Picking up my paperback copy of WATCHERS: THE COMING OF THE KING by William Meikle last weekend, I noticed one thing right off the bat - the cover shows the head of a wolf with glowing eyes and bared fangs floating wraith-like in a background of sheer black. Spooky, just as I prefer horror book covers to be. So, I opened the book up to the first page and began reading. Soon, though, I realized that this was no tale of werewolves at all! It was in fact a vampire story! Intrigued to the say the least, I kept on reading and soon found myself turning the pages furiously!

The story being told in WATCHERS: THE COMING OF THE KING is one of old England and Scotland, several centuries old, and the men of the Watch who guard Milecastle from the threat posed by the Others. Although it's been a century or more since the last Other came over the wall, the men of the Watch patrol the walled border between England and Scotland just the same. It was this much of an impact that the last Other army made on the people of England those many years ago. The terror is still alive in childrens's tales, in the talk of taverns and among the men of the Watch.

The story centers on young Martin, son of the Thane of Milecastle and member of the Watch, and his young friend Sean. These two are on duty when a sight is seen coming down the long road leading to the wall from Scotland that hasn't been seen in years—people looking for refuge in Milecastle. Martin and Sean are loathe to let these travelers enter the gates, lest they be Other spies meaning to do harm to Milecastle. But after the man passes the test of the bulb, they are allowed passage inside and from here a tale of high adventure and much danger ensues.

WATCHERS: THE COMING OF THE KING is more an adventure tale than a horror book. Although it deals with an army of vampires being led by the Boy King, a descendant of the last vampire ruler of England, and there is much bloodshed and killing and savagery within the text, it is the story of Martin and Sean and their separate travels that tell the tale and keep the pages turning so swiftly.

William Meikle has created an alternate history here that smacks of high fantasy and knights and swords! There's a touch of magic and a fair share of religious mysticism thrown in for good measure (including a plot-twist involving Jesus Christ himself that is sure to throw you but good), but I found myself continuously spurred on by what was going to happen to the two protagonists. What' s that, you say, you haven't yet heard tell of any wolf within this review? So why is there one on the cover? Aha, you will have to wait to find the answer to that just as I did while reading this first book in the Watchers Series. The symbolism of the wolf and how it relates to the tale put a fresh new twist on another popular horror staple.

This book is not for the squeamish by any means, folks—many savage acts are depicted throughout in full and gory detail. But if you like your adventure tales told on a bloody stage, this is the stuff for you. This is a story of honor and devotion, of treachery and allegiance, of a father's love for his daughter when all is forsaken, of a son's aching need for his father's acceptance and of a coming storm of evil that threatens to overtake all the land. Thrilling and captivating, I found myself turning the pages as quickly as I could. WATCHERS: THE COMING OF THE KING is not the very best of horror books or adventure books that I've ever read but, somewhere inside my head, tickling at the back of my brain, was the urge to keep reading no matter what the hour or what after-work chores had yet to be completed. I simply wasn't able to put the darn thing down without saying, "just one more page, ok, just one more page..." And for this, I am thankful to William Meikle for giving me a story that I could really sink my teeth into...pardon the pun.

I've already gorged myself on the second book in the Watchers Series, WATCHERS: THE BATTLE FOR THE THRONE, and found it to be just as enthralling and un-put-downable as the first! What happens to Martin and Sean next will surprise you and thrill you and...I could keep going on but you get the point. Rest assured, dear readers, that a review of this second WATCHERS book will be soon to follow within these electronic pages. For now, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of WATCHERS: THE COMING OF THE KING by William Meikle, published by Black Death Books. You shall not be disappointed.

It was January 1649. The vampire prisoner had been confined in a small cell, no more than 5 feet in any direction, for months. He had not fed for ages, with the exception of the odd passing rat. He was gaunt, pale and haggard. One day the guards finally came for him. Having dressed him in his finest clothes they took him forward for execution. They dragged him forwards and chained him down on a plinth covered with a white cloth. As the drum roll sounded the executioner stepped forward, stake in hand, to complete his task.

As the stake plunged into the vampire's heart, blood flooded over the bench and sprayed the crowd. As the body burst into flames the onlookers were forced back away from the spectacle. Once the flames subsided all that remained of Charles Stuart, King of England and Scotland, was a pile of ash.

As you can see from the synopsis (and don't worry, this covers only the first few pages of the story), this is a vampire story with a difference. It combines an alternate history tale with a decent vampiric theme. It covers various periods in history from 1649 through to 1745 and incorporates the rise of the Boy King, Charles Stuart. Essentially the story is based on the conflict between the English and the Scottish but includes some fantasy elements.

It is a superb story. Thoroughly enjoyable from the first word to the last. William Meikle has a wonderfully unique style that is infinitely readable, totally addictive and enchanting. I suppose that some history-puritans may object to the rewriting of Scottish history – not me!

I honestly loved this book and I cannot wait for volume 2 to be available.