Watchers: The Battle for the Throne

Rating:
Summary: Return of the Others
Review: Battle for the Throne is the second part of the Watchers Trilogy. In the first we were introduced to Martin and Sean, two young men who were tasked to accompany and look after a traveller and his daughter as they made their way through the north of England pursued by the Others, a vampiric race intent on taking the throne of England.

In book two, the characters become deeper and more rounded as the reader learns of their internal struggles and personal feelings and we discover the reason that the Others, led by the Blood King are so intent on finding Martin and his charges.

The book continues where the previous one left off, with Martin taking on the responsibility of leadership as the Others attack the Milecastle that he now commands and with Sean in pursuit of the girl he was charged to protect.

Meikle effortlessly introduces new legends and races as if they had always been part of British folklore and his description of the battles that rage as the Others pursue Martin and his men across northern England rank with the best.

As the last page is turned, Battle for the Throne leaves you gasping for more and hoping that the third book isn't too far off.

Rating:
Summary: The epic battle continues!
Review: Part 2 of the Watchers trilogy picks up right where "The Coming of the King" left off. Milecastle has fallen, with most of the Watch dead. Martin must overcome the loss of his father quickly and take up the position as the new Thane. Martin pushes further south to warn the people of the coming black horde and continue to fight against the Others, while Sean chooses to follow Campbell north to find Mary and save her from the clutches of the Boy-King. Hopefully they can accomplish this before the ceremony can take place that will continue the dark royal lineage of the Others. With each town the black horde conquers, their numbers grow, and the hopes of men and only men dwindle. Will the two boyhood friends accomplish their tasks?

William Meikle does a great job of enhancing the depth of the characters in this novel. He also quickens the pace a little bit. Since introductions were made in the previous novel, more time can be spent in this novel on action. You will also find that the author has a few surprises up his sleeve in store for the reader. It is not often that one can find books in which the outcome is not always in favor of the "good guys." Thus, the plot is not always predictable and the reader is in suspense throughout the duration of the book. As in the previous installment, Meikle weaves together more history with his fantasy rather effortlessly. So much so that the tale is almost believable. You will find yourself turning page after page wanting to find out what happens next!

Any fan of epic dark fantasy novels should try out this series, and anyone who has already read the first book should be itching to get their hands on the second. Set aside an evening to read this book, for you will want to devour it in one sitting. I love this short series, and I anxiously await the coming of the final part of this trilogy, "Culloden," as well as anything else this superb new voice in horror fiction has to offer.

Rating:
Summary: The epic battle continues!
Review: Part 2 of the Watchers trilogy picks up right where "The Coming of the King" left off. Milecastle has fallen, with most of the Watch dead. Martin must overcome the loss of his father quickly and take up the position as the new Thane. Martin pushes further south to warn the people of the coming black horde and continue to fight against the Others, while Sean chooses to follow Campbell north to find Mary and save her from the clutches of the Boy-King. Hopefully they can accomplish this before the ceremony can take place that will continue the dark royal lineage of the Others. With each town the black horde conquers, their numbers grow, and the hopes of men and only men dwindle. Will the two boyhood friends accomplish their tasks?

William Meikle does a great job of enhancing the depth of the characters in this novel. He also quickens the pace a little bit. Since introductions were made in the previous novel, more time can be spent in this novel on action. You will also find that the author has a few surprises up his sleeve in store for the reader. It is not often that one can find books in which the outcome is not always in favor of the "good guys." Thus, the plot is not always predictable and the reader is in suspense throughout the duration of the book. As in the previous installment, Meikle weaves together more history with his fantasy rather effortlessly. So much so that the tale is almost believable. You will find yourself turning page after page wanting to find out what happens next!

Any fan of epic dark fantasy novels should try out this series, and anyone who has already read the first book should be itching to get their hands on the second. Set aside an evening to read this book, for you will want to devour it in one sitting. I love this short series, and I anxiously await the coming of the final part of this trilogy, "Culloden," as well as anything else this superb new voice in horror fiction has to offer.

Rating:
Summary: The "Other" way North...
Review: The Thane is dead, long live the Thane!

The joy as two boyhood pals are reunited is short lived as Martin's new weighty responsibilities as Thane of Milecastle settle about his shoulders, catapulting him into sudden adulthood. Dark events unfold with such speed that he is even denied the time to grieve for his beloved father as he must see to the protection of his people and his town.

Forced yet again to separate from his friend, Sean sets out to save Mary Campbell from the clutches of the Boy King and travels, with her father's aid, into the realm of the Others and men who are not men and only men. A fortuitous encounter with Lennan and the Woodsman strengthens them for the push further north to Rosslyn and Edinburgh Castle itself.

And all the while, the Black Horde is massing...

Will Martin be able fulfill the Protector's wishes? Can Sean possibly rescue Mary before it is too late? Will the Boy King bring about the fall of Derby?

If you truly are man and only man, bury yourself in Meikle's second adventure in his Watchers series, The Battle for the Throne. The author proves his stalwart ability to inexorably draw the reader into this dark historic tale and leave him wanting more. Join the journey as characters we met in the first volume are brought to life once again along with expertly sketched new personalities in this finely crafted yarn brings the saga ever nearer its zenith.

You won't be disappointed...