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The King's Watch #13
Second Nature Part One: Cry Havoc
Cry Havoc
It was a long time coming, but the wedding is over. Back to work.
Conrad has a lot in his in-tray. Douglas Geldart is dead, and in dying he confirmed that there is an organisation whose roots go deep, and whose mere existence threatens the King’s Peace. The Akademia.
Who is Homer?
Conrad has to pull at a thread which has lain buried for thirty years, and in doing so he is going to make new enemies and upset old friends.
Before he can even begin to look for Homer, there is a whole new can of curried a problem with his pack of Mannwolves.
Cry Havoc is Part One of a story which is continued in Second Nature Part Let Slip the Dogs of War.
Join Conrad, Saffron and his new partner, Róisín Sterling, as the Fae Knight now known as Alice leads them down a rabbit hole of epic proportions. Grab a copy of Part One and prepare to enter the mad, mad world of Merlyn's Tower.
It was a long time coming, but the wedding is over. Back to work.
Conrad has a lot in his in-tray. Douglas Geldart is dead, and in dying he confirmed that there is an organisation whose roots go deep, and whose mere existence threatens the King’s Peace. The Akademia.
Who is Homer?
Conrad has to pull at a thread which has lain buried for thirty years, and in doing so he is going to make new enemies and upset old friends.
Before he can even begin to look for Homer, there is a whole new can of curried a problem with his pack of Mannwolves.
Cry Havoc is Part One of a story which is continued in Second Nature Part Let Slip the Dogs of War.
Join Conrad, Saffron and his new partner, Róisín Sterling, as the Fae Knight now known as Alice leads them down a rabbit hole of epic proportions. Grab a copy of Part One and prepare to enter the mad, mad world of Merlyn's Tower.
- GenresFantasy
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
About the author
Mark Hayden
31 books294 followersAuthor also writes under Ruth Ward
Mark Hayden is the nom de guerre of Adrian Attwood. He lives in Westmorland with his wife, Anne.
Adrian has had a varied career working for a brewery, teaching English and being the Town Clerk in Carnforth. He is now a part-time writer and part-time assistant in Anne's craft projects.
He is also proud to be the Mad Unky to his Great Nieces & Great Nephew.
His current writing project is the King’s Watch series of urban fantasy novels, from 13th Witch all the way down to Zero Hour. If he can keep it up.
Mark Hayden is the nom de guerre of Adrian Attwood. He lives in Westmorland with his wife, Anne.
Adrian has had a varied career working for a brewery, teaching English and being the Town Clerk in Carnforth. He is now a part-time writer and part-time assistant in Anne's craft projects.
He is also proud to be the Mad Unky to his Great Nieces & Great Nephew.
His current writing project is the King’s Watch series of urban fantasy novels, from 13th Witch all the way down to Zero Hour. If he can keep it up.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 24, 2026
I was disappointed by this book.
Having read all of the King’s Watch books over the years, the first half of this one was just too confusing. The reader faces a huge cast of characters, each of whom is referred to by multiple names, titles, abbreviations, nicknames and relationships, some of which are confusingly similar. For example, we have both Ez (Eseld) and Essy (Saffron). Unless you read this book with notes from all the previous books or a “Who’s Who” compendium, you’ll frequently get lost. Similarly with the many locations, each known by several titles.
The second half improved slightly with more of a storyline which then sputtered out in a summer break to create book two.
As someone who reads these books for enjoyment, I can genuinely say I did not. Frustrating and confusing yes, enjoyable no.
Having read all of the King’s Watch books over the years, the first half of this one was just too confusing. The reader faces a huge cast of characters, each of whom is referred to by multiple names, titles, abbreviations, nicknames and relationships, some of which are confusingly similar. For example, we have both Ez (Eseld) and Essy (Saffron). Unless you read this book with notes from all the previous books or a “Who’s Who” compendium, you’ll frequently get lost. Similarly with the many locations, each known by several titles.
The second half improved slightly with more of a storyline which then sputtered out in a summer break to create book two.
As someone who reads these books for enjoyment, I can genuinely say I did not. Frustrating and confusing yes, enjoyable no.
May 28, 2026
I am sad to say I just could not finish this. There were so many characters , sub plots , linked stories the reader is meant to know about. It was a kaleidoscope of story snippets that was very difficult to follow and in the end I lost all interest in the cast and the story . I made it to 20% but the main story line had not emerged by then and I couldn’t summon the will to keep wading though the preliminary information. It has been a long time since I did not finish a book.
June 6, 2026
Excellent
This series just keeps getting better as it draws to its conclusion. One of the best UK based urban fantasy series out there,
This series just keeps getting better as it draws to its conclusion. One of the best UK based urban fantasy series out there,
May 6, 2026
Not quite light reading!
Disturbing events happening in Albion, but thankfully The Kings Watch is on hand to if not bring about peace, then at least keep some sort of order. Let's just hope they can catch Homer and gang in the 2nd book because I don't want to be worrying about them for a year or two until the next instalment!
Disturbing events happening in Albion, but thankfully The Kings Watch is on hand to if not bring about peace, then at least keep some sort of order. Let's just hope they can catch Homer and gang in the 2nd book because I don't want to be worrying about them for a year or two until the next instalment!
July 4, 2026
I did finish this book, but it took me 2 months (which I think is the longest I've *ever* taken).
I've loved this series, but as it's gone on it's gotten so bloated. There were two books that particularly suffered from that, but they were still great in the second half. This book though... I'm not sure it had anything redeeming about it.
Too many characters to keep track of, too many insignificant and/or convoluted plot points that don't go anywhere, and... just really nothing much happened.
It probably doesn't help that Conrad is not in this book as much as normal and the primary POVs near the end are Rachel and Saffy. Some of that stuff is interesting, but first third set up level interesting, not climax of the book level interesting.
Give us Conrad against some bad guys. And bad guys that actually do bad things rather than just meet and plot and chat most of the time and only occasionally actually do something. Don't just give us girls trips out and Fae tea parties and very mild political intrigue. Oh and searches for minor characters you can't remember for reasons that don't seem important to the story.
I know this is part of a novel that had to be split into 2 parts, so maybe this is all set up for the second part of the book - but honestly, the author should have gotten a strong editor and only kept about 10 to 15% of this book and released it as a single novel.
I can't tell you how sad it makes me feel to write a review like this. The first books were fantastic! I really loved them. But the essence of those early books have been watered down until what's left is no great.
Also (this is a little tricky): I'm all for strong female characters and povs, genuinely. But for me there is a line that's been crossed when you look around and realise there's a strong male character, surrounded by a dozen female characters, all of whom look up to the dominant male and hardly any other male characters. Throw in recurring references to Fae sexual practices and it feels like something creepy is going on. I've been trying to ignore that but it's getting to me. Maybe it's just me that feels uncomfortable about that.
So, I'm not sure where that leaves me. Do I go ahead and read the second part? Or do I abandon the series here? I guess I'll probably push on, seeing I've invested so much into this series - but I actually feel a little dread about doing so.
I've loved this series, but as it's gone on it's gotten so bloated. There were two books that particularly suffered from that, but they were still great in the second half. This book though... I'm not sure it had anything redeeming about it.
Too many characters to keep track of, too many insignificant and/or convoluted plot points that don't go anywhere, and... just really nothing much happened.
It probably doesn't help that Conrad is not in this book as much as normal and the primary POVs near the end are Rachel and Saffy. Some of that stuff is interesting, but first third set up level interesting, not climax of the book level interesting.
Give us Conrad against some bad guys. And bad guys that actually do bad things rather than just meet and plot and chat most of the time and only occasionally actually do something. Don't just give us girls trips out and Fae tea parties and very mild political intrigue. Oh and searches for minor characters you can't remember for reasons that don't seem important to the story.
I know this is part of a novel that had to be split into 2 parts, so maybe this is all set up for the second part of the book - but honestly, the author should have gotten a strong editor and only kept about 10 to 15% of this book and released it as a single novel.
I can't tell you how sad it makes me feel to write a review like this. The first books were fantastic! I really loved them. But the essence of those early books have been watered down until what's left is no great.
Also (this is a little tricky): I'm all for strong female characters and povs, genuinely. But for me there is a line that's been crossed when you look around and realise there's a strong male character, surrounded by a dozen female characters, all of whom look up to the dominant male and hardly any other male characters. Throw in recurring references to Fae sexual practices and it feels like something creepy is going on. I've been trying to ignore that but it's getting to me. Maybe it's just me that feels uncomfortable about that.
So, I'm not sure where that leaves me. Do I go ahead and read the second part? Or do I abandon the series here? I guess I'll probably push on, seeing I've invested so much into this series - but I actually feel a little dread about doing so.
July 2, 2026
You nearly need a professional qualification to read this book. The list of characters is prodigious. I must have absorbed something from the previous ten volumes because I understood a lot of what was going on, even though Third Eye is still sitting in the TBR pile.
This should give any newcomers to the saga pause for thought. There are multiple story arcs to go with the teeming cast and unless you want to go cross eyed, it’s best not to try and follow everything.
I will read the second half—and probably the final volume too—but only because I’m a completist.
This should give any newcomers to the saga pause for thought. There are multiple story arcs to go with the teeming cast and unless you want to go cross eyed, it’s best not to try and follow everything.
I will read the second half—and probably the final volume too—but only because I’m a completist.
May 16, 2026
Needs a recap and character list
Although I've read all the books on the series, in this there are too many characters thrown at you too quickly from books released long ago. Quite a lot of this story is heavily dependent on earlier events that simply aren't explained. I gave up about a third of the way through.
Although I've read all the books on the series, in this there are too many characters thrown at you too quickly from books released long ago. Quite a lot of this story is heavily dependent on earlier events that simply aren't explained. I gave up about a third of the way through.
June 23, 2026
Kings Watch and all that serve……..outstanding!
Mark Hayden has written a perfect mix of subtle humour and edge of seat urgency in this wonderful series of novels.
I always wait with anticipation when a new book is on its way and I hope Dogs of War won’t be the last.
Great author, all of his book’s are worth reading. Recommend!
Mark Hayden has written a perfect mix of subtle humour and edge of seat urgency in this wonderful series of novels.
I always wait with anticipation when a new book is on its way and I hope Dogs of War won’t be the last.
Great author, all of his book’s are worth reading. Recommend!
June 17, 2026
gotta love fairies, gnomes, werewolves and the like
Conrad’s at it again. The book requires you know the tale to this point, but if you’re a fan you will enjoy. I liked that Alice and Rachel were key figures in this installment.
Conrad’s at it again. The book requires you know the tale to this point, but if you’re a fan you will enjoy. I liked that Alice and Rachel were key figures in this installment.
June 12, 2026
The world building 5/5 ⭐
Very convoluted. Very.
I need to reread the series before the next book in the series comes out! 😵💫
Very convoluted. Very.
I need to reread the series before the next book in the series comes out! 😵💫
June 26, 2026
Finally, after much perseverance, I have given up. The sheer number of characters, the changing locations not to say genders, has finally defeated me.
June 1, 2026
More!
I now have both volumes of Second Nature, this one is a perfect scene setter for the second. Brilliant book but only if you have followed the journey from the Thirteenth Witch. Start there and enjoy the best modern magic fantasy going.
I now have both volumes of Second Nature, this one is a perfect scene setter for the second. Brilliant book but only if you have followed the journey from the Thirteenth Witch. Start there and enjoy the best modern magic fantasy going.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews