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Necroscope #7
The Last Aerie
Nestor and Nathan Kiklu are the twin sons of Harry Keogh, the Necroscope. United by blood, they also share some of their father's awesome powers--but what they do with those gifts cannot be more different!
Nathan takes up the struggle against the metamorphic vampires, while Nestor, fascinated by the vampires' eerie evil, has become his twin's worst nightmare: a Wamphyri Lord!
Harry Keogh's sons have become the bitterest of enemies, each determined to destroy the other. When next they meet, one will surely die!
Nathan takes up the struggle against the metamorphic vampires, while Nestor, fascinated by the vampires' eerie evil, has become his twin's worst nightmare: a Wamphyri Lord!
Harry Keogh's sons have become the bitterest of enemies, each determined to destroy the other. When next they meet, one will surely die!
760 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
51 people are currently reading
1808 people want to read
About the author
Brian Lumley
444 books1,353 followersBrian Lumley was born near Newcastle. In 22 years as a Military Policeman he served in many of the Cold War hotspots, including Berlin, as well as Cyprus in partition days. He reached the rank of Sergeant-Major before retiring to Devon to write full-time, and his work was first published in 1970. The vampire series, 'Necroscope', has been translated into ten languages and sold over a million copies worldwide.
He was awarded the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award in 2010.
He was awarded the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award in 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 21, 2025
The best part of the necroscope series is the vampire land trilogy. This is book 2 of that trilogy and it might be the darkest book of the entire series. Nestor’s it’s one of evil and the sacrifice of morals. And for such a depraved world that is saying a lot.
Nathan‘s story goes in a very different attraction where he ends up in the human world. His connection with E-branch as a needed connection to the first five books at the series. Well, it might not be as interesting as Nathan story it is still a very compelling by the story that this book complete.
Nathan‘s story goes in a very different attraction where he ends up in the human world. His connection with E-branch as a needed connection to the first five books at the series. Well, it might not be as interesting as Nathan story it is still a very compelling by the story that this book complete.
March 9, 2009
Well, it's a sad day.
After seven outings with Lumley's one-of-a-kind vampires, I'm afraid this is where it ends for me.
The Last Aerie is pretty much a setup for the last in the Vampire World trilogy, where a war between our world and theirs seems inevitable.
Sadly, I've ceased to care, given that this setup spanned over 700 pages. Not to say I didn't enjoy the time spent this time, but there was something missing. I felt a complete detachment from the horrors of the aeries, and their victims/inhabitants. There's just something blase about the world as a whole now. Perhaps I've been desensitized or maybe Lumley just isn't presenting misery as well as before. Or, more likely, the saga is simply getting old with me.
Whatever the reason, I feel this has gone on long enough.
But oh, the vivid memories that have been left with me from the earlier Necroscope books; the novelty of these Wamphyri, Harry's early conversations with the dead, Ferenzcy's story. Man, what a trip. Thanks, Brian, it's been one of a kind. Really, thanks man.
After seven outings with Lumley's one-of-a-kind vampires, I'm afraid this is where it ends for me.
The Last Aerie is pretty much a setup for the last in the Vampire World trilogy, where a war between our world and theirs seems inevitable.
Sadly, I've ceased to care, given that this setup spanned over 700 pages. Not to say I didn't enjoy the time spent this time, but there was something missing. I felt a complete detachment from the horrors of the aeries, and their victims/inhabitants. There's just something blase about the world as a whole now. Perhaps I've been desensitized or maybe Lumley just isn't presenting misery as well as before. Or, more likely, the saga is simply getting old with me.
Whatever the reason, I feel this has gone on long enough.
But oh, the vivid memories that have been left with me from the earlier Necroscope books; the novelty of these Wamphyri, Harry's early conversations with the dead, Ferenzcy's story. Man, what a trip. Thanks, Brian, it's been one of a kind. Really, thanks man.
September 9, 2015
Would someone developing new shows for HBO please read Brian Lumley? This was the first of his books I had ever read, finding it in an airport newsstand when I forget my book at home. I've never been happier or luckier to have forgotten my book at home because it opened up a whole new world of fantastic reading to me. I would HIGHLY recommend anything in this series!
November 19, 2015
Esto de estar leyendo en inglés me está gustando.
September 7, 2009
Great second novel in the Vampire World trilogy. I liked this one much better than Blood Brothers. It had a much more linear flow and primarily followed the continuing, yet vastly disparate, stories of the twin sons of Harry Keogh without wandering off as much into other tangents and histories. The story propels the reader at an ever quickening pace to what promises to be a satisfying conclusion with the final confrontations between the two brothers, the two Wamphyri factions, and the two worlds in the last book of the trilogy, Bloodwars.
March 20, 2013
Outstanding - A world apart from Earth; one that abides by one rule: The vampires are the power... but they are in great danger from a lone human.
Very good series! Imagine any knowledge that you needed at the ready for your asking. Enter Harry. Very well designed story, with a main character that is easily identified with, Harry Koegh. The imagination that came up with these characters must have experienced some truly awful things. Lumley, being an ex SAS officer, surely did.
The vampires in this series are not nice. They are not warm and fuzzy. They're not cute (well, the women can be) and they know one primal rule: Anything to remain alive... so to speak. They are the epitome of ruthlessness, guile, viciousness, and outright cruelty. Lumley is good at this, and the stories get more and more gripping as the series carries on. We eventually even learn of the vampire's origins (The Source). Brutal and scary as hell at times. Always imaginative and truly entertaining.
Very good series! Imagine any knowledge that you needed at the ready for your asking. Enter Harry. Very well designed story, with a main character that is easily identified with, Harry Koegh. The imagination that came up with these characters must have experienced some truly awful things. Lumley, being an ex SAS officer, surely did.
The vampires in this series are not nice. They are not warm and fuzzy. They're not cute (well, the women can be) and they know one primal rule: Anything to remain alive... so to speak. They are the epitome of ruthlessness, guile, viciousness, and outright cruelty. Lumley is good at this, and the stories get more and more gripping as the series carries on. We eventually even learn of the vampire's origins (The Source). Brutal and scary as hell at times. Always imaginative and truly entertaining.
October 23, 2020
one of the best books of the series
both story lines were compelling and intriguing equally
it waz like a blend of the first and the third book but in a fresh way with all new ingredients
it loses one star only because it had many repetitive narratives and phrases (this way and that, there is madness and madness, etc)
both story lines were compelling and intriguing equally
it waz like a blend of the first and the third book but in a fresh way with all new ingredients
it loses one star only because it had many repetitive narratives and phrases (this way and that, there is madness and madness, etc)
July 10, 2022
Oh boy, where to even start with this one? I love this series, but the fact that it took me from December 2021 to July 2022 to finish it says a lot about how it flows. In short - nooot great. I agree with other reviewers saying that it's overlong; a lot, and I mean A LOT could have been left on the cutting room floor without the plot suffering. Actually, it would've been much improved.
As I mentioned in my other reviews, these books are at their best when action either 1) takes place in Starside / Sunside, 2) takes place in Romania, 3) takes place in the past (ideally in Romania). Thankfully, since we're following Nathan and Nestor, the Vampire World dominates this novel, while also introducing juicy character additions (Wratha the Risen, Canker Canison, Vormulac Unsleep and many others). All nice and neat, but it's a pretty shallow layer of enjoyable character development slathered on top of a big slab of transitional material. This book is just a bridge towards the events of the next entry in the series, and a long and rickety one at that.
I don't read fantasy for non-stop action and plot development, and I love it when character dialogue covers that latter aspect subtly. In The Last Aerie, however, characters talk for way, waaay too long, which would be understandable if they didn't also use these protracted paragraphs of dialogue to unceremoniously (or, in some cases, overly ceremoniously) explain what they're about to do for our benefit. Not very subtle, Mr. Lumley. To be fair, it's true that you can't help but enjoy their presence almost without exception, despite how absolutely despicable some of them are.
And speaking of despicable, I'm very Ok with fantasy violence, and I get that vampirism can be a metaphor for rape, but Lumley really does take things into very literal directions throughout this series. It's shocking at first, then you sort of get used to it and understand that it's the nature of the beast. However, I feel like he's completely overdoing it in The Last Aerie. Some parts involving forced sex are very, very hard to read, and while I get having a couple of moments of this nature just to establish and remind the reader that we are dealing with horrible creatures, the sixth or seventh time it just feels like it's too much and you just feel like throwing the book against the wall in disgust.
In parallel, as the series progressed, consensual sex scenes started reading less like Lumley and more like the kind of cheapo erotic literature that has airbrushed sixpack-rocking protagonists on its glossy cover. I get camp, I love camp, but this feels like something else entirely. Something I'm not a big fan of.
But all in all, god damnit, even though the past couple of novels in the series have left me exhausted and promising myself I'll take a long break before jumping into the next one, I can already feel the itch to crack open Bloodwars, especially since it's the last one in the series. Well, in *this* spin-off series. How can this man be so damn productive?
For me, the Necroscope series has migrated from must-read into kinda-almost guilty pleasure territory, but damn if I'm not in love with Lumley's work, no matter what dubious directions he decides to take it to.
Brian, you sonuvabitch! I'm in.
As I mentioned in my other reviews, these books are at their best when action either 1) takes place in Starside / Sunside, 2) takes place in Romania, 3) takes place in the past (ideally in Romania). Thankfully, since we're following Nathan and Nestor, the Vampire World dominates this novel, while also introducing juicy character additions (Wratha the Risen, Canker Canison, Vormulac Unsleep and many others). All nice and neat, but it's a pretty shallow layer of enjoyable character development slathered on top of a big slab of transitional material. This book is just a bridge towards the events of the next entry in the series, and a long and rickety one at that.
I don't read fantasy for non-stop action and plot development, and I love it when character dialogue covers that latter aspect subtly. In The Last Aerie, however, characters talk for way, waaay too long, which would be understandable if they didn't also use these protracted paragraphs of dialogue to unceremoniously (or, in some cases, overly ceremoniously) explain what they're about to do for our benefit. Not very subtle, Mr. Lumley. To be fair, it's true that you can't help but enjoy their presence almost without exception, despite how absolutely despicable some of them are.
And speaking of despicable, I'm very Ok with fantasy violence, and I get that vampirism can be a metaphor for rape, but Lumley really does take things into very literal directions throughout this series. It's shocking at first, then you sort of get used to it and understand that it's the nature of the beast. However, I feel like he's completely overdoing it in The Last Aerie. Some parts involving forced sex are very, very hard to read, and while I get having a couple of moments of this nature just to establish and remind the reader that we are dealing with horrible creatures, the sixth or seventh time it just feels like it's too much and you just feel like throwing the book against the wall in disgust.
In parallel, as the series progressed, consensual sex scenes started reading less like Lumley and more like the kind of cheapo erotic literature that has airbrushed sixpack-rocking protagonists on its glossy cover. I get camp, I love camp, but this feels like something else entirely. Something I'm not a big fan of.
But all in all, god damnit, even though the past couple of novels in the series have left me exhausted and promising myself I'll take a long break before jumping into the next one, I can already feel the itch to crack open Bloodwars, especially since it's the last one in the series. Well, in *this* spin-off series. How can this man be so damn productive?
For me, the Necroscope series has migrated from must-read into kinda-almost guilty pleasure territory, but damn if I'm not in love with Lumley's work, no matter what dubious directions he decides to take it to.
Brian, you sonuvabitch! I'm in.
November 9, 2020
I had a love/hate relationship with this book. I got the audiobook and the narration from Joshua Saxon was spot on as always. He is amazing. Flat out, masterful. The story was good overall, but there was so much in there that I could have done without and, in my view, didn't bring anything to the table. The book would have been better with probably half the content, IMO. This is my least enjoyed book by Brian Lumley unfortunately.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
March 21, 2023
Previous was disappointing, but glad I gave it the benefit of the doubt & carried on
The Last Aerie had far more of a story to it, pretty episodic with several well staged climaxes or finales. Best of all was the return for half of the book to earth setting & E Branch, which are the characters & situations I like the most
Best bit was the Nightmare Zone segment, had it’s place in the overall story but could stand on its own too. There’s several examples of that in Lumley’s writing & the series as a whole
The Last Aerie had far more of a story to it, pretty episodic with several well staged climaxes or finales. Best of all was the return for half of the book to earth setting & E Branch, which are the characters & situations I like the most
Best bit was the Nightmare Zone segment, had it’s place in the overall story but could stand on its own too. There’s several examples of that in Lumley’s writing & the series as a whole
November 7, 2017
This next in the series involves the sons of Harry Keogh, one Wamphryi and the other a man with his father's talent. It takes readers back into the worlds of E Branch as well as the vampire lords and Lady Wratha.
Lumley never disappoints and I am starting the next book immediately.
Lumley never disappoints and I am starting the next book immediately.
January 23, 2016
As the Koegh saga continues I have found more and more that I prefer the portions of the story that focus on the E-Branch. The vampire plot in the Vampire world seems slow-paced and repetitive. The plot involving John Scofield seemed rushed, and merely a convenience to push the development of Nathan's character forward. Still a well written novel in most regards, and has certainly set the stage for the last book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2021
I like this series, but I must admit, I'm becoming a bit tired of the Wamphyri. This is the story of Harry & Nana Kiklu's twin sons, Nathan & Nestor. They are not at all alike. Nathan is a dreamer and Nestor is ambitious. They could not end up becoming more different. And I don't know about anybody else, but Canker Canison gives me the frigging creeps.
August 26, 2017
The Last Aerie
This is the second time around reading this series. The first time was so long ago that I had largely forgotten a lot of what transpired and this makes it just as enjoyable.
This is the second time around reading this series. The first time was so long ago that I had largely forgotten a lot of what transpired and this makes it just as enjoyable.
June 28, 2023
This is the 7th book in the Necroscope Series. While I do really enjoy this series, I do think that Lumley sometimes gets a little too wordy and the stories do tend to drag in the middle.
With that said- I still think this was 3.5-4 stars. It continues the story of Harry's sons ( Nathan and Nestor).
Nathan previously went through the gate and is now in the "hell lands" ( our world). Russia's Psy- Branch and E-Branch are both trying to use him for different things. E-Branch gets him after Nathan's escape and teaches Nathan about his lineage and the awesome powers of the Netroscope.
Nestor on the other hand, has fully risen to an awesome power as a Lord of the Wamphyri. He formed an alliance with Karen and the wolf vamp , Canker.
Meanwhile- the Vampire lords in Turgosheim have assembled warriors and flyers and are prepping to do battle with the 6 lords that fled them to gain access to the empty Aeries and the Civilized travelers left behind by the Old Vampire Lords that were defeated by the Necroscope and the Dweller.
With that said- I still think this was 3.5-4 stars. It continues the story of Harry's sons ( Nathan and Nestor).
Nathan previously went through the gate and is now in the "hell lands" ( our world). Russia's Psy- Branch and E-Branch are both trying to use him for different things. E-Branch gets him after Nathan's escape and teaches Nathan about his lineage and the awesome powers of the Netroscope.
Nestor on the other hand, has fully risen to an awesome power as a Lord of the Wamphyri. He formed an alliance with Karen and the wolf vamp , Canker.
Meanwhile- the Vampire lords in Turgosheim have assembled warriors and flyers and are prepping to do battle with the 6 lords that fled them to gain access to the empty Aeries and the Civilized travelers left behind by the Old Vampire Lords that were defeated by the Necroscope and the Dweller.
July 24, 2023
These books are really something. The pacing is strange, the beginning of each book is a beginning of sorts but not the beginning of the tale and the middle is never the middle and the end could be an end or it could just be a milestone. Don't know what I mean? Well have you read the other 6 books?
It's good to be back in this universe. Very dark, very wild... My only complaint is these are a bit long. Since this is the 7th in the series I'll just say this.
This book feels like the main saga. It's a good installment.
It's good to be back in this universe. Very dark, very wild... My only complaint is these are a bit long. Since this is the 7th in the series I'll just say this.
This book feels like the main saga. It's a good installment.
December 26, 2019
More of a sex fest, than anything else.
This book could have been much better than it actually is. The story was all over the place. There was more sex and weird interludes than any real plot. It looks like mister Lumbley ran out of stuff to write about and used sex as a filler, which is a disappointment.
I have loved this series through the years since the late 90s but this is one of my least favorite books. Still, Brian Lumbley is one hell of a storyteller.
This book could have been much better than it actually is. The story was all over the place. There was more sex and weird interludes than any real plot. It looks like mister Lumbley ran out of stuff to write about and used sex as a filler, which is a disappointment.
I have loved this series through the years since the late 90s but this is one of my least favorite books. Still, Brian Lumbley is one hell of a storyteller.
July 26, 2022
Every time I read these books I think to myself will I get tired of them? But I never do. While this book is on the long side, each time I get to the end I think I wish there was more. Thankfully there is in the form of the many sequels. The authors Lovecraftian vampires is uniquely his own and combine that with an action comes story it doesn’t get much better.
July 25, 2021
Slightly better than Blood Brothers but suffering a bit from middle book syndrome. The thing with this trilogy is that while the story is good and the writing is solid, the characters aren't as interesting as in the original series.
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October 7, 2022Just buy it! anything from Brian Lumley is incredible. The Necroscope series and related books are his famous work, but he shows the reader his mastery of lexicon and imagination unbound in all his books and stories.
March 28, 2018
am enjoying this series is long winded though don't know if I will start the lost years books though
April 30, 2020
Another great book by Lumley
For anyone who loves good fiction. This whole series is one of the best there is. I recommend it highly.
For anyone who loves good fiction. This whole series is one of the best there is. I recommend it highly.
January 28, 2021
These stories of the Nercoscope and the Wamphyri are always
So engaging. Loved this book just like the others in the series.
So engaging. Loved this book just like the others in the series.
September 3, 2024
I'm glad that Nathan finally got the ability to travel. The ultimate Traveller. And that he finally accepted to be called Nathan Keogh.
January 11, 2025
I love the vampire world trilogy the best!
March 13, 2025
Pretty much love every book in the series.
May 19, 2021
I love this book. Great continuation of the series!
August 29, 2013
This book gets great reviews. Some of it felt rehashed. I get it, they're evil. I get it, the blood is the life yadda yadda yadda seventh book in I think I get it. Maybe I didn't get it though because this is held up highly by fans of the other books. Will I read the next few in the series? Probably because I've already purchased them. Am I looking as forward to blood wars as I once was the source? Nuh uh. How much time will I feel I've been robbed by the end of that book? Who knows because the future is a devious thing. (You'll notice in this review I used some sayings from the book in a very very corny and annoying way, much the same as I feel these sayings are bein used in the books at this point.)
January 25, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was the second of a trilogy and I had planned on rereading the first book but was grabbed by the first chapter. I really like the theme of a secret global society of men that monitor the occult. Brian Lumley joins other authors ( Anne Rice, Charles DeLint, Sergai Lukyanenko some of my favorites) in doing this so well.
One criticism: no map of his imaginary land is provided in this edition. Annoying!
One criticism: no map of his imaginary land is provided in this edition. Annoying!
February 26, 2016
The rating is more like 4 1/2 stars. Quite a riveting 2nd book in the Vampire World trilogy. It continues with the story of Nathan and Nestor with Nathan being hurled into our world and Nestor recovering from his injuries and recounting the story of his rapid rise to becoming a Wamphryi Lord. I usually like reading the Wamphryi part but it was slow going here. Didn't care much about Wratha's lustful obsession with Nestor. Love the Nightmare Zone part. Very chilling, eerie and scary.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews