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No man is truly black or white, falling into a deep gray area stemming from one’s experiences and upbringing. What transforms Diego from an obedient and empathetic young man into El Leon, a dynamic cartel leader whose presence alone strikes fear in the hearts of those who oppose him, is the essence of life experiences, a catalyst unlike any other. In Diego’s case, both his own survival and that of his family are at stake, the ultimate fight or flight moment that unleashes the innermost animalistic tendencies from within.
As the work progresses, Zappa juxtaposes the intriguing character of El Leon with the ever-charismatic New Orleans Detective Lieutenant Jo Crowder, who is determined to go to any length to assist with the El Leon manhunt. When she finds herself in hot water, an unlikely prison ally becomes much more than that, leading to an epic adventure and unenviable dilemma for Crowder.
Perhaps what Zappa does best is character development. In each character, audiences can discern a flicker of darkness but also of light, a distinct humanness that makes them—and their torturous choices—so much more relatable. From being abused and trafficked to isolation and death, the characters have enduring spirits as they embark on a collision course with their own purpose that ironically is tied directly to the fate of El Leon.
Thematically, the end game is evident from the beginning: capture or eliminate El Leon. However, where Zappa excels is in his ability to keep the readers in suspense with entirely unexpected twists and turns, merging together characters that are polar opposites who begin to understand that they are not that unlike each other after all. Above all else, readers fall for Zappa’s characters and the treacherous journey each has to go through, creating an entertaining experience for all audiences.
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