JUNGLE OF STEEL AND STONE

by George C. Chesbro ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 25, 1988

In this sequel to Veil (1986), Veil Kendry--painter, martial-arts expert, astral traveler--is still waiting for girlfriend Sharon to come out of her coma and return to life from that twilight zone called ""the Lazarus Gate."" (The lovers can still exchange sweet nothings on an astral plane: ""Love me, Veil,"" Sharon whispers. ""Tango with me on the edge of time."") In the meantime, however, Veil takes on a new mission impossible: he has to find the ""Nal-toon,"" the carved god-totem of the K'ung bushman tribe, which has been stolen from a N.Y. art gallery by K'ung warrior-prince Tobal'ak. Tobal'ak, known as ""Toby"" to his soulmate Reyna Alexander (a gorgeous missionary/anthropologist), is hiding somewhere in Central Park or Queens, stalked by the NYPD--Who'll probably wind up shooting the culture-shocked fugitive. Worse yet, the Mafia is also stalking Toby--because there's a fortune in pure heroin stashed inside the Nal-toon. Worst of all, super-villain Carl Nagle--corrupt cop, kinky sadist, ""an unbelievably dangerous man""--wants the Nal-toon too. So Veil and Reyna, vowing to find Toby before the others do, camp out in the Park, in Queens cemeteries, and other NYC ""jungles"". . .while cartoon-monster Nagle stalks them. Chesbro fills out this comic-book scenario with Veil's pretentious ""dream-treks"" (psychic communions with Toby) and with a tedious recap of Veil's previous, CIA-linked adventures. But the thinness of the hokum here remains painfully obvious--thanks to laughable B-movie dialogue, sub-pulp narration (the villain ""chuckled insanely""), and an earnest replay of assorted noble-savage clichÉs.

Pub Date: Feb. 25, 1988

ISBN: 1930253087

Page Count: -

Publisher: Mysterious Press--dist. by Ballantine

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1988

Categories: FICTION