If you’re reading this, then chances are you’ve already read Lumley’s incredible first novel in this epic vampire series – ‘Necroscope’ (1986). The question is, with such an outstanding first book, how will Lumley do with a sequel?

Well, first off, I’m sure I don’t need to go into how well this second novel is written. If you’ve read the first book, then expect the same quality of prose, of magnificent characterisation and incredible layering of elaborate plot ideas. Expect believable dialogue, wonderfully complex interweaving of concepts and a heart-pounding pace to its delivery.

There are a few key points that should be made about this second instalment. The first is the change in size and scope of the whole Necroscope lore which Lumley starts to expand upon within this second book. Essentially, where ‘Necroscope’ (1986) was almost a self-contained story in itself, for this second book, Lumley had now realised the success and overall potential of creating a far larger series of books, and as such, we now see a major investment into the overall expansion.

This largely comes in the form of a much deeper backstory for both Faethor Ferenczy and for Thibor Ferenczy. Both of these characters appeared within the first book, with Thibor Ferenczy playing a more major role than Faethor Ferenczy. However, here in this second book, both characters play much deeper roles again. In particular, we learn the history of Faethor Ferenczy and his corruption of Thibor the Wallach, who subsequently takes on his vampire egg father’s surname.

In this second book we also learn far more about the nature of the Wamphyri and how you can have lesser, part vampires, who are not true Wamphyri with true ‘vampire minds’. Through the stories of Faethor Ferencz, Thibor Ferenczy and then Yulian Bodescu, we learn that the vampire mind comes only from an egg – the pearly seed of the Wamphyri, for which the vampire has but one to implant within its long, long life.

Vampires which were not transformed from an egg, but rather through their creator’s bloodthirsty or tentacle probing means, will only live as long as their creator wishes. They will always be slave to their master, to do their bidding and obey their every command. Indeed, this stark difference between ‘true vampires’ and ‘lesser breeds’ is explored in great depth through this second novel.

In particular, we see the passing on of the next generation of Wamphyri through Faethor Ferencz to that of Thibor Ferenczy. During this detailed backstory (which probably covers a good third of the novel), we witness much of the master/slave influence, as well as the hugely significant act of planting a vampire egg. Furthermore, we see how the vampire’s probes can infect and corrupt. How there are complexities with the passing on of the vampire infection, which can manifest into different strengths of abilities and dark desires.

Aside from this, we also see an evolution with the character of Harry Keogh. Although dead, Keogh is able to reach out and communicate to those within the INTESP through the maze of the Möbius continuum. However, his young infantile son keeps dragging Harry Keogh Snr back into the infant’s body, each time the young baby wakes into consciousness. Trapping Keogh Snr until his son falls back to sleep again.

Then we have the two ESP branches – now working (largely) in unison. This involves a handful of new and recurring characters, some with ESP abilities, others without. As with the first book, this is pretty much where the action and espionage within the story sits. It’s where we see the high-tension, plotting and undertaking of risky high-octane operations.

The horror, however, is within the backstories of our two true Wamphyri alongside our one lesser vampire breed. Yulian Bodescu (i.e. the lesser, or perhaps more appropriately seen as a mutant breed), is the main antagonist of this second book. However, not being a full blown true Wamphyri (i.e. not transformed via a vampire egg) does not take anything from the terror he brings to the table. In fact, in some ways the horror he unleashes is darker, harsher, less predictable and more immediate.

The backstories of Faethor Ferencz and Thibor Ferenczy also have a darkness to them, however, it’s more of a smouldering, creeping darkness and less intense in the immediate threat it poses. In some ways, the backstories of these two Wamphyri feel similar to Francis Coppola and James V. Hart’s film adaptation ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ (1992). We go back to the mid-fifteenth century, with Voevod the Vlad Tepes (i.e. Vlad the Impaler) and the war against the Khazars and then the Pechenegi. We follow this blood-drenched gothic story of war and rivalry all the way through subsequent centuries where Faethor Ferencz has been alone in his isolated castle, whereupon Thibor comes knocking, only to end up transformed into a Wamphyri himself.

It’s all ingeniously elaborate, carefully plotted and wonderfully told, through a story that stretches centuries of evil and corruption. But what’s more is that we see a complexity to the characters themselves. They’re not born evil. Thibor himself was once a loyal, brave, fearless warlord of a ragged army of merciless killers of the Pechenegi. Although Faethor Ferencz appears to be more subdued, perhaps less evil within the first book, it is in fact he who is shown as the great corrupter. Indeed, this building up of character layers and weaving of corruption into human lives, is what echoes throughout the book.

Ultimately, the novel is a truly magnificent piece of horror fiction. Where the first book captured our imagination and ensnared us into the series, this second book now expands the lore for which a much larger piece can be built upon. It sows the seeds. Creates a fertile ground which not only does it then reap a harvest of bloody and dark horror but also sets in motion a far larger piece for many more tales of horror to come.

The novel runs for a total of 495 pages.