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- Tales of the Lovecraft Mythos (2)
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- In His Own Write (1)
- Brian Lumley: Necroscribe
- By Brian Lumley
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In His Own Write

For Lumley Collectors

This is a little interesting piece put out by the guys at Necronomicon Press.In His Own Write is a small little booklet sized thing that contains:* Forward * The Thing In The Moonlight * The Writer In The Garret * Synchronicity O ... (continue)

This is a little interesting piece put out by the guys at Necronomicon Press.In His Own Write is a small little booklet sized thing that contains:* Forward * The Thing In The Moonlight * The Writer In The Garret * Synchronicity Or SomethingPretty darned small, but Lumley nonetheless. As you may have noticed I absolutely have to read anything and everything Lumley puts out. This is no exception.The forward is pretty dang good too. It's kind of like an 'open letter' autobiography by Brian Lumley. To me, it was the best of the book. It tells a little of how he got into the business of writing Mythos writing and how he was first published by Arkam House. Lumley also mentions little tidbits about his meetings with Dave Carson (the Illustrator of this book) and August Derleth (Arkham House).The Writer In The Garret is a great short story. It's my favorite so far. It is about a writer who has been publishing another man's work that he finds in the trash. It was great.The Thing In The Moonlight was quite short. So short as a matter of fact that I barely got into it and it was over.This is a neat little booklet overall and of course yet another proud member of my Lumley collection. Pick it up...if you love Lumley. It's only been available at the Necronomicon Press as far as I know.

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— Sep 9, 2007 | Add your feedback
- Book of the Dead (4)
- By David J. Schow, Les Daniels, Nicholas Royle, …
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- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (8)
- By Cusick
- Finished
  
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Kristy Swanson Read Buffy The Vampire Slayer To Me!

Buffy The Vampire Slayer was a clever and funny film that doesn't really resemble much of the cult phenomenon Buffy The Vampire Slayer television show. Most fans of the series don't even like the initial movie.
I have barely seen the television show and from what I have, I haven't like it. How ... (continue)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer was a clever and funny film that doesn't really resemble much of the cult phenomenon Buffy The Vampire Slayer television show. Most fans of the series don't even like the initial movie.
I have barely seen the television show and from what I have, I haven't like it. However, the film is something I enjoyed. It had a horror/comedy b-movie feel to it much in the same lines as Starship Troopers and Mars Attacks! mixed Sci-fi/comedy with b-movie influences.
I enjoyed the film so much that when I found this 'young adult' type novelization I had to pick it up.
The story is written by Richie Tankersley Cusick, an author who has written other young adult vampire stories and even continued her 'Buffy' work by writing Buffy television series novels. I am not familiar with the author's work, but I found it adequate in most areas and it carried the humour from the film nicely.
Buffy is a valleygirlish type cheerleader. She has her tight popular group of friends. She has a popular boyfriend. It appears Buffy doesn't have a care in the world. In fact, her dream is to finish school, go to Europe, and marry Christian Slater.
One day Merrick finds her. He trains vampire slayers and has been looking for her for quite a while. Reluctantly she is now her community's protector against the undead.
The novel shows Buffy's slow but eventual growth from naive bubbly valleygirl to a somber, hardened vampire slayer. It follows the movie's original story quite well and unfortunately begins and ends in the same places.
Some great new additions to the film's stories are included in this book. For instance a line that goes something like this:
'Buffy walked into the church and asked the priest a question.'
"Um, excuse me. Could you bless these?"
'She pulled out a six pack of Perrier water.'
Why that scene among others was not in the original film is beyond me. I think it would have really added to the humour.
Other than a little more fleshing out of the characters, the relationship between Buffy and Pike especially, and a few extra scenes like the previously mentioned one, there isn't much to this book. In fact it is quite short. I finished it in a little over an hour.
There is an audiobook version of Buffy The Vampire Slayer available as well. I picked that up too.
It's available only on cassette and had long been out of print. I don't even own a tape deck anymore. Instead, I found it downloadable at Audible.com's (http://www.audible.com) website. I don't know how much the cassette version is (the site says it used to retail for around fourteen dollars) but this version I figured is rather inexpensive. Plus I really hate cassettes and didn't want to have to borrow a player from someone.
Normally I'm not really a huge fan of audiobooks. Dramatizations sure, but someone just reading to me? I wasn't too sure whether I'd like it. However, one glance at the audiobook information revealed to me who would be reading it. None other than Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Kristy Swanson herself! How could I turn that down? I've seen a ton of her films like The Phantom and Highway To Hell. I've even sat through her terrible flicks like Dream Trap and Mannequin 2: On The Move! I think I've proven that I've had a little thing for this little sweetie.
Ms. Swanson's reading is quite good. I really think I only heard her mispronouce one word in the entire three-hour program. It felt like I was hearing an extended version of the movie. When she read Buffy's lines I could actually picture the character from the film since her voice is the same. Kristy's voice for the male parts is quite humourous though. I do hope she never has to play a role where she has to sound like a male. Her voice change when reading a line of Pike's or Merrick's is funny sounding but cute I suppose.
Not being used to this format it took me probably the first half-hour of Kristy's reading to finally get me into it. Midway through I was totally enthralled and listening like when I'd get read to when I was a child. I'll have to explore audiobooks a little more in the future.
Eventually if I can find a place at Epinions to review the Audible.com site I'll go into depth about how to use this format and what I like and hate about it. For this program, I'll just talk about the basics.
The Buffy The Vampire Slayer downloadable program is apparently the exact same as the cassette (only currently available). When you purchase it, you can listen to it on your home computer or portable player (see the website for compatible portable players). I listened on my home computer.
There are different ways you can listen to the program on your home computer. You have the choice to stream it from the website, download it to the audio manager program provided free by the company, use Windows Media Player, or Audible's own player.
I liked the Audible player because it has a nice bookmark feature that you can just click on to save your spot. It’s quite useful for programs like this (Kristy takes three hours to read the book).
There are also different formats that they record their audio in. Buffy is in 'Format 1'. Format 1 is the most compressed (smallest file sized) format available. It's the fastest for downloading and is apparently most suitable for programs with voice and no music or sound effects. In my opinion this also probably means that this is the worst sounding format too. The sound wasn't bad though. While it wasn't clear like a CD, it sounded probably as good as the cassette tape version.
I enjoyed all three: the film, the novel, and now the audiobook. Now if only I can find Kristy Swanson reading something a little more racy (Do Penthouse Letters produce audiobooks? (Grin))

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- Weaveworld (93)
- By Clive Barker
- Finished
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- The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other Stories (443)
- By Robert Louis Stevenson
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- Anthology of Horror Stories (3)
- By S. Jones
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- House of Doors (3)
- By Brian Lumley
- Finished
  
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House of Doors

I had no idea what to expect from this one. Being so accustomed to Lumley's many series' of books, it was strange to see one just stand out with out any sequels or related novels.
Once again Lumley's characters were well developed. I loved em or hated them.
I don't know really what ... (continue)

I had no idea what to expect from this one. Being so accustomed to Lumley's many series' of books, it was strange to see one just stand out with out any sequels or related novels.
Once again Lumley's characters were well developed. I loved em or hated them.
I don't know really what to compare this book to, but lets just imagine that we are in a house on earth that was placed here by aliens. The house is mainly an alien laboratory where they can watch us interact with each other and see how we behave (much like we do to mice in a maze). Now throw a bunch of doors in this house and behind them all something new. Horrors not to be believed. How do we react? How would you react?
He really drew out the emotions for this one. When one of the characters are in trouble, man, you really get into it. This one sucked me in like that kid's movie 'The Never-Ending Story' did to that kid reading the book.
Something totally different from Lumley and good show! Loved this one too. I hear a sequel is coming out soon. I will be special ordering that one!

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- Necroscope V (9)
- Deadspawn (Necroscope Series)
- By Brian Lumley
- Finished
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- Psychomech (5)
- (Psychomech Trilogy)
- By Brian Lumley
- Finished
  
  Review
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Psychomech

Hmm, espionage, esp, I wonder what Brian Lumley likes to write about? This 'Psychomech' trilogy I stumbled upon because well, I couldn't find anything else written by Brian Lumley around. Brian's work may seem pretty easy to find at the present time. But I had to try special ordering everything o ... (continue)

Hmm, espionage, esp, I wonder what Brian Lumley likes to write about? This 'Psychomech' trilogy I stumbled upon because well, I couldn't find anything else written by Brian Lumley around. Brian's work may seem pretty easy to find at the present time. But I had to try special ordering everything of his here in Winnipeg. This series was one of the few that were available aside from his Necroscope work. I needed something to tie me over until the next Vampire story by Lumley!
The story is about a character named Richard Garrison. Another likable lead character. He is in the military and is blinded saving the wife and child of some civilian. Turns out this civilian is pretty well off and seems to be grateful. He hires Garrison to assist him in his research. Research dealing with ESP, the paranormal, and even immortality.
Garrison eventually meets up with a machine called the Psychomech. It amplifieds his amazing powers that he develops. There is also an evil presence on Earth researching this same power. Each become aware of each other and each knows that they must stop each other. This leads up to a pretty good finale, but it's just not up to par as some of Lumley's other work.
The first book is a really good one. The second, is okay. The third falls flat. I just could not sympathize with Garrison anymore. If you want to read all of Lumley's work I suppose these books are something you will need to go through, but be warned. As the story goes on, it doesn't get any better.

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- Psychosphere (8)
- (Psychomech Trilogy)
- By Brian Lumley
- Finished
  
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Psychosphere

Hmm, espionage, esp, I wonder what Brian Lumley likes to write about? This 'Psychomech' trilogy I stumbled upon because well, I couldn't find anything else written by Brian Lumley around. Brian's work may seem pretty easy to find at the present time. But I had to try special ordering everything o ... (continue)

Hmm, espionage, esp, I wonder what Brian Lumley likes to write about? This 'Psychomech' trilogy I stumbled upon because well, I couldn't find anything else written by Brian Lumley around. Brian's work may seem pretty easy to find at the present time. But I had to try special ordering everything of his here in Winnipeg. This series was one of the few that were available aside from his Necroscope work. I needed something to tie me over until the next Vampire story by Lumley!
The story is about a character named Richard Garrison. Another likable lead character. He is in the military and is blinded saving the wife and child of some civilian. Turns out this civilian is pretty well off and seems to be grateful. He hires Garrison to assist him in his research. Research dealing with ESP, the paranormal, and even immortality.
Garrison eventually meets up with a machine called the Psychomech. It amplifieds his amazing powers that he develops. There is also an evil presence on Earth researching this same power. Each become aware of each other and each knows that they must stop each other. This leads up to a pretty good finale, but it's just not up to par as some of Lumley's other work.
The first book is a really good one. The second, is okay. The third falls flat. I just could not sympathize with Garrison anymore. If you want to read all of Lumley's work I suppose these books are something you will need to go through, but be warned. As the story goes on, it doesn't get any better.

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- Psychamok (6)
- (Psychomech Trilogy)
- By Brian Lumley
- Finished
  
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Psychamok

Hmm, espionage, esp, I wonder what Brian Lumley likes to write about? This 'Psychomech' trilogy I stumbled upon because well, I couldn't find anything else written by Brian Lumley around. Brian's work may seem pretty easy to find at the present time. But I had to try special ordering everything o ... (continue)

Hmm, espionage, esp, I wonder what Brian Lumley likes to write about? This 'Psychomech' trilogy I stumbled upon because well, I couldn't find anything else written by Brian Lumley around. Brian's work may seem pretty easy to find at the present time. But I had to try special ordering everything of his here in Winnipeg. This series was one of the few that were available aside from his Necroscope work. I needed something to tie me over until the next Vampire story by Lumley!
The story is about a character named Richard Garrison. Another likable lead character. He is in the military and is blinded saving the wife and child of some civilian. Turns out this civilian is pretty well off and seems to be grateful. He hires Garrison to assist him in his research. Research dealing with ESP, the paranormal, and even immortality.
Garrison eventually meets up with a machine called the Psychomech. It amplifieds his amazing powers that he develops. There is also an evil presence on Earth researching this same power. Each become aware of each other and each knows that they must stop each other. This leads up to a pretty good finale, but it's just not up to par as some of Lumley's other work.
The first book is a really good one. The second, is okay. The third falls flat. I just could not sympathize with Garrison anymore. If you want to read all of Lumley's work I suppose these books are something you will need to go through, but be warned. As the story goes on, it doesn't get any better.

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- Necroscope (11)
- Avengers (Necroscope: E-Branch Trilogy)
- By Brian Lumley
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Necroscope

Brian Lumley's Necroscope: Avengers; A Sad Ending To An Amazing Series

The title of the 'Third Book in Invaders Trilogy' actually is Necroscope: Avengers.
Necroscope: Avengers is the thirteenth novel in Brian Lumley's huge Necroscope saga. When I first started reading this amazing series, there were only five novels out. I became a fan instantly and have read eve ... (continue)

The title of the 'Third Book in Invaders Trilogy' actually is Necroscope: Avengers.
Necroscope: Avengers is the thirteenth novel in Brian Lumley's huge Necroscope saga. When I first started reading this amazing series, there were only five novels out. I became a fan instantly and have read everything Lumley ever since. However, the Necroscope series has grown immensely huge over the years and even I questioned every new release.
"Why doesn't Lumley just write about something else?" I would wonder. I have loved his other novels like Maze Of Worlds, Khai Of Ancient Khem, The Compleat Khash and the like. There's only so much you can expand on in a story. I remember bugging fans of Robert Jordan about how he couldn't write about anything other than a Wheel Of Time book. I've since been silenced when they find out about Lumley's Necroscope.
Avengers is the third novel in a 'sub-series' of what I would call 'New Necroscope'. In the original series, the amiable Harry Keogh was the Necroscope. Some dictionary definitions:
necro- or necr-
pref.
1 - Dead body; corpse.
2 - Death.
scope
n.
1 - The range of one's perceptions, thoughts, or actions.
2 - Informal. A viewing instrument such as a periscope, microscope, or telescope.
Combine the above definitions and you may understand what a Necroscope essentially is. An instrument who can communicate with the dead (what Mr. Lumley likes to call 'the Great Majority')
In the 'New Necroscope' series (Invaders, Defilers, and Avengers), Jake Cutter is introduced to us as the new Necroscope.
Avengers continues on with the story from the previous two novels. Three wamphyri (Lumlian for 'vampires') have come from another world to invade Earth. It is up to our heroes in England to stop them.
'Our' heroes are the always-dependable E-branch. E-branch is a group of 'spies' that protect the world using their special abilities. Telepaths, human lie detectors, and people that can locate things anywhere in the world are just a few examples of the talents that members of E-branch possess. Of course, the Necroscope has his unique talent as well.
'Our' wamphyri threats in this novel are Lord Szwart, Malinari, and the sometimes lovely, sometimes hideous hag Vavara. With their plans foiled in the previous two novels, they create a new one.
During the course of reading Avengers I found one large glaring difference to this 'New Necroscope' series as opposed to the old one. No longer is the necroscope the first person hero. Jake Cutter is a rebellious troubled man. One doesn't know whether he is on the same team as e-branch or against them at any given time. Instead, these 'New Necroscope' novels follow E-Branch leader Ben Trask (a human lie detector). While Mr. Trask is a nice enough guy it seems, he is one character I have never really been especially fond of. What would have made it easier on me perhaps is if the U.S. title had kept the original British title of the series. In the U.K. they called this series 'E-Branch: Invaders, Defilers, and Avengers'. Then at least I would have instantly understood that this isn't a straight out Necroscope novel, it's an E-branch novel. No wonder they are the main characters in the story and have more time devoted to them over Jake Cutter. Still, I didn't like it.
The problem with Ben Trask perhaps is his ability. Having the ability to always tell if someone is lying to you means that most of the story is going to have to deal with relationships, personal or otherwise. Trask doesn't have the ability to speak with the dead like a necroscope. Some of the greatest parts of past Necroscope novels have been when a necroscope has conversations with the 'Great Majority'. Trask also isn't a young, strong man either. Nothing against non-young, strong men characters, it's just that I, as a Necroscope fan have become accustomed to some neat action bits in each novel. How can Trask accomplish any type of action against the strength of the vampire? he can't.
Avengers is not an action packed novel like previous Lumley outings. Instead, Lumley has decided to have a more political, ESP-ionage, spy type thriller. Personal relationships are built up more than in any previous Necroscope novel. The novel is chock full of arguments, worrying, and your basic lovers chitchat, mostly about Trask, his girlfriend, Cutter and his. Call this interesting?
Lumley does fill in some good story around Trask, Cutter, and their girlfriends. The vampires are still hideously evil. They are still the grossest, coolest, and sickest vampires I have ever read. The best parts of Avengers are when all three of the wamphyri are attacking. It's just fabulous. But then yet another serious downside to the novel appears. The bloody ending that is so obviously lifted from another 'famous' vampire novel. While the original 'famous' vampire novel's ending is a classic, you can't just outright copy it!
Overall though, I suppose I have come away from this novel saddened by the fact that the Necroscope series is not going to end on as great a note as it previously did (until Lumley added sub-series upon sub-series to the original five novel collection). The first five novels were phenomenal, they changed my idea of what a vampire should be, and I will appreciate them always. Unfortunately, as each new little sub-series came and went, the story became more and more 'watered-down' and ahem, dare I say boring? While I have enjoyed each one of these novels, Avengers finally reached that 'watered-down' and been-there-done-that point which made it more boring than entertaining.

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— Sep 9, 2007 | Add your feedback
- Necroscope (8)
- Invaders (Necroscope: E-Branch Trilogy)
- By Brian Lumley
- Finished
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- Necroscope: Defilers (11)
- By Brian Lumley
- Finished
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