Book Review: DeadSpawn

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

DeadSpawn     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Brian Lumley
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Series: Necroscope # 5
Tor, Dec 2003, $26.95, 428 pp.

The good news is that Necroscope Harry Keogh has begun recovering his abilities to deadspeak and to enter the Mobius Continuum; the bad news is that an evil seed is taking root inside of him. His friends notice that Harry is changing into what he has always fought against Wamphyri vampire. Harry tries to keep on living as he always has, but obviously the growth inside is becoming more powerful by the moment. Finally his former allies decree the solo Necroscope is a menace that they feel must be eliminated as an enemy combatant.

Harry goes on the lam planning to depart this realm for the source world of the vampires. However, he feels he must finish his current task to destroy-the maniac who possesses deadspeak even while his former allies want to destroy him before the vampire inside him takes control.

This reprint of Book V of the Necroscope series is one of the best, if not the top novel in the long running series (thirteen books I believe). The story line cleverly ties up the opening quintet leaving few loose ends and enabling a fresh start with the next trilogy (see The Blood Brothers). Of the first five tales, the last of the quintet DEADSPAWN is the only one that seems to stand alone as well as completing the story arc. Harry is at his best as he struggles with himself and battles with his friends and a deadly enemy in a tale that showcases Brian Lumley at his greatest.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner