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The Reincarnationist Papers #2
The Cognomina Codex
The Cognomina Codex continues the adventure that began in D. Eric Maikranz's electrifying debut novel, The Reincarnationist Papers, which was the inspiration for the Paramount Pictures film Infinite.
Evan Michaels is back in a new life as a Syrian refugee. When strange memories of his former lives lead him back to Zurich, headquarters of his old family of fellow reincarnationists, the Cognomina, he must reacquire their trust to rejoin their ranks.
On the last leg of this journey, he is intercepted by an excommunicated member of the Cognomina who holds some serious grudges. She's on a mission to wipe out large portions of the world's population to save the planet from destruction. She proposes a union of the Cognomina and her own group of reincarnationists, but her true goals are dark indeed, and her resources are vast.
Evan finds himself at the start of a war between two factions of immortal beings, each with a radically different vision for life on earth.
Evan Michaels is back in a new life as a Syrian refugee. When strange memories of his former lives lead him back to Zurich, headquarters of his old family of fellow reincarnationists, the Cognomina, he must reacquire their trust to rejoin their ranks.
On the last leg of this journey, he is intercepted by an excommunicated member of the Cognomina who holds some serious grudges. She's on a mission to wipe out large portions of the world's population to save the planet from destruction. She proposes a union of the Cognomina and her own group of reincarnationists, but her true goals are dark indeed, and her resources are vast.
Evan finds himself at the start of a war between two factions of immortal beings, each with a radically different vision for life on earth.
Hardcover
Published March 7, 2023
33 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
D. Eric Maikranz
7 books129 followersD. Eric Maikranz is an internationally published author of fiction and non-fiction titles and has had a multitude of lives in this lifetime. As a world traveler, he was a foreign correspondent while living in Rome, translated for relief doctors during a cholera epidemic in Nicaragua and was once forcibly expelled from the nation of Laos. He has worked as a tour guide, a radio talk show host, a nightclub bouncer, and as a Silicon Valley software executive.
His debut novel, The Reincarnationist Papers, was adapted into the blockbuster film, INFINITE, staring Mark Wahlberg.
His debut novel, The Reincarnationist Papers, was adapted into the blockbuster film, INFINITE, staring Mark Wahlberg.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 9, 2023
I just finished this book after waiting a couple years and the wait was worth it. I read the criticism in his last book and he touched up on that nicely in this one. Not everyone likes the part when others retell their stories for like 10-20 pages occasionally but it is a niche to this book that it cannot go without. It paced nicely and I couldn’t see what would happen next. As like the last one, it gave me new concepts and ideas to look at and understand. It gave us new characters, showing us more about the family of the Cognomina. I definitely be watching out for the third book in the future. However long it’ll take, I’ll be waiting. I would recommend this read for others. It has been a delightful experience reading this book!
June 27, 2023
I'm ready to read a third
June 29, 2023
I feel oddly compelled to write a review given how few folk have reviewed this book _below_ a 4-star rating.
There's a neat concept present. . .and this work, as the pages flip by, quickly asserts itself as a bridge towards the third in this series (if the author isn't writing a third, I'd be stunned). . .and the concept creates a philosophic question of 'individual pursuit of one's passions or concerted collective pursuit of a singular focus'. It seems, at least early on in the work, that Maikranz wants the reader to think about this philosophic question.
Unfortunately, the concept is insufficient to propel mindful, thoughtful readers through this narrative. There is no real, substantial character development to speak of. At best one could say that Maikranz 'shades' some area into a very, very limited number of his characters (and there are MANY characters in this work: Buono, Perez, Samsa, Etyma, Michaels, Poppy, Elsa, Auda, Ramsay, Ling, Galen, Diltz, Pianosa, Jens, Jafric, Clovis. . .to name a few off the top of my head). As a reader, we know a very, very small bit about Michaels, Galen, Elsa, and the female antagonist. That small bit actually prevents us, as readers, from having any investment into any character. Who cares what happens to Etyma or Samsa or Kerr or Kress, when we know nothing about them? Thus, who cares what happens within this narrative when there aren't character 'bodies' to connect the reader to the narrative? Because many of the characters are of the Cognomina alignment, the absence of their substance does not invest the reader into making their own judgment of whether the Cognomina or the Mutual are 'doing the right thing'. The author _seems_ to want the reader to--at least--consider that overarching question, but the absence of substantial character development for _all_ characters means that readers don't have any investment or interest in _either_ side succeeding.
The destructive nature of the antagonist really reduces the reader's likelihood to choose to think any more 'deeply' about the overarching philosophic question that frames this work. Maikranz seems to intentionally making the antagonist into a despot. . .when Maikranz _needed_ to develop the antagonist as a valid, morally-abrasive character that _really_ caused the reader to question 'Hmm, do the Cognomina have a valid purpose and are they the 'better option' in this situation or are the Mutual, who have a seemingly very clear purpose albeit with some questionable morals and ethics the 'better option' in this situation?' If Maikranz had made the antagonist into a 'yes, this is our purpose and here are the _above the line_ methods we've used to achieve that purpose, and look at how we've marshalled resources effectively, in a coordinated effort, instead of haphazardly or not at all, and the positive changes we've produced. . and yes, we've had some morally questionable instances as well' it would really establish the Mutual as a viable option, it would have the reader really contemplating the murkiness of morality and egotism, and would have been an _incredible_ read. Sadly, for whatever reason, Maikranz has not.
I frankly don't think Maikranz knows how to develop characters. Considering the multiple lives that these characters experience, none of them verbalize or behave as multilcultural individuals. They all verbalize and behave like middle-class white Americans (yes, even the Romani that pop up). Even weirder, when Yousef (Syrian/Yemenese) returns to the fold. . .the author reverts that character _back_ to Evan Michaels (American) for the entirety of the work. Despite that particular character having western American, Bulgarian, and Syrian life experiences. . .ends up behaving entirely like an American. It's utterly disconcerting and seems to drive home the point that the otherwise _very_ neat concept of reincarnation has absolutely _no impact_. Thus, the author derails their narrative from onset.
It gets even weirder: when Michaels returns to the fold, he ends up in a position of gathering information from The Mutual, and then returning to the Cognomina. Despite Michaels being _the youngest_ and _least experienced_ at seemingly _everything_ pertinent to being a reincarnationist, suddenly the _entire_ Cognomina assembly takes direct orders from him on _how to proceed in this emergency_. The character, based on the limited information the author sets forth, has _zero_ experienced in triage, _zero_ experience in risk management, and _zero_ experience directing others. . .yet _somehow_ suddenly is the leader of this group _that he only recently rejoined_ after 14 years apart. It requires such suspension of disbelief that one cannot reasonably place any stock in the feasibility (conceptually or otherwise) of this work.
Unfortunately, Maikranz does make some effort to develop characters. . .but it's through _the most limited_ of flashbacks. By _the most limited_ I mean: there are three characters, each of whom has _one_ flashback. In order to actually substantiate these characters, using this method, there would have to be _hordes_ of flashbacks. . . .or, at least, HORDES of past-life references (and corresponding multicultural behaviors). So, the reader learns about one character's involvement with plague in Italy, one character's life in a Japanese shogunate, and another character's involvement in war. That's it. Three random-ass flashbacks that don't _really_ impact the overall narrative (seriously: reader, you can entirely skip those flashbacks and _nothing_ is affected).
There are several other things that make no sense in this work, which further force suspension of disbelief to even greater levels and, subsequently, severely weaken the interest and engagement with this work. Maikranz, I'm sorry, but you and soooooo many other contemporary authors need REALLY harsh editors to force _significant_ revisions to works prior to publishing final products. There is a _very_ valid philosophic argument raised within this work, and a _very_ valid concept of repeated reincarnations present. Unfortunately neither are well-developed, and both the predecessor to this work and it's successor can't possibly be 'better' due to this being a serial.
There's a neat concept present. . .and this work, as the pages flip by, quickly asserts itself as a bridge towards the third in this series (if the author isn't writing a third, I'd be stunned). . .and the concept creates a philosophic question of 'individual pursuit of one's passions or concerted collective pursuit of a singular focus'. It seems, at least early on in the work, that Maikranz wants the reader to think about this philosophic question.
Unfortunately, the concept is insufficient to propel mindful, thoughtful readers through this narrative. There is no real, substantial character development to speak of. At best one could say that Maikranz 'shades' some area into a very, very limited number of his characters (and there are MANY characters in this work: Buono, Perez, Samsa, Etyma, Michaels, Poppy, Elsa, Auda, Ramsay, Ling, Galen, Diltz, Pianosa, Jens, Jafric, Clovis. . .to name a few off the top of my head). As a reader, we know a very, very small bit about Michaels, Galen, Elsa, and the female antagonist. That small bit actually prevents us, as readers, from having any investment into any character. Who cares what happens to Etyma or Samsa or Kerr or Kress, when we know nothing about them? Thus, who cares what happens within this narrative when there aren't character 'bodies' to connect the reader to the narrative? Because many of the characters are of the Cognomina alignment, the absence of their substance does not invest the reader into making their own judgment of whether the Cognomina or the Mutual are 'doing the right thing'. The author _seems_ to want the reader to--at least--consider that overarching question, but the absence of substantial character development for _all_ characters means that readers don't have any investment or interest in _either_ side succeeding.
The destructive nature of the antagonist really reduces the reader's likelihood to choose to think any more 'deeply' about the overarching philosophic question that frames this work. Maikranz seems to intentionally making the antagonist into a despot. . .when Maikranz _needed_ to develop the antagonist as a valid, morally-abrasive character that _really_ caused the reader to question 'Hmm, do the Cognomina have a valid purpose and are they the 'better option' in this situation or are the Mutual, who have a seemingly very clear purpose albeit with some questionable morals and ethics the 'better option' in this situation?' If Maikranz had made the antagonist into a 'yes, this is our purpose and here are the _above the line_ methods we've used to achieve that purpose, and look at how we've marshalled resources effectively, in a coordinated effort, instead of haphazardly or not at all, and the positive changes we've produced. . and yes, we've had some morally questionable instances as well' it would really establish the Mutual as a viable option, it would have the reader really contemplating the murkiness of morality and egotism, and would have been an _incredible_ read. Sadly, for whatever reason, Maikranz has not.
I frankly don't think Maikranz knows how to develop characters. Considering the multiple lives that these characters experience, none of them verbalize or behave as multilcultural individuals. They all verbalize and behave like middle-class white Americans (yes, even the Romani that pop up). Even weirder, when Yousef (Syrian/Yemenese) returns to the fold. . .the author reverts that character _back_ to Evan Michaels (American) for the entirety of the work. Despite that particular character having western American, Bulgarian, and Syrian life experiences. . .ends up behaving entirely like an American. It's utterly disconcerting and seems to drive home the point that the otherwise _very_ neat concept of reincarnation has absolutely _no impact_. Thus, the author derails their narrative from onset.
It gets even weirder: when Michaels returns to the fold, he ends up in a position of gathering information from The Mutual, and then returning to the Cognomina. Despite Michaels being _the youngest_ and _least experienced_ at seemingly _everything_ pertinent to being a reincarnationist, suddenly the _entire_ Cognomina assembly takes direct orders from him on _how to proceed in this emergency_. The character, based on the limited information the author sets forth, has _zero_ experienced in triage, _zero_ experience in risk management, and _zero_ experience directing others. . .yet _somehow_ suddenly is the leader of this group _that he only recently rejoined_ after 14 years apart. It requires such suspension of disbelief that one cannot reasonably place any stock in the feasibility (conceptually or otherwise) of this work.
Unfortunately, Maikranz does make some effort to develop characters. . .but it's through _the most limited_ of flashbacks. By _the most limited_ I mean: there are three characters, each of whom has _one_ flashback. In order to actually substantiate these characters, using this method, there would have to be _hordes_ of flashbacks. . . .or, at least, HORDES of past-life references (and corresponding multicultural behaviors). So, the reader learns about one character's involvement with plague in Italy, one character's life in a Japanese shogunate, and another character's involvement in war. That's it. Three random-ass flashbacks that don't _really_ impact the overall narrative (seriously: reader, you can entirely skip those flashbacks and _nothing_ is affected).
There are several other things that make no sense in this work, which further force suspension of disbelief to even greater levels and, subsequently, severely weaken the interest and engagement with this work. Maikranz, I'm sorry, but you and soooooo many other contemporary authors need REALLY harsh editors to force _significant_ revisions to works prior to publishing final products. There is a _very_ valid philosophic argument raised within this work, and a _very_ valid concept of repeated reincarnations present. Unfortunately neither are well-developed, and both the predecessor to this work and it's successor can't possibly be 'better' due to this being a serial.
May 27, 2023
I found the Reincarnationist Papers after watching Infinite, which like almost always was better than the movie. (I loved the movie) but it was so far removed from the book I am grateful I found the book. After the first one I was praying for a sequel and since I was late to the game, I didn't have to wait long. Sadly my Audible app let me down and did not tell me it had been released even though I had it on my waitlist. The sequel did NOT disappoint. He could write 10 or more of these and I'd devour each one. Being busy with work, kids and now a grand baby I do lots of audible books since I don't have time to sit down and read it. With my drive being an hour each way I finished this book in about 6 of my work days so two weeks. I am sad I finished it today. I was so enthralled that when it ended I was like wait what? No! I hope he writes a third, and I hope it doesn't take forever to come out.
Although I enjoyed the movie, I really hope they re do it more close to the book(s). Loved it and recommend it to everyone.
Although I enjoyed the movie, I really hope they re do it more close to the book(s). Loved it and recommend it to everyone.
April 5, 2023
Pros: First, I loved how well Maikranz tied in the first book with this one. The details weren't forced at all and felt completely organic, as if you'd see this in every day life.
Next, I loved learning more of the other characters' backstories and previous lives, which effectively helped me to understand their current motives and actions against the protagonist... An exiled member from before.
Her motivations did instill a bit of a moral dilemma in some conversations, but overall, I found her corrupt yet tolerable for the sake of the Cognomina's survival.
Cons: I absolutely hate cliffhangers and this is one! As with this second book, I shall anxiously and impatiently await the third! As soon as I can get my hands on it, I plan to, providing there IS a third!
Conclusion: If reincarnation, history, and moral dilemmas are things of interest, check this out. It's intriguing what you'd do when you return consistently. What side will you choose?
Next, I loved learning more of the other characters' backstories and previous lives, which effectively helped me to understand their current motives and actions against the protagonist... An exiled member from before.
Her motivations did instill a bit of a moral dilemma in some conversations, but overall, I found her corrupt yet tolerable for the sake of the Cognomina's survival.
Cons: I absolutely hate cliffhangers and this is one! As with this second book, I shall anxiously and impatiently await the third! As soon as I can get my hands on it, I plan to, providing there IS a third!
Conclusion: If reincarnation, history, and moral dilemmas are things of interest, check this out. It's intriguing what you'd do when you return consistently. What side will you choose?
April 28, 2023
Evan Michaels has been reincarnated and returns to the Cognomina to seek entrance once again. As he visits his old friend Clovis to seek approval, they are kidnapped by an excommunicated member of the Cognomina. She seeks to reduce the world’s population to preserve the environment and animals and to build her ideal world. She uses Evan to try unite her group of reincarnationists with the Cognomina. He is torn between the desire to unite more of those like himself and the extensive threat posed by the evil of this new leader. How can he save the Cognomina and survive? A war begins between the two groups with radically differing viewpoints of the world.
This book was clever and well written. It introduced more backstories of several of the characters and some interesting historical insights. It also posed questions of how far one might go to achieve their means and the ethical dilemmas of doing so. This was a page turner! I hope for future books in the series.
This book was clever and well written. It introduced more backstories of several of the characters and some interesting historical insights. It also posed questions of how far one might go to achieve their means and the ethical dilemmas of doing so. This was a page turner! I hope for future books in the series.
March 12, 2023
I was so excited when my Libby app dinged to say my library had the ebook AND the audiobook available immediately. I loved this sequel. The first book is Evan finding his family, and this book is Evan holding on to his family in any way he can.
I love the parts where other characters tell their past in a chapter, cuz it's exactly what I'm always searching for in wiki sites for my favorite shows and books. I LOVE backstories, and it's great to have them directly in the books instead of as a dozen short stories spread out across a dozen urban fantasy short-story-compilations.
I hope this continues into a trilogy. I'll devour that one too.
I love the parts where other characters tell their past in a chapter, cuz it's exactly what I'm always searching for in wiki sites for my favorite shows and books. I LOVE backstories, and it's great to have them directly in the books instead of as a dozen short stories spread out across a dozen urban fantasy short-story-compilations.
I hope this continues into a trilogy. I'll devour that one too.
April 6, 2023
Dr. Eric Maikranz has a second tale of people who remember their past lives. Evan Michaels who died at the end of The Reincarnationist Papers (paper) has been reborn in Syria. When his memories return he makes his way to Zurich where his previous memories are sharpened. Unfortunately the Cognomina has an enemy, A woman with memories dating back to Roman times, and who was cast out of the society, is working to reduce the population of Earth with war and disease. The Cognomina Codex (hard from Blackstone Publishing) tells of her attack on the society and how they fight to survive, Lots of fun and grist for conspiracy nuts.
February 2, 2024
I read this one which is the second one in the series even though I didn’t love the first one. I was looking forward to the second one because this is what the movie is based on (it’s a Mark Wahlberg movie, but it got terrible reviews apparently… I have yet to watch it). The concept was really cool but the execution was not what I hoped it seem33 like there was always turmoil- I was really hoping that the second one would have a little bit more happiness to explore how cool the concept of reincarnation is.
December 4, 2024
Ok, still 5 stars b/c it's a great world concept and overall story, but the ending is pretty contrived. SPOILERS: I mean, the rescue in the Vatican is awesome, but the one at the party is way over the top. There would have been so many more efficient and effective ways to win that battle, but the good guys chose the most poetic one? Elsa isn't very compelling, which is frustrating b/c she's set up to be a main character in the next one. Overall really good book and looking forward to the next one. Loved getting to know Galen. He was the best new character.
April 28, 2024
I loved the Reincarnationist Papers. I enjoyed this very much but was not expecting this to turn into a series. I am done after this book. The book was well written and fast paced. It drew me in and kept me at the edge of my seat. I enjoyed the characters interactions in the past but I felt it to be a bit redundant. Book 2 did not have the wonder book 1 did. It is more in the category of intrigue and suspense which is not my usual fare.
July 19, 2024
Probably a very solid 4.5. The first book was like one long prologue but this is absolutely what I spent the first book anticipating. It didn’t come in the original but I’m really glad that I decided to read this one. It had the conflict and the intrigue and some of my favourite character stories like Ramsey’s work in Nazi-occupied Italy.
It has also set things up very clearly for future books—even if it seems impossible to find information on anything pertaining to them.
It has also set things up very clearly for future books—even if it seems impossible to find information on anything pertaining to them.
December 18, 2024
Personally, I liked the first book more because I liked the building blocks of the initiation into the Cognomina, BUT there was more action in this story about a member who got banished so it was like a villain in the story and they had to save their group essentially. You learned of more characters previous lives which was interesting. And I think how he linked the first story to this one by his journal being released from the first book that was cool.
April 14, 2023
After ripping through the Reincarnationist Papers I was super excited to hear about the second book, Cognomina Codex, being released. After reading the second book I can say readers will be happy they did. In book 2 we now have a clear villain. We also start to see the skills and knowledge of the different members being leveraged. Enjoy!
April 7, 2023
This was a good sequel to book 1. I’ll read a third book if it gets written and I think this series would be a great tv series. Yes there are some timelines I can’t quite figure out but overall it gave me 12 hours of listening enjoyment.
January 1, 2024
I loved this volume 2 of the reincarnationist papers this one was so action packed and well written I am looking forward to the next book, this was worth it. So we'll crafted and the world as we know it has expanded so much further loved it
January 5, 2025
Another great read! We're finally getting into the thick of things! I can't wait for the next book! I'm assuming there will be one. I had a hard time trying to find any info about it. If there isn't another book, I will be one pissed off reader for sure!
January 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this sequel to Reincarnationist Papers. Towards the end I was thinking it was rushing but then the last chapter really impressed me. I’m looking forward to the next one. Hope it comes out soon.
March 14, 2023
Non-stop excitement
Eric is a gifted author and story teller. I am glad to know Eric as a friend from a past life.
Eric is a gifted author and story teller. I am glad to know Eric as a friend from a past life.
March 18, 2023
A perfect sequel. Picks up where the first book left off - drags you in - and keeps you reading far into the night. I can’t wait for the next installment
July 5, 2023
Loved it! I hated for it to end. There has to be a third!
September 27, 2024
I need the 3rd book now!
January 18, 2025
Awesome story and pacing.
September 4, 2024
I WANT MORE! Too bad the movie for the first book sucked
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews