Well someone has to do it. Time to separate the have from the have nots. Lets discuss The Touch.

 

I think Brian's writing skills are excellent in this book. Probably the best he has done. Everything just seems to keep flowing. He really did a great job. The story is good too, but I personally think it is far from the best Necroscope book. It hardly felt Necroscope-ish at all. The "new" Necroscope is hardly a Necroscope. Maybe he is more realistic in how he deals with his new gifts, but personally I find him not very exciting as a Necroscope. He is interesting, just not very exciting. As someone else said in the other thread, maybe this should have been under the title of E-branch instead of Necroscope. E-branch has always been a big part of the Necroscope books, but with THE Necroscope basicly out of the picture, atleast compared to the good old days, and any new Necroscopes being a pale comparison, it might be time to just end the Necroscope and start the E-branch series. E-branch is interesting and exciting enough to stand on their own so to speak. I guess I would just like to see another kick ass Necroscope if the series is to continue, or just go ahead and focus on E-branch. This book did neither. Even at the end when the dead raise to fight, little attention is given to their efforts. The times it is focused on the dead are cool, but not what I expect from a Necroscope book.

 

While the new nemesis is definitely cruel, they certainly don't have the appeal of the Wamphyri. You love the Wamphyri, even if you are glad to see them defeated. These new aliens, well I was just glad to see them leave Earth one way or another. It could have been cool to see these aliens in conflict at some point with a Wamphyri. The whole story with these crazed ET's is interesting, but I think part of the appeal of the Wamphyri is that we can relate or sympathize with them in some way, plus they are vampires. I really had no feelings toward these creatures. If there is another Necroscope, give me Wamphyri!

 

For the love of all that is good and holy and wicked and vile and everything in between, no more memory wiping! Please! Seriously, it was mildly amusing in the Lost Years but I over looked it because (1) it was a great story and (2) I wanted more of THE Necroscope. If Harry can wipe all those memories just so in the outside chance that aliens might come here and he don't want us to have bad memories to get us off on the wrong foot, then why not wipe everyone's memory so we can have world peace? But with what E-branch tried to do to Harry, I don't blame him.

 

The story is good but my least favorite Necroscope.

 

Don't stake me. Its just my opinion.

I tend to agree on most of your points, especially the memory wiping bit, but I found the Mordri to have equal potential to the Wamphyri in evility... they just got their asses kicked before it could be fully developed! And our new necroscope only realized his own full potential near the end of the mission for which he was chosen and then balked at the use of those powers... but hell, they are some pretty frightening powers! Harry had lived with them somewhere inside himself from birth, and even he balked several times!

 

While their race as a whole was an interesting concept, I was surprised to discover that they were for the most part good aliens, that it was only the three mad seeds come to Earth to destroy humanity. I would have liked to see the possibility of more of them coming in the future to exact revenge.

 

The idea of the Mordri Three searching for "God" and using the desruction of worlds to call him out was very cool, but the insinuation that Harry was somehow a god or employed by a god was a little over-the-top for what we've been told thus far.

 

Nope, not the best Necroscope book, especially with very little hope of more to come, but still pretty kick ass! I enjoyed the fresh spin.

 

[ July 24, 2006, 03:51 PM: Message edited by: Nathan ]

I really enjoyed the Touch; I liked it more than the E-branch trilogy. Scott St. John was a much stronger hero than Jake. Shania and Wolf were fun. The "forcing god to show his hand" by destroying worlds worked for me. It developed the relationship between Harry, god, the Moebius Continuum, angels and golden darts more. All my favorites made an appearance in interesting ways (Zek, Wolf, E-branch team).

 

As far as no Wamphyri, I was fine with it. The Mordri Three and the treatment of their slaves was gruesome. The descriptions of what they did to the workers and the atmosphere in Schloss Zonigen was chilling.

 

On the negative side, the ending was too quick. The mind wipes seemed only there to keep the novel in continuity. Scott could have done without the Necroscope power. He could have used Harry's other talents more or explored the power of the Moebius Continuum; maybe looked at the other doors in the equation. For such powerful aliens at the beginning of the novel, the Mordri Three are too easily defeated at the end.

 

The only concept I could have done without was the Khiff. They were too vampire parasite for me.

 

I'd love to see more of Scott St. John and his three. More exploration of the golden darts, angels, aliens, etc.

Agree with Melriks on this. Welcome to the board, Melricks, by the way. Will pass judgement (?) once I've finished reading it. It seems like a veritable pot pourri of positives and negatives so far. Mind you, there have only been two visitors to this topic! We wait with bated breath for more comment.

__________________________________________________

 

“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”

 

Spike – (The Uncivil Servant @ Taunton)

Originally posted by Nathan:

but I found the Mordri to have equal potential to the Wamphyri in evility... they just got their asses kicked before it could be fully developed!

I think you are right. Even before we knew the Wamphyri in the first book we already had an idea about them with the vampire myths. With the Mordri we are getting to know them for the first time. I wonder if this would not have been better as two or three books. Then the Mordri Three would have been developed more as well as Scott dealing with and learning about his new powers. Actually it is kind of funny that there are not going to be 3 books isn't it? lol

 

Originally posted by Nathan:

While their race as a whole was an interesting concept, I was surprised to discover that they were for the most part good aliens, that it was only the three mad seeds come to Earth to destroy humanity. I would have liked to see the possibility of more of them coming in the future to exact revenge.

Second book possibly? Maybe with their world destroyed the remaining Shing't turn from their good ways, though that does not seem likely with how they were described. Another concept, with their healing powers maybe they could play a role in the vision at the end of Avengers. That could make an interesting book.

 

I really enjoyed the Touch; I liked it more than the E-branch trilogy. Scott St. John was a much stronger hero than Jake. Shania and Wolf were fun. The "forcing god to show his hand" by destroying worlds worked for me. It developed the relationship between Harry, god, the Moebius Continuum, angels and golden darts more. All my favorites made an appearance in interesting ways (Zek, Wolf, E-branch team).

Jake was a much darker hero, adding to his excitement. Scott was more of the average guy hero exploring what would the average person do in such a wild situation. I am not sure I liked one more than the other. I liked them both for what they were. It is nice to see Brian explore different types of people put in this situation.

 

Shania and Wolf were definitely fun. That is something I love about the Necroscope books. You never know who (or what) may play an important part. Characters are not limited to living humans. Wolf was really interesting, adding not only an animal to their trio but also giving his account of life and his prespective of things.

 

The only concept I could have done without was the Khiff. They were too vampire parasite for me.

The Khiff were interesting. I found them a bit odd and creepy but it added a lot to the alien feel to the Shing't.

 

 

I did enjoy the fresh spin of the book as well. I might be critical of a few things, but I did enjoy the book and think it is good and refreshing.

 

[ July 25, 2006, 07:03 AM: Message edited by: Lord Scorpio ]

I think I'd better get reading

Well, I kind of agree on the memory-wipe thing. But, frustrating as it is, I can see how it's also necessary. Like someone mentioned in another thread a while ago (can't remember who or which thread, SORRY), it'd be weird to have Trask in Blood Brothers going "remember when those aliens invaded and turned folk inside out? mad, eh?" and Goodly saying "Eh? What are you on about?". A necessary evil, plotwise, but there are a couple of things I'm not sure of:

(as I said in the other thread, I ripped though the book and I haven't had a chance to re-read it yet, so...)

 

• Has Shania lost her healing powers at the end of the book? Has she become basically human, as I thought was hinted earlier on (if she stayed in human form for too long)?

 

• Did Shania wipe Wolf Snr's memory in Zakinthos as well, or only Zek's? ('Cos a big-mouthed telepathic wolf that saw the whole thing could potentially undo all her work, surely?)

 

• Am I the only one who pictures Shania Twain as Shania Two? Come on, the description, dark hair, slightly slanted eyes, THE NAME, I can't be the only one can I?

 

<.:blood:.>

Originally posted by blood...everywhere:

Well, I kind of agree on the memory-wipe thing. But, frustrating as it is, I can see how it's also necessary. Like someone mentioned in another thread a while ago (can't remember who or which thread, SORRY), it'd be weird to have Trask in Blood Brothers going "remember when those aliens invaded and turned folk inside out? mad, eh?" and Goodly saying "Eh? What are you on about?". A necessary evil, plotwise, but there are a couple of things I'm not sure of:

(as I said in the other thread, I ripped though the book and I haven't had a chance to re-read it yet, so...)

I don't see it being a problem personally. They don't really talk about other missions in other books much if at all, plus they do have other non-Wamphyri/Alien things they do (shown when Trask is going through paper work on things for them to do) that they never talk about. So it does not seem they like to relive the past much.

 

 

• Has Shania lost her healing powers at the end of the book? Has she become basically human, as I thought was hinted earlier on (if she stayed in human form for too long)

I never really thought about that. Actually I don't really understand her "turning into" a human. Her life thread turned human blue. Does that mean she is truly human? If so, how so? I took it as just showing that she would be staying on Earth and play human. But why would her life thread turn to human?

 

 

• Did Shania wipe Wolf Snr's memory in Zakinthos as well, or only Zek's? ('Cos a big-mouthed telepathic wolf that saw the whole thing could potentially undo all her work, surely?)

I wondered that myself. She only mentioned wiping Zek's memory. I also wondered why Wolf would let her do anything like that to Zek. Another memory wipe that I see as not necessary, but maybe I need to reread the E-branch trilogy to make sure.

 

 

• Am I the only one who pictures Shania Twain as Shania Two? Come on, the description, dark hair, slightly slanted eyes, THE NAME, I can't be the only one can I?

Hahaha ... hmmm ...

Shania Two (Twain)! I'm surprised no one made the connection earlier. Shall give my thoughts on the book when I've finished it tonight!

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"Best be thought of a foll than open your mouth & have all doubt removed"!!

 

Spike - The Uncivil Servant @ Taunton

I have a lot of positive things to say on this New Necro book. Not right now tho. Am way too busy! One other pointer - has anyone else ALSO noticed that 'Shing't' is an anagram of things? I'm not sure if these are coincidences and that BL does it on purpose to see if we're paying attention. And 'evagination'? Cool word

 

evaginate

v.t. turn inside out; protrude by so turning; a. evaginated. evagination, n.

 

__________________________________________________

 

“Most people would rather die than think: many do.”

 

Spike – (The Uncivil Servant @ Taunton)

 

[ August 14, 2006, 05:57 AM: Message edited by: Chris Banks ]

The Touch. Hmm! This new book is such a departure from The Wamphyri as antagonists and all that they stood for in the original Necro Novels. However, if you delve deep enough, there ARE actually similarities. The Mordri Three seem to work as a cohesive unit for the good (or evil) of each other to work towards a common goal. There is the underlying tone of terror and angst that they strike into the very souls of their victims. Yet, it seems that they are just as individually nasty (not to mention stark raving fkn bonkers!) and seem to work towards their own needs and ends – must be something to do with the Khiff ‘parasite’ in them. Check Gelka Mordri at the end. Or Guiler Schweitzer taking back the 'debt' which was not honoured.

 

I could go on and on about this but won’t. See Scorpio’s initial comments.

 

Scott St John as a Necroscope? Need time to think about this and get ‘into the mind of the character’ to be able to pass fair comment. (Hey, I’ve only read the book once). Shania Twain (sorry, Two ) and Wolf as the Three Unit. Different and I like it as a concept. (Just where did he come up with the 3 thing, anyway? – Weird? Or just another product of a fertile and warped mind?)

 

The book seems to work well as whole and I congratulate BL on this, his most literate Necro novel to date. Smoothly written and so outrageously descriptive in chapters. How the hell did he find out about evagination? Makes you wonder, doesn’t it!!?

 

Maybe there are a few out there who have already read this book and have comments to pass. Please don’t be shy, or disagreeing, or even argumentative if you disagree with any previous comments on this board. That’s what we’re here for, right?

 

I would recommend it as a ‘needs must’ read to all Lumleyans. Don’t be shy. Give it a go. You WILL find something in there for you, honest. ENJOY.

 

What chance a sequel? (Again).

__________________________________________________

 

“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”

 

Spike – (The Uncivil Servant @ Taunton)

 

[ August 15, 2006, 06:44 AM: Message edited by: Chris Banks ]

I'm leaving it to read the week before the Keoghcon when we're in Torquay, I should be through all the others once again by then

I'm trying not to read any messages about The Touch because I don't want to see any spoilers as I have the book but not read it yet. I'm currently re-reading the Necroscope novels and was wondering a couple of things. Where exactly does The Touch fall in the Necroscope chronology and does it help to be up to date with Necro knowledge, or is it more of a stand-a-lone book.

I think you'll find it kicks off about THREE months after Harry's death on Starside. That bloody number, again!!!! :D

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

‘Bow to Leper Messiah’

Lord Wazzuck the Feckless of Taunton

I think you'll find it kicks off about THREE months after Harry's death on Starside. That bloody number, again!!!! :D

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

‘Bow to Leper Messiah’

Lord Wazzuck the Feckless of Taunton

 

LOL I didn't pick up on that, though you read it before the whole 3 thing is introduced. Makes you really wonder if there is not going to be 3 books.

sometimes i really hate living in canada. i doubt "the touch" will be out here for awhile yet.

Heads Up, Timo. Check out Amazon.co.uk for good deals on BL's books. Alternatively, there are always books and goodies available on E Bay!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

‘Bow to Leper Messiah’

Lord Wazzuck the Feckless of Taunton

It was out in Australia by the middle of August, so I am surprised that it was not on the shelves at the same time in Canada.

They put new Brian Lumley books on shelves? :eek: WOW

NOW, NOW, SCORP, YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER!!!!!! :D

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

‘Bow to Leper Messiah’

Lord Wazzuck the Feckless of Taunton

Heads Up, Timo. Check out Amazon.co.uk for good deals on BL's books. Alternatively, there are always books and goodies available on E Bay!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

‘Bow to Leper Messiah’

Lord Wazzuck the Feckless of Taunton

 

I don't like ordering books off the internet though, it's just not very personal. There's something about going into a bookstore and finding what I've been looking for that makes me feel good.

It was out in Australia by the middle of August, so I am surprised that it was not on the shelves at the same time in Canada.

 

Buddy, if I were to go into a bookstore right now, I'd be lucky to see ANY BL books.

 

If they did have any they'd probably be: necroscope 1-5, the last three, and some of his short stories. It's damn hard to find the lost years and the blood brothers trilogy and it's damn near impossible to find any of his other books. The only reason why I have so many of his books is because I managed to find a used bookstore that had alot of his other books.

Buddy, if I were to go into a bookstore right now, I'd be lucky to see ANY BL books.

 

If they did have any they'd probably be: necroscope 1-5, the last three, and some of his short stories. It's damn hard to find the lost years and the blood brothers trilogy and it's damn near impossible to find any of his other books. The only reason why I have so many of his books is because I managed to find a used bookstore that had alot of his other books.

 

 

I actually found a copy of The Touch at a library, but I have been looking to see if it is at bookstores and have not come across a copy at this stage. So perhaps you can check out your local library catalogues and see if any have it.

I tend to agree with most of the points here, It was a good book but not the best necroscope book.

 

The main problem for me wasn't the memory wipe thing, it was the fact that St John had his powers removed at the end of the book, I just don't think Harry would empower someone to be a necroscope, giving the dead the hope that someone is out there again only to remove that gift. Im not thinking in terms of St johns well being here, just the deads, Harry always did what was best for the dead until this book. He basicaly used St John to use the dead which i felt was completly out of character for Harry.

I actually found a copy of The Touch at a library, but I have been looking to see if it is at bookstores and have not come across a copy at this stage. So perhaps you can check out your local library catalogues and see if any have it.

 

That's a good idea, but libraries are sticklers about wanting their books back.