E-Branch: Invaders

Brian Lumley

First there was the Necroscope series, then the Vampire World trilogy, he returned to the world of the Necroscope via the two Lost World books. And now he's back again, with the first in a trilogy. The question you have to ask, is whether this series is worth the continued attention. You are likely to get varied answers, but whatever your opinion, you can't deny that they always offer up a good read. This book opens with a scene in the Australian outback, a small deserted petrol station that explodes into scenes reminiscent of the film Near Dark. From those scenes we are introduced to the two main characters of the book, new recruits for E-Branch, fighting a new infestation of Wampyrii making an appearance on Earth.

One of them, a troubled individual called Jake, is of particular interest to the branch, for his skills are reminiscent of someone they once knew. If you've read any of these before you'll know what to expect, and despite my initial doubts it does deliver. More fascinating historical background story on those interlopers from the Vampire World, and plenty of modern day action and adventure. The fleshing out of yet more of the Vampire World back story is probably what makes the novel most compelling, and that world is one of Lumley's most impressive inventions. So it isn't surprising he can't quite let it go.

The finale is of course colourful and violent, filled with tension and noise. As dramatic as you'd expect from an author like Lumley, and leaving enough of a hook to leave you wanting more from the following volume. It is by it's nature repetitive, but if you've read this far then you're used to that, and it is by no means a disappointment.