Blood Brothers

Vampires, sons borns of mortals, thralls, crones, trogs, the undead, shape-shifters, leeches, hags, flyers, cartilage creatures--all are characters in this diverting if drawn-out tale of the twin sons of Harry Keough. The late Keough (previously seen in Nec ro scope and four other outings), a telepathic vampire hunter able to speak with the dead, has passed the torch to his unwitting sons, Nestor and Nathan, who not only think their father was a humble gypsy but also mistakenly believe that all the vampires in the world were destroyed long ago. The young men--one seemingly simple and innocent, the other strong and fiercely intelligent--are separated when their settlement on Sunside is attacked by vampire warriors from Starside known as Wamphyri. As their personalities undergo drastic transformations and Keough's legacy reemerges in new and very strange surroundings, each must struggle to retain his identity as evil forces threaten. Naturally, one twin proves more successful than the other. While the brothers' travails are somewhat compelling, as is the course of their love for the same woman, it is the villains here--Wratha, the Unrisen and Maglore of Runemanse--who are bound to engage readers most. (July)