written, and I can't wait for more.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall not bad, but not great. Like the last book it gets increasingly confusing for the middle third before sort of tying it all with a neat bow in the end. This book, similar to the first book, also get a little bogged down in the humor although it works better this time, as it’s more clear that the clumsy narration is a result of Nyx’s decreasing sanity. The concept is wildly original and interesting, so if you don’t mind tons of weirdness and writing that is in no way concise, it’s probably worth the read. I’m going to read the next book.

[Paul Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rationally Challenged in a Fabulous Way

Be warned, this book doesn't care about your feelings, or how you think a story should be told. The narrative is best enjoyed with as few expectations as possible.
The narrator has managed to become even more unrelated than the previous entry in the series, and the narrative only spirals deeper into nonsensicalness...

It's absolutely fantastic.

[Jack Vinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is crazy! Or at least rationally-challenged.

I don’t know how the author manages to write about one character who is nuts, but this time there are SEVERAL characters losing their marbles. Probably due to the influence of the main character(s)??

Do not read if jarring plot holes and self-referential asides don’t work for you. But it is definitely a loopy ride. I’m not even sure how the main character is going to survive a (promised) third book.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel conflicted because I loved the first one but I just...hated this.

The series is supposed to be LitRPG/Progression Fantasy but there's none of this. The story is menandering and the plot barely exists.
Also Nyx is just really annoying? Much worse than book 1. I didn't want to not finish it but found myself skimming big chunks of it.

Won't continue the series.

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (as well as its predecessor Hollow) had me cracking up throughout most of the story. The world and characters are well vetted. The story is fantastic. While confusing at parts because several of the characters are crazy, the story circles back around and things become clearer. I love the series!

[matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy Good Read

I absolutely love the narrative in this series. If a serial killer and a traveling circus leader had a baby that is what it is like at times reading the book. Travis does a great job investing time in his characters and always taking you to the brink of not like them, and then makes you love them all over again.

[Zachary Nesbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continues to hammer the madness home

If you liked the first book the hits keep coming with the second. Nyx is such an amazing character with such great dialogue. Great sequel. Can wait for the next installment!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

This is definitely NOT where I thought this new installment of Hollow was going and I loved it! Can't wait to find out what happens next on this wild journey. Highly recommend!

[Meg Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the greatest series I ever read

The author manages to provide top-notch entertainment while also incorporating vital real-world philosophy with several references to the true nature of existence… what exactly did I just read??

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow.

This series is absolutely amazing, I have never questioned an author or my own sanity more than when i was reading this, and I've read Hubbard. Can't wait to read the next book.

[Eusebio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another installment of crazy.

An amazing read that took a lot of twists and turns. Really pulled the rug out from under me there for a bit. A really good read, I highly recommend the series and overall the writer.

[Kristy Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book

Road trip is a terrific book that will keep you guessing and sitting on the edge of your seat. Waiting for more. 10/10 would read again.

[Michael Eric Hagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good second book

Much longer then I thought it would be but excellent. Really liked the new characters and the dynamic between Nyx and the other characters.

[Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a crazy fun trip full of romance, blood, and impossible odds. Seriously, it is a crazy ride, but if you read the first book and enjoyed it, this is going to be the book for you.

[Dray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a fun time

It's a funny roadtrip tale that really dives into what it means to be a family and the arm chains that bind.

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whimsical and weird. A little violent to say it’s a truly casual read, but it is like fictional candy. Very easy to read with silly characters with insane delusions.

[Drew Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

THAT is how you follow up Hollow

I really can't say much without spoilers, so great part two for the series as our budding genius leans into the crazy and family and.... Stuff.

[Stephen Brasel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely rational

Wonderfully logical whimsical adventure through the bloody, torturous, shit-paved desolation left in Nyx's wake. An excellent follow up to Hollow.

[Xknahku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boomerang

This book was all over the place but by the end it was wrapped up in a tight bow as the gift it is!

[Bill Eggleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first but still quite the enjoyable romp. Can’t wait for the next!

[Susan Varela · Rating 5 out of 5]

wowowow

Holy cow I feel rationally challenged but in a good way after reading this thing. Such trippy and hilarious book.