Bestseller Alten's sequel to Domain (2001), based on the Mayan Popul Vul myth, charges bravely out of the gate, but quickly loses momentum. Centuries ago, Mayan legend predicted the death of hero Michael Gabriel, who would sacrifice himself to save Earth from alien invasion in 2012-and the birth of Gabriel's superhuman sons, the Hero Twins, who would descend to the Mayan underworld Xibalba, to fight evil and resurrect their father from cosmic darkness. Born in 2013, Gabriel's sons, precocious Jacob and less enthusiastic Manny, grow up in seclusion, protected by their mother and the U.S. government. Within minutes of the twins' birth, a third extraordinary child predicted by prophecy, Lilith Eve Robinson, is born nearby. Raised in horrible circumstances, the girl later suffers unending sexual abuse by her Fundamentalist foster father. Ultimately, Lilith will face Jacob and his mother in an alien world where the winner will claim all the souls on Earth. Though the relatively unknown mythology intrigues, the story stalls early under the weight of one-dimensional characters and a plot choked by the moral certainty of the Left Behind series and paranormal "science" on the level of that in Von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods. (Alten confuses electromagnetic arrays with electromagnetic pulses, misdefines volcano calderas, etc.) Still, with its apocalyptic scenario and emphasis on the afterlife, this novel will attract the same kinds of readers who've made LaHaye and Jenkins's books a success. (Feb. 23) Forecast: A national print ad campaign should ensure a strong start. Fans of more serious SF will know to keep their distance. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Awake, Manicheans! And read the Mayan prophecies whose ancient Good-versus-Evil glyphs, deciphered by the late Julius Gabriel (Domain, 2001), foretell Earth's destruction in 2012. It's now 2013. Julius's son Michael had hoped to forestall the Alien Armageddon-they had planted a deadly weapon the Gulf of Mexico-by enlisting the aid of psychologist Dominique Vazquez, who is part Mayan. The pair attacked Dad's bad old partner Pierre Borgia, who rose to US secretary of state. But at base it's Michael against the Apocalypse. Though now dead, he has led humanity past the 2012 horror of fusion blasts that destroyed much of Australia and Asia. His twin sons live in Dominique, who is pinpointed for death by Christian fundamentalist and presidential candidate Peter Mabus. The sons, when born, have posthuman genes. All-knowing, inhumanly strong Jacob is white-haired with azure eyes. Dark-haired Immanuel desires a more human, more normal life than Jacob's. As it happens, both sons must join to perform the title's resurrection of Michael. Is he really dead? Dominique is told by psychiatrist Evelyn Strongin, who returned to life after being killed by a wayward electrical line, that Michael, shackled to purgatory by his anger, is being tortured by poltergeists called Nephilim. Their negative force will be directed into the post-human genes allotted to schizophrenic Lilith, born the same day as the twins but in uglier circumstances. What it all comes down to is: Will the portal to hell will be opened and Lucifer resurrected? Or will Immanuel, Jacob, and Dominique be strong enough to stop abominable Lilith and her nasty but pure post-human son Devlin Mabus and keep the evil door shut . . . on asilvery-red planet . . . among seven-foot-tall humanoids . . . ? Galloping, hugely detailed scientific/paranormal/spiritual SF superdrama that deserves a wide audience of warped but delighted readers. Agent: Ken Atchity/AEI