Necroscope II: Vamphyri! (Necroscope #2) (1989)

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 HALLOWEEN REVIEWS 2026

by Brian Lumley



Harry Keogh, the necroscope who can talk with the dead, discovers that vampires are not supernatural creatures in the traditional sense but parasitic alien intelligences with their own biology, powers, and hidden history. 



As his psychic abilities continue to evolve beyond simple communication with the dead and into stranger, more isolating territory, he is drawn into a deadly conflict involving psychic espionage, monstrous transformations, and the expanding threat of the vampiric race.



 Brian Lumley’s vampires are not merely aristocrats with fangs, which allows them to stand apart from more traditional vampires, even when they still indulge in the old pleasures of blood, corruption, and ancient evil. 


Brian Lumley


This sequel also expands the story outward into cosmic horror, bringing in alternate dimensions, alien origins, psychic warfare, and ancient bloodlines until the vampire myth begins to feel much larger. 



Harry remains the emotional center, but his extraordinary abilities increasingly separate him from ordinary humanity, which gives his heroism a disturbing edge and a kinship to gritty noir heroes who stand on the outskirts of civilized society, protecting it without being able to fully participate in it. 


"Necroscope 2: Vampires" (Polish)


A weakness of the book is that the world broadens so much that the narrative sometimes loses focus. 


"Vampire Spawn" (German)


Lumley’s earnest pulp intensity is part of the appeal, but the dramatic declarations (note the exclamation point in the title), lurid horror imagery, and frequent explanations can also become repetitive.


"Vamphyri!" (French)


"Necromancer II: Vampire!" (Greek)

"Vampires!" (Spanish)



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