The Night Watch


Having heard so many good things about Sergei Lukyanenko's Night Watch series last year, my curiosity was piqued in such a way that I couldn't not buy the first two volumes. And although my expectations were high for this book, I was truly impressed by The Night Watch. It's no wonder this urban fantasy trilogy made Lukyanenko the bestselling speculative fiction author in Russia. Hopefully reviews like these will help generate interest for this imaginative series.

Set in contemporary Moscow, The Night Watch introduces us to the eternal struggle between two factions of the Others, an ancient race of human beings possessing supernatural powers. All Others must swear allegiance to either the Dark or the Light. Agents of the Light -- the Night Watch -- and agents of the Dark -- the Day Watch -- oppose one another, yet they must maintain a precarious balance between Good and Evil due to the Treaty which is enforced by the mysterious Inquisition. When Anton, a seemingly unimportant member of the Night Watch, stumbles upon a cursed young woman named Svetlana on the train, events are set in motion that could have dire consequences. A battle between the Dark and the Light could lay waste to the entire world, unless Anton can find a way to prevent that catastrophe.

The simple fact that Russia and the former Soviet Union serve as a backdrop for this novel makes for a fascinating setting. It's different -- a veritable breath of fresh air in a genre that stagnates all too often.

The Night Watch is comprised of three different parts. Although they're related, the three parts read like distinct novellas, each with its own storylines. And yet, each part is a thread in a vaster tale.

Sergei Lukyanenko's writing style could be qualified as "minimalist." Nothing is overwritten, no words or sentences are wasted -- you won't find flowery prose in this book. The author's concise style makes for a brisk pace, and the novella-type format turns this novel into a real page-turner.

There is a good balance between first and third person narratives. The sections which showcase Anton are written in the first person, which allows the reader to appreciate how genuine and complex this character is. First person narratives can be tricky, but Lukyanenko does it well, and the transition between the various narratives is smooth throughout the novel.

Had I read this book last year as I intended, The Night Watch would certainly have ended up in my Top 10 of 2006. I can't wait to read both sequels, The Day Watch and The Twilight Watch.

Highly recommended. . . Sergei Lukyanenko is an author worth discovering!:-) And with the book out in paperback, anyone can afford it!

The final verdict: 8/10
For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe

9 commentaires:

Lacheisis said...

I love that trilogy, and I am lucky to be able to read it in the original. There is actually a fourth book now as well, called "The Last Watch", but I think it's not yet translated into English.

Anonymous said...

A great trilogy :) It's also rather similar in some ways to a series of children's books called "The Dark Is Rising" sequence, where an ancient race (earthly) exist as what appears to be human, blah. And choose alliance as lords of light/dark to keep a balance. Mind you that is a common theme in a lot of things.
Not as well written as these though. But still a good series to get young 'uns into fantasy.

M. said...

I just received the third book, newly out in paperback in the U.S. Gotta get to these. :D

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the review. I haven't picked up the books (yet?), but the movie was great and had the most creative use of subtitles I've ever seen. I can't wait for the second and third movies...gotta check out the books, I suppose. ;-)

Anonymous said...

The movies have little in common with the books and certainly don't do them justice. Anyway, I can only feel a little sorry for all you english readers who can't read Lukyanenko in his native language because his style is AMAZING. Well, truth be told I can't either, but bulgarian is way closer to russian ^_^

And yes, it's not a trilogy, it's an open series and The Last Watch is on the same magnificent level as the rest of them

Patrick said...

It's good to know that there's a fourth volume on the way!

Are any other books planned in this series???

Anonymous said...

Movies rarely do books justice, but I liked the movie a lot.

Anonymous said...

Well, I don't think Lukyanenko's announced any sequels, but at the end of The Last Watch he says "Do you really think this is the Last Watch?" so...

Vanin said...

Long time ago I heard he was willing to write three trilogies, so...